Planet B has a tilt of 45 degrees. What seasonal changes would be expected on this planet?

Extreme temperature changes between seasons
Little to no change in temperatures between seasons
Seasonal changes along the equator only
Seasonal changes at the poles only

1 answer

A planet with a tilt of 45 degrees would experience extreme temperature changes between seasons.

Here's why:

  1. Axial Tilt and Seasons: The tilt of a planet's axis significantly impacts the intensity and duration of sunlight that different parts of the planet receive throughout its orbit around its star. A higher tilt means that the poles will receive much more direct sunlight during one part of the year and much less during others, leading to more pronounced seasonal differences.

  2. Extreme Temperature Variations: With a 45-degree tilt, areas near the equator would still experience some seasonal changes, albeit less extreme than those at higher latitudes. However, the poles would have drastically different climates in summer (when they receive continuous sunlight) compared to winter (when they are tilted away from the sun and receive little to no sunlight).

  3. Effect Across the Planet: Since the axial tilt is substantial, different regions of the planet (especially mid-latitudes and polar regions) would experience significant shifts in temperature, weather patterns, and day length across the seasons.

In summary, the correct expectation for a planet with a 45-degree axial tilt is extreme temperature changes between seasons.