Name: Solstice and Equinox
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 6 min 45 s
Description: We all have experienced differences in day and night during specific periods of the year. What is the reason behind this? Let's find out!

Question

Why are days and nights not of equal duration throughout the world?

Accepted Answer

The length of days and nights is not the same throughout the year. This variation is due to the inclination of the earth's axis. Due to this inclination, the Northern Hemisphere remains inclined towards the sun for half of the year and the Southern Hemisphere during the other half.

The North Pole is inclined towards the sun and the South Pole is turned away from the sun. Thus, a larger part of the Northern Hemisphere receives sunlight. This results in longer days and shorter nights. The South Pole is inclined towards the sun and the North Pole is turned away from the sun.

A larger part of the Southern Hemisphere receives sunlight. This results in longer days and shorter nights in the Southern Hemisphere. Throughout the year the length of days and nights is equal at the equator. It is of 12 hours each. If the axis of the earth was vertical the length of days and nights would be equal (12 hours each) at all places on the earth, throughout the year.

Throughout the year, the length of the days and nights varies. The tilt of the earth's axis is responsible for this variance. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun for half of the year, while the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun for the other half. The North Pole is facing the sun, while the South Pole is facing away from it. As a result, sunlight reaches a bigger portion of the Northern Hemisphere. As a result, the days are longer and the nights are shorter.

Why are days and nights not of equal duration throughout the world?

Important Questions on Motions of the Earth

Learn and Prepare for any exam you want !