Final answer:
The different seasons on Earth are caused by the angles at which the sun's rays strike the Earth. This occurs due to the tilt of the Earth's axis as it orbits the sun.
Step-by-step explanation:
The different seasons on Earth are caused by the angles at which the sun's rays strike the Earth. As the Earth orbits the sun, its axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane. This means that at different times of the year, different parts of the Earth receive more direct sunlight than others, resulting in varying amounts of heat and light.
For example, when the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it experiences summer because the sun's rays strike the Earth at a higher angle and more directly. In contrast, when the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it experiences winter because the sun's rays strike the Earth at a lower angle and are spread out over a larger area.
The distance between Earth and the sun does not significantly affect the seasons since Earth's orbit is slightly elliptical, with the distance between the Earth and the sun varying only slightly throughout the year.
Learn more about Causes of seasons on Earth