Final answer:
The June solstice results in the Sun's rays shining most directly on the Northern Hemisphere, specifically on the Tropic of Cancer at 23° N latitude, causing longer days, shorter nights, and warmer weather in the region, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences the opposite effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the June solstice, which occurs on or about June 21, the Sun's rays shine most directly on the Northern Hemisphere. This phenomenon happens because the Earth's axis is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in the North Pole experiencing constant sunlight, making it a period of 24 hours of daylight for regions within the Arctic Circle. Meanwhile, the Tropic of Cancer, at a latitude of 23° N, experiences the Sun at the zenith at noon on this date, indicating that the Sun is directly overhead. This situation leads to longer days and shorter nights in the Northern Hemisphere, contributing to the warmer summer weather due to more direct sunlight and longer daylight hours.
Contrarily, the Southern Hemisphere experiences shorter days and longer nights, receiving less direct sunlight, which results in the cooler, darker winter period. This significant difference in sunlight between the hemispheres during the June solstice is what leads to the pronounced seasonal changes we observe on Earth.