Final answer:
The statement by the student's neighbor is incorrect. Seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis, not by the distance from the Sun. Earth's closest approach to the Sun in January does not cause winter; instead, the angle of sunlight and length of days determine the seasons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student’s next door neighbor's statement that we have summer when we are closest to the Sun and winter when we are farthest from the Sun is incorrect. The true cause of the seasons is the 23.5° tilt of Earth's axis, not the distance from the Sun. During summer in the Northern Hemisphere, the axis is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in longer days and more direct sunlight, which makes it warmer. Conversely, during winter, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, leading to shorter days and less direct sunlight, which causes cooler temperatures. This tilt also explains why the Southern Hemisphere experiences opposite seasons at the same time.
Adding to the confusion, Earth is indeed closest to the Sun in January, when the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing winter. However, this proximity does not have a significant effect on the temperature or seasons. The seasonal changes we experience are primarily due to the angle at which the Sun's rays hit the Earth and the varying lengths of daylight during different times of the year. Another interesting point is the delay in temperature changes after the solstices, where the warmest and coldest periods occur about a month after the longest and shortest days of the year. This delay is due to the time it takes for the Earth's surface to absorb and release heat.