Conceptest: Equator tilt change
This material is replicated on a number of sites
as part of the
SERC Pedagogic Service Project
Question:
What would happen to the average temperature at the equator during our summer if the tilt angle of Earth's axis increased to 27 degrees?
A. Temperatures would increase
B. Temperatures would decrease
C. Temperatures would stay the same
A. Temperatures would increase
B. Temperatures would decrease
C. Temperatures would stay the same
Student Responses:
These responses were collected from 384 students (mostly freshmen, non-majors) in multiple large Earth Science classes (60+ students).
A. 36% of students chose this answer
B. 52% of students chose this answer (correct)
C. 12% of students chose this answer