Day Length
Mathematical Modeling
Pick two locations and compare the length of their days.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered why summer days feel so much longer than winter days? The length of daylight changes throughout the year in a predictable pattern that can be modeled using sinusoidal functions. By comparing two different cities - perhaps one near the equator and one closer to the poles - you can investigate how latitude affects seasonal variation and discover when daylight is changing most rapidly.
Guiding Questions
- How can you model this using sinusoidal functions?
- What determines the amplitude and period of your model?
- How does latitude affect the seasonal variation?
- At what point in the year is the rate of change greatest?
- How would your model change for different latitudes or planets?
Key Mathematical Concepts
Astronomy
Climate Science
Seasonal Patterns
Sinusoidal Modeling