In the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice is experienced on?

Analyze the question: It asks for the date of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.

Explain the concept: The Earth's axis is tilted at about 23½° to its orbital plane. As the Earth revolves around the Sun, the overhead (vertical) rays of the Sun move between the Tropic of Cancer (23½°N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23½°S). A solstice happens when the Sun's vertical rays reach one of these extreme latitudes.

Key dates to remember:

• March 21: Spring (vernal) equinox in the northern hemisphere. The Sun is overhead at the Equator.
• June 21: Summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. The Sun is overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (23½°N). This is the longest day and shortest night in the north.
• September 22/23: Autumn equinox. The Sun is overhead at the Equator again.
• December 22: Winter solstice in the northern hemisphere. The Sun is overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn (23½°S). This is the shortest day in the north.

Solution:

• A. September 22/23 is the autumn equinox, so it is not correct.
• B. June 21 is when the Sun is overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, so it is the northern summer solstice. ✔
• C. December 22 is the northern winter solstice, so it is not correct.
• D. March 21 is the spring equinox, so it is not correct.

Exam tip: Remember "Solstice = Sun at a Tropic, Equinox = Sun at the Equator." For the northern hemisphere, June goes with Cancer (summer) and December goes with Capricorn (winter). In the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed, so December 22 is their summer solstice.