what is the importance of Earth's axis?

Answer 1

We spin on them. no axis... no spin!

Answer 2

Other then as a navigational reference, the axis has no importance of any kind. It's an imaginary line. The Earth would still rotate even if Man hadn't invented it. The magnetic fields would still be there and weather patterns would still be the same. The Earth doesn't care if we imagine there's a line running through it that isn't really there. It just does what it does, regardless of our delusions. It is a relatively stationary line of reference, and has absolutely no physical properties.

As an imaginary, artificial and completely intangible construct, the axis only affects the way we view the Earth. It gives us a line of reference to orient the network of meridians we use to describe locations. If you want to make a model globe, it gives you a place to stick the metal rod.

Besides that it's completely useless. To say the Axis does any of the things other posters here are attributing to it is to mistake the map for the reality. This sounds like I'm splitting hairs, but if you're interested in pursuing a scientific or technical pursuit, it's a crucial distinction.

Remember. The axis doesn't make magnetic fields. Heavy liquified metals in the Earths core, rotating make magnetic fields. The axis is just the imaginary line they rotate around. Weather patterns are formed by Coriolis effect, not the axis. Seasons happen because the tilt of the planet changes, relative to the sun over the course of the year. The axis only helps you describe the way the changes happen.

Answer 3

Hi.I presume you are talking about the Earths inclination to the Sun and that it moves up and down 23.5 degrees to the equator in 365 days per year the time it also takes to orbit the sun.Apart from weather patterns, winds and varying seasons this is all we need to know.I hope i've explained this to you satisfactory and don't forget this is my interpretation and i could be wrong. Cheers.

Answer 4

So the earth can move around. Just think about it if the earth didnt spin we wouldnt have days so we woulndnt have years so there would be no age.

Answer 5

Well it has to have SOMEthing to spin around, doesn't it?

If we didn't spin, we'd have no days, no magnetic field, no coriolis force, no centrifugal force. Life would suck.

Answer 6

the axial tilt determines the seasons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasons

Answer 7

it mainly alters our seasons.

(when its winter in the north america it's summer down here in south america!)



we all love spring!