Unit 2 (1) - Latitude

Question 1

What are the main lines of latitude of the Earth? (in order from top to bottom)

Answer 1

Artic Circle, Tropic of Cancer, Equator, Tropic of Capricorn, Antarctic Circle

Question 2

What are the 4 regions/climates of the Earth?

Answer 2

Polar Zone, Temperate Zone, Subtropical Zone, Tropical Zone

Question 3

Latitude is the measurement of distance ____ or _____ of the Equator.

Answer 3

North or South

Question 4

Where is each line of latitude located?

Answer 4

North Pole 90 north
Artic Circle 66.5 north
Tropic of Cancer 23.5 north
Equator 0
Tropic of Capricorn 23.5 south
Antarctic Circle 66.5 south
South Pole 90 south

Question 5

Name 3 factors affecting temperature

Answer 5

Latitude
Altitude
Distance from the sea

Question 6

How does latitude affect temperature?

Answer 6

Latitude changes the angle of solar radiation. At the Equator at latitude 0(degrees), the angle of solar radiation is perpendicular. The Sun’s rays are also concentrated over a smaller area, hence more direct and intense heating takes place, resulting in the highest temperatures at the Equator.
However, at places away from the Equator, for example at 60°S, the angle of solar
radiation is oblique. This results in the Sun’s rays being spread over a large area. With less intense heating from the sun’s rays, this results in lower
temperatures.

Question 7

Explain the solar radiation difference.

Answer 7

At the Equator at latitude 0°,
the Sun’s rays travels through
a shorter distance to reach the
Earth’s surface. This means the
less Sun’s rays are lost due to
scattering, absorption or
reflection by clouds and
suspended particles in the
atmosphere, before they reach
the Earth’s surface. This
results in more heat reaching
the Earth’s surface, thus
resulting in higher
temperatures.

However at places away from the Equator and nearer to the Poles, the Sun’s rays travel
through a longer distance to reach the Earth’s surface. This results in more Sun’s rays being
lost to scattering, absorption or reflection by clouds and suspended particles in the
atmosphere before they reach the Earth’s surface. This results in less heat reaching the
Earth’s surface, thus resulting in lower temperatures.

Question 8

Explain the seasonal variations in countries.

Answer 8

Locations near the Equator (like Singapore i.e. 1°N) have only small
variations in solar input annually because the angle of solar
radiation does not change much throughout the year. Consequently,
there is minor variation in the temperature over the period of one
calendar year.

Seasonal variations in the angle of solar radiation become greater
with increasing latitude.

Because of these variations, temperature also become more varied and
even extreme as we approach the poles. Highest temperatures tend to
correspond roughly to the summer season when day lengths are the
longest and sun’s angles are at their maximum. When day lengths are at
their shortest and sun’s angles are at their minimum (winter), the lowest
temperatures occur.