Q: A city is located at 90°W longitude. If the sun sets at 7:37 PM at 95°W, what time does the sun set at 90°W? (Assume 4 minutes earlier per degree eastward.)

$$7:37\,\text{PM}\,-\,(5\,\text{degrees}\,\times\,4\,\text{minutes})\,=\,7:17\,\text{PM}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best explains why the Earth is not a perfect sphere?

Accepted Answer

The Earth's rotation causes a centrifugal force that makes the equator bulge outward.

Question 2

At which latitude does the Sun's rays strike the Earth most directly during the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere?

Accepted Answer

23.5° N (Tropic of Cancer)

Question 3

If the Earth rotates 15° of longitude in one hour, how many minutes does it take to rotate 1° of longitude?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{60}{15} = 4$$ minutes

Question 4

Which of the following is responsible for the occurrence of day and night on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Earth's rotation on its axis

Question 5

During which event is the length of day and night approximately equal everywhere on Earth?

Accepted Answer

Equinox

Question 6

Why do locations at higher latitudes experience greater variation in day length throughout the year compared to locations near the equator?

Accepted Answer

The tilt of Earth's axis causes the Sun's rays to strike higher latitudes at more oblique angles, leading to longer or shorter days depending on the season.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the Earth's shape?

Accepted Answer

Spheroid

Question 8

If the diameter of the Earth at the equator is 12,756 km and the diameter from pole to pole is 12,714 km, what is the difference in diameter?

Accepted Answer

$$12,756\,-\,12,714\,=\,42 km$$

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a consequence of Earth's axial tilt?

Accepted Answer

The occurrence of day and night

Question 10

A city is located at 90°W longitude. If the sun sets at 7:37 PM at 95°W, what time does the sun set at 90°W? (Assume 4 minutes earlier per degree eastward.)

Accepted Answer

$$7:37\,	ext{PM}\,-\,(5\,	ext{degrees}\,	imes\,4\,	ext{minutes})\,=\,7:17\,	ext{PM}$$

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the difference between shortwave and longwave radiation?

Accepted Answer

Shortwave radiation comes from the Sun and has wavelengths of $$0.2 to$$ $$3\,\mu m$$, while longwave radiation is emitted by the Earth and has wavelengths of $$3 to$$ $$50\,\mu m.$$

Question 12

Which of the following is true about the International Date Line?

Accepted Answer

It is located at 180° longitude and crossing it changes the calendar date by one day.

Question 13

Which of the following Milankovitch cycles is associated with changes in the shape of Earth's orbit?

Accepted Answer

Eccentricity

Question 14

What is the primary reason for the occurrence of opposite seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?

Accepted Answer

Earth's axial tilt causes one hemisphere to be tilted toward the Sun while the other is tilted away.

Question 15

During the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice, which location experiences 24 hours of daylight?

Accepted Answer

South Pole

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the circle of illumination?

Accepted Answer

It is the dividing line between the light and dark halves of the Earth.

Question 17

If Earth's axis were not tilted, which of the following would be true?

Accepted Answer

There would be no significant seasonal variation in sunlight or temperature.

Question 18

Which of the following is the correct formula for calculating the time difference between two locations based on their longitude?

Accepted Answer

$$	ext{Time difference (minutes)} = 	ext{Longitude difference (degrees)} 	imes 4$$

Question 19

Which of the following statements about solar noon is correct?

Accepted Answer

Solar noon occurs when the Sun is at its highest point in the sky at a given location.

Earth-Sun Relationships: Structure, Motion, and Energy

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