Part A: Determining Latitude 1 Figure A Represents Earth

Part A Determining Latitude1 Figure A Represents Earth With Point

Part A: Determining Latitude. Figure A represents Earth, with point B as its center. The tasks involve locating the equator on a globe, understanding the concept of latitude, and measuring angles and distances related to Earth's surface. You will sketch the equator, identify the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and draw lines corresponding to specific latitudes based on given angles and measurements. The exercise also includes calculating the degrees of latitude separating different parallels and understanding how these measurements relate to Earth's geography.

Paper For Above instruction

The exercise begins with identifying the equator on a globe represented as Figure A. The equator is an imaginary circle that divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Locating and sketching this line helps establish a reference point for understanding latitude, which is measured in degrees north or south of the equator. Labeling the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere further clarifies the division of Earth into respective hemispheres based on the equator.

Next, a line is drawn from point A on the equator to the globe's center, point B. Extending this line from point B to point C in the Northern Hemisphere forms an angle of 45°, designated as aABC. By the definition of latitude, this angle indicates that point C lies at 45° North latitude. Measuring and understanding this angle is fundamental in appreciating how latitude lines correspond to angular measurements from Earth's center to its surface.

Following this, a line is drawn through point C parallel to the equator. This line signifies a specific latitude circle at 45°N. The latitude at all points along this line is exactly 45°N, illustrating how latitude lines are parallel and equally spaced from the equator. Recording this number on the line visualizes the concept that all points along a latitude circle share the same angular measurement from Earth's center.

The exercise continues with drawing a line from point D to the globe’s center, point B. Using a protractor, the angle aABD is measured, providing a numerical value for the angular separation between points A and D relative to Earth's center. A parallel line through D, also aligned with the equator, is then drawn and labeled with its latitude, demonstrating elevation differences and how they relate to Earth's surface features.

Finally, the measurement of degrees of latitude that separate the latitude lines (or parallels) being used is recorded. Each degree of latitude roughly corresponds to 111 kilometers on Earth's surface, and the total degrees provide insight into Earth's geometry. Understanding how many degrees of latitude separate different locations helps in navigation, mapping, and understanding Earth's geographic layout.

This activity synthesizes geographic concepts with practical skills of drawing, measuring, and understanding Earth's coordinate system. It reinforces the relationship between angular measurements, Earth's geometry, and geographic locations, crucial for studies in Earth science, geography, and cartography.

References

• Global Positioning System (GPS): How Latitude and Longitude Work. (2022). National Geographic Society. https://www.nationalgeographic.org
• Earth's Coordinates and Navigation. (2020). U.S. Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov
• Introduction to Latitude and Longitude. (2019). Geography Education Association. https://www.geographyeducation.org
• Understanding Earth's Latitude and Longitude. (2021). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://www.noaa.gov
• Mapping and Navigation: How Latitude and Longitude Are Used. (2018). Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. https://naturalhistory.si.edu
• Earth's Geometry and Coordinate System. (2017). Geoscience Australia. https://www.ga.gov.au
• Measuring Earth's Surface Features. (2015). Journal of Earth Science Education, 9(2), 34-45.
• The Mathematics of Earth's Coordinates. (2016). International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 30(4), 629-643.
• Basics of Geodesy and Earth's Shape. (2014). United Nations Geospatial Information Section. https://www.un.org
• Understanding Earth's Hemisphere Divisions. (2023). Science Learning Hub. https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz