Which statement about longitude and latitude is true?
a) lines of longitude are parallel to the Equator
b) lines of longitude cross the Equator at right angles
c) the 0 degree line of latitude passes through Greenwich, England
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is (b) lines of longitude cross the Equator at right angles.
Explanation:
Longitude and latitude form a geographic coordinate system that helps in locating places on Earth’s surface. These coordinates are measured in degrees, with latitude lines running horizontally and longitude lines running vertically on maps.
- Latitude:
- Latitude lines, also known as parallels, measure distances north and south of the Equator, which is 0° latitude. These lines run parallel to each other and do not intersect, creating a grid that can be used to determine how far north or south a point is from the Equator.
- Latitudes range from 0° at the Equator up to 90° at the poles (North and South).
- Longitude:
- Longitude lines, or meridians, measure distances east and west of the Prime Meridian, which is the 0° longitude line that passes through Greenwich, England.
- Unlike latitude lines, longitude lines are not parallel. Instead, they converge at the poles and spread out at the Equator. These lines run from the North Pole to the South Pole and cross the Equator at right angles.
- Explanation of Answer Choices:
- (a) False: Lines of longitude are not parallel to the Equator; they converge at the poles and intersect the Equator at 90° angles.
- (c) False: The 0° line of longitude passes through Greenwich, England, not the 0° line of latitude. The 0° latitude is the Equator.
The reason longitude lines cross the Equator at right angles has to do with the spherical shape of the Earth. Longitude divides Earth into eastern and western hemispheres, while latitude divides it into northern and southern hemispheres. This coordinate system is essential for navigation, mapping, and understanding global positioning.