Mark the following statements as true or false. explain your answers with a sentence or two.

All parallels of latitude have the same length.

False. Parallels of latitude vary in length. The Equator is the longest, while the length of the parallels decreases as you move towards the poles, where they eventually have zero length at the poles.

The length of a meridian of longitude is half of that of the Equator.

False. The length of a meridian of longitude is the same as the length of the Equator. Both represent great circles around the Earth, but the Equator runs horizontally, while meridians run vertically.

The South Pole has a latitude of 90°S.

True. The South Pole is located at 90°S latitude, which is the southernmost point on Earth.

In Assam, the local time and the IST are identical.

False. Assam is in India, but due to its eastern location, the local time there would be slightly ahead of IST. However, India follows a single time zone (IST), which applies uniformly across the entire country, including Assam.

Lines separating the time zones are identical with meridians of longitude.

True. Time zones are generally separated by lines along meridians of longitude. Each time zone typically spans 15° of longitude, though political factors sometimes adjust time zone boundaries.

The Equator is also a parallel of latitude.

True. The Equator is the zero-degree parallel of latitude that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is the longest parallel.

Additional facts

1. Parallels of Latitude:

Parallels are lines running parallel to the Equator, and their length decreases toward the poles. The Equator is the longest.

2. Meridians of Longitude:

Meridians run from the North to South Pole and measure east or west of the Prime Meridian. Their length is constant, and the Equator is the only parallel that matches their length.

3. South Pole Latitude:

The South Pole is at 90°S latitude, the southernmost point on Earth, opposite the North Pole at 90°N.

4. Assam and Indian Standard Time (IST):

Assam’s local time is ahead of IST, but India follows one time zone (IST) for the entire country.

5. Time Zones and Meridians of Longitude:

Time zones are based on meridians, with each zone spanning 15° of longitude. The Prime Meridian (0°) is the reference point for time zones.

6. Equator as a Parallel of Latitude:

The Equator is the main parallel at 0° latitude, dividing Earth into two halves. It’s the longest parallel, measuring 40,075 km.

FAQs

1. What are parallels of latitude?

Parallels of latitude are imaginary horizontal lines that run parallel to the Equator, measuring the distance north or south of it.

2. How do meridians of longitude affect time?

Meridians of longitude determine time zones. Each time zone spans 15° of longitude, and time increases or decreases based on a location’s east or west position relative to the Prime Meridian.

3. What is the latitude of the South Pole?

The South Pole is located at 90°S latitude, marking the southernmost point on Earth.

4. Why does Assam follow IST when its local time is ahead?

Although Assam’s local time is ahead of IST due to its eastern location, India uses a single time zone, Indian Standard Time (IST), for simplicity and consistency across the country.

5. What is special about the Equator?

The Equator is the 0° latitude line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is the longest parallel of latitude and measures about 40,075 km.