CHAPTER 23: EARTH AS A SPHERE

23.1 LONGITUDE Great Circles are circles with their centres at the centre of the earth. Meridians are semicircles connecting the North Pole and the South Pole, running on the surface of the earth. The longitude of a meridian is determined by (i) the angle between the plane of the meridian with that of the Greenwich Meridian (ii) its position to the left or to the right of the Greenwich Meridian. The longitude of a given point is written as x0 E or x0 W. State the longitude for the points given below (NMS is the Greenwich Meridian)

Example:
Greenwich Meridian

Longitude for P = 35W Longitude for R = 60E

a)
Longitude of P = Longitude of R =

b)

Longitude of P = Longitude of R =

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The difference between two longitudes: o If both longitudes are from the same sides of the Greenwich Meridian, (both E or both W), then the difference between the two longitudes is the difference of the angles. o If the longitudes are from different sides of the Greenwich Meridian, (one E and the other W), then the difference between the two longitudes is the sum of the angles. N
200 W 400 E

P
60
0

Q Equator S

The difference in longitudes = 400 ( - 200) = 600. Ex. 2 : Calculate the difference between the two given longitudes. (Note : Sketch a diagram to help you understand better)

Example 1. 25 o E, 135 0 E Difference : 1350 250 = 1100 4. 135 0 W , 20 0 E

2.

40

W , 120 0 W

3.

10 0 E , 90 0 E

5.

125 0 E , 60 0 W

6.

15 0 E , 120 0 W

Difference : 200 (-1350) = 7. 70 0 W , 10 0 E 8. 10 0 E , 100 0 E 9. 115 0 E , 5 0 W

Difference :

23.2

LATITUDE The Equator is a great circle with its plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the earth. Parallels of latitudes are circles with planes perpendicular to the axis of the earth and are parallel to the equator.
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Latitude is the angle at the centre of the earth subtended by an arc of a meridian running from the equator to a parallel of latitude. The latitude of a point is written as x0 N or x0 S. The latitude of the Equator is O0. Latitudes ranges from 00 to 900 N ( or S). All points on a parallel of latitude have the same latitude.

Example 1 1. State the latitude of the given points (EF is the equator).

Example:

Latitude of K = 45N Latitude of L = 50 S

Exercise 1 1. State the latitude of the given points (EF is the equator). a) b)

Latitude of K = Latitude of L =
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Latitude of K = Latitude of L =

Earth As A Sphere

2. Calculate the difference between the two given latitudes.

Example 1. 10 0 S, 70 0 S Difference : 700 100 = 60 0 4. 50 0 S , 70 0 N 5. 91 0 N , 31 0 S 6. 70 0 N, 40 0 N 2. 25 0 N , 60 0 N 3. 75 0 N , 45 0 S

Difference : 700 (-500) = 7. 55 0 N , 10 0 N 8. 80 0 N , 15 0 S 9. 38 0 N, 12 0 S

10.

32 0 N , 10 0 S

11. 70 0 N , 5 0 S

12. 35 0 S, 15 0 S

23.3 LOCATION (POSITION) OF A PLACE

Every place on the surface of the earth is represented by a point on the globe. Its location is determined by the point of intersection of the relevant parallel of latitude and meridian. N
200 W

X P

600 N Y

400 E

Q The Equator S

500 W

Ex.

The location of X is ( 600 N, 200 W ) The location of Y is ( 600 N, 400 E )

If the longitude of P is 500 W and PQ is the diameter of the earth, then the longitude of Q is 1300 E. Hence the location of Q is (00, 1300 E)
Earth As A Sphere

Exercise 23.3 A : To determine the location of a place (denoted by a point) (You need to be able to state the latitude and longitude of the point) 1.
N A 400 E 500 N

PQ is a diameter of the earth. Point P Q A B C D E Location ( 00, 1000 W )

1000 W D

2.
N 600 N

200 W

PQ is a diameter of the earth.

Q

700 W Z

Point P Q W X Y Z R

Location ( 00, 1100 E )

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Exercise 23.3 B : To MARK the location of given points on the earth. 1. PQ is a diameter of the earth. Mark on the given diagram, the location of each of the point below.
N 700 E 420 N

Point A B C D X Y Z

Location ( 00 , 700 E ) ( 420 N, 100 E ) ( 420 S, 1000 E ) ( 00 , 100 E ) ( 00 , 800 W ) ( 420 N, 800 W ) ( 420 N, 700 E )

100 E S

1000 E

2. PQ is a diameter of the earth. Mark on the given diagram, the location of each of the point below.
N

300 E

750 N

Point W Q X Y R Z

Location ( 750 N, 300 E ) ( 00, 1500 E ) ( 00, 300 E ) ( 750N, 300 W ) ( 00, 800 E ) ( 750 S, 300 W )

1500 E S 800 E

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23.4 Given Point X, To Determine The Location of Y if XY is the Diameter of a given Parallel of Latitude.

300 W

600 N

Y
X

EX. 23.4A 1. PQ is a diameter of the earth. XY is the diameter of the 600 N parallel of latitude. Complete the table below : PointLocationX(600 N, 300 W )YRT

150 W

550 N

Y
X

T
EX. 23.4A 2.
Q

PQ is a diameter of the earth. XY is the diameter of the 600 N parallel of latitude. Complete the table below : PointLocationXYRTKL

L
K
S 800 N

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23.5 Given P, To Determine The Location of Q if PQ is The Diameter of The Earth.

750 N

A Y
Q O

EX. 23.5A 1. PQ, XY and AB are diameters of the earth. State the location of each of the following points: PointLocationP( 00 , 1000 E )QABXY

1000 E S 800 E

800 E

700 N

A Y
P X

EX. 23.5 A 2.
Q

PQ, XY and AB are diameters of the earth. State the location of each of the following points: PointLocationP( 00 , 600 E )QABXY

B 600 E

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23.6 To Determine the Location of a Point Given the Difference in Longitudes.

N 750 N B

EX. 23.6 A1. PQ is a diameter of the earth. State the location of each of the following points: PointLocationA( 750N , 300 E )XYB

40

300 E

N 750 N A 500

EX. 23.6 A 2. PQ is a diameter of the earth. State the location of each of the following points: PointLocationA( 750N , 300 B )YXB

300 B

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23.7 To Determine The Location of a Point Given the Difference in Parallels of Latitudes.

N 350 N B

EX. 23.7 A1 PQ is a diameter of the earth. State the location of each of the following points: PointLocationA( 350N , 420 E )BYX
X

50

180 W

420 E

N 550 N B A

EX. 23.7 A2. PQ is a diameter of the earth. State the location of each of the following points: PointLocationA( 550N , 660 E )BXY
X

600

100 E

660 E

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Questions Based on the Examination Format (Paper 1)

1. In Diagram 1, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole and NOS is the axis of the earth. N

A 0
0

O
600

600

Considering the four points A, B, C and D, which of these is (600 N, 00 E) ?

Greenwich Meridian

S
Diagram 1

2. P(150N, 100E), Q and R are three points on the earth surface. Q is due south of P. The

difference in latitude between P and Q is 650. R is due west of Q. The difference in longitude between Q and R is 800. The position of R is A C ( 80S ,90 E ) ( 50S , 70 E ) B

( 80S , 70W )

( 50S , 70W )

3. In Diagram 3, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole, NOS is the axis of the earth and

PR is a diameter of the parallels of latitude.

500

P
500

Find the position of point R. A

( 50 N ,50W ) ( 50 N ,130W ) ( 50 N ,50E )

B C

Greenwich Meridian

Diagram 3
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D ( 50 N ,130 E ) 12

4.

Diagram 4 shows the position of five towns, A, B, C, D and X, on the surface of the earth.
N

500 N

Which of the town, A, B, C or D, is located east of X with difference in longitude of 600 ?

100 N

600 W 200 W S Diagram 4 400 E

600 E

5. In Diagram 5, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole, NOS is the axis of the earth.
N P

The position of point P is A

800

( 10 N ,80W ) ( 10 N ,100W ) ( 80 N ,80W ) ( 80 N ,100 E )

O
1000 Equator

B C D

Greenwich Meridian

S
Diagram 5

(For the questions below you are strongly advised to sketch a diagram!) 6. The shortest distance in nautical miles from P(60 N, 120 W) to Q(50N, 120W) via the north pole is A 600 B 3600 C 4200 D 6600

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7.

Given that PQ is diameter of the earth. If the location of P is (70 N, 35 W), the location of Q is A (70 S, 145 E) C (70 N , 145 E) B (20 S, 145 E) D (70 S, 35 E) 8. The distance from P(60 S, 60 W) to Q(60 S, 120 W) along the common latitude is A 2700 nm C 5400 nm B 3600 nm D 6300 nm The shortest distance from London to the North Pole is 2310 nm . The latitude of London is A 23.1 N C 66.9 N B 38.5 N D 51.5 N

9.

10. The shortest distance in nautical miles, from P(75 N, 110 W) to Q(80 N, 70 E) measured on the earths surface is A 300 C 2400 B 1500 D 9300 11. The shortest distance from P(30 N,70 E) to Q(x N, 110 W) via the north pole is 6600 nm. Find the value of x. A 30 C 50 B 40 D 60 12. P(40 N, 120 W) and Q are two points on the earths surface. If Q is 4500 nautical miles due south of P, find the latitude of Q. A 10 S C 35 S B 25 S D 65 S M(70 N, 100 W) and N are two points on the earths surface. If the shortest distance from M to N via the North Pole is 5100 nautical miles, find the latitude of N. A 15 N C 65 N B 25 N D 85 N

13.

14. N and S are the North and South Poles respectively. P is (40 N, 10 W) and the two arc lengths of PQ and QS are equal. Find the latitude of Q A 15 S C 25 S B 20 S D 30 S

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15. P(25 N, 50 W), Q and R are three points on the earths surface. Q is due south of P and the difference in latitude between P and Q is 60. R is due west of Q and the difference in longitude between Q and R is 80. The location of R is A (35 S, 30 W) C (85 S, 30 W) B (35 S, 130 W) D (85 S, 130 W) 16. M(50 N, 110 E) and N are two points on the earths surface. Given that MN is the diameter of a great circle, find the position of N. A (40 S, 70 W) C C (50 S, 70 W) B (40 S, 110 E) D (50 S,110 E) 17. F (80 N, 42 W) and G are the two points on the earth surface . Given that FG is the diameter of the great circle , the position of G is A (80N , 138 E) C (10N, 138 E) B (80 N, 42 W) D (10 N, 42 W) 18. U (0 N, 0 E) and V is the two points on the surface earth . V is 40 due east of U. The position of V is A (0 N, 40 W) C (40 N, 50 W) B (0 N, 40 E) D ( 40N, 40 E) 19. J(30 N, 80 E) , K and L are three points on the earth surface. J is due to north K. The difference in the latitude between J and K is 50. L is due west of K and the difference in longitude K and L is 60. The position of L is A (50 N, 60 E) C (20 S, 140 W) B (80 N, 140 W) D (20 S, 20 E) 20. P and Q are two points on the equator. The shortest distance between P and Q is 4320 nautical miles. Q is due east of P and the longitude of Q is 80 E. The longitude of P is A 8 E C 72 W B 8 W D 152 E 21. M (5 S , 87E) and M(63 S, 87 E) are two points on the surface earth. Calculate the distance in nautical miles , between the two points measured along the meridian A 3480 C 4080 B 3780 D 5220 22. J and K are two points on the equator of the earth. Given that the distance between the two points is 1440 nautical miles measured the equator. Find the different in longitude of two points A 14 C 36 B 24 D 66

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23. P(0N , 20 E), Q and R are three points on the surface earth. Q is due west of P and R is the midpoint of PQ The distance between P and R is 3000 nautical miles. Find the longitude of Q. A 5 E C 5 W B 70 E D 30 W 24. X( 50 N, 140 E) and Y (60 N, 40 W) are two points on the earth surface. Calculate the distance in nautical miles between X and Y via North pole. A 3000 C 4200 B 3600 D 6600 25. P (60 0 S, 90 0 E) and Q (60 0 S, 90 0 W) are two points on the surface of the earth. Calculate the distance in nautical miles from P to Q measured along the common parallel of latitude. A 10800 C 5400 B 7200 D 3600

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Past Year SPM Questions (Paper 1)

1. (2003N, P1, Q15) In Diagram 8, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole and NOS is the axis of the earth.
N

A 0
0

O
600

0 40

Greenwich Meridian

S
Diagram 8

Considering the four points A, B, C and D, which of these is (400 N, 00 E)? 2. (July 2004, P1, Q19)

M ( 40 N , 60W ) and N are two points on the earths surface. If MN is a diameter of the parallel latitude, the position of point N is A ( 40S ,120W ) B C D

( 40S ,120E ) ( 40 N ,120W ) ( 40 N ,120E )

3. (November 2004, P1, Q17) P(150N, 100W), Q and R are three points on the earth surface. Q is due south of P. The difference in latitude between P and Q is 500. R is due west of Q. The difference in longitude between Q and R is 700. The position of R is A B C D
Earth As A Sphere

(650N, 600E) (650N, 800W) (350S, 600E) (350S, 800W) 17

4. (July 2005, P1, Q18)

Diagram 10 shows three points P, Q and R on the surface of the earth. P and Q lie on the equator. NPS is the Greenwich Meridian and O is the centre of the earth. N

R O P 50O 40o Q DIAGRAM 10

S State the position of point R A ( 40 N ,50 E ) B

C D

( 50 N , 40 E )

( 40 N ,50W ) ( 40S ,50W )

5.

(November 2005, P1, Q17) In Diagram 10, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole, NOS is the axis of the earth and PR is a diameter of the parallels of latitude.
P
700 400

R N

Find the position of point R. A

( 40 N , 70W ) ( 40 N , 70 E ) ( 40 N ,110W ) ( 40 N ,110E )

B C

Greenwich Meridian

S Diagram 10

Earth As A Sphere

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6. (November 2005, P1, Q18) Diagram 11 shows the position of five towns, A, B, C, D and X, on the surface of the earth.
N

500 N

Which of the town, A, B, C or D, is located east of X with difference of 400 in longitude?

100 N

600 W 200 W S 200 E

400 E

7. (July 2006, P1, Q18) In Diagram 9, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole, NOS is the axis of the earth.
N P

The position of point P is A (600 N, 800 W) B (600 N, 1000 W) C (800 N, 600 E) D (800 N, 1000 E)
Equator

600

O
800

Greenwich Meridian

S Diagram 9

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8.

(November 2006, P1, Q18). In Diagram 10, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole and O is the centre of the earth. R is the centre of the circle of latitude 30 N . N 80o E R 45 P
o

60o O

30o N

S
DIAGRAM 10 The position of point P is

A B C D

( 15S , 20E ) ( 15S ,140E ) ( 45S , 20E ) ( 45S ,140E )

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9.

(Jun 2007, P1, Q19). In Diagram 12, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole and NOS is the axis of the earth.. N P Meridian Greenwich

50 10 Equator

Q S Diagram 12

P and Q are two points on the surface of the earth. PQ is a diameter of the earth. Find the position of point Q . A B C D ( 40 S , 170 E ) ( 40 S , 170 W ) ( 50 S , 170 E ) ( 50 S , 170 W )

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10.

(November 2007, P1, Q17). In Diagram 11, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole and NOS is the axis of the earth. N 25W 40 38 O Q

Equator

S Diagram 11
Find the position of point Q . A B C D ( 38 N , 15 E ) ( 38 N , 65 E ) ( 52 N , 15 E ) ( 52 N , 65 E )

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11.

(Jun 2008, P1, Q18). P and Q are two points on the surface of the earth and the latitude of P is 55 N.
Given that Q is located 15 south of P , find the latitude of Q .

A B C D 12.

40 S 40 N 70 S 70 N

(November 2008, P1, Q18). In Diagram 11, NOS is the axis of the earth. PQ is diameter of the parallel of latitude. N

10o

Greenwich meridian

S
Diagram 11

Find the longitude of P .

A B C D

10 W 10 E 170 W 170 E

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Answers
Past Year SPM Questions

1 A

2 D

3 D

4 A

5 D

6 B

7 B

8 A

9 D

10 C

11 B

12 C

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