Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardThe Earth as a Planet and Earth Movements

Arrange the following geographical locations in order of INCREASING daylight duration (from shortest day length to longest day length) during the June Solstice (June 21st).

  1. 1Antarctic Circle (6612∘S66\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{S})
  2. 2Tropic of Capricorn (2312∘S23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{S})
  3. 3Equator (0∘0^\circ)
  4. 4Tropic of Cancer (2312∘N23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{N})
  5. 5Arctic Circle (6612∘N66\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{N})

Answer

The correct sequence of locations from shortest to longest daylight duration on June 21st is: Antarctic Circle (6612∘S66\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{S}), Tropic of Capricorn (2312∘S23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{S}), Equator (0∘0^\circ), Tropic of Cancer (2312∘N23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{N}), and Arctic Circle (6612∘N66\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{N}).
On June 21st (the June Solstice), the North Pole is inclined toward the Sun. As a result, day length increases continuously from south to north across the globe. Locations south of the Antarctic Circle (6612∘S66\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{S}) experience 0 hours of sunlight (24 hours of darkness). Mid-latitude southern regions such as the Tropic of Capricorn (2312∘S23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{S}) experience short winter days (~10.5 hours). The Equator (0∘0^\circ) always maintains an equal 12-hour day and night. Mid-latitude northern regions such as the Tropic of Cancer (2312∘N23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{N}) experience long summer days (~13.5 hours), and the region within the Arctic Circle (6612∘N66\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{N}) receives continuous 24-hour daylight. Arranging these from shortest to longest daylight duration gives: Antarctic Circle, Tropic of Capricorn, Equator, Tropic of Cancer, and Arctic Circle.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify Earth's orientation relative to the Sun on June 21st (June Solstice).
The Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun at an angle of 23.5∘23.5^\circ, making the Tropic of Cancer (2312∘N23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{N}) the subsolar point.
Earth's axial tilt causes daylight duration to increase progressively from the South Pole toward the North Pole during the June solstice.
2
Determine daylight hours at the polar circles.
The Antarctic Circle (6612∘S66\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{S}) receives 0 hours of daylight, while the Arctic Circle (6612∘N66\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{N}) receives 24 hours of daylight.
The entire area south of the Antarctic Circle is in Earth's shadow, whereas the area north of the Arctic Circle remains continuously illuminated.
3
Determine daylight hours at intermediate latitudes.
The Tropic of Capricorn (2312∘S23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{S}) has ~10.5 hours of daylight, the Equator (0∘0^\circ) has exactly 12 hours, and the Tropic of Cancer (2312∘N23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\text{N}) has ~13.5 hours.
Day length increases smoothly along the latitudinal gradient from south to north.
4
Order the locations from shortest to longest daylight duration.
Antarctic Circle (0 hrs0\text{ hrs}) < Tropic of Capricorn (∼10.5 hrs\sim 10.5\text{ hrs}) < Equator (12 hrs12\text{ hrs}) < Tropic of Cancer (∼13.5 hrs\sim 13.5\text{ hrs}) < Arctic Circle (24 hrs24\text{ hrs}).
This sequence correctly reflects increasing daylight hours.

Key Concept

Latitudinal Variation of Daylight Hours during Solstices
Rate this question

Topics

The Earth as a Planet and Earth Movements

More questions from this topic