(a) What are the similarities and differences... | WAEC SSCE - Geography - 1990 (Essay)

Question 1 Report

(a) What are the similarities and differences between the lines of latitude and longitude?

(b) An international cricket match between The Gambia and India is scheduled to start in Banjul (longitude 16°W) at 9.00a.m local time on 26th June. Calculate the time and day that listeners will have to tune to their radios for the start of the commentary at (i) Bombay (74°E) (ii) Pittsburg (89°W).

Answer

(a) Similarities and differences between lines of latitude and longitude

Similarities

Both are imaginary lines drawn on the globe used to locate places accurately.
Both are measured in degrees, minutes and seconds from a fixed reference (the Equator for latitude, the Greenwich or Prime Meridian for longitude).

Differences

Latitude	Longitude
Run east to west (parallel to the Equator).	Run north to south (from pole to pole).
Measure distance north or south of the Equator, 0° to 90°.	Measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, 0° to 180°.
Are parallel and never meet; unequal in length (longest at the Equator, shortest near the poles).	Converge and meet at the poles; all are equal in length (great circles).
Used to determine climate/temperature zones.	Used to determine time and time zones.

(b) Time calculation

The earth turns 15° of longitude in one hour, so 1° equals 4 minutes. Match start time in Banjul: 9.00a.m local time on 26th June, longitude 16°W.

(i) Bombay (74°E)

Bombay lies east of Banjul, so its time is ahead. Longitude difference = 16° + 74° = 90°.

\[ 90^{\circ} \times 4\,\text{min} = 360\,\text{min} = 6\ \text{hours} \]

Since Bombay is east, add 6 hours to 9.00a.m: 3.00p.m on 26th June.

(ii) Pittsburg (89°W)

Pittsburg lies west of Banjul, so its time is behind. Longitude difference = 89° - 16° = 73°.

\[ 73^{\circ} \times 4\,\text{min} = 292\,\text{min} = 4\ \text{hours}\ 52\ \text{minutes} \]

Since Pittsburg is west, subtract 4 hours 52 minutes from 9.00a.m: 4.08a.m on 26th June.

Read lesson note on Elements Of Physical Geography (WAEC)

Read lesson note on Physical Geography (JAMB)

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