Using relevant sketches, distinguish between (a)... | WAEC SSCE - Geography - 1997 (Essay)

Question 1 Report

Using relevant sketches, distinguish between

(a) solstice and equinox

B. the earth's rotation and revolution

C. parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude

Answer

(a) Solstice and Equinox

Solstice	Equinox
The day when the sun is overhead at a tropic (23.5°N on 21 June, 23.5°S on 22 December).	The day when the sun is overhead at the Equator (21 March and 23 September).
Day and night are unequal; one hemisphere has its longest day, the other its longest night.	Day and night are equal (12 hours each) all over the world.
Marks the beginning of summer/winter.	Marks the beginning of spring/autumn.

(A sketch shows the sun's rays vertical over the Tropic of Cancer at the June solstice and over the Equator at the equinox.)

(b) Rotation and Revolution of the Earth

Rotation	Revolution
Spinning of the earth on its own axis.	Movement of the earth in its orbit round the sun.
Completed in about 24 hours (one day).	Completed in about 365.25 days (one year).
Causes day and night and the apparent movement of the sun.	Causes the seasons and varying length of day and night.

(A sketch shows the earth spinning about its tilted axis and, separately, circling the sun.)

(c) Parallels of latitude and Meridians of longitude

Parallels of latitude	Meridians of longitude
Imaginary lines running east-west, parallel to the Equator.	Imaginary lines running north-south from Pole to Pole.
Measure distance north or south of the Equator (0° to 90°).	Measure distance east or west of the Greenwich meridian (0° to 180°).
Are of unequal length; longest at the Equator, shortest near the Poles.	Are all of equal length and all meet at the Poles.
Never meet.	Converge and meet at the two Poles.

(A sketch of the globe shows horizontal parallels and vertical converging meridians.)

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