(a) Distinguish between Meridians and Parallels.... | WAEC SSCE - Geography - 2001 (Essay)

Question 1 Report

(a) Distinguish between Meridians and Parallels.

(b) A football match is to be played on Saturday in New Zealand (150°E) between the host country and Nigeria (15°E). If the match is to be televised live, at what time should Nigerians tune in their television sets to watch the kick-off scheduled for 4.00 p.m. in New Zealand?"

Answer

(a) Distinction between Meridians and Parallels

Meridians (lines of longitude)	Parallels (lines of latitude)
They run from the North Pole to the South Pole (north-south).	They run east-west, parallel to the Equator.
They measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (0 degrees).	They measure distance north or south of the Equator (0 degrees).
They are all of equal length (all are half great circles) and meet at the poles.	They are of unequal length, decreasing from the Equator (longest) towards the poles (a point).
They are used to determine local time and time zones.	They are used to determine climatic/temperature zones.

(b) Time calculation

Given: New Zealand kick-off is 4.00 p.m. at longitude 150 E; Nigeria is at longitude 15 E.

Step 1 - difference in longitude (both places are east, so subtract):

\[150^{\circ}E - 15^{\circ}E = 135^{\circ}\]

Step 2 - convert to time (1 degree = 4 minutes):

\[135 \times 4 = 540 \text{ minutes} = 9 \text{ hours}\]

Step 3 - apply the difference. New Zealand (150 E) lies east of Nigeria (15 E), so its time is ahead. Nigeria is therefore 9 hours behind New Zealand:

\[4.00\text{ p.m.} - 9\text{ hours} = 7.00\text{ a.m.}\]

Answer: Nigerians should tune in their television sets at 7.00 a.m. (on the same Saturday) to watch the kick-off.

Read lesson note on Practical Geography (JAMB)

Read lesson note on Physical Geography (JAMB)

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