LATITUDES AND LONGITUDES VIDEO LINK
NOTES
Globe is a miniature form of earth.
So, we can say that it is the true model of the earth. It can be of various sizes, big ones, small pocket globes etc.
The globe is not fix; it can rotate as the earth rotates on its axis. On the globe, we can see countries, continents and oceans.
Now the question arises that how we can denote various locations on the globe?
We have needle passing through the globe called as its axis. The point through which axis passes are two poles of the earth, the North Pole and the South Pole. Our Earth moves around its axis from west to east, same as the globe does.
So, the thing which we should remember is that the earth has no needle in reality. The axis of the earth is an imaginary line.
Equator
Equator is another imaginary line which divides the earth into two equal halves – Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. The equator is a circular imaginary line.
Globe Parallels of Latitudes
Parallels of Latitudes
These are measured in degrees. The equator represents the 0- degree latitude. All parallels to the north of the equator are ‘north latitudes’ and south of the equator are ‘south latitudes’. We denote these latitudes followed by the letter ‘N’ or ‘S’. for example, we have a different meaning of 20-degree N and 20-degree S.
Degree in respect of Globe latitudes and longitudes class 6 notes
A full circle measured in 360o so from the equator, any of the pole is 90 degrees. Thus, 90-degree north latitude will be north pole and 90-degree south latitude is south pole. We further divide the degree into minutes and minute into seconds. For example, 9o 20’ 12” means 9-degree, 20 minutes and 12 second.
Important Parallels of Latitude
- Equator at 0-degree latitude
- The North Pole at 90o N latitude
- The South Pole at 90o S latitude
- Tropic of Cancer at 23o 30’ N in Northern Hemisphere
- Tropic of Capricorn at 23o 30’ S in Southern Hemisphere
- Arctic Circle at 66o 30’ N
- Antarctic Circle at 66o 30’ S
Heat Zones of the Earth
There are 3 heat zones of the Earth and they are following –
Torrid Heat Zone of the earth
Torrid zone is between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. In this area, the sun comes overhead at least once a year on all the locations. This area receives the maximum amount of heat and light.
Temperate Heat Zones of the earth
This heat zone is divided into both hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere it is the area between Tropic of Cancer and Arctic Circle, in Southern Hemisphere, it is the area between Tropic of Capricorn and Antarctic Circle. The sun rays go on decreasing towards the poles, therefore, this zone has a moderate temperature.
Frigid Heat Zones of the earth
Frigid heat zone is also divided between both hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere it is the area between Arctic Circle and the North Pole, in Southern Hemisphere, it is the area between Antarctic Circle and the South Pole.
Meridians of longitudes
These are the reference lines running from north pole to south pole. The distance between them is also measured in degree of longitudes. All meridian of longitudes is of equal length whereas latitudes are not.
The Prime Meridian
0o meridian or the Prime Meridian is passes through Greenwich, where the British Royal Observatory is located. From this Prime Meridian we count other Meridians up to 180o eastward and 180o westwards and therefore the 180o East and 180o West Meridian is at same line.
The Prime meridian and the 180-degree meridian divides the earth into two equal halves, the Eastern Hemisphere and the Western Hemisphere.
LONGITUDE AND TIME
Time difference between the 1-degree of longitude is 4 minutes. the standard time starts from the Prime meridian and others are ahead or behind this time. India has its standard time meridian at 82o 30’ and it is named as Indian Standard Meridian. The time at this meridian is +5:30 i.e. 5 hours 30 minute ahead of Greenwich line.
Our earth has divided into 24 time zones. Some countries in the world has large east west extent and divided into several time zone. Russia is one of those countries and has 15 time zones.
1. Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) What is the true shape of the earth?
Answer:
The earth is not a perfect sphere. It is slightly flattened at the North and the South Poles and bulge in the middle.
(b) What is a globe?
Answer:
A globe is a miniature model of the Earth.
(c) What is the latitudinal value of the Tropic of Cancer?
Answer:
The latitudinal value of the Tropic of Cancer is 23½° N.
(d) What are the three heat zones of the Earth?
Answer:
The three heat zones of the Earth are:
(i) Torrid Zone
(ii) Temperate Zone
(iii) Frigid Zone
(e) What are the parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude?
Answer:
Parallels of Latitude: These are all the imaginary parallel circles from the equator to the poles.
Meridian of Longitude: These are the imaginary semi-circle lines running from the North Pole to the South Pole.
(f) Why does the torrid zone receive a maximum amount of heat?
Answer:
The torrid zone lies between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. The sun is exactly over the head once a year, on all the latitudes between these two tropics. The sun rays falling exactly overhead gives out more heat than slanting sun rays. Therefore, the torrid zone receives the maximum amount of heat.
(g) Why is it 5.30 p.m. in India and 12.00 noon in London?
Answer:
London is situated at 0° longitude whereas the Indian Standard Meridian is located 82½° east of the Prime Meridian. Thus, between the longitude of London and the Standard Meridian of India, there is a difference of 82½°. Since, each degree of longitudes corresponds to a difference of four minutes, i.e., 1° count for 4 minutes, therefore the Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT followed in London. So, it will be 5:30 p.m. in India, when it is 12:00 noon in London.
(a) The value of the prime meridian is
(i) 90°
(ii) 0°
(iii) 60°
Answer: (ii) 0°
(b) The frigid zone lies near
(i) the Poles
(ii) the Equator
(iii) the Tropic of Cancer
Answer: (i) the Poles
(c) The total number of longitudes are
(i) 360
(ii) 180
(iii) 90
Answer: (ii) 180
(d) The Antarctic Circle is located in
(i) the Northern hemisphere
(ii) the Southern hemisphere
(iii) the Eastern hemisphere
Answer: (ii) the Southern hemisphere
(e) Grid is a network of
(i) parallels of latitudes and meridians of longitude
(ii) the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
(iii) the North Pole and the South Pole
Answer: (i) parallels of latitudes and meridians of longitude
3. Fill in the blanks.
(a) The Tropic of Capricorn is located at ___________.
(b) The Standard Meridian of India is ___________.
(c) The 0° Meridian is also known as ___________.
(d) The distance between the longitudes decreases towards___________.
(e) The Arctic Circle is located in the __________ hemisphere.
Answer:
(a) The Tropic of Capricorn is located at 23½° south of the Equator.
(b) The Standard Meridian of India is 82½° E.
(c) The 0° Meridian is also known as Prime Meridian.
(d) The distance between the longitudes decreases towards the poles.
(e) The Arctic Circle is located in the northern hemisph