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NYS Earth Science Regents Review Practice - Measuring Earth - Question 01 |
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Written by The Earth Science Wizard
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Thursday, 19 November 2009 08:38 |
1. How are latitude and longitude lines drawn on a globe of Earth?
A) Latitude lines are parallel and longitude lines meet at the equator.
B) Longitude lines are parallel and latitude lines meet at the poles.
C) Latitude lines are parallel and longitude lines meet at the poles.
D) Longitude lines are parallel and latitude lines meet at the equator.
Correct Answer: Option C - Latitude lines are parallel and longitude lines meet at the poles.
Latitude, usually denoted by the Greek letter phi (φ) gives the location of a place on Earth (or other planetary body) north or south of the equator. Lines of Latitude are the horizontal lines shown running east-to-west on maps (particularly so in the Mercator projection). Technically, latitude is an angular measurement in degrees (marked with °) ranging from 0° at the equator (low latitude) to 90° at the poles (90° N or +90° for the North Pole and 90° S or -90° for the South Pole). The latitude is approximately the angle between straight up at the surface (the zenith) and the sun at an equinox. The complementary angle of a latitude is called the colatitude.
Longitude, symbolized by the Greek character lambda (λ), is the geographic coordinate most commonly used in cartography and global navigation for east-west measurement. It is the angular distance measured east or west and usually expressed in degrees (or hours), minutes, and seconds, from the prime meridian, defined to be at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in England, to the meridian passing through another position on the earth's surface. A location's position along a meridian is given by its latitude. This is the angular distance of that place north or south of the equator, measured as an angle whose vertex is at the center of the earth.
Hence, options A, B and D are incorrect.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 19 November 2009 08:42 |
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NYS Earth Science Regents Review Practice - Measuring Earth - Question 02 |
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Written by The Earth Science Wizard
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Thursday, 19 November 2009 08:48 |
2. The diagram below represents part of Earth’s latitude-longitude system
What is the latitude and longitude of point L?
A) 5oE and 30oN
B) 5oN and 30oE
C) 5oW and 30oS
D) 5oS and 30oW
Correct Answer: Option D - 5oS and 30oW
The 0o represents the equator in the above diagram. The point L is located at the coordinates 5oS and 30oW
Hence options A, B and C are incorrect.
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NYS Earth Science Regents Review Practice - Measuring Earth - Question 03 |
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Written by The Earth Science Wizard
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Thursday, 19 November 2009 08:49 |
3. Which reference line passes through both the geographic North Pole and the geographic South Pole?
A) 0° latitude
B) 0° longitude
C) Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N)
D) Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S)
Correct Answer: Option B - 0° longitude
The Prime Meridian is the meridian (line of longitude) at which longitude is defined to be 0°. The Prime Meridian and the opposite 180th meridian (at 180° longitude), which the International Date Line generally follows, form a great circle that divides the Earth into the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
Unlike the parallels of latitude, which are defined by the rotational axis of the Earth (the poles being 90° and the equator 0°), the Prime Meridian is arbitrary.
Incorrect Options
The other three choices are referred to as latitude references lines.
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NYS Earth Science Regents Review Practice - Measuring Earth - Question 04 |
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Written by The Earth Science Wizard
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Thursday, 19 November 2009 08:52 |
4. An environmental scientist needs to prepare a report on the potential effects that a proposed surface mine in New York State will have on the watershed where the mine will be located. In which reference materials will the scientist find the most useful data with which to determine the watershed’s boundaries?
A) Topographic maps
B) Planetary wind maps
C) Geologic time scales
D) Tectonic plate maps
Correct Answer: Option A - Topographic maps
A topographic map is a type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief, usually using contour lines in modern mapping, but historically using a variety of methods. Traditional definitions require a topographic map to show both natural and man-made features.A topographic map is a detailed and accurate graphic representation of cultural and natural features on the ground. Topographic maps use a wide variety of symbols to represent human and physical features. Contour lines are used to represent elevation by connecting points of equal elevation. These imaginary lines do a nice job of representing the terrain. As with all isolines, when contour lines lie close together, they represent a steep slope; lines far apart represent a gradual slope. Each quadrangle uses a contour interval (the distance in elevation between contour lines) appropriate for that area. While flat areas may be mapped with a five-foot contour interval, rugged terrain may have a 25-foot or more contour interval. Through the use of contour lines, an experienced topographic map reader can easily visualize the direction of stream flow and the shape of the terrain.
Incorrect Options
Planetary wind maps provide information about the wind flow around the globe.
Geologic time scales provide information about the time zones of various locations on Earth.
Tectonic plate maps provide information about the types and movement of Earth’s tectonic plates.
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NYS Earth Science Regents Review Practice - Measuring Earth - Question 05 |
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Written by The Earth Science Wizard
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Thursday, 19 November 2009 09:00 |
Base your answers to questions 5 on the topographic map of an island shown below. Elevations are expressed in feet. Points A, B, C, and D are locations on the island. A triangulation point shows the highest elevation on the island.
5. Construct a topographic profile representing the cross-sectional view between point A and point B
Correct Answer: The topographic profile of the cross-sectional view between point A and point B can be graphically plotted by representing the distance between the contour lines along X axis and the elevation represented by the contour lines along Y axis.
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