Question

Draw a diagram to show the winter solstice and answer the following questions.

1. Name the correct date depicted in your diagram.
2. Name the latitude where the sun is shining vertically overhead.
3. Name the part of the globe where there is night on this date.
4. Name the latitude on which length of the day will be 24 hours.
5. Give the date when the earth will be directly opposite to the above position.
6. What will be the vertical position of the sun on that date?
7. What is the effect of the inclination of the earth upon the length of day and night?
8. What will be the probable length of day and night on that date?

Answer 1

1. 22^nd December (Winter Solstice)
2. Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° South)
3. Northern Hemisphere experiences longer night.
4. Antarctic Circle (66.5° South) – has 24 hours of daylight.
5. 21^st June (Summer Solstice in Northern Hemisphere)
6. Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North)
7. The inclination of the earth’s axis causes variation in the length of day and night throughout the year. At solstices, one hemisphere has longer days and shorter nights while the other has shorter days and longer nights.

8. On 21^st June (Summer Solstice in Northern Hemisphere):

   • Northern Hemisphere: Longer days and shorter nights
   • Southern Hemisphere: Shorter days and longer nights