Question

Assertion (A): The pole star lies in line with the axis of the earth with its angle decreasing towards the Equator.

Reason (R): The earth is spherical in shape.

Options

• Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

• Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.

• A is true but R is false.

• A is false but R is true.

Answer 1

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation:

• Assertion (A) is true: The Pole Star (or Polaris) lies in line with the Earth's axis. Its angle of elevation above the horizon decreases as you move from the North Pole to the Equator. At the North Pole, it is directly overhead at 90°, and at the Equator, it is at the horizon at 0°.
• Reason (R) is also true: The Earth is spherical in shape, which explains why the angle at which you observe the Pole Star changes with latitude. As you move away from the North Pole toward the Equator, the angle at which the Pole Star is visible decreases.