Geography 101 Review Questions with Correct Solutions

Sidereal Day - the time for one complete rotation of the earth relative to a particular star, about 4 minutes shorter than a mean solar day Solar Day - time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis Spring Equinox - March 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, when both hemispheres receive 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness Summer Solstice - On June 21, it is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere due to the fact that the sun is directly over the tropic of Cancer, Occurs when the sun is directly overhead at 23.5° north latitude, around June 21, and results in the maximum number of daylight hours for the northern hemisphere and the minimum number for the southern hemisphere. Sun Angle - Angle formed between sunlight approaching the earth's surface and the surface itself Tropical Year - time from one vernal equinox to the next; One full year Tropic of Cancer - 23.5 degrees north latitude; Creates longest day of summer Tropic of Capricorn - A line of latitude located at 23°30' south. The Sun is directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn on the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere (Dec. 20 or 21). It marks the southernmost point of the tropics. Vertical Rays of the Sun - Sun's rays that are striking perpendicular to the surface. The seasons are based on the migrating location of the vertical rays of The sun Winter Solstice - December 21, when the sun is at its southernmost point; Tropic of Capricorn 23.5S Decimal degrees - values of latitude and longitude expressed in decimal format rather than in degrees, minutes, and seconds