Question 1: What is latitude?

Answer: Latitude is the distance north or south of the Equator, measured in degrees.

Question 2: What is longitude?

Answer: Longitude is the distance east or west of the Prime Meridian, measured in degrees.

Question 3: Define the Prime Meridian.

Answer: The Prime Meridian is the zero degrees longitude line that runs through Greenwich, London.

Question 4: What are coordinates?

Answer: Coordinates are a set of numbers (latitude and longitude) used to specify a precise location on Earth.

Question 5: Give an example of a place and its coordinates.

Answer: London: 51.5° N, 0.12° W

Question 1: Which line of latitude is directly opposite the Equator?

Answer: The Tropic of Capricorn

Question 2: Name the line of longitude that passes through Greenwich.

Answer: Prime Meridian

Question 3: What is the significance of the 0° longitude line?

Answer: It is the Prime Meridian, used as the starting point for measuring longitude and defining time zones worldwide.

Question 4: Which coordinate system is used to locate places on Earth?

Answer: Latitude and Longitude

Question 5: Identify the latitude of the North Pole.

Answer: 90° N

Question 1: A shipping company uses GPS to navigate ships across the Atlantic Ocean. The ship's current coordinates are 35° N, 45° W. Explain how Latitude and Longitude help the crew determine their position and navigate safely.

Answer: Latitude and Longitude provide precise coordinates that allow the ship's navigational system to identify its exact position on Earth's surface. This information helps the crew plot courses, avoid hazards, and reach their destination accurately. Using these coordinates, the crew can also determine their distance from land or other ships, enabling safe and efficient navigation across the Atlantic.

Question 2: Discuss how Latitude and Longitude are used in determining time zones, with reference to the Prime Meridian.

Answer: Time zones are based on lines of longitude, with the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) serving as the starting point. Earth is divided into 24 time zones, each roughly 15° of longitude apart. Locations east of the Prime Meridian are ahead in time, while those to the west are behind. For example, London at approximately 0° longitude follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is the baseline for global timekeeping.

Question 1: Explain why the Equator is significant in the system of Latitude.

Answer: The Equator is the zero-degree latitude line that divides Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is significant because it marks the widest point around the globe and influences climate patterns, with regions near the Equator experiencing tropical weather and consistent day lengths throughout the year.

Question 2: Analyse the causes of the development of time zones based on longitudinal divisions.

Answer: Time zones developed to standardize time across regions for travel, communication, and commerce as the world became more interconnected. Since Earth rotates 360° in 24 hours, each 15° of longitude corresponds to one hour. This division allows local time to match the position of the Sun, improving coordination worldwide. The adoption of the Prime Meridian at Greenwich as the starting point established a global reference for timekeeping.

Question 1: To what extent do you think the current system of latitude and longitude effectively supports global navigation and communication? Consider advantages and limitations in your answer.

Answer: The current system of latitude and longitude is highly effective in supporting global navigation and communication because it provides a precise and universally accepted method of locating places on Earth. It underpins GPS technology, aviation, shipping, and emergency response, facilitating safe and efficient movement worldwide. However, limitations include the complexity of understanding coordinates for beginners and potential inaccuracies arising from Earth's irregular shape and magnetic interference affecting navigation systems. Despite these challenges, the system remains fundamental to global connectivity and exploration, with ongoing technological improvements enhancing its accuracy and usability.