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Consider the following statements:
The Sun rays are never overhead at any point beyond the tropical zone.
In the month of December, Southern Hemisphere has its longest day.
On the day of an equinox, daytime and nighttime are of approximately equal duration all over the planet.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a)2 and 3 only
- b)1, 2 and 3
- c)1 and 3 only
- d)1 and 2 only
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Most Upvoted Answer
Consider the following statements: The Sun rays are never overhead ...
- The shape of the earth’s orbit is elliptical and the sun occupies one focus of the ellipse. This leads to variations in the distance of the earth from the sun. The distance between the earth and the sun is least i.e.147.3 million km on January 3. In this position, the earth is said to be in perihelion. After this, the earth moves away from the sun and on July 4, it is at the farthest point, being 152 million km from the sun. At this time, the earth is said to be in aphelion.
- The plane in which the earth’s orbit lies is known as the plane of the ecliptic. The plane of the earth’s equator is inclined as an angle of 231/2° with the plane of the ecliptic. The earth's axis makes an angle of 661/2° with the plane of the ecliptic, and is tilted at 231/2° from a line perpendicular to that plane. This inclination is responsible for change of seasons on the Earth. The Sun rays can be experienced overhead till the tropic of cancer and capricorn in the northern and southern hemispheres of the earth respectively. Beyond this point, the earth does not tilt to the point that it receives the direct rays. So, the sun is never overhead beyond the tropics due to the latitudes. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- During the course of its revolution around the sun, the earth passes through different phases and occupies different positions. Four such positions, 2 solstices and 2 equinoxes occur in four different seasons.
- Solstice: Solstice Solstice is the time when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator and the sun’s rays are vertical either at the Tropic of Cancer or at the Tropic of Capricorn.
- Summer Solstice: On June 21 or 22, the northern hemisphere has maximum leaning towards the sun and receives more insolation than the southern hemisphere. Duration of day increases towards the north and decreases towards the south. The Sun’s vertical rays are at the Tropic of Cancer.
- Winter Solstice: On December 21 or 22 the earth travels to the opposite end of its orbit and the southern hemisphere has maximum inclination towards the sun. The sun’s vertical rays are at the Tropic of Capricorn. This is the time of winter season in the northern hemisphere and this position is known as winter solstice. The duration of day light increases towards the south and decreases towards the north. Hence statement 2 is correct.
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Community Answer
Consider the following statements: The Sun rays are never overhead ...
Correct answer: option B) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation:
The given question is related to the understanding of the Earth's axial tilt and its impact on solar radiation and the length of day and night in different regions of the world. Let's analyze each statement one by one:
Statement 1: The Sun rays are never overhead at any point beyond the tropical zone.
This statement is correct. The tropical zone is the region between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees north latitude) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees south latitude). The Sun appears directly overhead at least once a year at these latitudes as the Earth revolves around the Sun. However, beyond these latitudes, the Sun's rays never appear directly overhead because of the Earth's axial tilt. As we move towards the poles, the angle at which the Sun's rays hit the Earth's surface becomes more oblique.
Statement 2: In the month of December, the Southern Hemisphere has its longest day.
This statement is correct. In December, the Southern Hemisphere experiences its summer season, while the Northern Hemisphere experiences its winter season. During this time, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in longer days and shorter nights. The longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere occurs around December 21st, which is known as the December solstice or summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
Statement 3: On the day of an equinox, daytime and nighttime are of approximately equal duration all over the planet.
This statement is correct. An equinox occurs twice a year (around March 20th and September 22nd) when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun. During an equinox, the Sun is directly above the equator, and as a result, the duration of daytime and nighttime is approximately equal all over the planet. This is because the Sun's rays fall perpendicular to the Earth's equator, resulting in equal distribution of daylight across the globe.
In conclusion, all three statements are correct, and the correct answer is option B) 1, 2, and 3.
Explanation:
The given question is related to the understanding of the Earth's axial tilt and its impact on solar radiation and the length of day and night in different regions of the world. Let's analyze each statement one by one:
Statement 1: The Sun rays are never overhead at any point beyond the tropical zone.
This statement is correct. The tropical zone is the region between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees north latitude) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees south latitude). The Sun appears directly overhead at least once a year at these latitudes as the Earth revolves around the Sun. However, beyond these latitudes, the Sun's rays never appear directly overhead because of the Earth's axial tilt. As we move towards the poles, the angle at which the Sun's rays hit the Earth's surface becomes more oblique.
Statement 2: In the month of December, the Southern Hemisphere has its longest day.
This statement is correct. In December, the Southern Hemisphere experiences its summer season, while the Northern Hemisphere experiences its winter season. During this time, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, resulting in longer days and shorter nights. The longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere occurs around December 21st, which is known as the December solstice or summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
Statement 3: On the day of an equinox, daytime and nighttime are of approximately equal duration all over the planet.
This statement is correct. An equinox occurs twice a year (around March 20th and September 22nd) when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun. During an equinox, the Sun is directly above the equator, and as a result, the duration of daytime and nighttime is approximately equal all over the planet. This is because the Sun's rays fall perpendicular to the Earth's equator, resulting in equal distribution of daylight across the globe.
In conclusion, all three statements are correct, and the correct answer is option B) 1, 2, and 3.
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Consider the following statements: The Sun rays are never overhead at any point beyond the tropical zone. In the month of December, Southern Hemisphere has its longest day. On the day of an equinox, daytime and nighttime are of approximately equal duration all over the planet. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)2 and 3 onlyb)1, 2 and 3c)1 and 3 onlyd)1 and 2 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
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Consider the following statements: The Sun rays are never overhead at any point beyond the tropical zone. In the month of December, Southern Hemisphere has its longest day. On the day of an equinox, daytime and nighttime are of approximately equal duration all over the planet. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)2 and 3 onlyb)1, 2 and 3c)1 and 3 onlyd)1 and 2 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Consider the following statements: The Sun rays are never overhead at any point beyond the tropical zone. In the month of December, Southern Hemisphere has its longest day. On the day of an equinox, daytime and nighttime are of approximately equal duration all over the planet. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)2 and 3 onlyb)1, 2 and 3c)1 and 3 onlyd)1 and 2 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Consider the following statements: The Sun rays are never overhead at any point beyond the tropical zone. In the month of December, Southern Hemisphere has its longest day. On the day of an equinox, daytime and nighttime are of approximately equal duration all over the planet. Which of the statements given above are correct?a)2 and 3 onlyb)1, 2 and 3c)1 and 3 onlyd)1 and 2 onlyCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
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