Question
Sun traverses 1 degree of longitude every ______ minutes.
The correct answer is
4
Understanding Sun's Apparent Movement Across Longitude
The question asks how long it takes for the Sun to appear to move across 1 degree of longitude. This apparent movement is a direct result of the Earth's rotation. The Earth spins on its axis, completing one full rotation (360 degrees) approximately every 24 hours. As the Earth rotates, different longitudes face the Sun, creating the cycle of day and night.Calculating Time Per Degree of Longitude
To find out how many minutes it takes for the Sun to traverse just 1 degree of longitude, we need to relate the Earth's full rotation time to the total degrees of longitude. Here’s how we can calculate it:- The Earth completes one full rotation in about 24 hours.
- A full rotation covers 360 degrees of longitude.
- First, convert the rotation time from hours to minutes:
- 24 hours = \(24 \times 60\) minutes
- 24 hours = 1440 minutes
- So, the Earth rotates 360 degrees in 1440 minutes.
- To find the time it takes to rotate through 1 degree, divide the total time by the total degrees:
- Time per degree = \(\frac{\text{Total rotation time in minutes}}{\text{Total degrees of longitude}}\)
- Time per degree = \(\frac{1440 \text{ minutes}}{360 \text{ degrees}}\)
Let's perform the division:
\(\frac{1440}{360} = 4\)
So, the Sun appears to traverse 1 degree of longitude every 4 minutes.
This calculation is fundamental in understanding how longitude relates to time zones and local solar time.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Earth's full rotation (degrees) | 360 degrees |
| Time for full rotation (hours) | 24 hours |
| Time for full rotation (minutes) | 1440 minutes |
| Time per 1 degree of longitude | \(\frac{1440}{360}\) minutes |
| Time per 1 degree of longitude | 4 minutes |
Revision Table: Sun, Longitude, and Time
| Concept | Explanation | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Longitude | Geographic coordinate measuring east-west position. Ranges from 0° (Prime Meridian) to 180° East or West. | Directly related to local time. |
| Earth's Rotation | The spinning of Earth on its axis, completing a turn in about 24 hours. | Causes the apparent movement of the Sun and determines the length of a day. |
| Apparent Solar Time | Time measured by the position of the Sun in the sky. Different at different longitudes. | Moves approximately 1 degree of longitude every 4 minutes. |
| Time Zones | Regions that observe a uniform standard time, often based on increments of 15 degrees of longitude (since \(15 \text{ degrees} \times 4 \text{ minutes/degree} = 60 \text{ minutes}\) or 1 hour). | Practical application of the longitude-time relationship. |
Additional Information: Time and Longitude
The relationship between longitude and time is crucial for navigation, mapping, and establishing time zones.- Local Mean Time: This is the time based on the average position of the Sun at a specific longitude. It changes continuously as you move east or west.
- Prime Meridian: Located at 0 degrees longitude in Greenwich, London. It is the reference point for measuring longitude and Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
- International Date Line (IDL): Roughly follows the 180-degree longitude line. Crossing it changes the calendar day.
- The fact that 1 degree of longitude corresponds to 4 minutes of time difference means that for every 15 degrees of longitude you travel east, local time is 1 hour later, and for every 15 degrees you travel west, local time is 1 hour earlier.
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Important Questions from Origin and evolution of Universe Solar system
Which one of the following is the correct sequence of arrangement of the given planets in descending order of their density (in gm/cm3)?
Which one of the following astronomers proved that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun?
If it is 12 noon in New Delhi, what will be the time in London, UK?
The Prime Meridian does not pass through which one of the following African countries?
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