Latitude and Longitude Lines (World Geography)

The force exerted by the Earth's rotation is known as the Coriolis force. Coriolis Force is an apparent force that acts on objects moving within a rotating frame of reference — such as Earth. It causes moving objects to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Key Points about Coriolis Force:

1. Not a Real Force:
   It is a fictitious or inertial force that arises due to the rotation of Earth.
2. Direction of Deflection:

Northern Hemisphere: Objects deflect to the right.
Southern Hemisphere: Objects deflect to the left.

Applications:

• Formation of cyclones and anticyclones
• Ocean currents
• Missile trajectories
• Flight paths of airplanes

Latitude is defined as the angular distance of a place north or south of Earth's equator. Latitude is the angular distance measured in degrees north or south of the equator, which is designated as 0° latitude.

• Ranges from 0° at the Equator to 90° at the poles.
• Northern Hemisphere latitudes are written as °N, and
• Southern Hemisphere latitudes as °S.

The Earth rotate about its own axis in one hour is 15 degree.

• The Earth circles the sun, and in counter-clockwise motion revolves on its axis.
• It too rotates at an hourly speed of 1042 miles.
• The Earth rotates 360 degrees on its axis every 24 hours. Perhaps you might look at it like it takes a day to full a complete circle.
• The Earth rotates 15 degrees an hour, split into an hourly rate (360/24).

The zone between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S) is called the Torrid Zone or the Tropical Zone.

Characteristics of the Torrid Zone:

• It lies between 23.5°N and 23.5°S latitude.
• Receives direct sunlight throughout the year.
• Has a hot climate and is home to tropical rainforests, savannas, and deserts.
• Experiences minimal seasonal variation in temperature.

A Solstice is an event that also happens twice a year. It occurs when the Sun is either on Tropic of Cancer or Capricorn. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Solstice happens on June 21, and in the Southern Hemisphere, the Solstice occurs on December 22.

The change of seasons on Earth is caused by:

Tilt of the Earth's Axis +  Revolution around the Sun

Detailed Explanation:

1. Earth’s Tilt:
   Earth is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degrees from the vertical axis.
   This tilt is constant as Earth orbits the Sun.

2. Revolution Around the Sun:
   Earth takes 365.25 days to complete one orbit.
   As Earth moves around the Sun, different parts of the Earth receive varying amounts of sunlight.

3. Resulting Effect:
   When the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it experiences summer (more direct sunlight).
   When it is tilted away, it experiences winter (less direct sunlight).
   The opposite happens in the Southern Hemisphere.

Definition of Temperate Zones:

• These are the regions between the tropics and the polar circles.
• There are two temperate zones:

Key Facts about the Antarctic Circle:

• It is the imaginary line that circles the Earth at 66.5° south of the Equator.
• Marks the boundary of the South Frigid Zone.
• Within this zone:

• • There is at least one day a year of 24-hour daylight (around December 21, the Summer Solstice).

  • And at least one day a year of 24-hour darkness (around June 21, the Winter Solstice).