size & shape of Earth
Name: ____________________________________
Monday, September 22, 2008
1.
Figure 1
The diagram shows observations of the star Polaris. What is the latitude of point A in the diagram?
1. 8° N
2. 41° N
3. 49° N
4. 59° N
2.
Figure 2
The diagram represents the route of a ship traveling from New York City to Miami, Florida. Each night, a passenger
on the ship observes Polaris. Which statement best describes the osberved changes in the altitude of Polaris made by
the passenger during the voyage?
1. Each night, the altitude decreases in the northern sky.
2. Each night, the altitude decreases in the southern sky.
3. Each night, the altitude increases in the northern sky.
4. Each night, the altitude increases in the southern sky.
size & shape of Earth
3.
Which graph below best represents the relationship between the latitude of an observer and the observed altitude of
Polaris above the northern horizon?
4.
The best evidence that the Earth has a spherical shape is provided by
1. photographs of the Earth taken from space satellites
2. the amount of daylight received at the North Pole on
June 21
3. the changing orbital speed of the earth in its orbit
around the Sun
4. the cyclic change of seasons
5.
How does the position of Polaris appear to change as an observer travels due north form the Equator?
1. The angle of Polaris above the northern horizon decreases.
2. The angle of Polaris above the northern horizon increases.
3. Polaris appears to move westward.
4. Polaris appears to move eastward.
size & shape of Earth
6.
Which statement provides the best evidence that Earth has a nearly spherical shape?
1. The Sun has a spherical shape.
2. The altitude of Polaris changes in a definite pattern as an
observer's latitude changes.
3. Star trails photographed over a period of time
show a circular pattern.
4. The lengths of noontime shadows change
throughout the year.
7.
The diagram below shows an observer on Earth measuring the altitude of Polaris.
What is the latitude of this observer?
1. 43°N
2. 43°S
3. 47° N
4. 47° S
8.
Precise measurements of Earth indicate that its polar diameter is
1. shorter than its equatorial diameter
2. longer than its equatorial diameter
3. the same length as its equatorial diameter
size & shape of Earth
9.
From which set of polar and equatorial diameters can the actual shape of the Earth be inferred?
1. polar diameter = 12,714 km equatorial diameter =
12,714 km
2. polar diameter = 12,756 km equatorial diameter =
12,756 km
3. polar diameter = 12,714 km equatorial diameter =
12,756 km
4. polar diameter = 12,756 km equatorial diameter =
12,714 km
10.
The polar circumference of the Earth is 40,008 kilometers. What is the equatorial circumference?
1. 12,740 km
2. 25,000 km
3. 40,008 km
4. 40,076 km
size & shape of Earth
Answer Key for size & shape of Earth
1. 2
2. 1
3. 4
4. 1
5. 2
6. 2
7. 1
8. 1
9. 3
10. 4