At which of the following latitudes is it possible for the Sun's rays to hit the ground perpendicular to the ground at some point during the year?
a) 20°
b) 33°
c) 42°
d) 55°
e) 87°
Answer (2)
The latitude where the Sun's rays can strike perpendicularly at some point during the year is 20°, which is within the tropics (between 23.5° N and 23.5° S). The other options, being outside this range, cannot receive perpendicular sunlight. Thus, the answer is 20°.
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The problem requires identifying the latitude where the Sun's rays can hit the ground perpendicularly.
The Sun's rays hit perpendicularly only within the tropics (23.5° N and 23.5° S).
Among the given options, only 20° falls within this range.
Therefore, the answer is 20° .
Explanation
Understanding the Question The question asks us to identify the latitude at which the Sun's rays can hit the ground perpendicularly at some point during the year. This phenomenon is related to the Earth's axial tilt and the resulting seasons.
Key Concept: The Tropics The key concept here is that the Sun's rays can only be perpendicular to the ground within the tropics, which are defined by the Tropic of Cancer (approximately 23.5° North) and the Tropic of Capricorn (approximately 23.5° South).
Checking the Options We need to check which of the given latitudes falls within the range of 23.5° South to 23.5° North: a) 20° b) 33° c) 42° d) 55° e) 87°
Identifying the Correct Latitude Comparing the given options to the boundaries of the tropics:
20° falls within the tropics (-23.5° to 23.5°).
33°, 42°, 55°, and 87° are all outside the tropics.
Final Answer Therefore, the only latitude at which the Sun's rays can hit the ground perpendicularly is 20°.
Examples
Understanding the latitudes where the sun's rays hit perpendicularly is crucial in various real-world applications. For instance, it helps in designing solar energy systems for maximum efficiency, as the angle of sunlight directly affects energy absorption. In agriculture, knowing the sun's angle aids in optimizing crop placement and irrigation, ensuring plants receive adequate sunlight. Furthermore, this knowledge is vital in architecture for designing buildings that maximize natural light and minimize heat gain, leading to energy-efficient and sustainable structures.
