Quiz; Dimensions of Earth

From which set of polar and equatorial diameters can the actual shape of the Earth be inferred (determined)?

• polar diameter = 12,756 km / equatorial diameter = 12,714 km

• polar diameter = 12,714 km / equatorial diameter = 12,756 km

• polar diameter = 12,714 km / equatorial diameter = 12,714 km

• polar diameter = 12,756 km / equatorial diameter = 12,756 km

The diagram above represents the Earth's polar and equatorial diameters. The Earth's polar circumference must be...

• less than the equatorial circumference

• greater than the equatorial circumference

• the same as the equatorial circumference

The best evidence that the Earth has a spherical shape would be provided by

• the prevailing wind direction at many locations on the Earth's surface

• the change in the time of sunrise and sunset at a single location during 1 year

• the time the Earth takes to rotate on its axis at different times of the year

• photographs of the Earth talken from space

Measurements taken from space show the Earth to be

• greatest in diameter at the Equator

• pear shaped

• greatest in diameter at the Poles

• the perfect sphere

The actual shape of Earth is best described as 

• a perfect sphere
• an oblate spheroid
• an oblong spheroid
• flat like pancake

The Earth is slightly flattened at the polar regions due to 

• its revolution around the Sun
• the gravitational pull of the Sun & Moon
• its rotation on the axis
• storms from the Sun

A sailor observes the north star (Polaris) at an altitude of 25^o above the norther horizon. What is their latitude?

• 65^o S
• 25^o N
• 65^o N
• 25^o S

The Earth Science student pictured above is measuring the altitude of Polaris. What is their latitude?

• 42^o N
• 48^o N
• 42^o S
• 48^o S

What is a good model of Earth?

• Baseball
• Orange
• Meatball
• Ping Pong Ball

If an observer on Earth views Polaris on the horizon, the observer is located at the ...

• North Pole (90⁰ north)

• Tropic of Cancer (23.5⁰ north)

• Equator (0⁰)

• Tropic of Capricorn (23.5⁰ south)