On what measurement is the Earth's latitude and longitude system based?

Answer 1

It's a system of 3-dimensional "Polar coordinates" (R, Θ, and Φ), with its origin at

the center of the Earth, and every point of interest always at the same radius.

' R ' is the Earth's radius.

' Θ ' is the longitude of the point.

' Φ ' is the latitude of the point.

Note that latitude and longitude are angles, not distances.

Answer 2

It's identical to the mathematical system of locating any point in 3-dimensional

space by means of "spherical coordinates". Instead of Cartesian 'x', 'y', and 'z'

coordinates, the point is located by means of . . .

-- its radius (distance from the origin),

-- the angle from the x-axis to its foot in the x-y plane, and

-- the angle of its elevation above the x-y plane.

That system is transferred wholesale to locate points on the Earth's surface.

-- The 'x-y' plane is the plane of the equator, with the x-axis projecting through

the equator at zero longitude.

-- The point's longitude is the angle in the x-y plane from the x-axis around to its 'foot'.

-- The point's latitude is its elevation above the x-y plane, as seen from the Earth's center.

-- The 'radius' for points on the surface is constant ... it's the Earth's radius.

But with a different radius, things in space like satellites or aircraft in flight

can be located in the same system, and their travels can then be described

with all the 'usual' formulas and relationships from spherical geometry.

More than you wanted to know, huh ?

Answer 3

gravity intensity

Answer 4

Angles (degrees) of a Circle.

Answer 5

degrees