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Why diametrically opposite lines of longitude and equator are called great circles?
A 'great circle' is any circle on the surface of a sphere that has its center at the center of the sphere. The equator is the only parallel of latitude that's a great circle. Every meridian of constant longitude is a semi-circle, and together with the one directly opposite it, they form a great circle. The shortest distance between two points on a sphere is the piece of the great circle through them.
Why are lines of longitude called great circles?
Because they make big circles around the Earth.
Why are lines of latitude and longitude called great circles?
They're not. A "great circle" is a circle drawn on a sphere that has its center at the center of the sphere. -- The only line of latitude that's a great circle is the equator. None of the others are. -- Each meridian of longitude is 1/2 of a great circle. In order to form a complete great circle, you have to glue it together with the other meridian of longitude that's directly opposite it on the other side of the globe. Like the Prime Meridian and 180° longitude, or 34° east longitude and 146° west longitude.
When you move away from the equator where do meridians go?
Meridians converge at the poles and intersect the equator at 90 degrees. They are all great circle lines called lines of longitude. The equator is a line of latitude and the only line of latitude that is a great circle line. As you move away from the equator the lines of latitude describe smaller and smaller circles round the planet as you approach the poles.
Which parallel of latitude are great circles?
All parallels of latitude, except for the Equator, are not great circles. Great circles are the largest circles that can be drawn on a sphere and pass through its center, whereas small circles do not pass through the center of the sphere.
Which meridians paired with their opposite meridians are great circles?
Any meridian, paired with the meridian exactly 180 degrees different in longitude,comprise a great circle.If the two meridians are not exactly 180 degrees apart in longitude, then they'renot in the same plane, and they don't form a circle at all.No two meridians of longitude can combine to form a small circle.All parallels of latitude, except the equator, are small circles. The equator is the onlygreat one.
What geometric shape are lines of longitude?
Great circles.
Why are all the meridians of longitude known as great circles?
All meridians of longitude are known as great circles because they represent the largest possible circles that can be drawn on the surface of a sphere, dividing it into two equal halves. These circles have their centers aligned with the center of the Earth, leading to a constant radius. Unlike parallels of latitude, which become smaller as they move away from the equator, meridians maintain this consistent size, making them essential for navigation and geography.
Is The Tropic of Cancer is an example of a great circle.?
No, the Tropic of Cancer is not an example of a great circle. It is a circle of latitude located at approximately 23.5 degrees north of the equator, which means it is parallel to the equator and does not divide the Earth into two equal halves. Great circles, such as the equator and lines of longitude, represent the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a sphere.
Why is the equator called the great circles?
The reason they call the equator the great circle is because circles the whole earth in the middle.becase its the only line that runs in the centre of the earth and goes right arround . {nickstar}
What is the plane that cuts the earth surface and passes through the center?
The plane that cuts the Earth's surface and passes through its center is called the "great circle." A great circle divides the Earth into two equal hemispheres and represents the shortest path between two points on the surface. The equator and all lines of longitude are examples of great circles. These circles are crucial in navigation and geography for determining distances and directions.
Are latitude or longitude called great circles?
Only one line of latitude is a great circle ... the equator. Meridians of longitude are semi-great-circle, but we hardly ever use that term for longitude lines. "Great Circle" is a misnomer. It is actually the shortest straight line between two points on the surface of the spherical Earth. However, when plotted on a flat paper map (which is subject to considerable distortion) the path looks curved. But it's the MAP that is distorted; the path is straight.
