The distance from the equator to the north pole is almost 10,000 km. Roughly how many kilometers is: the distance around the earth at the equator? 1 degree of longitude?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The Earth’s circumference at the equator is approximately 40,075 kilometers. To calculate the distance around the Earth at the equator, this value represents the full distance around the Earth. This is based on the fact that the Earth is roughly spherical in shape, although it’s slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator, making it an oblate spheroid.
Distance Around the Earth at the Equator:
The distance around the Earth at the equator is 40,075 km. This value is derived from the Earth’s radius, which is about 6,378 kilometers at the equator. To calculate the circumference of a sphere, the formula used is: C=2πrC = 2 \pi r
Where:
- CC is the circumference
- rr is the radius of the Earth (approximately 6,378 km)
- π\pi is approximately 3.14159
Substituting the radius: C=2×3.14159×6378≈40,075 kmC = 2 \times 3.14159 \times 6378 \approx 40,075 \, \text{km}
So, the circumference of the Earth at the equator is about 40,075 km.
Distance of 1 Degree of Longitude:
The Earth is divided into 360 degrees of longitude. The distance around the Earth at the equator is 40,075 km, and since there are 360 degrees of longitude, the distance for one degree of longitude is: Distance of 1 degree of longitude=40,075 km360≈111.32 km\text{Distance of 1 degree of longitude} = \frac{40,075 \, \text{km}}{360} \approx 111.32 \, \text{km}
Thus, the distance for one degree of longitude at the equator is approximately 111.32 kilometers.
Conclusion:
- The distance around the Earth at the equator is 40,075 km.
- The distance for 1 degree of longitude at the equator is about 111.32 km.
This distance is consistent for every degree of longitude at the equator, but it decreases as you move towards the poles because of the Earth’s spherical shape.