Geography · Physics
Geodesy and Celestial Mechanics
1,049 Questions
Geodesy and celestial mechanics questions explore Earth measurements, great circles, and planetary motions. These concepts form a crucial part of physical geography and astronomy in competitive exams. Practice these questions to grasp longitudinal and latitudinal calculations.
Longitude and latitude calculationsGreat circle conceptEarths axial precessionLagrangian pointsAtmosphere boundary
Geodesy and Celestial Mechanics Questions
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Explanation
The Greek mathematician and geographer Eratosthenes is famous for first calculating the Earth's circumference around 240 B.C. using the angle of the sun at two different locations. While ancient Chinese mathematicians made many scientific advances, they did not calculate this specific value.
C
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Explanation
Approximately 71% to 72% of the Earth's surface is covered by water, with the vast majority of that being saltwater in the oceans. The remaining 28% to 29% consists of continents and islands.
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Explanation
Antarctica is located entirely within the Southern Hemisphere.
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60 N, 30E
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40 N, 120E
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60 N , 60E
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60 W, 30N
A
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Explanation
Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) is located approximately at 60 degrees North latitude and 30 degrees East longitude.
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Northern
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Western
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Eastern
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Southern
D
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Explanation
The Southern Hemisphere is the half of the Earth that lies south of the equator.
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Hydrosphere
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Lithosphere
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Ecosphere
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Biosphere
D
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Explanation
The biosphere is the global sum of all ecosystems, representing the zone of life on Earth. It includes all living organisms and their interactions with the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
C
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Explanation
Approximately 71 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by water, which is commonly rounded to 3/4 in general geography contexts. The other options significantly underestimate or overestimate this coverage.
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70% of the earth’s surface
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the part of the Earth that supports life
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the layer of gases above the Earth
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the Earth’s crust.
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Explanation
The hydrosphere encompasses all water on Earth, which covers approximately 70 percent of the planet's surface. The other options describe the biosphere, atmosphere, or lithosphere.
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From 10 to 15 feet
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Almost 100 feet
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From 20 to 25 feet
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Over 200 feet
D
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Explanation
The combined ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica contain enough water to raise global sea levels by over 200 feet if they were to melt completely.
B
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Explanation
Approximately 29% to 30% of the Earth's surface is covered by land, while the remaining 70% to 71% is covered by water.
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Tripical dry
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Tropical moist
B
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Explanation
Tropical moist forests are located in the equatorial zone, receiving high rainfall throughout the year, unlike dry forests.
A
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Explanation
A globe is the only representation of the earth that maintains correct proportions of area, distance, and direction simultaneously, unlike flat maps which introduce distortion.
A
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Explanation
The radius of the Earth's core is approximately 3500 km, which is a standard figure used in geography textbooks.
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6000 km
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5000 km
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4000 km
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3000 km
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Explanation
The radius of the Earth, which is the distance from the surface to the center, is approximately 6371 km, often rounded to 6000 km in introductory texts.
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Correct answer
Explanation
The mean radius of the Earth is approximately 6371 km. This is a standard scientific measurement used in geography and geology.