Physical Geography

1 . Is the Earth large or small ? Explain

Any information concerning the size of the earth is likely to refers to this aspect its within the context of relativity . As one of the planets in the solar system , the earth is large relative to its planetary counterparts . It is the largest and most massive of the terrestrial planets (which include Mars , Venus , and Mercury ) within the solar system . In addition , the earth is also denser than the other planets within its solar system . However , compared with the non-terrestrial planets (Saturn , Jupiter , Uranus

and Neptune ) the earth is very small

In comparison with the sun , the earth is tiny . The mass of the earth is 5 .9736 X 1024 kg . This , compared with the mass of the sun is 1 .99 X 1030 kg , which is 332 ,946 times that of the earth . On the size scales within the solar system , therefore , the earth might be considered medium sized However , since the sun is quite miniscule compared to other stars and to the physical bodies within and beyond the galaxy , the sizes of the earth on a universal scale approaches the infinitesimal

2 . What are the major differences between parallels and meridians

Parallels or latitudes differ from meridians primarily in the directions in which they run . While parallels always run east-west , meridians run north-south in a way that allows each to cut (cross ) each parallel at a different angle . This is because meridians all run through the axes of the earth , and this ensures that they all converge upon the poles . The parallels or latitudes run parallel to each other , and this ensures that they never meet each other in their journeys around the earth . One effect that this difference (in parallelism ) has on the two types of lines is that while parallels are always equidistant from the equator and poles at every point on its circumference , meridians change their distances from each other the closer or further away they are from the poles . Therefore , at the equator , the distance between any two given meridian will always be greater than at any other latitude on the earth .3 . Why are vertical rays of the Sun never experienced poleward on the tropic lines

The sun 's vertical rays are experienced only between 23 .5oN and 23 .5oS primarily as a result of the tilt of the earth 's axis . This tilt measures 23 .5 degrees , so as the earth revolves around the sun , its poles tilt toward or away from the sun at this angle . During the summers (which alternate between opposing parts of the year in for the northern and southern hemispheres , the poles are tilted toward the sun . However the angle this causes the earth to make with the sun ensures that the angles of the sun-rays hitting the earth are less than the 90 degrees which would constitute a direct hit . Because of this tilt , the rays of the sun are sometimes able to shine directly on such...