OCEANS 100 SDSU LAB PRACTICAL 1
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
What happens in a Mercator map projection (in regards to latitude and longitude)? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Places at higher and lower latitudes are exaggerated and look as if they are
bigger than they really are
Seasonal variations in sunlight why does this happen? - CORRECT ANSWER - Summer
and Winter Solstices differences in each hemisphere. Earth tilts on its axis (consistently 23.5),
causing the Northern / Southern hemispheres trade places throughout the year in receiving the
sun's light and warmth most directly. Seasons in the southern hemisphere occur at opposite times
of the year from those in the northern hemisphere. Northern summer = southern winter.
Know the differences between latitude and longitude; what they are used for; major lat/long
reference points. (i.e. Equator/ Prime Meridian/ etc.) - CORRECT ANSWER - Latitude -
One's north- south position with the equator defined as 0 degrees and geographic poles defined
as 90 degrees N and 90 degrees S. Longitude - One's east-west position, Prime Meridian is
defined by 0 degrees longitude. All other longitudinal values are defined by the angle that their
plane forms with that of the Prime Meridian. International date line - Longitude line opposite of
the Prime Meridian defined as 180 degrees
Using data from a sextant and chronometer calculate latitude and longitude (Part B1) -
CORRECT ANSWER - Sextant - device used to determine one's latitude, measures the
angle between the horizon and one of two stars located directly above the Earth's axis of rotation
(North star or Southern Cross). Chronometer - accurate clock set to UTC (time at 0 degrees
longitude) Earth rotates at 15 degrees per hour ( hours in a day). To find if you are east
or west of Prime Meridian, if you are earlier than UTC time, you are to the west. Calculating:
Sextant - same as latitude. Longitude - multiply the number of hours from 1200 by 15
Be able to distinguish different types of plate boundaries and their motion on a map. Calculate
average seafloor spreading rates. (Part B) - CORRECT ANSWER - Seafloor spreading
rates : distance (cm) / oldest crust age (yr)
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
What happens in a Mercator map projection (in regards to latitude and longitude)? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Places at higher and lower latitudes are exaggerated and look as if they are
bigger than they really are
Seasonal variations in sunlight why does this happen? - CORRECT ANSWER - Summer
and Winter Solstices differences in each hemisphere. Earth tilts on its axis (consistently 23.5),
causing the Northern / Southern hemispheres trade places throughout the year in receiving the
sun's light and warmth most directly. Seasons in the southern hemisphere occur at opposite times
of the year from those in the northern hemisphere. Northern summer = southern winter.
Know the differences between latitude and longitude; what they are used for; major lat/long
reference points. (i.e. Equator/ Prime Meridian/ etc.) - CORRECT ANSWER - Latitude -
One's north- south position with the equator defined as 0 degrees and geographic poles defined
as 90 degrees N and 90 degrees S. Longitude - One's east-west position, Prime Meridian is
defined by 0 degrees longitude. All other longitudinal values are defined by the angle that their
plane forms with that of the Prime Meridian. International date line - Longitude line opposite of
the Prime Meridian defined as 180 degrees
Using data from a sextant and chronometer calculate latitude and longitude (Part B1) -
CORRECT ANSWER - Sextant - device used to determine one's latitude, measures the
angle between the horizon and one of two stars located directly above the Earth's axis of rotation
(North star or Southern Cross). Chronometer - accurate clock set to UTC (time at 0 degrees
longitude) Earth rotates at 15 degrees per hour ( hours in a day). To find if you are east
or west of Prime Meridian, if you are earlier than UTC time, you are to the west. Calculating:
Sextant - same as latitude. Longitude - multiply the number of hours from 1200 by 15
Be able to distinguish different types of plate boundaries and their motion on a map. Calculate
average seafloor spreading rates. (Part B) - CORRECT ANSWER - Seafloor spreading
rates : distance (cm) / oldest crust age (yr)
