OCEANS 100 SDSU LAB PRACTICAL 1 EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
Question 1
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
Question 2
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.
Question 3
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
Page 1 of 5
, Question 4
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
Question 5
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)
Question 6
Understand fracture zones vs transform faults; seafloor spreading and relative plate
motion (Part D) relationship between divergent and transform plate boundaries w/in
oceanic lithosphere.
Correct Answer
The relationship arises due to the rigid nature of the lithosphere and the spherical
shape of the earth.
Question 7
Transform fault
Correct Answer
forms at the offset between the two ridges.
Page 2 of 5
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST
Question 1
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
Question 2
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.
Question 3
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
Page 1 of 5
, Question 4
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
Question 5
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)
Question 6
Understand fracture zones vs transform faults; seafloor spreading and relative plate
motion (Part D) relationship between divergent and transform plate boundaries w/in
oceanic lithosphere.
Correct Answer
The relationship arises due to the rigid nature of the lithosphere and the spherical
shape of the earth.
Question 7
Transform fault
Correct Answer
forms at the offset between the two ridges.
Page 2 of 5
