1 | Page
CONS 127 Midterm Questions and Correct
Answers
What is the significance of the 1482 Ptolemy map? Ans: It was
the first map to use grid lines (a coordinate system using latitude
and longitude to define positions)
What is latitude? Ans: Angle that describes the north-south
position.
Parallel Ans: Circle connecting all locations with a given latitude
Pole Ans: Points where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its
surface
There are North, South poles
Equator Ans: Intersection of the Earth's surface with the plane
perpendicular to the axis of rotation and midway between the
poles. The equator is the biggest parallel
Arctic Circle Ans: Southernmost latitude in the Northern
Hemisphere where the Sun can remain continuously above or
below the horizon for 24h.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Antarctic Circle Ans: Northernmost latitude in the Southern
Hemisphere where the sun can remain continuously above or
below the horizon for 24h.
Tropic of Cancer + How does it change seasons depending on
where Earth is tilted + Value Ans: Northernmost circle of latitude
where the Sun can be directly overhead
When the top of the Earth is tilted towards the sun, it is summer in
the northern hemisphere. Since the southern hemisphere is tilted
away from the sun, it's winter there
Tropic of Capricorn + Value Ans: Southernmost circle of latitude
where the Sun can be directly overhead
66.5S
Longitude Ans: Angle that describes the east-west position, no
value for Longitude
Meridian Ans: Half of an imaginary great circle, terminating at the
North Pole and the South Poles, connecting points of equal
longitude
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Prime Meridian Ans: Origin of the measures of Longitude (zero
degrees of longitude)
What can be said about the four models of the Earth? Are they
correct? How do they differ? Ans: All are wrong models of the
Earth but have varying degrees of correctness and incorrectness.
Varying in complexity, accuracy and applications
Geoid model of the Earth Ans: - Most accurate model of the Earth
- Physical approximation of the figure of the Earth
- Shape of the surface of calmed oceans, in the absence of other
influences such as winds and tides
- Computed using complex physical models and gravity readings
of Earth's surface
- Used to measure surface elevations with a high degree of
accuracy
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
Ellipsoid model of the Earth Ans: - Mathematical approximation of
the shape of the Earth
- The Earth is flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator due
to its revolution; ellipsoid geodesy accounts for this. It is suitable
for direct mathematical computations
- Defined by two numbers: semi-major and semi-minor axis
-AX=B
Sphere model of the Earth Ans: - The least accurate model of the
Earth
- The Earth's radius is constant
- a=b
How is the Earth projected into maps? Ans: Or centuries, the most
vexing dilemma for cartog. Has been how to transfer the 3D Globe
onto a 2D Page
© 2025 All rights reserved
CONS 127 Midterm Questions and Correct
Answers
What is the significance of the 1482 Ptolemy map? Ans: It was
the first map to use grid lines (a coordinate system using latitude
and longitude to define positions)
What is latitude? Ans: Angle that describes the north-south
position.
Parallel Ans: Circle connecting all locations with a given latitude
Pole Ans: Points where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its
surface
There are North, South poles
Equator Ans: Intersection of the Earth's surface with the plane
perpendicular to the axis of rotation and midway between the
poles. The equator is the biggest parallel
Arctic Circle Ans: Southernmost latitude in the Northern
Hemisphere where the Sun can remain continuously above or
below the horizon for 24h.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Antarctic Circle Ans: Northernmost latitude in the Southern
Hemisphere where the sun can remain continuously above or
below the horizon for 24h.
Tropic of Cancer + How does it change seasons depending on
where Earth is tilted + Value Ans: Northernmost circle of latitude
where the Sun can be directly overhead
When the top of the Earth is tilted towards the sun, it is summer in
the northern hemisphere. Since the southern hemisphere is tilted
away from the sun, it's winter there
Tropic of Capricorn + Value Ans: Southernmost circle of latitude
where the Sun can be directly overhead
66.5S
Longitude Ans: Angle that describes the east-west position, no
value for Longitude
Meridian Ans: Half of an imaginary great circle, terminating at the
North Pole and the South Poles, connecting points of equal
longitude
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Prime Meridian Ans: Origin of the measures of Longitude (zero
degrees of longitude)
What can be said about the four models of the Earth? Are they
correct? How do they differ? Ans: All are wrong models of the
Earth but have varying degrees of correctness and incorrectness.
Varying in complexity, accuracy and applications
Geoid model of the Earth Ans: - Most accurate model of the Earth
- Physical approximation of the figure of the Earth
- Shape of the surface of calmed oceans, in the absence of other
influences such as winds and tides
- Computed using complex physical models and gravity readings
of Earth's surface
- Used to measure surface elevations with a high degree of
accuracy
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
Ellipsoid model of the Earth Ans: - Mathematical approximation of
the shape of the Earth
- The Earth is flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator due
to its revolution; ellipsoid geodesy accounts for this. It is suitable
for direct mathematical computations
- Defined by two numbers: semi-major and semi-minor axis
-AX=B
Sphere model of the Earth Ans: - The least accurate model of the
Earth
- The Earth's radius is constant
- a=b
How is the Earth projected into maps? Ans: Or centuries, the most
vexing dilemma for cartog. Has been how to transfer the 3D Globe
onto a 2D Page
© 2025 All rights reserved
