On 21 June the noon sun is vertically overhead at which latitude?
- A.The Equator
- B.The Tropic of Cancer
- C.The Tropic of Capricorn
- D.The Arctic Circle
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, the Tropic of Cancer. Because the earth's axis is tilted by about 23 and a half degrees, the northern hemisphere is turned most towards the sun on 21 June, the summer solstice, when the noon sun stands vertically above the Tropic of Cancer and the northern hemisphere has its longest day. Option A is wrong because the sun is overhead at the Equator on the two equinoxes, about 21 March and 23 September. Option C is wrong because the sun is overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn on 22 December, the winter solstice of the north. Option D is wrong because the sun is never vertically overhead beyond the tropics; at the Arctic Circle on 21 June the sun only remains above the horizon for the full twenty four hours.
Read the full article: Equator and Tropics: Countries, States and Exam Facts
Practice Questions
View allThrough which one of the following groups of countries does the Equator pass?
- A.Brazil, Zambia and Malaysia
- B.Colombia, Kenya and Indonesia
- C.Brazil, Sudan and Malaysia
- D.Venezuela, Ethiopia and Indonesia
Show answer
The Equator crosses Colombia in South America, Kenya in East Africa and the islands of Indonesia in South East Asia, so all three names in this group are correct.
Read the full explanation →Tropic of Cancer, Equator and Tropic of Capricorn do not pass through which of the following continents?
- A.North America and Antarctica
- B.Australia and Antarctica
- C.Europe and Antarctica
- D.Only Antarctica
Show answer
Europe lies entirely north of the Tropic of Cancer, its southernmost points being above 34 degrees north, and Antarctica lies far south of the Tropic of Capricorn, beyond the Antarctic Circle, so neither continent is touched by any of the three lines.
Read the full explanation →On which days do the equinox happen in India?
- A.21 March and 22 December
- B.21 June and 23 September
- C.21 June and 22 December
- D.21 March and 23 September
Show answer
On these two dates the noon sun is vertically overhead at the Equator, the circle of illumination passes through both poles, and day and night are of nearly equal length everywhere on the earth; 21 March is the spring or vernal equinox and 23 September the autumnal equinox.
Read the full explanation →The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many states of India?
- A.Six
- B.Seven
- C.Eight
- D.Nine
Show answer
From west to east the Tropic of Cancer passes through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram, which is why the line is said to divide India almost into two halves.
Read the full explanation →Which country is crossed by both the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn?
- A.Brazil
- B.Indonesia
- C.Kenya
- D.Australia
Show answer
Brazil is so large in north to south extent that the Equator crosses its northern part near the mouth of the Amazon while the Tropic of Capricorn crosses its south, close to Sao Paulo, making it the only country in the world cut by both lines.
Read the full explanation →