Asked by Cambridge
The U.S.S. Lollipop is on assignment in the Atlantic Ocean. It travels from a longitude of 70 degrees west to 20 degrees west, along the latitude of 40 degrees north. How far does it travel? (Assume that the radius of the Earth is 6,400 km.)
Erm I don't know how to solve this. I graphed it and it is basically a small line segment on a sphere, but how to solve it? should I draw the radius to connect it? thx
Erm I don't know how to solve this. I graphed it and it is basically a small line segment on a sphere, but how to solve it? should I draw the radius to connect it? thx
Answers
Answered by
Steve
Along the equator, if you travel an angle of θ, your distance is rθ.
The travel is along the 40° latitude, so moving through an angle of θ° of longitude, you only travel rθcos40°.
The Lollipop moved 50°, so it traveled
(6400)(50*π/180)(cos40°) = 4278 km
The travel is along the 40° latitude, so moving through an angle of θ° of longitude, you only travel rθcos40°.
The Lollipop moved 50°, so it traveled
(6400)(50*π/180)(cos40°) = 4278 km
Answered by
Cambridge
thank you that helped !
Answered by
Jeff
Hi. I don't understand why you multiply by 50*pi/180. The 50 degrees is the difference in the longitude, but why isn't that divided by 360? Why the pi/180? If someone could clear that up I would appreciate it.
Answered by
Jeff
Sorry, never mind. I figured it out.
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