EARTH AS A SPHERE

23.1 LONGITUDE
Great Circles are circles with their centres at the centre of the earth.
Meridians are semicircles connecting the North Pole and the South Pole, running on the
surface of the earth.
The longitude of a meridian is determined by
(i)
the angle between the plane of the meridian with that of the Greenwich
Meridian
(ii)
its position to the left or to the right of the Greenwich Meridian.
The longitude of a given point is written as x0 E or x0 W.
State the longitude for the points given below (NMS is the Greenwich Meridian)

Example:
Greenwich Meridian

Longitude for P = 35W

Longitude for R = 60E

a)
Longitude of P =
Longitude of R =

b)

Longitude of P =
Longitude of R =

Earth As A Sphere

The difference between two longitudes:

o If both longitudes are from the same sides of the Greenwich Meridian, (both E
or both W), then the difference between the two longitudes is the difference of
the angles.
o If the longitudes are from different sides of the Greenwich Meridian, (one E
and the other W), then the difference between the two longitudes is the sum of
the angles.
N
200 W

400 E

P
600

Equator

S
The difference in longitudes = 400 ( - 200) = 600.
Ex. 2 : Calculate the difference between the two given longitudes.
(Note : Sketch a diagram to help you understand better)

Example
1. 25 o E, 135 0 E

2.

40 0 W , 120 0 W

3.

10 0 E , 90 0 E

5.

125 0 E , 60 0 W

6.

15 0 E , 120 0 W

8.

10 0 E , 100 0 E

9.

115 0 E , 5 0 W

Difference : 1350 250 = 1100

4.

135 0 W , 20 0 E

Difference : 200 (-1350)

=
7.

70 0 W , 10 0 E

Difference :

23.2 LATITUDE
The Equator is a great circle with its plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the earth.
Parallels of latitudes are circles with planes perpendicular to the axis of the earth and are
parallel to the equator.
Latitude is the angle at the centre of the earth subtended by an arc of a meridian running
from the equator to a parallel of latitude.
Earth As A Sphere

The latitude of a point is written as x0 N or x0 S.

The latitude of the Equator is O0.
Latitudes ranges from 00 to 900 N ( or S).
All points on a parallel of latitude have the same latitude.

Example 1
1. State the latitude of the given points (EF is the equator).

Example:

Latitude of K = 45N
Latitude of L = 50 S

Exercise 1
1. State the latitude of the given points (EF is the equator).
a)

b)

Latitude of K =

Latitude of K =

Latitude of L =

Latitude of L =

Earth As A Sphere

2. Calculate the difference between the two given latitudes.

Example
1. 10 0 S, 70 0 S

2. 25 0 N , 60 0 N

3. 75 0 N , 45 0 S

5. 91 0 N , 31 0 S

6. 70 0 N, 40 0 N

8. 80 0 N , 15 0 S

9. 38 0 N, 12 0 S

11. 70 0 N , 5 0 S

12. 35 0 S, 15 0 S

Difference : 700 100 = 60 0

50 0 S , 70 0 N

4.

Difference : 700 (-500)

=
55 0 N , 10 0 N

7.

32 0 N , 10 0 S

10.

23.3 LOCATION (POSITION) OF A PLACE

Every place on the surface of the earth is represented by a point on the globe.
Its location is determined by the point of intersection of the relevant parallel of latitude and
meridian.
N
X

200 W

600 N
400 E

The Equator

500 W

S
Ex.

The location of X is ( 600 N, 200 W )

The location of Y is ( 600 N, 400 E )

If the longitude of P is 500 W and PQ is the diameter of the earth, then the
longitude of Q is 1300 E. Hence the location of Q is (00, 1300 E)
Earth As A Sphere

Exercise 23.3 A : To determine the location of a place (denoted by a point)

(You need to be able to state the latitude and longitude of the point)
1.
N

400 E
500 N

PQ is a diameter of the earth.

Point
P
Q
A
B
C
D
E

1000 W

Location
( 00, 1000 W )

2.
N

200 W

600 N
Y

PQ is a diameter of the earth.

P

700 W

Earth As A Sphere

Point
P
Q
W
X
Y
Z
R

Location
( 00, 1100 E )

Exercise 23.3 B : To MARK the location of given points on the earth.

1. PQ is a diameter of the earth.

Mark on the given diagram, the location of each of the point below.
N

700 E
420 N

Point
A
B
C
D
X
Y
Z

Location
( 00 , 700 E )
( 420 N, 100 E )
( 420 S, 1000 E )
( 00 , 100 E )
( 00 , 800 W )
( 420 N, 800 W )
( 420 N, 700 E )

100 E
S

1000 E

2. PQ is a diameter of the earth.

Mark on the given diagram, the location of each of the point below.
N

300 E

75

Point
W
Q
X
Y
R
Z

1500 E
S

Earth As A Sphere

800 E

Location
( 750 N, 300 E )
( 00, 1500 E )
( 00, 300 E )
( 750N, 300 W )
( 00, 800 E )
( 750 S, 300 W )

23.4 Given Point X, To Determine The Location of Y if XY is the Diameter of a given

Parallel of Latitude.

300 W

600 N

EX. 23.4A 1.

Y
X

PQ is a diameter of the earth.

XY is the diameter of the 600 N parallel
of latitude.
Complete the table below :

Point
X
Y
R
T

Location
(600 N, 300 W )

150 W

550 N

EX. 23.4A 2.

Y
X

Point
X
Y
R
T
K
L

Earth As A Sphere

PQ is a diameter of the earth.

XY is the diameter of the 600 N parallel
of latitude.
Complete the table below :

800 N

Location

23.5 Given P, To Determine The Location of Q if PQ is The Diameter of The Earth.

750 N

EX. 23.5A 1.
PQ, XY and AB are diameters of the
earth.
State the location of each of the
following points:

A
Y
Q

B
1000 E
S

800 E

Point
P
Q
A
B
X
Y

Location
( 00 , 1000 E )

800 E

700 N

EX. 23.5 A 2.

PQ, XY and AB are diameters of the

earth.
State the location of each of the
following points:

P
X

Point
P
Q
A
B
X
Y

B
600 E
S

Earth As A Sphere

Location
( 00 , 600 E )

23.6 To Determine the Location of a Point Given the Difference in Longitudes.

EX. 23.6 A1.

0

75 N
B

PQ is a diameter of the earth.

State the location of each of the
following points:

P
Y

40

Point
A
X
Y
B

Location
( 750N , 300 E )

300 E

EX. 23.6 A 2.
750 N
A

PQ is a diameter of the earth.

State the location of each of the
following points:

500

P
Y

300 B
S

Earth As A Sphere

Point
A
Y
X
B

Location
( 750N , 300 B )

23.7 To Determine The Location of a Point Given the Difference in Parallels of Latitudes.

EX. 23.7 A1
350 N
B

PQ is a diameter of the earth.

State the location of each of the
following points:

500

180 W

Point
A
B
Y
X

Location
( 350N , 420 E )

420 E

EX. 23.7 A2.

550 N
B

100 E

Earth As A Sphere

PQ is a diameter of the earth.

State the location of each of the
following points:

600

660 E

10

Point
A
B
X
Y

Location
( 550N , 660 E )

Questions Based on the Examination Format (Paper 1)

1. In Diagram 1, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole and NOS is the axis of the earth.
N

600

00

600

Considering the four points A, B, C and

D, which of these is (600 N, 00 E) ?

Greenwich
Meridian

S
Diagram 1

2. P(15 N, 10 E), Q and R are three points on the earth surface. Q is due south of P. The

difference in latitude between P and Q is 650. R is due west of Q. The difference in

longitude between Q and R is 800. The position of R is
C
A
(80S ,90 E )
( 50S , 70 E )
B

(80S , 70W )

( 50S , 70W )

3. In Diagram 3, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole, NOS is the axis of the earth and

PR is a diameter of the parallels of latitude.

500

Find the position of point R.

00

Greenwich
Meridian

500

( 50 N ,50W )

( 50 N ,130W )

( 50 N ,50E )

D ( 50 N ,130 E )

Diagram 3

4.

Diagram 4 shows the position of five towns, A, B, C, D and X, on the surface of the
earth.

Earth As A Sphere

11

500 N

Which of the town, A, B, C or

D, is located east of X with
difference in longitude of 600 ?

100 N
D

600 E

600 W
200 W

400 E

S
Diagram 4

5. In Diagram 5, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole, NOS is the axis of the earth.
N
P

The position of point P is

800

(10 N ,80W )

(10 N ,100W )

(80 N ,80W )

(80 N ,100E )

100

Equator
Greenwich
Meridian

S
Diagram 5

(For the questions below you are strongly advised to sketch a diagram!)
6. The shortest distance in nautical miles from P(60 N, 120 W) to Q(50N, 120W) via
the north pole is
A 600
B 3600
C 4200
D 6600

Earth As A Sphere

12

7.

Given that PQ is diameter of the earth. If the location of P is (70 N, 35 W), the
location of Q is
(70 S, 145 E)
(70 N , 145 E)
A
C
(20 S, 145 E)
(70 S, 35 E)
B
D

8.

The distance from P(60 S, 60 W) to Q(60 S, 120 W) along the common latitude is
5400 nm
A 2700 nm
C
3600 nm
6300 nm
B
D

9.

The shortest distance from London to the North Pole is 2310 nm . The latitude of
London is
23.1 N
66.9 N
A
C
38.5

N
51.5 N
B
D

10. The shortest distance in nautical miles, from P(75 N, 110 W) to Q(80 N, 70 E)
measured on the earths surface is
300
2400
A
C
1500
9300
B
D
11. The shortest distance from P(30 N,70 E) to Q(x N, 110 W) via the north pole is
6600 nm.
Find the value of x.
30
50
A
C
40
60
B
D
12.

P(40 N, 120 W) and Q are two points on the earths surface. If Q is 4500 nautical
miles due south of P, find the latitude of Q.
10 S
35 S
A
C
25 S
65 S
B
D

13.

M(70 N, 100 W) and N are two points on the earths surface. If the shortest
distance from M to N via the North Pole is 5100 nautical miles, find the latitude of N.
15 N
65 N
A
C
25 N
85 N
B
D

14. N and S are the North and South Poles respectively. P is (40 N, 10 W) and the two
arc lengths of PQ and QS are equal. Find the latitude of Q
15 S
25 S
A
C
20 S
30 S
B
D

Earth As A Sphere

13

15. P(25 N, 50 W), Q and R are three points on the earths surface. Q is due south of P
and the difference in latitude between P and Q is 60. R is due west of Q and the
difference in longitude between Q and R is 80. The location of R is
(85 S, 30 W)
A (35 S, 30 W)
C
(35 S, 130 W)
(85 S, 130 W)
B
D
16. M(50 N, 110 E) and N are two points on the earths surface. Given that MN is the
diameter of a great circle, find the position of N.
(40 S, 70 W)
C (50 S, 70 W)
A
C
(40 S, 110 E)
(50 S,110 E)
B
D
17. F (80 N, 42 W) and G are the two points on the earth surface . Given that FG is the
diameter of the great circle , the position of G is
(80N , 138 E)
(10N, 138 E)
A
C
(80 N, 42 W)
(10 N, 42 W)
B
D
18. U (0 N, 0 E) and V is the two points on the surface earth . V is 40 due east of U.
The position of V is
(0 N, 40 W)
(40 N, 50 W)
A
C
(0 N, 40 E)
( 40N, 40 E)
B
D
19. J(30 N, 80 E) , K and L are three points on the earth surface. J is due to north K. The
difference in the latitude between J and K is 50. L is due west of K and the difference
in longitude K and L is 60. The position of L is
(50 N, 60 E)
(20 S, 140 W)
A
C
(80 N, 140 W)
(20 S, 20 E)
B
D
20. P and Q are two points on the equator. The shortest distance between P and Q is 4320
nautical miles. Q is due east of P and the longitude of Q is 80 E. The longitude of P is
8 E
72 W
A
C
8 W
152 E
B
D
21. M (5 S , 87E) and M(63 S, 87 E) are two points on the surface earth. Calculate the
distance in nautical miles , between the two points measured along the meridian
3480
4080
A
C
3780
5220
B
D
22. J and K are two points on the equator of the earth. Given that the distance between the
two points is 1440 nautical miles measured the equator. Find the different in longitude
of two points
14
36
A
C
24
66
B
D

Earth As A Sphere

14

23. P(0N , 20 E), Q and R are three points on the surface earth. Q is due west of P and R
is the midpoint of PQ The distance between P and R is 3000 nautical miles. Find the
longitude of Q.
5 E
5 W
A
C
70 E
30 W
B
D
24. X( 50 N, 140 E) and Y (60 N, 40 W) are two points on the earth surface. Calculate
the distance in nautical miles between X and Y via North pole.
3000
4200
A
C
3600
6600
B
D
25. P (60 0 S, 90 0 E) and Q (60 0 S, 90 0 W) are two points on the surface of the earth.
Calculate the distance in nautical miles from P to Q measured along the common
parallel of latitude.
10800
5400
A
C
7200
3600
B
D

Earth As A Sphere

15

Past Year SPM Questions (Paper 1)

1. (2003N, P1, Q15)

In Diagram 8, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole and NOS is the axis of the earth.
N

A
00

400

60

Greenwich
Meridian

S
Diagram 8

Considering the four points A, B, C and D, which of these is (400 N, 00 E)?

2. (July 2004, P1, Q19)

M ( 40 N , 60W ) and N are two points on the earths surface. If MN is a diameter of the
parallel latitude, the position of point N is
A ( 40S ,120W )
B
C
D

( 40S ,120E )
( 40 N ,120W )
( 40 N ,120E )

3. (November 2004, P1, Q17)

P(150N, 100W), Q and R are three points on the earth surface. Q is due south of P. The
difference in latitude between P and Q is 500. R is due west of Q. The difference in
longitude between Q and R is 700. The position of R is
A

(650N, 600E)

(650N, 800W)

(350S, 600E)

(350S, 800W)

Earth As A Sphere

16

4. (July 2005, P1, Q18)

Diagram 10 shows three points P, Q and R on the surface of the earth. P and Q lie on the
equator. NPS is the Greenwich Meridian and O is the centre of the earth.
N

R
O

40o

50O
P

DIAGRAM 10

State the position of point R

A
( 40 N ,50E )

( 50 N , 40E )

5.

C
D

( 40 N ,50W )
( 40S ,50W )

(November 2005, P1, Q17)

In Diagram 10, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole, NOS is the axis of the earth and
PR is a diameter of the parallels of latitude.
P

00

Greenwich
Meridian

700

400

Find the position of point R.

A

( 40 N , 70W )

( 40 N , 70E )

( 40 N ,110W )

( 40 N ,110E )

Diagram 10
Earth As A Sphere

17

6. (November 2005, P1, Q18)

Diagram 11 shows the position of five towns, A, B, C, D and X, on the surface of the earth.
N

50 N

Which of the town, A, B, C or

D, is located east of X with
difference of 400 in longitude?

100 N
D

400 E

600 W
200 W

200 E

7. (July 2006, P1, Q18)

In Diagram 9, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole, NOS is the axis of the earth.
N

The position of point P is

A (600 N, 800 W)
B (600 N, 1000 W)
600

C (800 N, 600 E)

D (800 N, 1000 E)

800
Equator
Greenwich
Meridian

S
Diagram 9

Earth As A Sphere

18

8.

(November 2006, P1, Q18).

In Diagram 10, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole and O is the centre of the earth. R
is the centre of the circle of latitude 30 N .
N
80o E
R
45

60o
O

30o N

S
DIAGRAM 10
The position of point P is

A
B
C
D

Earth As A Sphere

(15S , 20E )
(15S ,140E )
( 45S , 20E )
( 45S ,140E )

19

9.

(Jun 2007, P1, Q19).

In Diagram 12, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole and NOS is the axis of the earth..
N
P

Meridian Greenwich

50
10

Equator

Q
S

Diagram 12

P and Q are two points on the surface of the earth. PQ is a diameter of the earth.
Find the position of point Q .
A

( 40 S , 170 E )

( 40 S , 170 W )

( 50 S , 170 E )

( 50 S , 170 W )

Earth As A Sphere

20

10. (November 2007, P1, Q17).

In Diagram 11, N is the North Pole, S is the South Pole and NOS is the axis of the earth.
N

25W
40

38
O

Equator

Diagram 11
Find the position of point Q .
A

( 38 N , 15 E )

( 38 N , 65 E )

( 52 N , 15 E )

( 52 N ,

Earth As A Sphere

65 E )

21

11. (Jun 2008, P1, Q18).

P and Q are two points on the surface of the earth and the latitude of P is 55 N.
Given that Q is located 15 south of P , find the latitude of Q .

A
B
C
D

40 S
40 N
70 S
70 N

12. (November 2008, P1, Q18).

In Diagram 11, NOS is the axis of the earth. PQ is diameter of the parallel of latitude.
N

10o

Greenwich meridian

S
Diagram 11

Find the longitude of P .

A
B
C
D

Earth As A Sphere

10 W
10 E
170 W
170 E

22

Answers
Past Year SPM Questions

10

11

12

Earth As A Sphere

23