How traveling 1nmi along a meridian generates a change of lattitude ....

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In summary, the conversation discusses meridians as imaginary lines that connect the north pole to the south pole and their relation to lines of longitude and latitude. The circumference of the Earth is 360 degrees, which equates to 21600 minutes. The correct fraction of one minute of arc is 1/21600, which corresponds to a certain distance in miles or kilometers around the Earth.
  • #1
Magnetons
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Homework Statement
A nautical mile (nmi) equals 1.151 mi, or 1852 m. Show that
the distance of 1 nmi along a meridian of the Earth corre-
sponds to a change in latitude of 1 minute of arc.
Relevant Equations
Unit of length.
can't understand
 
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  • #2
Do you know what a meridian is and how it relates to latitude?
There are 60 minutes to a degree. How far is it around the Earth? If you travel only one mInute of arc around the Earth, how far have you gone?
 
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  • #3
I only know about the meridians, Meridians are the imaginary lines that connect the north pole to the south pole.
360degree=60*360 minutes=21600 minutes.
 
  • #4
Magnetons said:
Meridians are the imaginary lines that connect the north pole to the south pole.
Right, also known as lines of longitude. Latitude runs the other way, so as you travel along a meridian you cross lines of latitude.
Look up the circumference of the Earth. If a circumference goes around 360 degrees, what fraction of that is one minute?
 
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  • #5
1/21660
 
  • #6
Magnetons said:
1/21660
Small error there.
When you've corrected that, what does that equate to in miles or metres?
 
  • #7
Sorry, I can't understand what you saying.
 
  • #8
Magnetons said:
Sorry, I can't understand what you saying.
360x60 is not 21660.
What is the circumference of the Earth, in miles or km?
If that corresponds to 360 degrees, what distance corresponds to one minute of arc?
 
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FAQ: How traveling 1nmi along a meridian generates a change of lattitude ....

How does traveling 1nmi along a meridian generate a change of latitude?

Traveling 1nmi along a meridian, which is a line of longitude that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole, causes a change in latitude because the distance between lines of longitude decreases as you move closer to the poles. This means that traveling along a meridian will result in a change in the angle between your starting latitude and your final latitude.

How much of a change in latitude can be expected when traveling 1nmi along a meridian?

The amount of change in latitude when traveling 1nmi along a meridian depends on the starting latitude. The closer you are to the equator, the smaller the change in latitude will be. At the equator, traveling 1nmi along a meridian will result in a change of approximately 1 minute of arc in latitude.

Does traveling 1nmi along a meridian always result in a change of latitude?

Yes, traveling 1nmi along a meridian will always result in a change of latitude. This is because lines of longitude converge at the poles, meaning that as you move along a meridian, the distance between lines of longitude decreases and the angle between your starting latitude and final latitude will change.

Is there a difference in the change of latitude when traveling along different meridians?

Yes, the change in latitude when traveling 1nmi along a meridian can vary depending on the specific meridian. This is because the Earth is not a perfect sphere and the distance between lines of longitude can vary slightly at different points on the globe.

How does the change in latitude when traveling along a meridian affect navigation?

The change in latitude when traveling along a meridian is an important factor to consider in navigation, especially when using tools such as a sextant or GPS. It is crucial to accurately track and account for changes in latitude when navigating along a meridian to ensure reaching the desired destination.

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