On June 21 every year, which of the following latitude(s) experience(s) a sunlight of more than 12 hours?
- Equator
- Tropic of Cancer
- Tropic of Capricorn
- Arctic Circle
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — 2 and 4
On June 21, the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun's rays are directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, and all latitudes north of the Equator experience daylight longer than 12 hours. The Arctic Circle experiences 24 hours of continuous daylight (Midnight Sun), while the Equator always has exactly 12 hours of daylight throughout the year.
✅ Statement 1 (Equator) – Incorrect: The Equator experiences exactly 12 hours of daylight on all days of the year, not more than 12 hours.
✅ Statement 2 (Tropic of Cancer) – Correct: On June 21, the Tropic of Cancer receives direct sunlight and experiences more than 12 hours of daylight.
❌ Statement 3 (Tropic of Capricorn) – Incorrect: The Tropic of Capricorn lies in the Southern Hemisphere, which is tilted away from the Sun on June 21, resulting in less than 12 hours of daylight.
✅ Statement 4 (Arctic Circle) – Correct: The Arctic Circle experiences 24 hours of continuous daylight on June 21, known as the Midnight Sun phenomenon.
📝 Short Notes: Summer Solstice and Day Length
- Summer Solstice (June 21): The Northern Hemisphere is tilted at its maximum (23.5°) toward the Sun, resulting in the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Direct Rays at Tropic of Cancer: On this day, the sun's rays fall vertically at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N), which receives maximum solar energy.
- Day Length Pattern: All latitudes north of the Equator experience more than 12 hours of daylight on June 21, with day length increasing toward the North Pole.
- Equator: The Equator experiences exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night on all days of the year due to its position midway between the poles.
- Midnight Sun: At the Arctic Circle (66.5° N) and all latitudes beyond it toward the North Pole, the sun does not set on June 21, resulting in 24 hours of continuous daylight.
- Southern Hemisphere: On June 21 (Winter Solstice in Southern Hemisphere), all latitudes south of the Equator experience less than 12 hours of daylight, with the Antarctic Circle experiencing 24 hours of darkness.
- Tropic of Capricorn: Located at 23.5° S, it experiences its shortest day on June 21 with significantly less than 12 hours of daylight.
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