Question map
Which of the following statements regarding the duration of day and night is correct?
Explanation
The variation in the duration of day and night is primarily caused by the Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees as it orbits the Sun. At the Equator, the length of day and night remains nearly equal throughout the year, typically around 12 hours, because the circle of illumination always bisects the Equator [4]. As one moves away from the Equator toward higher latitudes, the seasonal difference in daylight hours increases progressively [4]. At the poles, this difference reaches its maximum, where the Sun can remain visible for six months during the summer (polar day) and stay below the horizon for six months during the winter (polar night) [3]. Consequently, the difference between the longest and shortest days is least at the Equator and increases with latitude toward the poles.
Sources
- [2] https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/earth-orbit-summer-solstice
- [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 19: The Motions of The Earth and Their Effects > Midnight Sun > p. 253
- [3] https://www.weather.gov/dvn/Climate_Astronomical_Seasons