Answered: Two travelers start at the exact same…

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)

9th Edition

ISBN:9780134746241

Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa

Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa

Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1LR

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Question

Two travelers start at the exact same place on the equator of the Earth and travel on different great-circle paths all the way around the Earth, each returning to the exact same point where they both started. One traveler has travelled a greater distance than the other. How is this possible? Hint #1: differences due to topography and land elevation are to be ignored for the purpose of this riddle. Hint #2: a great-circle is defined by the intersection of the sphere by a plane that passes through the center point of the sphere.

Expert Solution

Step 1

Great circles of the Earth always divide the Earth into two halves. The great circles of the Earth mark the shortest distance between any two points. This study reveals whether the distance travelled by two travelers travelling on two different great circle paths, after starting and ending at the same point on the Equator, can be different or not.