Chapter 16, Problem 32A

What happens to the separation distance between two people if they both walk north at the same rate from two locations on Earth’s equator?

To determine

To explain: The effect on the separation distance between the two people walking to North from two different positions on equator.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Earth is spherical in shape. When a person moves from equator to poles, the distance from center of Earth will decrease.

Consider two people started from the extreme ends of equator to walk towards the North. At every point as they move forward, the distance of separation between them will reduce. This distance of separation will reduce to zero at the pole.

Conclusion:

Therefore, separation distance between them will reduce.