Question

Given below are two statements: 
Statement I: The sun has a maximum altitude of \(90^\circ\) on the Tropic of Capricorn on 22nd June at 12 noon and gradually decreases thereafter till 22nd December. 
Statement II: The tilt of the Earth on its axis of \(23.5^\circ\) has no role to play in the change of altitude of the sun on the Tropic of Capricorn. 
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
• C. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
• D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Hint:

Sun overhead at Tropic of Cancer → 22nd June Sun overhead at Tropic of Capricorn → 22nd December

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To solve this question, we need to evaluate whether the statements provided are true or false based on geographical and astronomical facts. Let's address each statement one by one:

1. Statement I: The sun has a maximum altitude of \(90^\circ\) on the Tropic of Capricorn on 22nd June at 12 noon and gradually decreases thereafter till 22nd December.

This statement is about the position of the sun and its relation to Earth's movement.

• The maximum altitude of the sun reaching \(90^\circ\), known as solar zenith, occurs directly overhead at noon on specific latitudes during solstices.
• On 22nd June, which is the Summer Solstice, the sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer, not the Tropic of Capricorn. This is because, at this point, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun.
• The sun is overhead the Tropic of Capricorn around 22nd December, not June; this day is known as the Winter Solstice for the Northern Hemisphere and marks the summer solstice for the Southern Hemisphere.

Thus, Statement I is false.

2. Statement II: The tilt of the Earth on its axis of \(23.5^\circ\) has no role to play in the change of altitude of the sun on the Tropic of Capricorn.

This statement considers the impact of Earth's axial tilt on solar altitude.

• The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of \(23.5^\circ\) relative to its orbit around the sun. This tilt is crucial because it affects solar insolation patterns and the height of the sun as seen from different latitudes.
• Such axial tilt causes the seasonal variation in sun altitude, including changes in how high the sun appears in the sky at any given latitude throughout the year.
• At the Tropic of Capricorn, the change in the sun’s altitude throughout the year is directly because of this axial tilt.

Thus, Statement II is false because the tilt of the Earth is a fundamental reason for the change in the sun's altitude on any Tropic.

In conclusion, based on the analysis of both statements:

Both Statement I and Statement II are false