How does the altitude of the sun at noon on the same day in the northern hemisphere’s summer compare for two observers at lati- tudes 12° north and 54° north, respectively? a. it is the same for both observers because they are in the same hemisphere, experiencing summer. b. it cannot be determined without knowing their longitudes. c. it is 42° higher for the observer at 12° north because of the differ- ence in latitude.

It is 42° higher for the observer at 12° north because of the differ- ence in latitude.

Explanation:

The sun's altitude can be given by the following formula:

In which S is the sun's altitude, L is the latitude of the place and D is the declination of the sun.

Since the comparasion occurs at the same day, the value of D will be the same for both cases, so it can be disconsidered in our calculation.

First observer

Second observer:

The correct answer is:

It is 42° higher for the observer at 12° north because of the differ- ence in latitude.