Question

For properly portraying the sphericity of the Earth, there is no substitute for a model ______?

1) with accurate measurements
2) with precise calculations
3) that includes the equator
4) that represents the continents

Answer 1

The equator is a crucial feature for a model that accurately portrays the Earth's sphericity, providing a reference point for latitude and longitude, and acknowledging that the Earth's true shape is an oblate spheroid.

Step-by-step explanation:

For properly portraying the sphericity of the Earth, there is no substitute for a model that includes the equator. The equator is an essential feature for representing the Earth's roundness as it is the imaginary line that divides the planet into northern and southern hemispheres and provides a reference point for the system of latitude and longitude used in cartography. Additionally, a model including the equator ensures that we are acknowledging the oblate spheroid shape of the Earth, which is the consensus based on substantial evidence. Models that attempt to showcase the Earth's sphericity, such as the Ptolemaic or Copernican models, also illustrate the importance of having accurate celestial and terrestrial coordinate systems to properly represent spatial relationships within our solar system and beyond.