Question

What is longitude?

a) A specific point on Earth distinguished by a particular character.
b) An arc that follows the International Date Line.
c) The numbering system used to indicate locations of meridians.
d) The geometric arrangement of objects in a study area.

Answer 1

Longitude is the distance east or west of the prime meridian and is measured in degrees. It is an essential component of navigation and was important for map-making and ship navigation in the 1700s.

Step-by-step explanation:

Longitude is the distance east or west of the prime meridian, an imaginary north-south line that passes through Greenwich, England. It is measured in degrees, with positive longitudes being east of the prime meridian and negative longitudes being west of the prime meridian. The measurement of longitude (along with the measurement of latitude) is an essential component of navigation. It was especially important in the 1700s as Europeans explored the rest of the world and attempted to make accurate maps and charts. It was also important for ships returning from long voyages; if a ship's captain did not correctly know the ship's position, the ship could be run aground on reefs or rocks; many shipwrecks occurred for this very reason.