Final Answer:
The formula for the trigonometric function that models the temperature T in the South Pole in March, t hours after midnight, using radians, is:
T(t) = -52 - 2 cos(π(t - 6) / 12)
where:
T(t) is the temperature in degrees Celsius at t hours after midnight (0 ≤ t ≤ 24)
-52 is the average temperature between the highest and lowest points (midline)
2 is the amplitude, representing the difference between the average and the extreme temperatures
π is the mathematical constant pi (approximately 3.14159)
t - 6 represents the time shifted 6 hours forward from midnight to account for the peak at 2 pm
12 is the period of the function in hours, representing the daily cycle
Step-by-step explanation:
Modeling the Temperature:
We can model the temperature as a sinusoidal function because it follows a periodic pattern with a maximum and minimum value within a specific period.
Midline, Amplitude, and Period:
The midline is halfway between the highest and lowest temperatures, which is -52°C.
The amplitude is half the difference between the extreme temperatures, which is 2°C.
The period is the time it takes for the temperature to complete one full cycle (24 hours).
Phase Shift:
The highest temperature is reached at 2 pm, which is 6 hours after midnight. To account for this phase shift, we subtract 6 from the time variable (t) within the cosine function.
Putting it Together:
Combining these elements, we get the formula:
T(t) = -52 - 2 cos(π(t - 6) / 12)
This formula gives the temperature in degrees Celsius at any time t hours after midnight in March at the South Pole, based on the given information about the temperature cycle.
Note: This is a simplified model and may not perfectly capture all the nuances of the actual temperature variations. However, it provides a good approximation based on the available information.