A plane that cuts the Earth's surface and...

Question 1 / 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519e3b

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519e3b

A plane that cuts the Earth's surface and passes through the poles will always form __________.

Back

Question 1 of 27070

Q

A plane that cuts the Earth's surface and passes through the poles will always form __________.

🔍 Key Concepts

• Great circles vs small circles on the Earth • Definition and characteristics of a meridian • What kind of line is formed by a plane that passes through the Earth’s center and both poles

💭 Think About

• If a plane cuts the Earth and passes through both poles, does it also pass through the Earth’s center? If so, what kind of circle does that form on the surface? • Are all meridians the same type of circle on the globe, or is the equator different in some way? • Which of the options represents a constant-bearing path, and is that created by a single flat plane cutting the Earth?

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm which option describes a circle formed by a plane that passes through the Earth’s center and the poles • Eliminate any option that is not a simple circle produced by one flat plane (think about what a loxodromic curve is) • Be sure you know whether a small circle can ever be formed by a plane that passes through the Earth’s center and both poles

Question 1 of 27070

Q

A plane that cuts the Earth's surface and passes through the poles will always form __________.

A

a small circle

B

a meridian

C

the equator

D

a loxodromic curve

Question 1 / 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519e3b

Question 1 of 2707066636ee928f7522a1c519e3b

A plane that cuts the Earth's surface and passes through the poles will always form __________.

Back

Question 1 of 27070

Q

A plane that cuts the Earth's surface and passes through the poles will always form __________.

🔍 Key Concepts

• Great circles vs small circles on the Earth • Definition and characteristics of a meridian • What kind of line is formed by a plane that passes through the Earth’s center and both poles

💭 Think About

• If a plane cuts the Earth and passes through both poles, does it also pass through the Earth’s center? If so, what kind of circle does that form on the surface? • Are all meridians the same type of circle on the globe, or is the equator different in some way? • Which of the options represents a constant-bearing path, and is that created by a single flat plane cutting the Earth?

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm which option describes a circle formed by a plane that passes through the Earth’s center and the poles • Eliminate any option that is not a simple circle produced by one flat plane (think about what a loxodromic curve is) • Be sure you know whether a small circle can ever be formed by a plane that passes through the Earth’s center and both poles