FAA Ground School Practice Test

What statement about longitude and latitude is accurate?

1. Lines of latitude are equal in distance apart

2. Lines of longitude cross the equator at right angles

3. Lines of latitude converge at the poles

4. Lines of longitude measure time zones

The correct answer is: Lines of longitude cross the equator at right angles

The statement that lines of longitude cross the equator at right angles is accurate. Longitude represents the east-west position on the Earth's surface, with lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. At the equator, which is the zero-degree latitude line, these lines intersect at 90-degree angles. This characteristic is fundamental in navigation and mapping, ensuring that measurements of longitude are consistent across different latitudes. The other statements help illustrate the differences between latitude and longitude. For instance, lines of latitude, which run parallel to the equator, are spaced evenly apart and remain consistent in distance from each other, while lines of longitude, which converge as they approach the poles, do not remain equidistant. Therefore, the characteristics of longitude and latitude serve to create a comprehensive coordinate system for locating positions on Earth effectively.