On June 21 every year, which of the following latitude(s) experience(s) a sunlight of more than 12 hours?

1. Equator
2. Tropic of Cancer
3. Tropic of Capricorn
4. Arctic Circle

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. 3 and 4
4. 2 and 4

Explanation

Equator is incorrect

• The equator experiences approximately 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of darkness throughout the year, with only slight variations due to the Earth’s elliptical orbit.

Tropic of Cancer is correct

• On June 21 (summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere), the Sun is directly overhead at solar noon at the Tropic of Cancer. All locations on the Tropic of Cancer and northward up to the Arctic Circle experience sunlight for more than 12 hours on this day.

Tropic of Capricorn is incorrect

• June 21 is the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Tropic of Capricorn experiences its shortest day of the year.

Arctic Circle is correct

• During summer, the Arctic Circle experiences the midnight sun, with the sun remaining above the horizon for extended periods. As a result, places within the Arctic Circle have more than 12 hours of sunlight.

Answer: (d) 2 and 4: Difficulty Level: Easy