Question 16 from UPSC CSE 2022 - Geography

Question

In the Northern Hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the:

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Second half of the month of June

Strategy: Focus on the summer solstice's timing in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the longest day, which typically occurs around June 21. This places the correct answer in the second half of June. Exclude options mentioning July immediately, as well as the first half of June, which comes too early before the solstice.

Key Info: The summer solstice marks the longest day and shortest night in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when Earth's axial tilt is most inclined toward the Sun, typically on June 21st, though it can fluctuate slightly between June 20-22 depending on the year.

On this day, the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky at noon. Regions above the Arctic Circle may experience the phenomenon of the midnight sun. Solstices are a direct result of Earth's axial tilt combined with its orbit around the Sun.

Conversely, the winter solstice, marking the shortest day, occurs around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. The timing of solstices is mirrored in the Southern Hemisphere, where their longest day falls near December 21st.

The term 'solstice' originates from the Latin 'solstitium', which translates to 'Sun stands still'. This refers to the apparent pause in the Sun's declination before it reverses direction.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: First half of the month of June

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: First half of the month of July

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Second half of the month of July