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It is a circle because, the earth is a circle, and the equator stretches all the way around the earth.

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12y ago
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5mo ago

The equator is the only parallel that is a great circle because it is centered on the Earth's axis of rotation. This means that it divides the Earth into two equal hemispheres and its circumference is the maximum possible for a circle on the Earth's surface. Other parallels are smaller circles and not great circles.

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12y ago

cause it is the biggest

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11y ago

no

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Q: Why is the equator the only parallel that is a great circle?
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Which parallel of latitude are a great circle?

The parallels themselves are oriented in the east-west direction. They're parallel to one another, as well as to Earth's equator. What "latitude" denotes, however, is how far north or south of the equator you are. If you're located at 1° N, you're about 69 miles north of the equator. If you're at 89° N, you're about 69 miles from the North Pole. I said "about 69 miles" there because it's not exactly 69.000 miles, AND because it varies a tiny bit, due to Earth bulging out a tiny bit at the equator (because it's spinning at 1000 MPH). But don't let anyone tell you Earth is oval, because this bulge is something that we can measure. To look at it, no one would know it wasn't a perfect sphere.


Why diametrically opposite lines of longitude and equator are called great circles?

Diametrically opposite lines of longitude and the equator are called great circles because they are the largest circles that can be drawn on a sphere. These circles divide the sphere into two equal halves and pass through the center of the sphere, making them great in size and significance.


What are the three names for the equator?

The equator is also known as the line of equator, equinoctial line, and celestial equator.


Which parallel of latitude are great circles?

All parallels of latitude, except for the Equator, are not great circles. Great circles are the largest circles that can be drawn on a sphere and pass through its center, whereas small circles do not pass through the center of the sphere.


Is the equator the only meridian that is a great circle?

No, besides the equator, any meridian (a line of longitude) can also be considered a great circle. A great circle is defined as the largest circle that can be drawn on a sphere, and any meridian fulfills this criteria.

Related questions

Name the latitude that is truly a great circle?

The equator is the only parallel of latitude that's a great circle.In fact, it's the only locus of any constant coordinate that's a great circle,since the meridians of longitude are all semi-circles.


What is the only line of latitude that is the great circle?

The equator .


Which parallel of latitude are a great circle?

The parallels themselves are oriented in the east-west direction. They're parallel to one another, as well as to Earth's equator. What "latitude" denotes, however, is how far north or south of the equator you are. If you're located at 1° N, you're about 69 miles north of the equator. If you're at 89° N, you're about 69 miles from the North Pole. I said "about 69 miles" there because it's not exactly 69.000 miles, AND because it varies a tiny bit, due to Earth bulging out a tiny bit at the equator (because it's spinning at 1000 MPH). But don't let anyone tell you Earth is oval, because this bulge is something that we can measure. To look at it, no one would know it wasn't a perfect sphere.


Is the equator the only line of latitude that is a great circle?

Yes


Is the Tropic of Cancer a great circle?

No; neither of the tropics is a great circle. The only line of latitude that is a great circle is the equator. The arctic and antarctic circles are not great circles, either.


The prime meridian and the make a complete circle around the earth?

The Prime Meridian and the meridian of 180° longitude combine to forma great circle on the Earth. Each of them alone is a semi-circle.Every parallel of latitude also circles the Earth completely, but among those,only the equator is a great circle.


What line of latitude is a great circle?

The equator (zero latitude) is the only one.


Why diametrically opposite lines of longitude and equator are called great circles?

Diametrically opposite lines of longitude and the equator are called great circles because they are the largest circles that can be drawn on a sphere. These circles divide the sphere into two equal halves and pass through the center of the sphere, making them great in size and significance.


What are the three names for the equator?

The equator is also known as the line of equator, equinoctial line, and celestial equator.


Which parallel of latitude are great circles?

All parallels of latitude, except for the Equator, are not great circles. Great circles are the largest circles that can be drawn on a sphere and pass through its center, whereas small circles do not pass through the center of the sphere.


THE equator is the only line of latitude that is a great circle why?

The equator is the only line of latitude that is a great circle because it is the only line that divides the Earth into two equal halves. A great circle is the largest circle that can be drawn on a sphere, and the equator meets this criteria by encircling the Earth's widest point.


Why is the equator called the great circles?

The reason they call the equator the great circle is because circles the whole earth in the middle.becase its the only line that runs in the centre of the earth and goes right arround . {nickstar}