How are rhumb lines and great circle tracks characterized, respectively?

How are rhumb lines and great circle tracks characterized, respectively?

• A. Lines curve and tracks are arcs
• B. Tracks are straight and lines curve towards the equator
• C. Both tracks and lines are straight
• D. Lines are arcs and tracks are straight

Answer: (B)

Rhumb lines and great circle tracks are two distinct types of paths that can be taken when navigating on the surface of the Earth. Rhumb lines, also known as loxodromes, are characterized by their constant bearing. This means that if you follow a rhumb line on a chart, you will maintain the same angle with the meridian lines, which results in a path that appears to curve when plotted on a globe, as it approaches the poles. This curvature is often more pronounced as you move towards the equator due to the convergence of longitudinal lines. In contrast, great circle tracks represent the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the Earth. These tracks are not straight lines when plotted on a flat map; they appear as arcs because they follow the curvature of the Earth. Although great circles are the shortest path, they do not maintain a constant bearing and can change direction as they approach different latitudes. Thus, the correct choice accurately describes that rhumb lines curve and great circle tracks appear as arcs due to the Earth's spherical shape.

Rhumb lines and great circle tracks are two distinct types of paths that can be taken when navigating on the surface of the Earth.

Rhumb lines, also known as loxodromes, are characterized by their constant bearing. This means that if you follow a rhumb line on a chart, you will maintain the same angle with the meridian lines, which results in a path that appears to curve when plotted on a globe, as it approaches the poles. This curvature is often more pronounced as you move towards the equator due to the convergence of longitudinal lines.

In contrast, great circle tracks represent the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the Earth. These tracks are not straight lines when plotted on a flat map; they appear as arcs because they follow the curvature of the Earth. Although great circles are the shortest path, they do not maintain a constant bearing and can change direction as they approach different latitudes.

Thus, the correct choice accurately describes that rhumb lines curve and great circle tracks appear as arcs due to the Earth's spherical shape.