What is the angle of tilt of the rotational axis of earth?

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ACC 122 CGAT Paper (Held in Feb 2020)
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  1. 2.5 deg
  2. 23.5 deg
  3. 23 deg
  4. 24.5 deg

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : 23.5 deg

Detailed Solution

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The correct answer is 23.5 degrees.

Key Points

  • Earth’s Axis of Rotation:
    • It is the line along which it spins around itself as it revolves around the Sun.
    • Earth's axial tilt (also known as the obliquity of the ecliptic) is about 23.5 degrees. Due to this axial tilt, the sun shines on different latitudes at different angles throughout the year. This causes the seasons. Hence, Option 3 is correct
    • The location of the poles is not fixed. The axis moves due to changes in how the Earth’s mass is distributed around the planet. Thus, the poles move when the axis moves, and the movement is called “polar motion”.
    • Generally, polar motion is caused by changes in the hydrosphere, atmosphere, oceans, or solid Earth. But now, climate change is adding to the degree to which the poles wander.
    • According to NASA, data from the 20th century shows that the spin axis drifted about 10 centimeters per year. Meaning over a century, polar motion exceeds 10 meters.