Hemispheres Worksheet - Free Printable

Problem Analysis:

The worksheet focuses on understanding the concept of hemispheres and how they divide the Earth. The task involves analyzing the provided globes and answering questions related to hemispheres, their divisions, and geographical features.

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Solution:

#### 1. Why do you think the word "hemisphere" accurately describes the six globes shown above?

- Explanation: The term "hemisphere" comes from the Greek words "hemi" (meaning half) and "sphere" (meaning a round object). A hemisphere represents half of a sphere.
- In the context of the Earth, a hemisphere is one half of the planet, divided either horizontally (by the Equator) or vertically (by lines of longitude).
- The six globes shown in the image represent different ways of dividing the Earth into hemispheres:
- Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere (divided horizontally by the Equator).
- Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere (divided vertically by the Prime Meridian and the International Date Line).
- Each globe shows a clear division of the Earth into two equal halves, which aligns with the meaning of "hemisphere."

Answer: The word "hemisphere" accurately describes the six globes because each globe shows a division of the Earth into two equal halves, either horizontally or vertically, as the term suggests.

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#### 2. The vertically cut globe creates what two hemispheres?

- Explanation: When the Earth is divided vertically, it is split along lines of longitude. The most common vertical division is between the Western Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere.
- The Western Hemisphere includes North and South America, while the Eastern Hemisphere includes Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
- The vertical division is typically marked by the Prime Meridian (0° longitude) and the International Date Line (approximately 180° longitude).

Answer: The vertically cut globe creates the Western Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere.

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#### 3. Name the continents found all or mostly in the Northern Hemisphere.

- Explanation: To determine which continents are located primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, we need to consider their positions relative to the Equator:
- North America: Entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Europe: Entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Asia: Most of Asia is in the Northern Hemisphere, although some parts extend into the Southern Hemisphere.
- Africa: Only the northern part of Africa is in the Northern Hemisphere; the southern part is in the Southern Hemisphere.
- South America: Mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with only a small portion in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Australia: Entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Antarctica: Entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.

Answer: The continents found all or mostly in the Northern Hemisphere are:
- North America
- Europe
- Asia

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#### 4. Look at the globes for the northern and southern hemispheres. What is the main difference between the North and South poles?

- Explanation: The North Pole and the South Pole are the two ends of the Earth's axis of rotation. They have several key differences:
1. Location:
- The North Pole is located in the Arctic Ocean, surrounded by sea ice and water.
- The South Pole is located on the continent of Antarctica, covered by thick ice sheets.
2. Climate:
- Both poles are extremely cold, but the South Pole is generally colder due to its higher elevation and the fact that it is on land rather than water.
3. Geography:
- The North Pole is in the middle of an ocean, making it more accessible by ship.
- The South Pole is on a continent, requiring overland travel or air transport to reach.
4. Vegetation and Wildlife:
- The North Pole has some marine life and polar bears, but no permanent human settlements.
- The South Pole has research stations and supports various forms of Antarctic wildlife, though still very limited in terms of biodiversity.

Answer: The main differences between the North and South poles are:
- The North Pole is located in the Arctic Ocean, surrounded by water, while the South Pole is located on the continent of Antarctica, covered by ice.
- The South Pole is generally colder and has a higher elevation compared to the North Pole.
- The North Pole is more accessible by ship, whereas the South Pole requires overland or air travel.

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Final Answers:

1. The word "hemisphere" accurately describes the six globes because each globe shows a division of the Earth into two equal halves, either horizontally or vertically.
2. The vertically cut globe creates the Western Hemisphere and the Eastern Hemisphere.
3. The continents found all or mostly in the Northern Hemisphere are North America, Europe, and Asia.
4. The main differences between the North and South poles are their locations (water vs. land), climate (generally colder in the South Pole), geography (ocean vs. continent), and accessibility.

Boxed Final Answers:
1. The word "hemisphere" accurately describes the six globes because each globe shows a division of the Earth into two equal halves, either horizontally or vertically.
2. Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere
3. North America, Europe, Asia
4. The main differences between the North and South poles are their locations (water vs. land), climate (generally colder in the South Pole), geography (ocean vs. continent), and accessibility.