Here are the step-by-step answers to the questions on the worksheet.
1. What is the shape of the polar projection?
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Reasoning: Look at the map labeled "Polar Projection" in the bottom right corner. The outline of the map is a perfect circle.
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Answer: Circle
2. Is North America more accurate on the Mercator or polar projection?
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Reasoning: While there is no Mercator map shown on this specific page, we can look at the Polar Projection provided. In the Polar Projection, North America is shown near the center, retaining its true shape and size relative to the other continents. In a Mercator projection (which is a rectangular map), landmasses near the poles (like North America's northern regions) appear much larger and stretched out than they really are. Therefore, the Polar Projection is more accurate for North America.
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Answer: Polar projection
3. What hemisphere does the polar projection show? What other hemisphere could a polar projection show?
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Reasoning: The map labeled "Polar Projection" shows the "North Pole" in the very center. This means it is looking down on the top half of the Earth, which is the Northern Hemisphere. A polar projection can be made from either pole. Since this one shows the North Pole, the other possible polar projection would be centered on the South Pole, showing the Southern Hemisphere.
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Answer: Northern Hemisphere; Southern Hemisphere
4. On which map is Greenland most accurate?
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Reasoning: Compare the size of Greenland on the two maps. On the "Interrupted Projection" (top map), Greenland looks huge, almost as big as Africa. On the "Polar Projection" (bottom map), Greenland looks much smaller and closer to its true size relative to the other continents. Map projections that flatten the earth (like the interrupted one) often distort shapes and sizes near the edges. The polar projection keeps the area near the pole (where Greenland is) much more accurate.
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Answer: Polar Projection
5. Why is it difficult to see Antarctica on the interrupted projection?
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Reasoning: Look at the bottom of the "Interrupted Projection" map. The map is split into separate "gores" or sections to flatten the globe. Antarctica is located at the very bottom of the world. Because the map is cut apart to fit on a flat page, the bottom section (Antarctica) is cut off and separated into pieces, making it hard to see the continent as a whole.
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Answer: Because the map is cut into sections, and Antarctica is located at the bottom edge where the cuts happen.
6. Would the Prime Meridian and the equator be the same length on the interrupted projection?
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Reasoning: On a real globe, the Equator and the Prime Meridian (which goes from North Pole to South Pole) are roughly the same length (about 40,000 km). However, look at the "Interrupted Projection." The Equator is drawn as a long, straight horizontal line across the middle. The Prime Meridian would run vertically. On this specific map shape, the horizontal lines (like the equator) stretch across the full width of the lobes, while the vertical lines curve inward and get shorter as they go up or down. Visually, the equator line is much longer than the vertical lines representing the Prime Meridian on this flat map.
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Answer: No
Final Answer:
1. Circle
2. Polar projection
3. Northern Hemisphere; Southern Hemisphere
4. Polar Projection
5. Because the map is cut into sections, and Antarctica is located at the bottom edge where the cuts happen.
6. No
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of map projections worksheet.
