(Solved): Question 5: What is the east-west distance (in kilometers) between the easternmost edge of the Aral ...

Expert Answer

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  5. To determine the east-west distance between the easternmost edge of the Aral Sea in 1960 and the edge of the southern Aral Sea in 2000, we need to consider the approximate coordinates of these locations and calculate the distance between them. In 1960, the easternmost edge of the Aral Sea was approximately located around 59.5°E longitude. In 2000, due to the drastic shrinking of the Aral Sea, the edge of the southern Aral Sea was approximately located around 61.5°E longitude. To calculate the east-west distance, we subtract the longitude of the easternmost edge of the Aral Sea in 1960 from the longitude of the edge of the southern Aral Sea in 2000: 61.5°E - 59.5°E = 2° Now, we need to determine the distance in kilometers corresponding to a 2° difference in longitude. The Earth's circumference is approximately 40,075 kilometers, and it is divided into 360 degrees of longitude. Therefore, each degree of longitude corresponds to: 40,075 km / 360° ? 111.32 km Multiplying this value by the 2° difference in longitude, we can find the approximate east-west distance: 111.32 km/° × 2° ? 222.64 km Therefore, the east-west distance between the easternmost edge of the Aral Sea in 1960 and the edge of the southern Aral Sea in 2000 is approximately 222.64 kilometers.