The latitude of Washington, D.C., is 39°N.The latitude of Boston, Massachusetts, is 42°N.If the difference in their average annual temperatures were determined only by their latitude difference, Washington D.C., would be how many degrees warmer than Boston? (Average air temperature over the course of a year decreases about 0.76 $\degree$C per degree of latitude at sea level.)
A) 1.2°C
B) 2.3°C
C) 3.0°C
D) 4.2°C
E) 12.0°C

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using the given formula, we can calculate the temperature difference between the two cities:

Temperature difference = (latitude difference) x (0.76°F/1° latitude)

Temperature difference = (42°N - 39°N) x (0.76°F/1° latitude)

Temperature difference = 3 x 0.76°F

Temperature difference ≈ 2.28°F ≈ 1.26°C

Therefore, Washington, D.C., would be about 1.2°C warmer than Boston solely based on latitude. The closest answer choice is B) 2.3°C, which is the best choice.

The Latitude of Washington, D °\degree° C Per Degree of Latitude at Sea Level

The Latitude of Washington, D $\degree$ C Per Degree of Latitude at Sea Level