Longest Day of the Year: Summer Solstice

Date of Exam

Problem
The number of hours daylight, D(t) at a particular time of the year can be approximated by
 

$D(t) = \dfrac{K}{2}\sin \left[ \dfrac{2\pi}{365}(t - 79) \right] + 12$

 

for t days and t = 0 corresponding to January 1. The constant K determines the total variation in day length and depends on the latitude of the locale. When is the day length the longest, assuming that it is NOT a leap year?

A.   December 20 C.   June 20
B.   June 19 D.   December 19

 

Answer Key

 

Solution