In the northern hemisphere, the longest day of the year normally occurs in the:

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]

(a) First half of the month of June

(b) Second half of the month of June

(c) First half of the month of July

(d) Second half of the month of July

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

• The longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere typically falls in the latter half of June, on June 21st, and is known as the summer solstice. This occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, specifically at 23.5 degrees north latitude.
• During the solstice, the Earth’s axis is tilted so that the North Pole is pointed toward the sun and the South Pole is away from it, resulting in a greater amount of energy being received from the sun.
• According to NASA, the amount of incoming energy received by the Earth from the sun on this day is 30 percent higher at the North Pole than at the Equator.
• The maximum amount of sunlight received by the Northern Hemisphere typically occurs on June 20th, 21st, or 22nd.
• In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere experiences its longest days and most sunlight on December 21st, 22nd, or 23rd, when the Northern Hemisphere has its longest nights, or the winter solstice.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.