GATE 2025 AR — Architecture – Question 56

Climatology and Environmentally Responsive Design · Solar architecture · 1 mark · Numerical answer

The Sun has altitude 40° and north azimuth 130°. Find solar zenith angle in degrees.

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Correct answer: 50 to 50

Explanation

Altitude is measured upward from the horizon and zenith angle downward from the vertical. These are complementary:zenith angle=90°−40°=50°. Azimuth specifies horizontal direction and does not enter this complement.

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