Why do Flights from NYC to China go North above Alaska then back down, rather than Bee line to China
Because that's the shorter route. Flat maps sometimes don't do a good job of representing a spherical earth, especially at the poles. If you look at a globe, you can easily see that this is true.
The Short Answer
Because that's the shorter route. Flat maps sometimes don't do a good job of representing a spherical earth, especially at the poles. If you look at a globe, you can easily see that this is true.
Analysis
Key Concepts: That's, shorter, route
This explanation focuses on that's, shorter, route and spans 36 words across 3 sentences. At 50% below the average Science explanation (72 words), the answer takes a direct, no-frills approach — sometimes the simplest explanation is the most effective.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Because that's the shorter route.” It then elaborates by explaining the root cause, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 3 connected points.
How This Compares in Science
Ranked #391 of 500 Science questions by answer depth (top 79%). This is a brief primer — the answer is intentionally short. For questions with a single core mechanism, brevity can actually be a strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why flights from nyc to china go north above alaska then back down, rather than bee line to china?
Because that's the shorter route. Flat maps sometimes don't do a good job of representing a spherical earth, especially at the poles. If you look at a globe, you can easily see that this is true.
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Science questions?
This is a brief answer at 36 words, ranked #391 of 500 Science questions by depth. The key concepts covered are that's, shorter, route.
What approach does this answer take to explain flights from nyc to china go north above alaska then back do?
The explanation uses root cause analysis across 36 words. It is categorized under Science and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.