Chapter: 01
Q1. Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) How does a planet differ from a star?
(b) What is meant by the ‘Solar System’?
(c) Name all the planets according to their distance from the sun.
(d) Why is the Earth called a unique planet?
(e) Why do we see only one side of the moon always?
(f) What is the Universe ?
Ans:
(a) A planet differs from a star in several ways. Planets are celestial bodies that orbit around stars, including our Sun, while stars are massive celestial objects that emit light and heat through nuclear fusion. Planets do not produce their own light and are much smaller in size compared to stars.
(b) The ‘Solar System’ refers to the system of celestial objects that are gravitationally bound to our Sun. It includes the Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and other objects that orbit around the Sun.
(c) The planets, according to their distance from the Sun, are listed as follows: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
(d) Earth is called a unique planet because it is the only known celestial body in the universe to support life as we know it. It has an atmosphere with the right combination of gases, liquid water, and suitable temperature ranges, making it a hospitable environment for a wide variety of organisms.
(e) We see only one side of the moon always because of synchronous rotation or tidal locking. The Moon’s rotational period around its axis is the same as its orbital period around the Earth, resulting in the same side always facing Earth.
(f) The Universe is the entirety of space, time, matter, energy, and all the celestial objects existing, including galaxies, stars, planets, moons, and other forms of matter and energy. It encompasses everything we can observe and study, from the smallest subatomic particles to the vast expanses of galaxies and cosmic structures.
Q2. Tick the correct answer.
(a) The planet known as the “Earth’s Twin” is
(i) Jupiter (ii) Saturn (iii) Venus
(b) Which is the third nearest planet to the sun
(i) Venus (ii) Earth (iii) Mercury
(c) All the planets move around the sun in a
(i) Circular path (ii) Rectangular path (iii) Elliptical path
(d) The Pole Star indicates the direction to the
(i) South (ii) North (iii) East
(e) Asteroids are found between the orbits of (i) Saturn and Jupiter (ii) Mars and Jupiter (iii) The Earth and Mars
Ans:
(a) (iii) Venus – Venus is often referred to as “Earth’s Twin” because of its similar size, mass, and rocky composition.
(b) (i) Venus – The third nearest planet to the sun is Venus.
(c) (iii) Elliptical path – All the planets move around the sun in elliptical orbits.
(d) (ii) North – The Pole Star indicates the direction to the North.
(e) (ii) Mars and Jupiter – Asteroids are found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in a region called the asteroid belt. This region is located in the inner solar system and contains numerous small rocky bodies known as asteroids.
Q3. Fill in the blanks.
(a) A group of ________ forming various patterns is called a ________.
(b) A huge system of stars is called________.
(c) ________is the closest celestial body to our earth.
(d) ________is the third nearest planet to the sun.
(e) Planets do not have their own________ and ___________________.
Ans:
(a) A group of stars forming various patterns is called a constellation.
(b) A huge system of stars is called a galaxy.
(c) The Moon is the closest celestial body to our Earth.
(d) Earth is the third nearest planet to the sun.
(e) Planets do not have their own light and heat source. They rely on the Sun’s light and heat for illumination and energy.
Chapter: 02
1. Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) What is the true shape of the earth?
(b) What is a globe?
(c) What is the latitudinal value of the Tropic of Cancer?
(d) What are the three heat zones of the Earth?
(e) What are parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude?
(f) Why does the torrid zone receive maximum amount of heat?
(g) Why is it 5.30 p.m. in India and 12.00 noon in London?
Ans:
(a) The true shape of the Earth is an oblate spheroid, which means it is mostly spherical but slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator.
(b) A globe is a spherical representation of the Earth or any celestial body. It is a three-dimensional model used for studying geography and navigation, providing an accurate depiction of the Earth’s surface.
(c) The latitudinal value of the Tropic of Cancer is approximately 23.5 degrees north of the equator.
(d) The three heat zones of the Earth are the Torrid Zone (Tropics), the Temperate Zones, and the Frigid Zones (Polar Regions). The Torrid Zone receives the maximum amount of heat, the Temperate Zones have moderate temperatures, and the Frigid Zones are the coldest regions.
(e) Parallels of latitude are imaginary circles on the Earth’s surface that run east-west and are parallel to the equator. Meridians of longitude are imaginary lines that run north-south and converge at the poles.
(f) The torrid zone receives the maximum amount of heat because it is situated near the equator, and the Sun’s rays are nearly perpendicular to the Earth’s surface in this region throughout the year. This results in more direct and concentrated solar radiation, leading to higher temperatures.
(g) The time difference between India and London is due to the Earth’s rotation and the division of the globe into time zones. The Earth is divided into 24 time zones, each covering 15 degrees of longitude. As India is east of London, it is ahead in time. For example, when it is 12.00 noon in London (in the GMT time zone), it is 5.30 p.m. in India (in the Indian Standard Time zone, which is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of GMT).
2. Tick the correct answers.
(a) The value of the prime meridian is
(i) 90° (ii) 0° (iii) 60°
(b) The frigid zone lies near
(i) the Poles (ii) the Equator (iii) the Tropic of Cancer
(c) The total number of longitudes are
(i) 360 (ii) 180 (iii) 90
(d) The Antarctic circle is located in
(i) the Northern hemisphere
(ii) the Southern hemisphere
(iii) the Eastern hemisphere
(e) Grid is a network of
(i) parallels of latitudes and merdians of longitudes
(ii) the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn
(iii) the North Pole and the South Pole
Ans:
(a) The value of the prime meridian is (ii) 0°.
(b) The frigid zone lies near (i) the Poles.
(c) The total number of longitudes are (i) 360.
(d) The Antarctic circle is located in (ii) the Southern hemisphere.
(e) Grid is a network of (i) parallels of latitudes and meridians of longitudes.
3. Fill in the blanks.
(a) The Tropic of Capricorn is located at _________________.
(b) The Standard Meridian of India is ____________________.
(c) The 0° Meridian is also known as ____________________.
(d) The distance between the longitudes decreases towards___________.
(e) The Arctic Circle is located in the ____________ hemisphere.
Ans:
(a) The Tropic of Capricorn is located at approximately 23.5 degrees south of the equator.
(b) The Standard Meridian of India is 82.5 degrees east of the Prime Meridian (0 degrees).
(c) The 0° Meridian is also known as the Prime Meridian.
(d) The distance between the longitudes decreases towards the poles.
(e) The Arctic Circle is located in the Northern hemisphere.
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