Short Answer Questions

Question 1
What is meant by the inclination of earth's axis? At what angle is the earth's axis
inclined?
Answer
The earth is always tilted in the same direction as it moves round the sun. The
angle at which the earth is tilted is known as the inclination of the earth's axis.
The axis of the earth makes an angle of 23 1/2° with the vertical or 66 1/2° with
the plane of the earth's orbit.

Question 2
Name the two chief motions of the earth.
Answer
The two chief motions of the earth are rotation and revolution.

Question 3
Describe two characteristics of rotation.
Answer
Two characteristics of rotation are-
1. Direction- The earth completes one rotation from west to east on its axis in
23 hours, 56 minutes, 4.09 seconds.
2. Inclination of axis- The earth is always tilted in the same direction as it
moves round the sun. The angle at which the earth is tilted is known as the
inclination of the earth's axis.

Question 4
State two effects of the rotation of the earth.
Answer
Two effects of the rotation of the earth are-
 1. Day and night are caused by the rotation of the earth on its axis.
2. Rotation causes difference in time over various places on the earth.

Question 5
Mention any two possible consequences if the axis of the earth was vertical
instead of inclined.
Answer
Two possible consequences if the axis of the earth was vertical instead of
inclined are-

1. The length of day and night would have been equal at all places on the
earth.
2. All the places on the earth would have had the same temperature
throughout the year. There would be no seasons.

Question 6
State one reason why we do not feel the motions of the earth.
Answer
We do not feel the motions of the earth because the force of gravity keeps
everything attached to the earth. This keeps all objects at rest with reference to
the motions of the earth.

Question 7
What is an elliptic?
Answer
The path of the earth around the sun is known as elliptic.

Question 8
Define 'revolution'.
Answer
The motion of the earth around the sun in an elliptical orbit is called revolution.

Question 9
State two chief characteristics of the revolution of the earth.
Answer
Two chief characteristics of the revolution of the earth are-

1. The earth moves round the sun in an elliptical orbit at an average speed of
29.8 km per second.
2. When the earth is closer to the sun, the gravitational pull makes the earth
move faster than when it is away from the sun. Thus, the speed of
revolution is not uniform.

Question 10
Mention two effects of revolution.
Answer
Two effects of revolution are-

1. Revolution causes different seasons on earth due to differences in the

heating of the earth.
2. The spherical shape of the earth along with revolution of the earth causes
difference in the distribution of heat on the earth's surface and results in the
creation of heat zones.

Question 11
What do you understand by perihelion and aphelion?
Answer
Due to the elliptical orbit of the earth, the distance between the earth and the sun
varies. When the earth is closest to the sun, the position is called perihelion and
when the earth is farthest from the sun, the position is called aphelion.

Question 12
On which two days are the days and nights equal all over the world and why?
What name do you give to these days?
Answer
The days and nights are equal all over the world on March 21st and September
23rd because the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator making day and
night of equal length.
March 21st is known as Spring or Vernal Equinox and September 23rd is known
as Autumnal equinox.

Question 13
Which is the longest and which is the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere
and why?
Answer
The longest day in the Northern Hemisphere is June 21st as the sun's rays fall
vertically at the Tropic of Cancer and the North Pole is tilted towards the sun.
The shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere is December 22nd as the sun's rays
fall vertically at the Tropic of Capricorn and the North Pole is tilted away the
sun.

Question 14
On which dates does the sun shine vertically overhead at:
(a) Equator
(b) Tropic of Cancer
(c) Tropic of Capricorn
Answer
The sun shines vertically overhead at the:
(a) Equator on 21st March and 23rd September
(b) Tropic of Cancer on 21st June
(c) Tropic of Capricorn on 22nd December

Question 15
Why is noon hotter than morning?
Answer
Noon is hotter than morning because at noon, the sun is overhead. So, vertical
rays of the sun fall at noon making the place hotter than the morning when
slanting rays of the sun fall at a place.

Question 16
Why are days and nights equal at all places on earth on September 23? What are
the seasons in the Northern and the Southern Hemispheres on this date?
Answer
Days and nights are equal at all places on earth on September 23 because on this
date, the sun shines vertically over the equator, making day and night of equal
length.
It is autumn season in the northern hemisphere and spring season in the southern
hemisphere.

Question 17
What is meant by Summer Solstice? When do we have Summer Solstice in the
Northern Hemisphere?
Answer
On June 21, the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun and the sun is
overhead at the Tropic of Cancer. So, the northern hemisphere enjoys the longest
day. This day is called Summer Solstice.
We have Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere on June 21st.

Question 18
What is meant by Equinox?
Answer
Equinox refers to the time when the sun shines vertically over the equator. At the
equinoxes, the days and nights are of equal length throughout the world.

Question 19
What will be the duration of daylight on March 21st at 23°30'N and 66°30'S
latitudes? Give reason.
Answer
The duration of daylight on March 21st at 23°30'N and 66°30'S latitudes will be
12 hours because on March 21st, the sun shines vertically over the equator and so
the length of day and night is equal all over the world.

Question 20
What is the relationship of seasons between the Northern and Southern
Hemispheres?
Answer
The northern and southern hemispheres always experience opposite seasons. This
is because due to the tilted axis of the earth, the north pole remains inclined
towards the sun for a part of the year while the south pole is tilted away. For the
remaining part of the year, the situation is reversed.

Question 21
How is the duration of twilight influenced by seasons?
Answer
The duration of twilight is influenced by seasons because it is related to the angle
at which the Earth's axis tilts towards the Sun, which changes as the Earth orbits
around the Sun throughout the year.
In summer, the Sun sets at a shallower angle, causing longer periods of twilight.
The twilight period is defined as the time between sunset and when the Sun is
18° below the horizon. Since the angle of the Sun's descent is more gradual in
summer, it takes longer for it to reach the 18° mark, resulting in longer periods of
twilight.
In winter, the Sun sets at a steeper angle, causing it to reach the 18° mark more
quickly, resulting in shorter periods of twilight.

Question 22
How has the phenomenon of the 'Midnight Sun' come about?
Answer
During the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the rays of the sun fall
vertically on the Tropic of Cancer. The duration of sunlight increases from 12
hours at the equator to 13 hrs 27 minutes at 23 1/2° N and further to 24 hrs at 66
1/2° N. Beyond the Arctic Circle, the regions experience 24 hours daylight. This
phenomenon is called the ‘Midnight Sun’ and it only takes place at the poles.

Question 23
Mention one effect of seasons in low and high latitudes.
Answer
 The effect of seasons in low and high latitudes is distinct through various phases
of different seasons. Low latitude areas experience high temperature and get
ample rainfall while the high latitude areas are cold and receive less rainfall.
Tropical regions are always warm with heavy rainfall season, the temperate
regions are cold with scanty rainfall and the polar regions are covered with snow
throughout the year due to extremely low temperature.

Question 24
Draw a well labelled diagram to show changes in the altitude of the midday sun
Rotation Revolution

It is the spinning of the earth on its It is the motion of the earth around the sun in an
axis. elliptical orbit.

The time taken for one rotation is 23 The time taken for one revolution is 365 days, 5
hrs 56 min. hrs and 48 min.

It causes day and night. It causes seasonal changes.

at different times of the year.

Answer

Distinguish between the following

Question 1
Rotation and Revolution
Answer

Question 2
Vertical and Slanting Rays
 Vertical Rays Slanting Rays

Vertical rays travel over a shorter distance and thus Slanting rays travel over a larg
loose less heat. distance and loose more heat.

Vertical Rays of the sun fall within its migration belt Slanting Rays of the sun fall in
i.e. between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. temperate and Polar regions.

Answer

Question 3
Equinox and Solstice

Equinox Solstice

It refers to the time when the sun reaches its

It refers to the time when the sun
highest or lowest point in the sky at noon,
crosses the plane of the earth's equator,
resulting in the shortest and longest days of
making night and day of equal length.
year.

It happens on March 21st and

It happens on June 21st and December 22nd
September 23rd.

It happens at the start of spring and

It happens during summer and winter.
autumn.

Answer

Structured Questions
Question 1(a)
What is meant by rotation of the earth? State three effects of the rotation of the
earth.
Answer
The spinning of the earth on its axis from west to east once in 24 hours is called
rotation of the earth.
Three effects of the rotation of the earth are:
 1. Day and night are caused by the rotation of the earth on its axis.
2. Rotation causes difference in time over various places on the earth.
3. Sunrise and sunset are caused by the rotation of the earth from west to east.

Question 1(b)
What is the effect of the inclined axis of the earth on day and night?
Answer
Due to the inclined axis of the earth, the duration of day and night is different at
different places of the earth. The time of day at any place is determined by the
height of the sun in the sky.

Question 1(c)
Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Kuala Lumpur rotates faster on the earth's axis than London.
(ii) We always see the sun rising in the east.
(iii) Norway is called the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Answer
(i) Kuala Lumpur rotates faster on the earth's axis than London because Kuala
Lumpur is closer to the equator while London is away from the equator and the
speed of rotation is greater at the equator and decreases towards the poles.
(ii) We always see the sun rising in the east because the earth rotates from west to
east.
(iii) Norway is called the Land of the Midnight Sun as Norway lies beyond the
Arctic circle and hence, the sun is visible just above the horizon continuously for
almost three months.

Question 1(d)
Draw a well labelled diagram to show inclination of the earth on its axis.
Answer

Question 2(a)
Describe how the duration of sunlight changes from the Equator to the Poles with
respect to the angle of incidence during the solstices.
Answer
As the angle of incidence changes from 0° to 90° from Poles towards the
Equator, the duration of sunlight also changes.
On June 21st, the equator receives 12 hours of sunlight which increases to 24
hours at the North pole and decreases to 0 hours at the South pole.
Similarly, on December 22nd, the equator receives 12 hours of sunlight which
decreases to 0 hours at the North pole and increases to 24 hours at the South pole.

Question 2(b)
Describe how seasons are made and reversed between the Northern and Southern
Hemispheres.
Answer
Due to the tilted axis of the earth, the Northern Hemisphere gets maximum
sunlight from March to September and Southern Hemisphere from September to
March. So, the seasons are also reversed e.g. the summer season in Northern
Hemisphere correspond by winter in Southern Hemisphere and the spring is
exchanged with Autumn season.

Question 2(c)
Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) The length of day and night is not equal at all places on the earth.
(ii) The period of twilight and dawn increases polewards.
(iii) 25th of December in New Zealand may be one of the hottest days of the
year.
Answer
(i) The length of day and night is not equal at all places on the earth due to the
tilted axis of the earth and the migration belt of the sun between Tropics of
Cancer and. Capricorn.
(ii) The period of twilight and dawn increases polewards because of the oblique
path of the sun rays towards the poles than the vertical path along the equator.
Thus, the length of dawn and twilight is greater, as it is nearly one hour near
equator and 50 days at the poles.
(iii) On December 22, the southern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun. The sun
shines directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn. The places in the southern
hemisphere experience the summer season. Therefore, 25th of December in New
Zealand may be one of the hottest days of the year.