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Class : gtn
Chapter 3: Geographyvolution
Rotation and
II. Short Answer Questions
LISncant by the inclination of earth s axis? At what angle is the carth's AX0S incianed
ne inclination of the Earth's axis refers to the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis in relation to its
orbital plane around the Sun.
e axis of the earth makes an angle of 23 1/2 with the vertical or 66 1/2* with the plane of the earths
orbit.
2. Narne the two chief
motions of the carth.
The e two chief notions of the earth are. Rotation - The spinning of the Earth on its axis. Revolution
movement of the Earth arOund the Sun in an elliptical orbit
3. Describe two characteristics of
Ans :Two characteristics of rotationrotation
are
ajspeed : The speed of carth's rotation at the Eauator is l670 km per hour. The speed decrea ses toward
the poles.
b}incination of axis- The earth is alwavs tilted in the same direction as it moves round the sun. Ihe
angle at which the earth is tilted is known as the inclination of the earth's
axIs.
4.State two effects of the rotation of the earth
Ans :Two cts of the rotation of the earth are
a) Day and Night: The rotation of the Earth on its axis causes the cycle of day and night.
b) Coriolls Effect: The Earth's rotation causes moving air and water to be deflected to the ight in the
Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
5.Mention any two possible consequences if the axis of the earth was vertical instead of inclined.
Ans : Two possible consequences if the axis of the earth was vertical instead of inclined are.
a) No Seasonal Changes - The tilt of the Earth's axis is responsible for the changing seasons. If the axis
were vertical, there would be no variation in sunlight received by different parts of the Earth throughout th
year.
b) Equal Day and Night Duration Everywhere -Currently, due to the tilt, different regions experience
varying lengths of day and night throughout the year.
6.State one reason why we do not feel the motions of the earth.
Ans : The reason why we don't feel the motion of the earth is the force of gravity keeps everything
attached to the carth. This uniform motion does not create any noticeable changes that our senses can
detect.
7. What is an elliptic?
Ans : An "elliptic" refers to the elliptical shape of Earth's orbit around the Sun. Ashape that is oval
like the path of planets around the sun.
8. Define 'revolution'.
Ans : Revolution refers to the motion of the earth around the sun in an elliptical orbit.
9. State two chief characteristics of the revolution of the earth.are
Ans :Two chief characteristics of the revolution of the earth
al Eliptical Orbit- The Earth revolves around the Sun in an elliptical orbit.
bi Tilted Axis and Seasonal Changes - The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of 23.5 relative to
its orbit. As a result, different parts of the Earth receive varying arnounts of sunlight throughout
the year, leading to the seasons.
revolution.
10. Mention two effects of
Ans :Two effects of revolution are
alRevolution causes different seasons on carth due to differences in the heating of the earth.
 Penhelion and
and when it 1s the Aphelion positions: When the earth is closest to the sun the position is called peTihe lio
11 What do you
farthest the position is called aphelion
understand
Ans : Due to the elliptical
by perihelion and
orbit of t aphelion?
carth,
carth is closest to the sun, the position is the distance between the carth and the sun varies When th
the position is called aphelion. called perihelion and when the carth is farthest from the sun,
12 On which two days are the days and
to these days? nights egual all over the world and why? What name do you gve
Ans :The e days and
nights are equal all over the world on March 2lst and
sun crosses the plane of the carth's
equa tor making day and September 23rd because the
March 21st is known as Spring or Vernal EauinOx and t of equal length.
Sentember 23rd is known as Autumnal equinox

13 Which is the longest and which is the

Ans : The longest day in the shortest dav in the Northern Hemisphere and
Northern why?
day, the Sun is directly overhead at the Hemisphere is on June 21st (Summer Solstice). On this
Tropic of Cancer (23.5N latitude).
maximum daylight hours. resulting in the
The shortest day in the Northern
day, the Sun is directly overhead at Hemnisphere is on December 21st
the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 S (Winter Solstice). On this
daylight hours. latitude), causing the least
14On which dates does the sun
shine vertically overhead at
(a) Equator (b) Tropic of
Cancer (c) Tropic of Capricorn
Ans: The sun shines vertically overhead at the:
la) Equator on 21st March and 23rd
(b) Tropic of Cancer on 21st
21st June
September
lc) Tropic of Caprico on 22nd Decenber
15 Why is noon,botte.
hotter than norning?
Ans : Noon is hotter than morning because at noon,
nnn making
maki. the place hotter the sun is overhead. So, vertical rays of
at noon
than the morning when slanting rays of the sun the sun fall
16 Why are days and nights equal at all fall at a place.
Northern and the Southern Hemispheres places
on earth on September 232 What are the
on this date? seasons in the
Ans : Days and nights are equal at all places on earth
shines vertically over the equator, making day and on September 23 because on this date, the sun
It is auturmn season in the northern
night of equal length.
hemisphere and spring season in the southern
do we have Summer Solstice in the hemisphere.
17. What is meant by Summer Solstice? When
Northern
the sun and the sun is overheadHemisphere
Ans : 0n June 21, the northern hemisphere is tilted
towards
Tropic of Cancer. So, the northern hemisphere enjoys the longest at the
Solstice.
day. This day is call Sumer
We have Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere on June 21 st.
18.What is meant by Equinox?
Ans : 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.
19. What will be the duration of daylight on March 21st
Ans: The duration of daylight on March 21st at 2330'N atand23*30 N and 66'30'S latitudes? Give reason
66*30'S
on March 21st, the sun shines vertically over the equator and so latitudes will be 12 hours because
the length of day and night is eaual al
over the world
20 What is the relationship of seasons between the Northern and Southern
Ans : The northern and southern hemispheres always Hermispheres?
to the tilted axis of the earth, the north pole experience opposite scasons. This is because due
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
21. How is the duration of twilight influenced by seasons?
Ans : 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
year
Sun throughout the
In sumnmer. the Sun sets ata shallower angle, causing longer pcriods of
twilight. The twilight perod Is
tefinedI as
a the time between sunset and when the Sun is I8 below the honzon
Since the angle of the
Suns descent is more in longer
periods of twilight. gradual in
sunner, it takes longer for it to reach the 18 mark. resulting
winter, thee San
Sun sets at a
shorter periods of twilight steeper angle. Causing it to reach the 18 mark more quickly, resuiting in
22. How has the
phenomenon of the Midnight Sun come aboutr
ung the summer solstice in the Northern Hernisnhere. the ravs of the sun fall vertically on the
TTOpie of Cancer. The duration of sunlieht increanes rom 12 hours at the eguator to 13 hrs 27 minutes
at 23 1/2 N and further to 24 hrs at 66 1/2* N Bevond the Arctic Circle,
the regions
nours daylight. This phenomena is called the Midnight Sun' and it only takes place at experience
the poies
23. Mention one effect of
seasons in low and high latitudes
Ans : The effect of seasons in low and high latitudes is distinct through various phases of diterent
sedsonS. Low latitude areas experience high ternperature and get ample rainfall while the high latirude
arcas are cold and receive less rainfall.

rainfall andegons are always warm with heavy rainfall season, the tempe rate regions
the polar regions are covered with snow throughout the year due to
are cold with scanty
temperature. extremely loW

24. Draw a well labelled diagran to show changes in the altitude of the midday sun at different times of
the year.
Ans

III. Distinguish between the following :

(i)Rotation and Revolution.
Answer
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 tine taken for one rotation is 23 hrs The timne taken for one revolution is 365 days, S hrs
and 48 min.
56 min.

It causes day and night. It causes seasonal changes.

(ii)Vertical and Slanting Rays

Ans :

P- 3
 Vertical Rays Slanting Rays
Vertical rays travel over a shorter distance and thus
loose less heat Slanting rays travel ovet a larger
distance and loose more heat
Vertical Rays of the sun fall
within its migration belt
between the Tropics of Cancer i.e Slanting Rays of the sun fall in
and Capricorn. ternperate and Polar regions
() Equinox and Solstice
Ans :

Equinox
Solstice
It refers to the time when the sun It refers to the time when the sun reaches its
the plane of the earth's equator, crosses highest or lowest point in the sky at noon,
night and day of equal length.
making
resulting in the shortest and longest days of the
year.
It happens on March 21st and
23rd.
September It happens on June 21st and December 22nd.
It happens at the start of spring and
autumn. It happens during summer and winter
IV. Structured Questions
1. (a)What is meant by rotation of the
earth? State three effects of the rotation of the
Ans : The spinning of the earth on its axis carth.
from west to east once in 24 hours is called rotation of the
carth.
Three effects of the rotation of the earth are:
(a) Day and night are caused by the rotation of the
earth on its axis.
(b)Rotation causes difference in time over various places on the carth.
c()Sunrise and sunset are caused by the rotation of the earth from
1. (b)What is the effect of the inclined axis of the earth on day and west to east.
Ans : Due to the inclined axis of the earth, the
night?
duration of day and night is different at different places ot
the earth. The time of day at any place is determined by the height of the sun in the sky
1. (c)Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Kuala Lumpur rotates faster on the earth's axis than London.
lii) We always see the sun rising in the east.
(üi) Norway is called the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Ans : (il Kuala Lumpur rotates faster on the earth s axis than London because Kuala Lumpur is
the eauator while London is away from the cquator and the speed of rotation is greater at the closer to
equator an
decreases towards the poles.
(i) We always see the sun ising in the east because the earth rotates from west to east.
(ii) 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)
1. (d) Draw a wvell labelled diagram to show inclination of the earth on its axis. Ans :

p-4
 The verticg ine frgm the
jeor's ersitg one
The egr's is

fropic of Concer

Equotor

Troplc of
Copricorn The plore of he
orth's or bi

2. (a}Describe how the duration of sunlight changes from the Equa tor to the Poles with respect to the
angle of incidence during the solstices
Ans : As the angle of incidence changes from 0* to 90 from Poles towards the Equator, the duration of
Sunlught also changes
On June 21st, the cquator receives 12 hours of sunlight which increases to 24 hours at the North poie
and decreases to 0 hours at the South pole.
Sirnilarly, on December 22nd. the equator receives 12 hours of sunlight which decrea ses to O hours at th
North pole and increases to 24 hours at the South pole.
2. (b) Describe how seasons are made and reversed between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
Ans :Due to the tilted axis of the carth, the Northern Hemisphere gets maximum sunlight from March to
September and Southern Hemisphere from September to March. So, the sea sons are also reversed eg
the sunmer season in Northern Hemisphere correspond by winter in Southern Hemisphere and the
spring is exchanged with Autumn season.
2. (c)Give a geographical reason for cach of the following
) The length of day and night is not cqual at all places on the carth
(u) The period of twilight and dawn increases polewards.
(u) 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 carth due to the tilted axis of the earth ant
the migration belt of the sun between Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn
(u) The period of twilight and dawn increases polewards be cause of the obliquc path of the sun rays
towards the poles than the vertical path along the equator. Thus, the length of dawn and twil1ght is
greater, as it is nearly one hour near equator and 50 days at the poles
)On December 22, the southerm hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun The sun shines d1rectly
Overhead the Tropic of Capncorm. The places in the southern hemisphere experience the summer scason
Therefore, 25th of December in New Zealand may be one of the hottest days of the year
2, (d)Draw a well labelled diagram to show the tilt of the earth s axis and how the revolution causes
seasons and vanation in the length of day and night
Ans
V. Thinking Skills
of the
1. Imagine if the carth stops its rotation on its axis, What would be its impact on the inhabitants
nnort your answer.
Atbe
s : Earth stopped rolatingon its axis, it would have devastating effects on the planet and its
e t r h e specific impacts
inhabitants. Some would be
.Drastic rature dierences - One side of the Earth would be perpetually facing the Sun.
from the Sun, causing
leading to incredibly high temperatures, while the other side would be facing away
it to freez
ruption of weather patterns The rotation of the Earth is what drives weather patterns around
were to stop, weather patterns wOuld be disrupted, causing extreme stors and
D.

the glot . If the rotation

potentially leading to droughts or floods. and magma
rease in seismic activity The Earth's rotation helps to balance tectonic plates activity, includin
press , so if the rotation were to stop. there could be a significant increase in seismic
rthquakes and volcanic The eruptions.
Earth's rotation generates centrifugal force, which helps to counteract the
Changes in gravity
eravity. Without this force, the planet's gravitational ield would change, leading to potential
pull of the Moon and other celestial bodies
impactcts on the orbit catastrophic consequences for life on the planet, making it one
e earth stops rotating, it would have imaginable.
of the most significant natural disasters tvpc of climnate will be there in Australia 2
2. You travel for winter vacation to Australia from lndia. What
answer.
Give reasons to support your
Ans l went to Australia for winter vacation. Ifound the following climatic differences between India and
Therefore
Australia: hemisphere, its scasons are opposite to those in India
Since Australia is in the southernsummer in Australia,
it was
when it was winter in India, year-totundd while
h The northern parts of Australla are tropical and experience hot and hunid weather
more
of the country have a
the southern parts
c.The ocean currents
to the west and
surrounding Australla also
the cooler waters of the
Pac tempelimate The warm waters of the Indian Ocean
cean to the east create different climate zones
Oce
 On June 21. your uncle who lives in New York experiences summer, whereas your cousin who lives in
Lakarta, cxpenences winter. Give reasons to support your answer.
Ans : On June 21, the summer solstice occurs in the northern hemisphere and the winter solstice ocCurs
in the southern hemisphere. The tilt of the Earth's axis causes different parts of the planet to receive
different amounts of sunl1ght at different times of the vear. During the sumnmer sols tice, the northern
hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, while the southern hemisphere is tilted away from it, causing
opposite seasons.
New York is located in the northern hemisphere, so it experiences summer on June 21Jakarta, on the
other hand, is located in the southern hemisphere, so it experiences winter on the same date.
VI. Project/Activity
2. Draw a diagram to show the winter solstice and answer the following questions.

SuN

Question 1
(i)Name the correct date depicted in your diagram.
Ans : December 22nd
(ii) Narme the latitude where the sun is shining vertically overhead.
Ans : 23 1/2 S
(ii) Nane the part of the globe where there is night on this date.
Ans : The places lying beyond the arctic circle have night on this date.
(iv)Name the latitude on which length of the day will be 24 hours.
Ans : 66 1/2° S
(v)Give the date when the earh will be directly opposite to the above position.
Ans : June 21st
(vi) What will be the vertical position of the sun on that date?
Ans : Sun will shine vertically on Tropic of Cancer (23 1/2 N).
(vii)What is the effect of the inclination of the earth upon the length of day and night?
of day and night.
Ans :Due to the inclination of the carth, all places on earth have different length
(viii) What will be the probable length of day and night on that date?
Ans : The duration of f. day at the equator will be remaining
12 hours athours
the equator
a
are
and
night.
increase to 13.5 hours at 23
1/2° N and become 24 hours at 66 1/2 N. The

Solve the given worksheet questions:

1) Mention the speed of the earth's rotation at the Equator.
2) Define Coriolis effect. instead of a circular one?
3 Why is the path of earth around the sun called an elliptical orbit
4) What is leap year?
5 What is the te rm used to describe the boundary that separates the lighted part of the Earth from the
dark part ?
Twilight?
6) What do you understand by the term