Chapter 1: EARTH AS APLANET

[Nicolaus
Copernicus, Poland 16 Century
Short Answer Questions and Aristarchus, Greece 3° Centuryl
1)The horizon is the apparent line where the shy meets the Farth or sea. The cuved shape o ie
horizon provides evidence that the Farth ic a cnhere As vOu climb to higher altitudes, the
Curvature of horizon becomes more lareer and vo can sep farther. which is consistent witn a
spherical Earth.

2)he tarth is not a perfect sphere: instead it is an Oblate spheroid/ Ellipsoid/ Geoid. Ihis meais
it oulges at the equator and is flattened at the poles. This shape is primarily due to the tartnS
Totation, which causes centrifugal force that pushes the Earth's material outward at the
equator. The diameter at the equator is greater than the diameter at the poles. The bulge at tne
equator and compression at the poles gives earth the shape of an oblate spheroid or Geoid'.
3)This average is calculated by considering the temperatures across the globe,
and ocean, and then averaging daily temperatures over months to including both land
determine long-term trends.
4)The mean temperature of the earth is 17 degrees Celsius. This
exist. lt is calculated by taking the temperatures across the temperature is ideal for lite to
globe, including both land and ocean.
It's often seen as ideal for human comfort,
temperature also benefits plant growth. promoting productivity and well-being. This

5)Earth is often called the "watery planet" or

"water-world" because a large portion of its surface
0s covered by water, approximately 71%. This
crucial for life as we know it. abundance of water, particularly in liquid form, is

6)Biosphere is the life zone of the earth. It is that part of

the earth's terrestrial system - including
air, land and water - in which life develops and
where life processes in turn get transformed. It is
the sum of all ecosystems, encompassing the
land, water, and air where life exists.
7)The conditions necessary for life on earth are as follows:
a) Optimum distance from the sun b)ldeal temperature of 17 degrees Celsius
b) Presence of Atmosphere
d)Presence of water
c) Presence of lithosphere and biosphere
f)Life-giving cycles operate in nature
8)Earth is a unique planet due to its ideal conditions
for life, including a temperate climate,
abundant water, and a protective atmosphere. It's the only
known planet with liquid water on its
Surface and an atmosphere rich in gases that support life.

9)Just O.5°C rise in Earth's temperature wNould lead to

more
storms, heatwaves, and droughts. Sea levels would rise due toextreme weather, including stronger
faster ice
cities. Ecosystems would suffer, with coral reefs bleaching and wildlife melt, threatening coastal
struggling to adapt.
10)The cyclical movement of carbon involves the continuous exchange of
carbon between
atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere through various processes the
such
as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and weathering.

Structured Questions:
1(a)While standing at the seashore, watching an approaching ship, we first see only its mast. Then
as it comes closer, we can see the deck in the middle, then its funnel, and finally the hull crom
into full view. This can only happen when the earth's surface is curved. Thus, it is proved that +h
earth is spheroid in shape.
 -2
1(b)The Bedford Level experiment, along, Straight canal. If the Earth were
wOuld aDDear perfectly level along the entire length. flat, the water surfac.
Water surface conforms to the Earth's However, because the Earth is a sphere, the
curvature. Fix three equal-length rods upright on the 1 m
table, spacing them about 30 cm apart. Slip
a 1cm-thick folded foil under the
stands a little higher, showing Earth's centre rod so it
the tops of the two outer rods. The curvature. Now view at one end and line up
middle rod rises above this line of sight, your eve with
Bedford Level experiment showed, demonstrating exactly what the
that Earth is spherical in shape.
1(c)Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) The sunrise and sunset occur at
different times at different places because the
from west to east and therefore, people in earth rotates
the east can see the sun earlier
than those in the west.
(i) The earth is not a perfect sphere
because the diameter of the earth varies at the
at the poles. This difference is due to equator and
the
which forms a bulge at the equator and a centrifugal force of the earth's rotation at a great speed
compression at the poles.
(i) Venus is hotter than Mercury because
Venus is
produces Greenhouse effect on the surface of Venus. Itsmainly composed of carbon dioxide which
surface temperature remains very high.
1(d)Draw awell labelled diagram to show that the horizon
of the earth is circular in shape. [Refer
text book picture 1.5]

2(a)The atmosphere of the earth is composed of gases like

dioxide, helium and argon (less than 1%). Atmosphere nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), carbon
plays a
habitable planet as- a)The atmosphere receives heat from the sunmajor role in making earth a
by solar radiation and loses
heat by earth's radiation. In this way, a balance is
maintained.
b)The earth's atmosphere is made up of life-supporting gases
- nitrogen, oxygen and carbon
dioxide.
c)Ozone present in the earth's atmosphere absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
d)The atmosphere also prevents loss of heat from the earth's surface and helps to keep
earth
warm.

2(b)Earth is awatery planet about 71% of the earth's surface being covered by water. Water plays
a major role in making earth a habitable planet as
Distribution of water is responsible for moderating the climate and surface condition of the earth.
Water bodies like lakes, ponds, rivers etc. are important parts of the ecosystems and biosphere.
Water moves in a continuous hydrological cycle (balance between evaporation, condensation and
precipitation)without which life would not be possible.
Water bodies help to maintain the temperature of the earth's surface. They rapidly absorb
enormous amount of heat during the day, and keep the earth fairly cool. At night, they release the
heat absorbed during the day, which along with other atmospheric effects, keep most of the
surface from freezing at night.

2(c)Temperature plays a major role in making earth a habitable planet as the earth is the third
planet from the sun. It has an average temperature of 17 degrees Celsius which is suitable for life
to exist. Other planets of the solar system are either too hot or too cold to support life.

2(d)Distance from the sun plays a major role in making earth a habitable planet as
The earth is at an optimum distance from the sun. Hence, it is neither too hot nor too cold.
 to the
he distance between the earth and the sun makes life possible on earth. If it was closer
farther from the
any life present would get burnt from too of the sun. If it was
sun, much heat
cifn. life would freeze because of lack of heat

-3 from
moon is clearly visible
3a (i) Lunar Eclipse :The shadow of the earth on the surface of the
is bigger than the mo
earth during lunar eclipse. It appears as an are of a circle Since the earth s
moon but the shadow is always circular.
tIS rarely oriented in the same position 2c the
proves the circular shape of the earth. of 90 degrees at the
angle
(ii) Pole Star (North Star/ Polaris - NH]: The Pole Star can be seen at an towards the equator. At
decreases
North Pole. It lies in line with the axis of the earth, and its angle tne
happen only in an arc of a circle. This proves
the equator, the angle is 0 degrees. This can
circular shape of the earth.
structural and functional unit of the biosphere
is called
S(D)The self-regulating and self-sustaining
an ecosystem. This system depends upon the sun for its energy.
and trees which are eaten by herbivores (deer,
For example, Ecosystem of a forest include plants
When these animals perish, they are
rabbit). These animals are eaten by carnivores (lion, tiger).
Again they are consumed by
decomposed by decomposers and return to the environment.
producers and so on.

3(c)Give a geographical reason for each of the following:

blue-green oceans
(0) Earth is a habitable planet as it is covered with green vegetation, enormous
containing over a million islands, a large number of streams and rivers,
huge land masses called
continents with mountains, ice caps and deserts. It also has ideal temperature for life.
is covered by water.
(i) From space Earth looks blue because about 71% of the earth's surface
(i) Water bodies reduce the day-night temperature variations as
water can absorb enormous
bodies rapidly absorb
amounts of heat without causing much change in its temperature. Water
enormous amount of heat during the day, and keep the earth fairly
cool. At night, they release the
effects, keep most of the
heat absorbed during the day, which along with other atmospheric
surface from freezing at night.

3(d)Draw a well labelled diagram to show the cyclic circulation

of water between the three realms
of the earth. [Refer text book picture 1.8]
[Chicls9/Xav/JMJ/11/6]