Geography

Motions of the Earth

Question:

Explain the following with a diagram:
(a) Summer solstice                                                           (b) Winter solstice        (c) Equinox.
ncert-solutions-for-class-6th-social-science-geography-chapter-3-motions-of-the-earth-3

Answer:

(a) Summer solstice. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun on 21st June. As the rays of the sun fall directly on the Tropic of Cancer, these areas receive more heat. But the areas size to the poles receive less heat due to the slanting rays of the sun. The North Pole is inclined towards the sun the places beyond the Arctic Circle experience continuous daylight for about six months. Since a large area of the Northern Hemisphere is getting light from the sun, it is summer in the regions north of the equator. The longest day and the shortest night at these places occur on 21st June. These cAnditions are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere at this time. It is winter season there having longer nights and  shorter days. This position of the earth is known as the summer solstice.
(b)Winter solstice. On 22nd December, the Tropic of Capricorn receives direct rays of the sun as the South Pole tilts towards it. As the sun's rays fall vertically at the Tropic of Capricorn, a larger portion of the Southern Hemisphere gets light. Hence, the Southern Hemisphere enjoys summer having longer days and shorter nights. This position of the earth is called the winter solstice.
(c)On 21st March and 23rd September direct rays of the sun fall on the equator. At this position, neither of the poles is tilted towards the sun. As result, the entire earth experiences equal days and equal nights. This phenomenon is known as an equinox.

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Motions of the Earth

Q 1.

When do the longest day and the shortest night occur in the Northern Hemisphere?

Q 2.

Fill in the blanks.
(a)A leap year has ………… number of days.
(b)The daily motion of the earth is ……… ……
(c)The earth travels around the sun in…………….
(d)The sun's rays fall vertically on the Tropice of…………….. on 21st June.
(e)Days are shorter during …………

Q 3.

How does leap year occur?      [V. Imp.]

Q 4.

In which Hemisphere does Australia lie?

Q 5.

What would happen if the earth did not rotate? Imp.]

Q 6.

Why do the areas near the poles receive less heat?

Q 7.

Why do seasons change? [V. Imp.]

Q 8.

Which motion of earth is associated with the changes in season?

Q 9.

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete each sentence:                                                 .
(i) Days and nights occur due to ……………  of the earth.
(ii) Only half of the earth gets light from the sun at a time due to its……………. shape.
(iii)The period of rotation is known as the ……………..
(iv) The sun's rays fall vertically at the Tropic of…………….. on 22nd December.
(v) On …………  it is autumn season in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in  the Southern Hemisphere.

Q 10.

Define circle of illumination.

Q 11.

Explain the following with a diagram:
(a) Summer solstice                                                           (b) Winter solstice        (c) Equinox.
ncert-solutions-for-class-6th-social-science-geography-chapter-3-motions-of-the-earth-3

Q 12.

Stale whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F).
(i) The axis of the earth makes an angle of 23V& with its orbital plane.
(ii) Every five year, February is of 29 days instead of 28 days.
(iii) Season changes due to the change in the position of the earth around the sun.
(iv)  When there is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
(v) Life is not possible in extreme conditions.

Q 13.

Answer the following questions briefly.
(a) What is the angle of inclination of the earth's axis with its orbital plane?
(b) Define rotation and revolution.
(c) What is a leap year?
(d) Differentiate between the summer solstice and winter solstice.
(e) What is an equinox?
(f) Why does the Southern Hemisphere experience winter and summer solstice in different times than that of the Northern Hemisphere?
(g) Why do the poles experience about six months day and six months night?