GEOGRAPHY CLASS 11 Notes FOR Book-1 (Fundamentals Of Physical Geography) PDF Download

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Chapter:1 Geography As A Discipline:

Q1. Define Geography.

ANS. Geography is concerned with the description and explanation of the aerial differentiation of the Earth’s surface.

Q2. “Geography is a discipline of synthesis.” Explain:-

ANS. 1) The approach of geography is holistic in nature. In nature, it recognizes the fact that the world is a system of interdependencies. The present world is being perceived as a global village.

2) The distances have been reduced by better means of transportation. Technology has provided better chances of monitoring natural phenomenon as well as economic and social parameters.

3) Geography as an integrating discipline, has interfaced with numerous natural and social sciences.

4) Every discipline linked with geography concerns the scientific knowledge as many of their elements, vary over space.

5) As a result, geography not only takes note of the differences in the phenomenon from place to place, but integrates them holistically which may be different at other places.

Q3. What is the significance of physical geography?

ANS. 1) The study of physical geography is emerging as a discipline of evaluating and managing natural resources.

2) In order to achieve this objective, it is essential to understand the intricate relationship between physical environment and humans.

3) Physical environment provides resources, and humans utilise them and ensure their economic and cultural development.

4) Accelerated pace of resource utilisation with the help of modern technology has created ecological imbalance in the world.

5) As a result, a better understanding of physical environment is very essential for sustainable development.

Q4. Differentiate:-

(I) Physical and Human Geography:

ANS. Physical Geography:

It deals with the physical aspects of the Earth and is further sub- divided as: Geomorphology (Landform), Climatology (Climate), Pedology (Soils), Hydrology (Water).

Human Geography:

It deals with the human activities, with reference to the surroundings. It is further sub-divided as: Social Geography (Society/ Culture), Economic Geography (Economic activities for subsitence), Historical Geography (History), Population Geography (Population), Political Geography (Politics or Political system).

(II) Regional and Systematic Geography:

ANS. Regional Geography:

1) This approach was developed by Karl Rittert. In this approach, the world is divided into regions at different hierarchical levels, and then all the geographical phenomenon in a particular region are studied.

2) These regions may be natural, political or designated regions.

Systematic Geography:

1) This approach is same as that of general geography, and was introduced by Humboldt. In this approach, a phenomenon is studied world over as a whole, and then identifications of speatial patterns is done.

2) The patterns such as equatorial rainforests or monsoon forests are identified, discussed and defined.

Q5. Explain how geography is linked with different natural and social sciences?

ANS. 1) Various branches of physical geography have interfaced with natural sciences. The traditional physical geography is related to geology, metrology, hydrology and pedology. Thus, geomorphology, climatology, oceanography and pedology have very close link with the natural sciences as these derive their data from these sciences.

2) Biogeography is closely related to zoology, ecology as humans are located in different locations.

3) Geography is very much linked with the study of astronomical locations and deals with latitudes and longitudes.

4) The cartographic and quantitative techniques require sufficient proficiency in mathematics, statistics and economics.

5) Maps are prepared through artistic imagination. Making sketches, mental maps and cartographic work, require proficiency in arts.

CHAPTER:2 THE ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF THE EARTH:

Q1. Explain the big bang theory related to the origin of the universe:- 

ANS. 1) In the beginning, all the matter of the universe was concentrated at one place forming a tiny ball which had very small volume, infinite temperature and density.

2) The tiny ball exploded with a big bang, which to a huge expansion. (13.7 billion years ago)

3) The expansion continues even to the present day and as it grew, some energy was converted into matter.

4) There was particularly rapid expansion. Within fractions of a second after the bang and thereafter expansion has slowed down. Within the first 3 minutes of the big bang, the first atom began to form.

5) Within 3 lakh years from the big bang, tempreture dropped and gave rise to atomic matter and the universe became transparent. (Temp. Dropped to 4,500 Kelvin)

Q2. Define the following:-

(I) Light Year:

It is a measure of distance used for space. Light travels at a speed of 300,000 km/sec. Considering this, the distances that light will travel in 1 year, is to be taken as 1 light year.

(II) Galaxies:

A galaxy contains a large number of stars and other matter in the universe. Galaxies spread over vast distances that are measured in light years. (80K- 150K light years)

(III) Nebula:

A very large cloud formed of Hydrogen gas.

(IV) Planetesimals:

These are small rounded objects, formed by the process of cohesion.

(V) Comet:

A celestial body, consisting of a nucleus of ice and dust and when it is near the sun, a tail of gas and dust particles, point away from the sun.

(VI) Asteroids:

It is a celestial body in the Solar system that travels around the sun. It is like a planet, but smaller. These are made up of rocks and metals.

Q3. Explain the following:-

(I) Formation of Planets:

ANS. 1) The stars are localised lumps of gas, within a nebula. The gravitational force within the lumps leads to the formation of a core to the gas cloud and a huge rotating disk of gas and dust develops around the gas core.

2) In the next stage, the gas cloud starts getting condensed and the matter around the core develops into small rounded objects.

3) These small rounded objects, by the process of cohesion develop into planetesimals. Larger bodies start forming by collision and gravitational attraction causes the material to stick together.

4) In the final stage, these large number of small planetismals  accrete form larger bodies called as Planets.

(II) Formation Of Stars:

ANS. 1) The distribution of energy and matter wasn’t even in the early universe. This gave rise to differences in gravitational forces and it caused the matter to get drawn together, which formed the basis for development of galaxies.

2) A galaxy starts to form by accumulation of Hydrogen gas, in the form of a very large Nebula, which eventually develops, as localised lumps of gas.

3) These continue to grow into even denser gaseous bodies, giving rise to formation of stars.

(III) Formation Of Moon:

ANS. 1) The moon is the only natural satellite of the earth. In 1838, Sir Darwin suggested that initially the Earth and the Moon formed a single rapidly rotating body, which became a dumbbell shaped body and eventually it broke.

2) However, the present scientists believe that the formation of the Moon is an outcome of giant impact of a body (1-3 times of Mars) collided into the Earth after the Earth was formed. (The Big Splat)_

3) It blasted a large part of the Earth into the space which continued to orbit Earth and eventually became the natural satellite of Earth, i.e. the Moon. (4.4 Billion years ago)

Q4. Differentiate between the following:-

(I) Terrestrial Planets and Outer Planets:

ANS. Terrestrial Planets:

1) The first 4 planets of the solar system: Mars, Earth, Venus and Mercury. They are like Earth and are made up of metals and rocks.

2) These were formed in the close vicinity of the parents star and it was too warm for gasses to condense.

3) These planets are smaller in size and have higher density.

Jovian Planets:

1) Rest of the 4 planets: Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus and Saturn which are much larger than Terrestrial planets are called Jovian Planets.

2) These were formed at quite a distant location and most of them are in gaseous form, with thick cloud cover.

3) These planets are larger in size and are less dense.

Q5. Explain the stages of the evolution of the present atmosphere? 

ANS.1) The first stage is marker by the loss of primordial atmosphere, i.e the early atmosphere with Hydrogen and Helium. The Helium and Hydrogen is supposed to have been stripped off as a result of the solar winds. This happened to all the Terrestrial planets.

2) In the second stage, the hot interior of the Earth, contributed to the evolution of the atmosphere. During the cooling of the Earth, gasses and water vapour was released from the Earth’s interior. The early atmosphere largely contained water vapour, nitrogen, carbon di oxide, methane, ammonia and very little of free oxygen. This process through which gasses were outpoured is called degassing.

3) Finally, the composition of the atmosphere was modified by the living world, through the process of Photosynthesis. As the Earth cooled, the water vapour released, started getting condensed. The C02 in the atmosphere, got dissolved in the rainwater and temperature further decreased causing more condensation and rain.