Short Questions: The Earth in the Solar System | NCERT Summary: UPSC PDF Download

Q1: Write the major features of the Moon.
Ans:

• The Moon has been separated from the Earth, the third planet of the solar system. Hence, it is called a satellite or moon of the earth. This is the only natural satellite of the Earth.
• Its diameter is only one-fourth of the Earth.
• It looks so big because it is not very far from the Earth.
• It is about 3,84,400 km. away from the Earth.

Q2: What are the characteristics of some of the celestial bodies like the Earth and the Moon?
Ans: Some of the celestial bodies like the Earth and the Moon do not have their own heat and light. They only reflect the light of the Sun.

• The Earth is a planet of the Sun.
• Whereas the Moon is a satellite of the Earth.

Q3: How did people in the past determine directions?
Ans: In the past people used to determine directions by watching the stars.

• The North Star or the Pole Star indicates the North because it shines directly above the North Pole.
• It remains in the same direction in the sky, throughout the year.

Q4: Name the largest and the smallest planets. Which planets are bigger and which are smaller than the Earth?
Ans:

• The largest and the smallest Planets. Jupiter is the largest and Mercury is the smallest of all the planets.
• Planets bigger than the Earth. (i) Neptune (ii) Uranus (iii) Saturn and (!u) Jupiter are bigger planets than the Earth.
• Planets Smaller than the Earth. (i) Venus, (ii) Mars and (Hi) Mercury are smaller planets than the Earth.

Q5: State the time taken by Mercury in revolving round the sun.
Ans:

• Mercury is the nearest to the Sun. It takes only about 88 days to complete its revolution round the Sun.
• The earth takes 36514 days to complete one revolution round the Sim.

Q6: State some characteristics of stars.
Ans:

• Stars are very big and hot bodies.
• They are made up of various gases.
• They emit a large amount of heat and light.
• There are numerous stars.
• They are so far away from us that we cannot see them with our naked eyes.

Q7: What is a galaxy?
Ans: A galaxy is a huge system of stars. The white glowing path of stars across the sky is called the Milky Way galaxy. We in India call it Akash Ganga. It has millions of stars very close to one another. All planets revolve round the Sim and our Solar System. (Solar family consisting of the Sun, the Planets, the Satellites, Asteroids and Meteoroids) move along our galaxy, the Milky Way (Akash Ganga).

Q8: How is the universe formed?
Ans: During the day we see the Sim shining brightly and during dark nights we see thousands of twinkling objects in the sky. The Sun and all these twinkling objects are called heavenly bodies. The heavenly bodies which have their, own heat and light are termed as stars. All the objects like the Sun, the Earth, the Moon and lakhs of bright objects seen during the night in the sky are also called celestial bodies. All these celestial bodies form the universe.

Q9: What is the position of our planet, the Earth in our Solar System?
Ans:

• The Earth is the third nearest planet to the Sun.
• On the basis of its size it is fifth largest planet.
• It is slightly flattened at the poles, and has a bulge on the equator.
• Hence it is described as a Geoid.
• Geoid means earth-like shape.

Q10: Write the position of North Temperate Zone.
Ans: From the Tropic of Cancer (about 23.5° north latitude) to the Arctic Circle (roughly 66.5° north latitude), the north temperate zone exists.

Q11: How pole star can be useful to find latitude?
Ans: For example, the Pole star will be around 52 degrees above the horizon from southern England, indicating a latitude of 52 degrees north. Near the North Pole, Polaris will be straight overhead, while at the Equator, it will be on the horizon.

Q12: Why equator is important?
Ans: The equator serves as a reference point for locating various locations.

Q13: What is Prime Meridian?
Ans: The Prime Meridian is said to be the reference point, with a longitude of 0 degrees. We have 180 degrees eastward and 180 degrees westward from this prime Meridian. The earth is supposed to be divided into equal halves by the prime meridian and the 180 degree meridian.

Q14: What are latitudes?
Ans: Longitudes are perpendicular lines to the equator, while latitudes are parallel lines to the equator. Knowing the latitude and longitude of any spot on the globe makes it simple to locate it.

Q15: What is the importance of the globe?
Ans: On a little ball, the globe allows us to comprehend the entire planet. It aids in the proper comprehension of various aspects of the world.

Q16: Why do you think temperate zone has moderate climate conditions?
Ans: Since it is located away from the equator, the temperate zone features mild climatic conditions.

Q17: Where does the Frigid Zone lie?
Ans: The coldest zones are the frigid zones. Near the poles is the Frigid Zone. This is the area between the Arctic Circle and the North Pole in the northern hemisphere. This is the area between the Antarctic Circle and the South Pole in the southern hemisphere. The sun rays are continually slanting in this direction, and there is very little heat.

Q18: Which are the four parallel latitudes?
Ans: There are four key latitude parallels. The Tropic of Cancer is located in the northern hemisphere, the Tropic of Capricorn is located in the southern hemisphere, the arctic circle is located at 66 degrees north of the equator, and the Antarctic Circle is located at 66 degrees south of the equator.

Q19: What is 0° Meridian?
Ans: All countries agreed that the meridian that passes through Greenwich, where the British Royal Observatory is located, is the starting point for counting longitudes. The Prime Meridian was defined as a meridian with a value of 0 degrees.