Class 5 SST Question Answers - Movements of Earth

Q1: What would happen if the Earth suddenly stopped rotating?
Ans: If the Earth suddenly stopped rotating, it would cause powerful forces to push things towards the east. This would lead to earthquakes, tidal waves, and destruction of landscapes. However, this is unlikely to happen because it would require an enormous amount of energy that doesn't exist on Earth.

Q2: How does the Earth's rotation affect the shape of the planet?
Ans: The Earth's rotation causes it to flatten slightly at the poles and bulge at the equator due to a centrifugal force generated by its spinning.

Q3: Explain why we have day and night on Earth.
Ans: Day and night on Earth occur because of its rotation. The part of the Earth facing the Sun experiences daytime, while the part in darkness experiences nighttime.

Q4: How does the Earth's rotation influence the movement of water in the oceans?
Ans: The Earth's rotation affects ocean tides and redirects their movement.

Q5: Why do winds and ocean currents veer to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere?
Ans: This happens because of the Earth's rotation. It's called the Coriolis effect, and it causes deflection of winds and ocean currents in different hemispheres.

Q6: How long does it take for the Earth to complete one orbit around the Sun, and what is this period called?
Ans: It takes the Earth about 365.24 days to complete one orbit around the Sun, which we call a year.

Q7: What is perihelion and when does it occur?
Ans: Perihelion is the point in Earth's orbit when it is closest to the Sun. It happens around January 3rd.

Q8: What is aphelion, and when does it occur?
Ans: Aphelion is the point in Earth's orbit when it is farthest from the Sun. It occurs around July 4th.

Q9: How does the tilt of Earth's axis cause seasons?
Ans: The Earth's axial tilt of 23.5 degrees is responsible for seasons. When a hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences summer, and when it's tilted away, it experiences winter.

Q10: Explain what happens during an equinox.
Ans: During an equinox, which occurs twice a year, day and night are nearly equal in length. It happens when the Sun is directly over Earth's equator, resulting in balanced daylight and darkness.