Class 6 Geography Chapter 3 Important Question Answers - Motions of the Earth

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Name the two main movements of the Earth.
Ans: Rotation and revolution.

Q2: What is the angle of the Earth's axis with respect to its orbital plane?
Ans: The Earth's axis is angled at 66.5 degrees from its orbital plane.

Q3: What is the circle of illumination?
Ans: The circle of illumination is the dividing line between day and night on Earth.

Q4: How long does it take for the Earth to complete one rotation?
Ans: It takes approximately 24 hours for the Earth to complete one rotation.

Q5: What is added to February every four years to create a leap year?
Ans: An extra day (29th February) is added to February in a leap year.

Q6: On which day does the Summer Solstice occur in the Northern Hemisphere?
Ans: The Summer Solstice occurs on 21st June in the Northern Hemisphere.

Q7: What happens during the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere?
Ans: During the Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, there are longer days and shorter nights.

Q8: On which dates do equinoxes occur?
Ans: Equinoxes occur on 21st March and 23rd September.

Q9: What causes the change of seasons on Earth?
Ans: The change of seasons on Earth is caused by the revolution of the Earth around the Sun and its axial tilt.

Q10: How do lines of latitude and longitude intersect on a globe?
Ans: Lines of latitude and longitude intersect at right angles on a globe.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q11: Explain the difference between rotation and revolution of the Earth.
Ans: Rotation is the Earth's spinning on its axis, causing day and night. Revolution is the Earth's movement around the Sun, which takes about 365.25 days.

Q12: Why does the circle of illumination not coincide with the Earth's axis?
Ans: The circle of illumination does not coincide with the Earth's axis because of the planet's axial tilt, which is about 23.5 degrees. This tilt causes variations in daylight and darkness across the Earth.

Q13: Describe the significance of the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
Ans: During the Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole and areas beyond the Arctic Circle experience continuous daylight for about six months. It is also the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Q14: What is the purpose of adding an extra day in a leap year?
Ans: The extra day (29th February) is added in a leap year to account for the additional six hours that accumulate each year. Over four years, these extra hours add up to one full day (24 hours).

Q15: Explain why equinoxes result in nearly equal day and night durations across the globe.
Ans: Equinoxes occur when the Sun's rays directly hit the equator. During this time, neither of the Earth's poles is tilted toward the Sun, leading to nearly equal day and night durations worldwide.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q16: Discuss the significance of the Earth's rotation and how it leads to the occurrence of day and night.
Ans: The Earth's rotation causes the alternation of day and night. As it spins on its axis, one half of the Earth faces the Sun and experiences daylight, while the other half faces away and experiences night. This rotation takes approximately 24 hours, resulting in the concept of day and night.

Q17: Describe the impact of leap years on the calendar and why they are necessary.
Ans: Leap years, which occur every four years, involve adding an extra day (29th February) to the calendar. This adjustment accounts for the additional six hours each year due to Earth's revolution. Without leap years, our calendar would gradually become misaligned with the solar year.

Q18: Explain the causes and effects of the Summer and Winter Solstices on different hemispheres.
Ans: The Summer Solstice occurs when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, resulting in longer daylight hours and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Conversely, the Winter Solstice occurs when the South Pole tilts toward the Sun, leading to longer daylight hours in the Southern Hemisphere and shorter days in the Northern Hemisphere.

Q19: How does the combination of Earth's axial tilt and revolution lead to the changing of seasons?
Ans: Earth's axial tilt causes variations in the angle at which sunlight reaches different parts of the Earth during its revolution around the Sun. This tilt, combined with its orbital path, results in the changing of seasons as different hemispheres receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year.

Q20: Discuss the significance of equinoxes in maintaining nearly equal day and night durations worldwide.
Ans: Equinoxes occur when the Sun's rays directly hit the equator, causing day and night to be nearly equal in duration across the globe. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced distribution of daylight and darkness, important for various aspects of life and natural cycles.