Reviewing the Class 9 SST Extra Questions and Class 9 SST Chapter 3 Atmosphere and Climate Extra Questions and Answers before exams can boost your confidence.
Atmosphere and Climate Class 9 Extra Question Answer
Class 9 SST Chapter 3 Atmosphere and Climate Extra Questions
Atmosphere and Climate Class 9 Very Short Question Answer
Question 1.
“The ozone layer plays a vital role in the atmosphere of the Earth.” Explain the statement with any two points.
Answer:
The ozone layer plays a vital role in the atmosphere of the Earth in the following ways.
- It absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun, protecting humans, animals, and plants from damage.
- It helps maintain conditions suitable for life on Earth by preventing excessive solar radiation.
Question 2.
Why does the temperature decrease with height in the troposphere?
Answer:
In the troposphere, temperature decreases with height at a rate of 1°C per 165 metres because the layer is heated from the Earth’s surface. Air molecules higher up are farther from the heat source, making it cooler as altitude increases.
Question 3.
What is the significance of nitrogen in the atmosphere?
Answer:
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere. It dilutes oxygen to prevent rapid burning, is essential for protein formation in plants and animals, and plays a critical role in sustaining life on Earth.
Question 4.
“The outermost layer of the atmosphere plays an important role in supporting modern technology.” Explain the statement with suitable examples.
Answer:
The outermost layer of the atmosphere plays an important role in supporting modern technology is as follows.
- The exosphere provides space for artificial satellites to orbit the Earth, which are used for communication, weather forecasting, and navigation.
- It allows smooth transmission of signals, helping in television broadcasting, mobile networks, and GPS services worldwide.
Question 5.
What causes land and sea breezes?
Answer:
Land breezes occur at night when the land cools faster than the sea, causing air to blow from land to sea.
Sea breezes occur during the day when land heats faster than water, causing air to blow from the sea to land.
Question 6.
“Clouds form in the atmosphere and water falls to the Earth in different forms such as rain, snow, sleet and hail.” Define precipitation and mention any two forms of it.
Answer:
Precipitation is the falling of condensed water vapour from the atmosphere to the Earth. Two forms of precipitation are rain and snow.
Question 7.
Why is the thermosphere important for communication?
Answer:
The thermosphere is important for communication because it contains the ionosphere, which reflects radio waves to Earth, enabling long-distance radio communication. It also supports satellite signals and other space-based communication systems, ensuring reliable transmission of information.
Question 8.
Explain the main difference between weather and climate.
Answer:
The main differences climate are as follows between weather and climate are as follows.
| Weather | Climate |
| Refers to atmospheric conditions at a specific time and place, like temperature, rainfall, or humidity. | Refers to the long-term average of weather conditions over a large area, usually measured over 30 years or more. |
| Changes frequently, even within a single day or week. | Remains relatively stable over long periods, showing seasonal or yearly patterns. |
Question 9.
In hot areas, air becomes warm and rises, creating low pressure. In cold areas, air becomes heavy and sinks, creating high pressure. How does temperature affect atmospheric pressure?
Answer:
Temperature affects atmospheric pressure by changing the movement of air. In hot areas, the air becomes warm, expands, and rises, creating a low-pressure area. In cold areas, the air becomes cool, dense, and sinks, creating a high-pressure area. Air always moves from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas, producing winds.
Atmosphere and Climate Class 9 Short Question Answer
Question 1.
“The different layers of the atmosphere together act as a protective shield for life on Earth.” Explain the statement with suitable points.
Answer:
The different layers of the atmosphere together act as a protective shield for life on Earth as follows.
- Troposphere: Provides water vapour and weather systems necessary for rainfall and climate regulation.
- Stratosphere: The ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun.
- Mesosphere: Burns up meteors before they reach the Earth’s surface.
- Thermosphere: Reflects radio waves, enabling long-distance communication and satellite signals.
- Exosphere: Allows artificial satellites to orbit freely, supporting communication, GPS, and weather forecasting.
Question 2.
Describe the mechanism of the Indian South-West monsoon.
Answer:
The Indian South-West monsoon occurs due to differential heating of land and sea. During summer, the Indian landmass and Tibetan Plateau heat intensely, creating low pressure over North-West India, while the cooler Indian Ocean forms high pressure. Moist South-West winds blow from the ocean to land, bringing rainfall. The winds are lifted over mountains like the Western Ghats, causing orographic rainfall. By mid-July, the monsoon covers most of India. Its withdrawal begins in September as land cools and pressure patterns reverse. This monsoon is crucial for agriculture, water supply, and livelihoods.
Question 3.
How do local winds affect agriculture and human life in India?
Answer:
Local winds affect agriculture and human life in India in the following ways.
Effects on Agriculture:
- Sea breeze cools coastal areas, helping crops grow and supporting seasonal agricultural activities.
- Local winds aid in rainfall and moisture distribution, which is important for the ripening of fruits and irrigation.
Effects on Human Life:
- Hot and dry winds like the ‘loo’ can cause heatstroke and dehydration in humans.
- Local winds influence daily comfort and weather conditions, affecting health, outdoor work, and living conditions.
Question 4.
Ancient Indian scholars carefully observed natural events and celestial bodies to predict rainfall, helping farmers plan agricultural activities. Analyse the importance of traditional methods of rainfall prediction in India.
Answer:
The importance of traditional rainfall prediction methods can be analysed as follows.
- Ancient texts such as the Krishi-Parasara, Arthashastra, and Brihat Samhita describe different methods of predicting seasonal rainfall.
- These methods helped farmers decide the right time for sowing and harvesting crops, improving agricultural planning.
- Even today, many farmers continue to follow traditional knowledge along with modern weather forecasts for better farming decisions.
Question 5.
Explain the causes and consequences of climate change in India.
Answer:
The causes and consequences of climate change in India are as follows.
Causes:
- Burning of fossil fuels like coal, petrol, and natural gas releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- Deforestation and industrial activities reduce the absorption of CO2 and release other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide.
Consequences:
- Rising temperatures and heatwaves affect human health, crops, and animals.
- Melting glaciers and unpredictable rainfall increase floods, droughts and other extreme weather events, threatening livelihoods and biodiversity.
Question 6.
“Effective flood management is essential to reduce damage and protect life in India.” Explain the statement with suitable measures.
Answer:
Effective flood management is essential to reduce damage and protect life in India. The measures to manage floods in India effectively are as follows.
- Rivers and flood-prone areas are mapped, construction is restricted, and early warnings are given to people.
- Embankments, levees, and reservoirs are built, and river channels are modified to control and divert excess water.
- Houses and settlements are built on raised platforms to keep people and property safe from floodwaters.
Question 7.
How does the carbon footprint affect global warming, and what steps can reduce it?
Answer:
The carbon footprint affects global warming and can be reduced in the following ways.
Effects on Global Warming:
- A high carbon footprint increases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, trapping heat and raising Earth’s temperature.
- It leads to climate change, causing extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, droughts, and melting glaciers.
Steps to Reduce Carbon Footprint:
- Use public transport, walk, cycle, save electricity, and switch to renewable energy like solar or wind.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle materials, plant trees, and buy local products to lower emissions from production and transportation.
Question 8.
“The monsoon plays a key role in the Indian economy.” Explain the statement with examples.
Answer:
The monsoon plays a key role in the Indian economy in the following ways.
- About 60% of India’s agricultural land depends on monsoon rainfall, and kharif crops like rice, cotton, sugarcane and soybean need timely rain for good growth.
- Monsoon rains refill rivers, lakes and groundwater, providing water for irrigation, drinking and hydroelectric power, supporting agriculture and industries.
- Fishing, rural industries and seasonal work depend on monsoon patterns, and a weak or delayed monsoon can cause crop failure, economic loss and affect the national economy.
Atmosphere and Climate Class 9 Long Question Answer
Question 1.
“The troposphere and stratosphere are important for sustaining life on Earth.” Explain the statement with suitable points.
Answer:
The troposphere and stratosphere are essential for sustaining life on Earth in the following ways.
Importance of Troposphere:
- The troposphere contains almost all water vapour, which supports rainfall and provides freshwater for drinking, agriculture, and ecosystems.
- Weather phenomena like clouds, storms, and winds occur in the troposphere, helping regulate temperature and climate near the Earth’s surface.
- It contains most of the atmospheric mass, which maintains air pressure and allows humans, animals, and plants to survive.
Importance of Stratosphere:
- The stratosphere contains the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and protects living organisms from skin, eye, and genetic damage.
- It helps maintain a stable climate by preventing excessive solar heating of the Earth’s surface.
- The stratosphere indirectly supports aviation and communication by influencing weather patterns below, ensuring life can exist safely on Earth.
Question 2.
“Every year, many regions in India face floods. Heavy monsoon rains, cyclones and overflowing rivers often submerge villages and farmland. At the same time, human activities like deforestation and unplanned urbanisation worsen the situation, affecting lives, property and agriculture.” Analyse the main causes and effects of floods in India.
Answer:
The causes and effects of floods in India can be analysed as follows.
Causes of Floods in India:
- Heavy and prolonged monsoon rains cause rivers to overflow, submerging agricultural land, towns and villages.
- Tropical cyclones along the Eastern coast push seawater inland, resulting in severe coastal flooding.
- Human activities like deforestation, unplanned urbanisation and building on floodplains reduce water absorption and weaken riverbanks, increasing flood risks.
Effects of Floods in India:
- Floods destroy houses, roads, bridges, crops and livestock, causing large economic losses for families and the government.
- They spread waterborne diseases like malaria, cholera and diarrhoea, affecting human health, especially in rural areas.
- Strong floodwaters cause soil erosion, reducing fertility, damaging farmland and disrupting ecosystems, harming plants, animals and fish populations.
Question 3.
Explain the concept of carbon footprint and its impact on global warming. Suggest ways to reduce it.
Answer:
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide (CO2), released into the atmosphere due to human activities. It includes direct emissions from activities like driving, cooking, and heating, and indirect emissions from the production and use of goods.
Impact on Global Warming:
- A high carbon footprint increases greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, trapping heat and raising global temperatures, which leads to climate change, heatwaves, and extreme weather events.
- It causes melting glaciers, rising sea levels, floods, droughts, and disruption of ecosystems, threatening human life, agriculture, and biodiversity.
Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint:
- Use public transport, walk, cycle, save electricity, and switch to renewable energy sources like solar and wind to reduce emissions from daily activities.
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle materials, plant trees, and consume local and seasonal products to lower emissions from production, transportation, and waste.
Question 4.
“Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in India.” Explain with examples.
Answer:
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in India, affecting people, agriculture and the environment in the following ways.
- Rising global temperatures are causing severe heatwaves across India, harming human health, animals, and crops.
- Melting glaciers and polar ice caps increase sea levels, leading to stronger coastal floods and cyclones in states like Odisha and Kerala.
- Changes in rainfall patterns cause some areas to face heavy floods while others suffer long droughts, affecting water availability.
- Frequent and intense storms, cyclones, and floods damage homes, roads, crops, and livelihoods, especially in rural and coastal regions.
- Ecosystems and wildlife are disrupted as natural disasters destroy habitats, reduce biodiversity, and threaten the survival of many species.
Question 5.
Two places, A and B, experienced different weather conditions. At place A, warm air was rising, and clouds were forming, while at place B, cool air was sinking and the sky remained clear. Analyse how atmospheric pressure created these different weather conditions.
Answer:
The different weather conditions at places A and B were caused by differences in atmospheric pressure.
- At place A, the air became warm due to higher temperatures. Warm air is lighter and rises upward, creating a low-pressure area. As the rising air reached higher altitudes, it cooled and the water vapour condensed to form clouds. This process often leads to cloudy skies and rainfall.
- At place B, the air was cool and dense, making it heavier than the surrounding air. It sank towards the Earth’s surface, creating a high-pressure area. As the sinking air moved downward, it became warmer and drier, preventing the formation of clouds.
Therefore, the sky remained clear and the weather stayed dry and sunny. Therefore, atmospheric pressure plays a major role in controlling weather conditions.
Atmosphere and Climate Class 9 Case Based Questions
Question 1.
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow.
One of the most urgent challenges that the Earth is facing today is climate change. It refers to long term changes in weather patterns such as temperature rainfall and wind caused mainly by human activities including the burning of fossil fuels deforestation and industrial pollution that releases gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These actions increase greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide methane nitrous oxide water vapour in the atmosphere trapping heat and raising global temperatures. As a result we are witnessing more frequent floods droughts melting of glaciers rising sea levels and loss of biodiversity.
Climate change not only threatens ecosystems but also impacts human health agriculture and livelihoods. It also has great impact on almost all sections of the population including women and children. Tackling this issue requires collective efforts reducing carbon footprints using renewable energy protecting forests and adopting sustainable lifestyles. Every small step counts and every human being plays a vital role in shaping a healthier and greener future.
(i) Why does cutting down forests increase the effects of climate change?
Answer:
Cutting down forests increases climate change because fewer trees are available to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, leading to a higher concentration of greenhouse gases.
(ii) How does the increased concentration of greenhouse gases raise the Earth’s temperature?
Answer:
Greenhouse gases trap the heat radiated from the Earth’s surface and prevent it from escaping into space, causing the Earth’s average temperature to rise.
(iii) Explain any two ways in which climate change can affect agriculture and people’s livelihoods.
Answer:
Climate change affects agriculture and livelihoods in the following ways.
- Unpredictable rainfall, floods and droughts reduce crop production, causing economic losses for farmers and affecting food security.
- Extreme weather events damage homes, infrastructure and workplaces, disrupting employment and reducing the income of people who depend on climate-sensitive occupations.
Question 2.
Read the given source and answer the questions that follow.
The climate of India is strongly influenced by monsoon winds. The sailors who came to India during ancient times were among the first to notice the phenomenon of monsoon. They benefitted from the reversal of the wind system as they travelled by sailing ships at the mercy of the winds. The Arabs who had also come to India as traders named this seasonal reversal of the wind system monsoon derived from the Arabic word mausim which literally means season. Monsoon winds are seasonal winds. They can be categorised into the South-West and the North-East monsoon. The South-West monsoon also known as the summer monsoon is characterised by winds blowing from sea to land.
During summer the landmass of India heats up faster than the surrounding oceans. This creates a low pressure area over the Indian subcontinent while the Indian ocean remains relatively cooler and has high pressure. Winds move from high pressure areas to low pressure areas so moist winds blow from the ocean towards the land bringing rainfall. It accounts for most of the rainfall in the country throughout the year. The winter monsoon also known as the North-East monsoon occurs in India from October to February. During this season the Indian landmass cools faster than the surrounding oceans creating a high-pressure area over the land and low pressure over the seas.
(i) Why does the Indian landmass develop a low-pressure area during summer?
Answer:
The Indian landmass develops a low-pressure area duringsummer because land heats up much faster than the surrounding oceans, causing the warm air over the land to rise.
(ii) Why do the South-West monsoon winds bring heavy rainfall to India, while the North-East monsoon remains mostly dry?
Answer:
The South-West monsoon blows from the sea towards the land and carries large amounts of moisture, resulting in heavy rainfall. In contrast, the North-East monsoon blows from the land towards the sea and is generally dry, except after picking up moisture over the Bay of Bengal.
(iii) Explain any two reasons why the South-West monsoon is important for India’s economy.
Answer:
The South-West monsoon is importantfor India’s economy in the following ways.
- It provides water for agriculture, helping farmers grow crops and ensuring better food production.
- It fills rivers, reservoirs and groundwater, supporting irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, industries and domestic water supply.
Atmosphere and Climate Class 9 Picture Based Questions
Question 1.
The given image shows the different layers surrounding the Earth. Identify the layer where almost all weather phenomena occur.
Options:
(a) Stratosphere
(b) Mesosphere
(c) Troposphere
(d) Exosphere
Answer:
(c) Troposphere
Question 2.
The given image shows colourful lights in the sky near the polar regions. Identify the phenomenon shown.
Options:
(a) Rainbow
(b) Aurora
(c) Lightning
(d) Halo
Answer:
(b) Aurora
Atmosphere and Climate Class 9 Map Based Questions
Question 1.
On the outline map of India locate and label of the following with suitable symbols.
(i) The place where monsoon first strikes the Indian mainland.
(ii) The direction of Arabian Sea branch over Western Ghats.
(iii) The region receiving heavy rainfall from Bay of Bengal branch.
Answer:
Question 2.
On the outline map of India locate and label the following with suitable symbols.
(i) The Western Ghats
(ii) The Coromandel Coast
(iii) The Thar Desert region
Answer:
