Rotation and Revolution
HOTS Short Answer Questions (20)
(Answers in Points)
1. How does Earth's rotation contribute to the Coriolis effect?
o Earth's west-to-east rotation creates varying speeds at different latitudes.
o Deflects moving objects (winds/ocean currents) right in the Northern Hemisphere
and left in the Southern Hemisphere.
2. Why is the equator warmer than the poles despite Earth's rotation?
o Sun’s rays strike the equator vertically (concentrated heat).
o Oblique rays at poles spread heat over a larger area.
3. Explain why day and night durations vary at the Arctic Circle.
o Earth’s 23.5° axial tilt causes seasonal shifts.
o Summer: 24-hour daylight (Midnight Sun); Winter: 24-hour darkness.
4. How does perihelion affect the Southern Hemisphere’s climate?
o Perihelion (January 3) coincides with Southern Hemisphere summer.
o Closer proximity to the sun intensifies summer temperatures.
5. Why don’t equinoxes occur at all latitudes?
o Equinoxes occur only when the sun is directly over the equator.
o Axial tilt causes uneven sunlight distribution at other times.
6. What would happen if Earth’s axis were perpendicular to its orbital plane?
o No seasons (equal day/night globally).
o Uniform temperatures year-round.
7. How does centrifugal force shape Earth’s geometry?
o Outward force from rotation causes equatorial bulge.
o Flattening at the poles.
8. Why does the sun appear to move east to west?
o Earth’s west-to-east rotation creates an optical illusion.
9. How do solstices differ from equinoxes?
o Solstices: Longest/shortest days (June 21/December 22).
o Equinoxes: Equal day/night (March 21/September 23).
10. Why is the Torrid Zone warmer than the Temperate Zone?
o Torrid Zone receives direct vertical sunlight year-round.
o Temperate Zone gets oblique rays, reducing heat intensity.
11. What causes the leap year adjustment?
o Earth’s orbital period is 365.25 days.
o Extra 6 hours/year accumulate to 1 day every 4 years.
12. How does Earth’s elliptical orbit affect its revolution speed?
o Faster at perihelion (closer to sun), slower at aphelion (Kepler’s law).
13. Why is the Antarctic Circle dark in June?
o June solstice tilts Southern Hemisphere away from the sun.
o Antarctic Circle experiences 24-hour darkness.
14. How does axial tilt influence seasonal temperature moderation?
o Gradual tilt changes prevent abrupt seasonal shifts.
o Ensures moderate transitions between seasons.
15. Why do mid-latitudes experience extreme seasonal contrasts?
o Varying sun angles and daylight durations.
o Equatorial regions have minimal variation; poles have extremes.
16. What role does the Circle of Illumination play?
o Divides Earth into lit (day) and unlit (night) halves.
o Shifts with Earth’s revolution, causing seasonal changes.
17. Why are ocean currents deflected differently in each hemisphere?
Coriolis effect redirects currents right (Northern) or left (Southern).
18. How does the Tropic of Cancer relate to the June solstice?
Sun shines directly overhead at Tropic of Cancer on June 21.
Marks summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
19. Why is twilight longer at the poles?
Sun’s oblique path near horizons prolongs refracted light.
Equator has rapid sunrise/sunset due to vertical path.
20. How does Earth’s revolution counteract axial tilt effects?
Revolution shifts Earth’s position relative to the sun.
Balances seasonal extremes caused by tilt.
HOTS Long Answer Questions (20)
(Answers in Points)
1. Explain how Earth’s rotation and revolution jointly cause seasonal changes.
o Rotation: Daily cycle of day/night.
o Revolution: Annual orbit around the sun.
o Axial tilt (23.5°): Directs sunlight to alternate hemispheres.
o Result: Varying sun angles/day lengths → seasons.
2. Analyze the impact of Earth’s axial tilt on day-night duration at different latitudes.
o Equator: ~12 hours day/night year-round.
o Mid-latitudes (e.g., 50°N): Longer days in summer, shorter in winter.
o Polar regions: 24-hour daylight/darkness during solstices.
3. Compare perihelion and aphelion in terms of Earth’s climate and orbital speed.
o Perihelion (Jan 3): Closest to sun (147.3M km); faster orbital speed.
o Aphelion (Jul 4): Farthest (152M km); slower speed.
o Climate impact: Minimal due to axial tilt dominance.
4. Describe how the Coriolis effect influences global wind and ocean current patterns.
o Northern Hemisphere: Deflection to the right → clockwise currents.
o Southern Hemisphere: Deflection to the left → anticlockwise currents.
o Result: Trade winds, Westerlies, and gyres.
5. Discuss the significance of the Tropic of Cancer and Capricorn in defining heat zones.
o Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N): Northern limit of direct sunlight.
o Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S): Southern limit.
o Between them: Torrid Zone (warmest).
6. How do equinoxes and solstices mark transitions in Earth’s seasonal cycle?
o Equinoxes (Mar 21/Sep 23): Equal day/night; start of spring/autumn.
o Solstices (Jun 21/Dec 22): Extreme day lengths; summer/winter starts.
7. Evaluate the statement: ‘Without axial tilt, Earth would lack seasons.’
o True: Tilt causes uneven solar exposure.
o No tilt → Uniform sunlight distribution → no seasons.
8. Explain the relationship between latitude and the angle of incidence of sunlight.
o Formula: Angle = 90° – latitude.
o Equator (0°): 90° (direct rays).
o Poles (90°): 0° (oblique rays).
9. Why does the Midnight Sun phenomenon occur?
o Axial tilt directs polar regions toward the sun during summer.
o Example: Arctic Circle has 24-hour daylight in June.
10. How do the Torrid, Temperate, and Frigid Zones differ in climate?
o Torrid: Hot (direct sun).
o Temperate: Moderate (oblique sun).
o Frigid: Cold (extremely oblique sun).
11. Discuss the role of centrifugal force in Earth’s shape.
o Creates equatorial bulge (40,075 km circumference).
o Flattens poles (40,008 km polar circumference).
12. Analyze how Earth’s elliptical orbit affects its revolution.
o Speed varies: Faster at perihelion, slower at aphelion.
o Distance variation has minimal climatic impact.
13. Why are seasonal contrasts more pronounced in mid-latitudes?
o Significant variation in sun angle/day length.
o Equator: Minimal variation; Poles: Extreme but constant.
14. How does the Circle of Illumination shift during revolution?
o Moves north/south with Earth’s orbital position.
o Causes solstices (maximal tilt) and equinoxes (neutral tilt).
15. Explain the term ‘leap year’ in the context of Earth’s revolution.
o Orbital period: 365.25 days.
o Extra 0.25 days/year → 1 day added every 4 years (Feb 29).
16. Compare the December and June solstices in both hemispheres.
o June 21: NH summer (Tropic of Cancer), SH winter.
o Dec 22: SH summer (Tropic of Capricorn), NH winter.
17. Why does the sun’s apparent path change with seasons?
o Earth’s axial tilt alters the sun’s zenith position.
o Example: Higher arc in summer, lower in winter.
18. How do the Frigid Zones maintain extreme cold?
o Sun’s rays strike at <23.5° angle.
o Sparse heat distribution → perpetual cold.
19. Discuss the role of gravity in Earth’s orbital motion.
o Sun’s gravitational pull keeps Earth in elliptical orbit.
o Centripetal force balances inertia to maintain revolution.
20. Why is the duration of twilight longer in polar regions?
o Sun’s path parallels horizon during equinoxes.
o Extended refraction creates prolonged twilight.
I. Fill in the Blanks (20)
1. The Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of __________ from the vertical.
2. The Earth completes one rotation in approximately __________.
3. The speed of Earth’s rotation is highest at the __________.
4. The Coriolis Effect deflects winds to the __________ in the Northern Hemisphere.
5. The Earth’s orbit around the sun is __________ in shape.
6. The position where the Earth is farthest from the sun is called __________.
7. The __________ occurs on June 21, marking the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.
8. The __________ Zone lies between 23.5° and 66.5° latitudes.
9. The circle dividing the Earth into light and dark halves is called the __________.
10. The Earth’s axis remains tilted towards the __________ throughout its orbit.
11. The duration of daylight at the Equator is always __________ hours.
12. __________ force causes the Earth to bulge at the equator.
13. On March 21, the sun shines vertically over the __________.
14. The word “solstice” means “sun __________” in Latin.
15. The __________ Hemisphere experiences winter during perihelion.
16. Seasons are caused by the Earth’s __________ and __________.
17. The Antarctic Circle experiences 24 hours of darkness during __________.
18. The angle of incidence of sunlight at 50°N on December 22 is __________.
19. A leap year has __________ days.
20. The Earth’s orbital speed is approximately __________ km/hour.
II. Choose the Correct Option (20)
1. Direction of Earth’s rotation:
(a) East to West
(b) West to East
(c) North to South
(d) Random
2. Effect of rotation:
(a) Seasons
(b) Day and night
(c) Heat zones
(d) All
3. Inclination of Earth’s axis to orbital plane:
(a) 23.5°
(b) 66.5°
(c) 90°
(d) 0°
4. Speed of rotation at the poles:
(a) 1670 km/h
(b) 0 km/h
(c) 1000 km/h
(d) 500 km/h
5. Coriolis Effect deflects ocean currents:
(a) Left in Southern Hemisphere
(b) Right in Southern Hemisphere
(c) Upwards at the Equator
(d) None
6. Duration of one revolution:
(a) 24 hours
(b) 365.25 days
(c) 29.8 days
(d) 12 months
7. Aphelion occurs on:
(a) January 3
(b) July 4
(c) March 21
(d) December 22
8. Midnight Sun is observed in:
(a) Tropic of Cancer
(b) Arctic Circle
(c) Equator
(d) Antarctic Circle
9. Equinoxes occur on:
(a) June 21 and December 22
(b) March 21 and September 23
(c) January 3 and July 4
(d) None
10. Heat zone with vertical sunlight:
(a) Temperate
(b) Frigid
(c) Torrid
(d) Polar
III. True or False (20)
1. The Earth’s axis is vertical.
2. Rotation causes seasons.
3. The Coriolis Effect influences ocean currents.
4. Perihelion is the farthest point from the sun.
5. Days and nights are equal globally during equinoxes.
6. The Torrid Zone has extreme cold.
7. The Earth’s orbital speed is uniform.
8. Leap years have 366 days.
9. The Antarctic Circle has 24-hour daylight in June.
10. The angle of incidence at 66.5°N on June 21 is 47°.
IV. Name the Following (20)
1. The imaginary line through Earth’s poles.
2. The force causing Earth’s equatorial bulge.
3. The longest day in the Southern Hemisphere.
4. The date of the autumnal equinox.
5. The zone with oblique sun rays.
6. The phenomenon of 24-hour daylight in the Arctic.
7. The position where Earth is closest to the sun.
8. The angle between Earth’s axis and orbital plane.
9. The effect deflecting winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.
10. The circle dividing day and night.
V. Give Reasons (20)
1. Why do seasons occur?
2. Why are days longer in June in the Northern Hemisphere?
3. Why is the Coriolis Effect stronger at the poles?
4. Why does the Equator have 12-hour days year-round?
5. Why does the Earth’s speed vary during revolution?
VI. Meanings of Words (20)
1. Perihelion
2. Aphelion
3. Solstice
4. Equinox
5. Coriolis Effect
VII. Match the Following (20)
1. Summer Solstice – (a) March 21
2. Vernal Equinox – (b) December 22
3. Winter Solstice – (c) June 21
4. Autumnal Equinox – (d) September 23
VIII. MCQs Based on Picture (20)
(Assume questions related to Fig. 3.4 or 3.5 in the document)
1. In Fig. 3.4, which position shows the December Solstice?
(a) Position A
(b) Position B
(c) Position C
(d) Position D
Answers
I. Fill in the Blanks
1. 23.5°
2. 24 hours
3. Equator
4. Right
5. Elliptical
6. Aphelion
7. Summer Solstice
8. Temperate
9. Circle of Illumination
10. Pole Star
11. 12
12. Centrifugal
13. Equator
14. Stands still
15. Northern
16. Revolution, inclined axis
17. Winter Solstice
18. 16°30'
19. 366
20. 100,000
II. Choose the Correct Option
1. (b) West to East
2. (b) Day and night
3. (b) 66.5°
4. (b) 0 km/h
5. (a) Left in Southern Hemisphere
6. (b) 365.25 days
7. (b) July 4
8. (b) Arctic Circle
9. (b) March 21 and September 23
10. (c) Torrid
III. True or False
1. False
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. True
9. False
10. True
IV. Name the Following
1. Axis
2. Centrifugal Force
3. December Solstice
4. September 23
5. Temperate Zone
6. Midnight Sun
7. Perihelion
8. 66.5°
9. Coriolis Effect
10. Circle of Illumination
V. Give Reasons
1. Seasons occur due to Earth’s revolution and tilted axis (23.5°), causing varying sunlight
distribution.
2. Longer days in June because the Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the sun during Summer
Solstice.
3. Stronger Coriolis Effect at poles due to lower rotational speed.
4. Equator’s 12-hour days as it always lies halfway between the poles, receiving equal light.
5. Varying orbital speed due to elliptical orbit; faster at perihelion, slower at aphelion.
VI. Meanings of Words
1. Perihelion: Closest position of Earth to the sun (January 3).
2. Aphelion: Farthest position of Earth from the sun (July 4).
3. Solstice: Sun’s highest/lowest noon position, causing longest/shortest days.
4. Equinox: Equal day and night globally (March 21, September 23).
5. Coriolis Effect: Deflection of moving objects due to Earth’s rotation.
VII. Match the Following
1. (c)
2. (a)
3. (b)
4. (d)
VIII. MCQs Based on Picture
1. (d) Position D (December Solstice).
