Chapter 2 Understanding the Weather
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1. How can we measure and monitor the weather around us?
We measure and monitor the weather using instruments like:
Thermometers (for temperature)
Rain gauges (for rainfall)
Barometers (for atmospheric pressure)
Anemometers (for wind speed)
Hygrometers (for humidity).
2. How do weather predictions help us prepare for heavy rain, storms, drought, and heat waves?
Weather predictions warn us early so we can:
Evacuate during cyclones
Save crops during droughts
Avoid going out during storms
Stay hydrated during heat waves.
3.What are some of the words in your local language that you use to describe the weather? Hot, cold, warm, chilly, crisp, pleasant, and so on, are commonly used terms in English.
Answer: Words in your local language to describe weather:
(You can write examples from your language!)
In Hindi: गर्मी (garmi – hot), ठंडा (thanda – cold), उमस (umas – humid), बारिश (barish – rain).
In Tamil: சூடான (sudaana – hot), குளிர்ந்த (kulirnda – cold).
More Questions:
4. What do you think could be some other reasons to measure the weather more precisely? (Hint: Think how knowing the weather a few hours or a few days in advance would help you plan some activities.)
Answer: Other reasons to measure the weather more precisely:
Planning farming activities (like sowing crops)
Planning travel (avoiding storms)
Organizing outdoor events
Preparing for emergencies.
5. Talk to elders in your neighbourhood and ask them how they
predict the weather. What signs do they observe? Document
any sayings in your regional language that refer to weather
prediction.
Answer: Traditional weather prediction by elders:
Seeing ants carrying eggs → rain coming
Frogs croaking loudly → rain expected
Cloud shapes and animal behaviour are observed.
(You can also add any local sayings you collect!)
7. Why do you think it would be important to measure
atmospheric pressure? Who are the people most likely to use
such measurements?
Answer:
It helps predict storms, cyclones, and weather changes.
Pilots, sailors, meteorologists, and the army especially use atmospheric pressure measurements.
More questions:
8. Have you seen seeds like these flying in the wind? What would happen to the seeds if there was no wind?( fig. 2.9).
Answer: Seeds flying in the wind:
If there was no wind, seeds would not spread far and plants would grow only around the parent plant. Wind helps in seed dispersal.
9.Where do you think humidity is likely to be more, Kochi or Jaipur? You might guess that Kochi has higher humidity than Jaipur because it is located near the sea. But how will we know
for sure? If we had to compare the humidity level between Kochi and Mangaluru, how would we do it? Discuss with your classmates.
Answer:
Kochi has more humidity because it is near the sea.
To compare humidity between Kochi and Mangaluru, we can use a hygrometer to measure the percentage of humidity.
10. When water evaporates, it causes a cooling effect.
Answer: When water evaporates, it causes a cooling effect. That’s why sweating cools our body on a hot day.
More questions:
11. If the amount of water in the air is already high (more humidity), water evaporates slowly. That is typically the case on a rainy day.
Answer: If the amount of water in the air is already high (more humidity),
then water evaporates slowly, because the air is already saturated with moisture. That’s why clothes take longer to dry on rainy days.
12. If the humidity in Delhi is at 52% while in Kochi it is 84%, in which of the two places are wet clothes likely to dry faster? And where are you likely to sweat more, assuming the temperature is the same in both places?
Answer: Comparing humidity in Delhi (52%) and Kochi (84%):
Wet clothes will dry faster in Delhi because the humidity is lower.
You are likely to sweat more in Kochi because the air is already full of moisture, and sweat doesn’t evaporate easily.
13. Discuss, in pairs, different situations in which weather predictions are helpful. Make a list, and after you have completed it, share it and discuss it with the pair sitting next to you. How many different categories of situations have you been able to identify?(page 41).
Answer: Situations where weather predictions are helpful:
Planning farming and harvesting
Evacuating coastal areas before cyclones
Warning fishermen not to venture into the sea
Preparing for floods and droughts
Managing events (like sports matches, weddings)
Planning travel and flights
Health warnings during heat waves.
(You can say you identified around 6-7 categories.)
More questions:
14. What do you observe happening on that day? What are the various weather conditions that the IMD is alerting people to?
Answer: Observations from the IMD weather warning (page 41):
On that day (19 May 2024), India had alerts for:
Heat waves
Heavy rain
Thunderstorms
Dust storms
Ground frost in some regions.
15. Which states have warning signs?
Answer: States with warning signs:
Gujarat
Rajasthan
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Odisha
Tripura
Lakshadweep (for different reasons).
16. Which parts of India are likely to be free from severe weather?
Answer: Parts of India free from severe weather:
Most of Southern India (like Tamil Nadu and Kerala)
Parts of northeast India excluding Tripura
Parts of eastern India.
17. Which states are likely to face heat wave conditions?
Answer: States likely to face heat wave conditions:
Rajasthan
Gujarat
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra.
18. What are the causes for warning in Tripura and Lakshadweep?
Answer: Causes for warning in Tripura and Lakshadweep:
Tripura: Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
Lakshadweep: Strong winds and possible heavy rain.
To Learn More In Text Questions Click Below:
Chapter 3- Climates of India
Chapter 4- New Beginnings: Cities and States
Chapter 5-The Rise of Empires
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MCQs:
Chapter 1- Geographical Diversity of India
Chapter 2- Understanding the Weather
Chapter 3- Climates of India
Chapter 4- New Beginnings: Cities and States
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NCERT Solutions:
Chapter 1- Geographical Diversity of India
Chapter 2- Understanding the Weather
Chapter 3- Climates of India
Chapter 4- New Beginnings: Cities and States
Chapter 5–The Rise of Empires