Loading PDF...
Chapter Analysis
Beginner15 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
This chapter explores the vastness of space beyond Earth, starting with our Solar System which includes the Sun, planets, their moons, and smaller objects like asteroids and comets. It delves into the concept of constellations and how they have been used for navigation. The chapter goes further into our galaxy, the Milky Way, and touches on the broader universe, highlighting the ongoing search for extraterrestrial life and the role of missions like India's Chandrayaan in expanding our understanding of space.
Key Topics
- •Solar System components
- •Constellations and navigation
- •Milky Way Galaxy
- •Search for extraterrestrial life
- •Chandrayaan missions
- •Universe beyond the Milky Way
- •Asteroids and comets
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the components and organization of our Solar System.
- ✓Identify constellations and understand their historical significance for navigation.
- ✓Explore the concept of galaxies with a focus on the Milky Way.
- ✓Investigate the search for life beyond Earth.
- ✓Learn about India's contributions to space exploration through Chandrayaan.
- ✓Differentiate between types of celestial bodies such as stars, planets, and asteroids.
Questions in Chapter
Which of the following is not a planet of the Sun?
Page 250
Which is the brighter star, the Pole Star or Sirius?
Page 250
An artist’s representation of the Solar System is given in Fig. 12.12. Is the order of the planets correct? If not, write the correct order in the boxes in the figure.
Page 250
You can see stars fading away at dawn and appearing at dusk. During the day we do not see the stars. Explain why.
Answer: During the daytime, the bright light of the Sun overpowers the faint light of the stars, making them invisible to the naked eye.
Page 251
During a clear night, try to observe the Big Dipper 3–4 times at an interval of 2 to 3 hours. Also, try to locate the Pole Star each time. Does the Big Dipper appear to move? Draw a rough sketch to illustrate this, mentioning the time in each case.
Page 251
Think about the night sky and write a poem or a story on it.
Page 251
Additional Practice Questions
What are the main features of constellations and how do they help in navigation?
mediumAnswer: Constellations are patterns of stars that historically have been used by various cultures for recognizing arrangements in the night sky. They help in navigation by providing fixed reference points in the sky, especially useful in ancient times for traveling long distances by sea or land.
Describe the differences between planets and stars.
easyAnswer: Planets are celestial bodies that revolve around a star, do not emit their own light but reflect the star's light, and have a definite orbit. Stars, like the Sun, emit their own light and are massive luminous spheres made of plasma held together by gravity.
Explain why Venus is hotter than Mercury, even though it is further from the Sun.
mediumAnswer: Venus is hotter than Mercury because it has a thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, which creates a strong greenhouse effect, trapping heat and raising the temperature significantly.
What are asteroids and where are they mostly found in our Solar System?
easyAnswer: Asteroids are small rocky bodies orbiting the Sun, and most of them are found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
What is the significance of India's Chandrayaan missions?
hardAnswer: India's Chandrayaan missions are significant for their contributions to lunar science, including detailed mapping of the Moon's surface and the discovery of water molecules at the lunar south pole. Chandrayaan-2 demonstrated technological advancements in landing and roving on the Moon.