Get notes, summary, questions and answers, MCQs, extras, and PDFs of Chapter 1 “Earth As a Planet” which is part of ICSE Class 9 Geography (Morning Star) textbook/workbook answers. However, the notes should only be treated as references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
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Summary
Earth is our home, the third planet from the Sun. It is the only planet known to support life. Earth looks blue from space because water covers most of its surface. It is called the watery planet. The Solar System includes the Sun, Earth, other planets, moons, and smaller bodies.
Earth is not a perfect sphere. It is an oblate spheroid, meaning it bulges at the Equator and is flatter at the Poles. Ancient thinkers like Aryabhatta and Pythagoras believed Earth was round. This was different from older ideas that Earth was flat. Its specific shape is also called a Geoid, which means “earth-shaped.”
Many proofs show Earth is spherical. A ship’s mast appears first over the horizon. Experiments like the Bedford Level showed Earth’s surface is curved because a middle pole, set at the same height as others over a distance, looked higher. The Pole Star’s height changes as you travel north or south. Satellite images show a round Earth. Earth’s shadow on the Moon during an eclipse is always circular. The horizon, the line where the sky seems to meet the land or sea, is always a circle.
Earth supports life due to its ideal distance from the Sun, giving it a moderate temperature. Its atmosphere, a layer of air, has oxygen for breathing and an ozone layer that blocks harmful solar rays. The atmosphere also helps keep Earth warm.
Water is essential for life on Earth. It covers much of the planet and helps keep the climate stable by absorbing and releasing heat. Earth’s solid crust, the lithosphere, provides land and soil. Soil is needed for plants, which are the base of the food chain for many living things.
The biosphere is the zone on Earth where life exists. It includes parts of the air, water, and land. Ecosystems, like forests or ponds, are communities within the biosphere where living and non-living things interact.
Life-giving cycles recycle materials needed for life. The nutrition cycle shows how energy moves from the Sun to plants and then to animals. The carbon cycle describes how carbon, a basic element of life, moves between the air, living things, and the Earth. Plants use carbon dioxide, and it is released back through breathing and decay. The nitrogen and oxygen cycles are also important for maintaining life’s balance.
Textbook solutions (Morning Star/Total)
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. At the Bedford level canal area a famous experiment was carried out. How many poles were used and at what distance apart?
(a) 3 poles, 5km
(b) 2 poles, 10km
(c) 4 poles, 5km
(d) 3 poles, 10km
Answer: A. 3 poles, 5km
2. The view of the earth’s surface as seen from a height is
(a) square
(b) rectangular
(c) circular
(d) triangular
Answer: C. circular
3. At what angle can the Pole Star be seen at the Poles and at the Equator?
(a) 60°, 30°
(b) 90°, 0°
(c) 45°, 45°
(d) 0°, 90°
Answer: B. 90°, 0°
4. Magellan’s ship Victoria after completing a round-the-world voyage in 1522 returned to which country?
(a) France
(b) Spain
(c) London
(d) United States of America
Answer: B. Spain
5. Earth’s diameter at the Equator is _______ and at the poles is _______.
(a) 12,750 km, 12,715 km
(b) 12,752 km, 12,726 km
(c) 12,714 km, 12,755 km
(d) 12,756 km, 12,714 km
Answer: D. 12,756 km, 12,714 km
6. What is the shape of the earth?
(a) Sphere
(b) Oblate
(c) Geoid
(d) Spheroid
Answer: B. Oblate
7. What is the shape of earth called?
(a) Oblate
(b) Spherical
(c) Oval
(d) Oblate Spheroid
Answer: D. Oblate Spheroid
8. The atmosphere of Venus has maximum concentration of which gas?
(a) Oxygen
(b) Carbon dioxide
(c) Nitrogen
(d) Helium
Answer: B. Carbon dioxide
9. Name the gas that absorbs the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
(a) Ozone
(b) Oxygen
(c) Carbon dioxide
(d) Nitrogen
Answer: A. Ozone
10. What is the thickness of the Biosphere?
(a) 20 km
(b) 19 km
(c) 15 km
(d) 25 km
Answer: C. 15 km
11. What term refers to a self-regulating and self-sustaining unit of the biosphere?
(a) Ecosystem
(b) Food cycle
(c) Biome
(d) Ecology
Answer: A. Ecosystem
12. Name the cycle through which solar energy moves from non-living to living organisms and back.
(a) Carbon cycle
(b) Nitrogen cycle
(c) Nutrition cycle
(d) Energy cycle
Answer: A. Carbon cycle
13. Name the basic raw material for life.
(a) Nitrogen
(b) Carbon
(c) Oxygen
(d) Solar energy
Answer: B. Carbon
14. Name the genius mathematician astronomer from the ancient world who was the first proponent of the round shape of the earth.
(a) Pythagoras
(b) Aryabhatta
(c) Brahmagupta
(d) Bhaskara
Answer: B. Aryabhatta
15. You are standing at a beach looking towards the horizon. You hear the horn of a ship. Which part of the ship will you see first?
(a) Hull
(b) Deck
(c) Mast
(d) All of them
Answer: C. Mast
16. Where was the Bedford Level Experiment carried out?
(a) England
(b) France
(c) India
(d) Canada
Answer: A. England
Short Answer Questions
1. How can you prove that the earth is a sphere by looking at the horizon?
Answer: The view of the earth’s surface as seen from a height is circular. With increase in altitude, the circular horizon also widens. Had the earth’s surface been flat, the horizon would have been the same irrespective of altitude.
2. Briefly describe the shape of the earth.
Answer: The earth is said to be spherical; but it is not a perfect sphere. Its diameter varies at the Equator and at the Poles. This difference in diameter is due to the centrifugal force of the earth’s rotation at a great speed which forms a bulge at the Equator and a compression at the Poles. Thus, the earth is said to be an Oblate Spheroid. The shape of the earth is also described as Geoid, which means earth-shaped.
3. What is the earth’s mean temperature? State its one advantage.
Answer: The earth has an average temperature of 17°C which is suitable for life to exist.
4. Why is the earth called a watery planet?
Answer: Earth is called a watery planet because 70 per cent of its total area is covered by water.
5. What is ‘biosphere’?
Answer: Biosphere is the narrow realm of contact and interaction between the atmosphere, lithosphere, and hydrosphere. It provides all the necessities for all the species living on earth, i.e., light, heat, water, food and habitats. Biosphere is a thin layer of approximately 15 km from the deepest ocean trench to the highest mountain peak. It is the life zone of the earth.
6. Name the conditions necessary for life on earth.
Answer:
- Distance from the Sun: The earth is at an optimum distance from the sun, hence it is neither too hot nor too cold.
- Temperature: The earth has an average temperature of 17°C, which is suitable for life to exist.
- Atmosphere: The earth’s atmosphere contains life-supporting gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Ozone in the atmosphere absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays.
- Water: The earth has 70 per cent of its surface covered by water, which moderates the climate and surface condition of the earth.
- Solid Crust (Lithosphere): Earth has a solid crust that provides soil for plant life, which supports all forms of life.
7. Give any two features of the earth that make it a ‘Unique Planet’.
Answer:
- Earth is the only planet that supports life. Unlike other planets, it is covered with green vegetation, enormous blue-green oceans containing over a million islands, and a large number of streams and rivers.
- The earth has certain features that make it habitable, such as its atmosphere, distance from the sun, and availability of water.
8. What would happen if the average temperature of the earth increased by half a degree?
Answer: If the average temperature on the earth’s surface changes by only a few degrees, many species would perish due to extreme heat or cold.
9. Trace the cyclical movement of carbon in the three realms of the earth.
Answer: Carbon is the basic raw material of all life. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is used by plants in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll to make their own food by the process of photosynthesis. From the plants, carbon moves along the food chain through consumers at different levels. After the death of plants and animals, the carbon present in their bodies is decomposed and absorbed as food by saprophytic bacteria and fungi. When plants die and get buried in the soil, they undergo slow degradation and compaction. This results in the formation of fossil fuels containing huge amounts of carbon. During respiration, plants, animals, and humans use atmospheric oxygen and release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. The burning of carbon-containing fuels also results in the release of CO2 into the atmosphere. Thus, carbon from CO2 taken by green plants from the environment through photosynthesis is returned to the environment through respiration, decomposition, and through the burning of fuels.
Structured Questions
1. (a) How does the sighting of a ship from the seashore prove that the earth is round in shape?
Answer: While standing at the seashore, watching an approaching ship, we first see only its mast. Then, as it comes closer, we can see the deck in the middle, then its funnel, and finally the hull comes into full view. This can happen only when the earth’s surface is curved. If the earth were flat, the entire ship would have been visible at once.
(b) Use a 1m long table to replicate the Bedford Level Experiment. Briefly mention how did you carry out the experiment to prove the shape of the earth.
Answer: Do it yourself.
The Bedford Level Experiment can be replicated by placing three poles of equal length at intervals of 5 cm on a 1m long table. These poles should be positioned such that they are of the same height above the table. When viewed from one end of the table, the middle pole will appear slightly higher than the others. This demonstrates that the surface is curved, similar to how the Bedford Level Experiment proved that the earth’s surface is curved.
(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) The sunrise and sunset occur at different times at different places.
Answer: Sunrise and sunset occur at different times at different places because the earth rotates from west to east. Therefore, people in the east can see the sun earlier than those in the west.
(ii) The earth is not a perfect sphere.
Answer: The earth is not a perfect sphere because it bulges slightly at the Equator and is flattened at the Poles due to the centrifugal force of the earth’s rotation.
(iii) Venus is hotter than Mercury.
Answer: Venus is hotter than Mercury because the atmosphere around Venus is mainly composed of carbon dioxide, which produces a greenhouse effect on the surface of Venus, causing its temperature to remain very high.
(d) Draw a well-labelled diagram to show that the horizon of the earth is circular in shape.
Answer: The higher the altitude, the wider the circular horizon. The circular horizon AB widens to CD as you move up from Y to X.
2. Describe the role of each of the following in making earth a habitable planet.
(a) Atmosphere
Answer: The earth’s atmosphere is made up of life-supporting gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. The ozone present in the atmosphere absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun and prevents loss of heat from the earth’s surface, helping to keep the earth warm.
(b) Water
Answer: Water plays a crucial role in making the earth habitable as 70 per cent of the earth’s surface is covered by water. Water bodies absorb a large amount of heat during the day and release it slowly at night, thus moderating temperature and making the climate conducive to life.
(c) Temperature
Answer: The earth has an average temperature of 17°C, which is suitable for life to exist. A slight change in temperature would result in extreme heat or cold, making it difficult for many species to survive.
(d) Distance from the Sun
Answer: The earth is at an optimum distance from the sun, making it neither too hot nor too cold. This distance allows life to thrive, as it ensures that the earth receives the right amount of heat and light from the sun.
3. (a) How does each of the following prove the circular shape of the earth:
(i) Lunar Eclipse
Answer: The shadow of the earth on the surface of the moon is clearly visible from the earth during a lunar eclipse. It appears as an arc of a circle, which can only happen if the earth is spherical.
(ii) Pole Star
Answer: The Pole Star can be seen at an angle of 90° at the North Pole and its angle decreases towards the Equator. At the Equator, the angle is 0°. This can happen only in an arc of a circle.
(b) What is an ecosystem? Give an example.
Answer: The self-regulating and self-sustaining structural and functional unit of the biosphere is called an ecosystem. This system depends upon the sun for its energy. A pond, a lake, a desert, grassland, meadow, and forests are common examples of ecosystems.
(c) Give a geographical reason for each of the following:
(i) Earth is a habitable planet.
Answer: Earth is a habitable planet because it has an atmosphere that supports life, moderate temperatures, water, and an optimal distance from the sun.
(ii) From space Earth looks blue.
Answer: From space, the earth looks blue because 70 per cent of its surface is covered by water.
(iii) Water bodies reduce the day-night temperature variations.
Answer: Water bodies absorb heat during the day and release it at night, thus moderating temperature variations between day and night.
(d) Draw a well-labelled diagram to show the cyclic circulation of water between the three realms of the earth.
Answer:
Thinking Skills
1. You have gone from Delhi to Arunachal Pradesh on a study tour with your school during the winter vacation. As you woke up in the morning at 6 o’clock, you noticed the sun has risen whereas at Delhi sun rise is around 7.30 a.m. Similarly around 4.30 it was sunset while sunset is around 6 p.m. in Delhi. What do you think could be the reason for the sun rising and setting earlier than Delhi? Which feature of the earth can you relate to from this?
Answer: The reason for the sun rising and setting earlier in Arunachal Pradesh than in Delhi is due to the earth’s rotation from west to east. Arunachal Pradesh is located to the east of Delhi, and therefore, it experiences sunrise and sunset earlier. This is related to the rotation of the earth, which causes different places to experience sunrise and sunset at different times.
2. The earth depends upon the sun for its energy. Imagine a day, when the sun would not rise. Write down the consequences for the earth and its inhabitants.
Answer: If the sun would not rise, the earth would face several drastic consequences. There would be no sunlight, which would result in darkness. Plants would not be able to perform photosynthesis, leading to a collapse of the food chain. The temperature on earth would drop, making it extremely cold. Without the sun’s energy, life on earth would not be able to sustain, and eventually, all living organisms would perish due to lack of light and heat.
Project/Activity
Prepare a project on Natural Creation and Destruction. State the conditions essential for the maintenance of life on our planet. Give a description of how new species have evolved and of how many species of plants and animals have become extinct. Look around your environment. Describe natural forces of creation and destruction that are active all the time.
Answer: Do it yourself. Here are the instructions:
- Title your project: Use a neat title like “Natural Creation and Destruction on Earth”. Make it colourful and clear.
- Divide your project into five parts:
- Introduction
- Write a short paragraph introducing Earth as a planet where life exists.
- Mention it is the only known planet with life.
- Conditions essential for life on Earth
- Include simple points:
- Right distance from the Sun (not too hot, not too cold)
- Suitable average temperature (about 17°C)
- Presence of water (oceans, rivers, lakes)
- Protective atmosphere (oxygen, nitrogen, ozone layer)
- Solid crust (soil and land for plants and animals)
- Life-supporting cycles (carbon cycle, water cycle, oxygen cycle)
- Include simple points:
- How new species evolve and others become extinct
- Explain in basic terms:
- Over time, species adapt to survive. This process is called evolution.
- Some species disappear because of changes in environment, temperature, or lack of food and water.
- You can write that thousands of species have gone extinct due to natural changes and human activities.
- Explain in basic terms:
- Natural forces of creation and destruction in your environment
- Observe and list things around you:
- Creation: Plant growth, river formation, soil formation, animal birth
- Destruction: Soil erosion, floods, droughts, forest fires, landslides
- Use examples from your local area if possible.
- Observe and list things around you:
- Conclusion
- Write 3–4 lines on how nature keeps a balance between creation and destruction.
- Mention how humans must protect this balance.
- Introduction
- Presentation tips:
- Use drawings or paste pictures of Earth, water cycle, animals, plants, etc.
- Label your diagrams.
- Keep handwriting neat.
- Use bullet points for easy reading.
Extras
Additional MCQs
1. What percentage of the Earth’s surface is covered by water?
A. 50%
B. 60%
C. 70%
D. 80%
Answer: C. 70%
52. What is released back into the atmosphere by green plants during photosynthesis?
A. Nitrogen
B. Hydrogen
C. Carbon dioxide
D. Oxygen
Answer: D. Oxygen
Additional Assertion and Reason
1. Assertion (A): The Earth is often referred to as the “watery planet.”
Reason (R): This is primarily because approximately 30 per cent of its total surface area is covered by water.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false.
22. Assertion (A): The visual horizon observed from any elevated position on Earth consistently forms a circular shape, and its apparent size increases with altitude.
Reason (R): If the Earth possessed a flat surface, the extent of the visible horizon would not change with variations in the observer’s altitude.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R does not explain A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
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