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Grade 7 Geography: Universe & Earth

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66 views10 pages

Grade 7 Geography: Universe & Earth

Uploaded by

rishyrino
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Geography Notes – Grade 7

Chapter 1: Earth as a Planet


- Section A: Universe
The universe is all of space and time including planets, stars, galaxies,
and all other forms of matter and energy.
The universe was created because of a huge explosion. This is
commonly known as the Big Bang Theory.

About our Universe – Milky Way Galaxy


The universe is comprised of many galaxies. One of them is: MILKY
WAY GALAXY.
The Milky Way Galaxy is a body of various stars, dust, clouds and even
en gases.

Among the various stars that the Milky way Galaxy consists of, The Sun
is one of them.

- Section B: The Solar System


Around the Sun there are Eight Planets surrounding it in their respective
orbits which is known as SOLAR SYSTEM. (Refer pg. 3 for diagram)

One planet where residence exists is the Planet Earth.

An asteroid is a rocky object that is not a planet that orbits between the
inner Solar System. (Refer pg. 3 for diagram)

- The Sun
Sun is the brightest star in the System. The surface temperature is
about 6000o C. It is the source of light to Earth, in the daytime. Mostly,
the sun also provides a heavy temperature to the planets that revolve
around it.

- The Planets
The Planets are the objects that surround the Sun. They revolve
around the sun in their orbits.
Earth is one of the planets and it revolves around the sun for 365
days and rotates in its own axis for 24 hours.
Names of the Planets are:
 Mercury.
 Venus.
 Earth.
 Mars.
 Jupiter.
 Saturn.
 Uranus.
 Neptune.
Important to Note: (Mercury is closest to the Sun. Neptune is the farthest.)

 KEY TIP – Use the mnemonic to remember planets in order.


“MY VERY EDUCATED MOTHER JUST SERVED US NOODLES”

- Section C: Shape & Size of the Earth


1) Shape of the Earth – is a 3D Spherical Round.
2) Diameter of the Earth (Cut into equal two halves) – 12750 km.
3) Circumference of the Earth (Move along the equator) – 40,000 km.
4) Area of the Surface of the Earth – approx. 510 million [Link].

- Section D: Movement of the Earth


Rotation – The movement of the Earth around its own axis is known
as Rotation. A full rotation is completed in 24 hours.
Features of Earth Rotation
o Movement occurs from west to east.
o Day and Night occur.
o Speed of the Movement is 1700 km/hr.
How do Day and Night occur?
(Refer pg. 6 for reference and notes) – Highlighted Portion
Change in Length of Days and Nights
The cause of the Day and Nights is the tilted axis.
(Refer pg. 6 and 7 for reference and notes) – Highlighted Portion
Revolution – The movement of the Earth around the sun is known as
Revolution. The full movement takes about 365 days / 1 year.
Features of Earth Revolution
o Movement is anti – clockwise.

o Seasons are formed.


o Speed of the Movement is 107,000 km/hr.

How are seasons formed?


(Refer pg. 8 for reference and notes) – Highlighted Portion

- Section E: Solar and Lunar Eclipses


Solar Eclipses: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between
Earth and the Sun. Therefore, obstructing the view of the Sun from a
small part of the Earth, totally or partially.

Lunar Eclipse: A total lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth comes
between the Sun and the Moon, and its shadow covers the Moon.

- Section F: Continents and Oceans


The earth is composed of 29% land and 71% water, resulting in a high
supply of water on the planet.

It is divided into seven land portions which are called Continents.


It is a Geographical feature containing larger landmasses.
They are:
Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe,
and Australia
 KEY TIP – Use the mnemonic to remember the continents.
“Eat an apple as a nice snack.”

Largest Continent – Asia


Smallest Continent – Australia
Extreme Cold Continent – Antarctica
(Continents Labelling diagram)

A huge amount of water where it divides geographically are known to


be Oceans.
There are 5 oceans surrounding the continents.
They are:
Arctic, Southern, Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific

Largest Ocean – Pacific Ocean


Smallest Ocean – Artic Ocean
Extreme Cold Oceans – Artic and Southern Ocean
(Oceans Labelling diagram)

Chapter 2: Globe, Maps, and their Uses


- Section A: Globe and Maps
 A spherical model of the earth is defined as the globe.
 Countries, Continents, Oceans, and seas are being drawn on the
rounded body of earth.

 A small representation of the whole earth on a flat surface such as


paper with a scale is known as Maps.
 Maps can show every detail of the earth.
 Maps have convectional signs such as small lines or pictures of
places like mosques, playgrounds, Bridges etc.…
 Maps have directions and scales.
 Latitudes and Longitudes are drawn on the map.
Directions
Maps are drawn with directions. This helps people to land at a
destination easily and quickly.
The 4 directions namely:
North, South, East, West.

These 4 directions are known to be PRIMARY DIRECTIONS.


The directional cross shows these four cardinal points.
(Refer page 20 – Diagram A)

Further, there are 4 more directions.


These directions are called SECONDARY DIRECTIONS.
They are:
Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest.
(Refer page 20 – Diagram B)
Activity – Direction.

- Section D: Uses of Maps


(Refer pg. 29 for reference and notes) – Highlighted Portion

- Measuring Distance
Latitudes - Latitude measures the distance north or south of the
equator. Latitude lines start at the equator (0 degrees latitude) and run
east and west, parallel to the equator.
Longitudes - Longitude measures the distance east or west of the prime
meridian. Lines of longitude, also called meridians, are imaginary lines that
divide the Earth. They run north to south from pole to pole.

- Advantages and Disadvantages of using Maps.


Advantages Disadvantages
Provides the layout of roads, the Can Be Inaccurate – Printing errors
locations of cities and towns, state
boundaries, geographical features,
and satellite images
They help you travel from one Can Be Outdated – as every time
location to another infrastructure and landscape
changes
They help you organize information. Can Be Confusing – if they contain
a lot of information. This can make
it difficult to find what you’re looking
for or understand the information
being presented.
Can Help Solve Problems Hard to represent distance or
heights
Chapter 3: Earth as a Home for the Human Beings
- Section A: Earth as a Habitat for humans.
Earth is home for a man to live. Home is the place where all necessary
needs are available for a life to exist.
Earth provides us with a natural environment for a life existence.

The earth contains 4 different components of the natural environment


where a human life depends on it.
1. Animals
2. Plants
3. Climate and weather
4. Physical landscape

Earth is habitable because:


1. Has a suitable temperature unlike other planets such as Venus –
the hottest planet.
2. has large amounts of water and land compared to other planets as
they do not contain water in large mass.
3. Contains Oxygen in the atmosphere where life is possible on it.

- Section B: Natural spheres of Earth


There are four spheres of the
natural environment on Earth.
1. Lithosphere – Land
2. Hydrosphere – Water
3. Biosphere – Living things.
4. Atmosphere – Air

- Lithosphere
 The surface area of the Earth is about 510 million square kilometers.
About 29% of this area is comprised of land and this is called the
lithosphere, and it is the portion on which the man lives.
 In this part of this sphere there are planes mountains forests deserts
which provides life for different plants animals and human beings
 It is also comprised of rocks and minerals where they can utilize
these in industries to make materials.
 It also contains soil where it is easy for the agriculture and vegetation
that provides food for the humans.

- Hydrosphere
 The hydrosphere includes all the water parts of the planet.
 It includes water on the surface, subsurface and water vapor in the
atmosphere.
 It undergoes infinite processes every day.
 The water cycle is one way to understand the importance of the
hydrosphere is, its functions and how it supports other spheres.

 The ocean and water bodies absorb the sun’s energy and warm up.
Transpiration by trees and evaporation of surface water occurs.
 The water vapor in the atmosphere condenses to form rain clouds
and comes down as rain.
 The rain falls into water bodies and the cycle continues.
 Other spheres are also impacted during the water cycle.
- Biosphere
 The Biosphere comprises all the living components of the Earth. It also
includes organic matter that has not yet decayed.

The sphere hugely depends on the other three spheres as follows:

 The hydrosphere replenishes plants and animals with water and


moisture.

 The lithosphere provides a solid surface for the plants and animals to
inhabit. It also provides heat from beneath the earth.
 The atmosphere screens the sun’s UV radiation and helps us receive
just enough of the sun’s heat.

- Atmosphere
 The gaseous component above the surface of the Earth is known as the
atmosphere. It is made of gaseous components and tiny water particles.
 These gases are nitrogen oxygen carbon dioxide water vapors and
dust particles.
 Oxygen is the most important gas due to which life is possible on earth.
 Carbon dioxide is the gas which the plants absorb and release oxygen in
return.
 The ozone layer is where it shields our earth from dangerous ultraviolet
radiation from the sun.
1. How does Biosphere rely on other spheres to provide its needs?
2. Explain the components of Lithosphere.
3. Describe the processes of Water cycle.
4. What is the function of the ozone layer?
5. Why Carbon dioxide and Oxygen are significant elements on earth?

Common questions

Powered by AI

The Earth's rotation on its axis, which takes approximately 24 hours to complete, causes the occurrence of day and night. As the Earth rotates, different parts experience sunlight or darkness, leading to day and night cycles . The Earth's revolution around the Sun, which takes about 365 days, together with its tilted axis, leads to the formation of seasons. The tilt causes different hemispheres to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, creating seasonal changes .

Maps are crucial in geographical studies and navigation due to their detail and practicality. They provide comprehensive information including roads, boundaries, and topographical features, which are essential for planning and exploration . Despite potential inaccuracies and the risk of being outdated, maps are convenient for their portability and ability to display specific information tailored to the user's needs. In contrast, globes offer a more accurate representation of Earth's proportions and spatial relationships, which helps in understanding global phenomena. However, their bulkiness limits their practical application in fieldwork compared to maps .

The lithosphere provides a solid and stable surface for plants, animals, and human activities. It contains soil, rocks, and minerals essential for agriculture, construction, and industrial use . The hydrosphere encompasses all water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, and atmospheric moisture. It supports life by supplying water necessary for survival, regulating climate, and facilitating biological and chemical processes through the water cycle .

Secondary directions (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest) complement primary directions (North, South, East, West) by providing a more detailed and precise description of location and navigation. They allow for better orientation, especially when navigating complex landscapes or urban environments, by offering intermediate points between the cardinal directions. This granularity aids in tasks such as map reading, geographic exploration, and determining wind direction, making geographic navigation more accurate and effective .

The interactions between Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere are complex and sustain ecological balance. The lithosphere provides the terrain for habitats and geological resources. The hydrosphere, through the water cycle, distributes water essential for life and moderates climate. The biosphere relies on the lithosphere for nutrients, the hydrosphere for moisture, and the atmosphere for gases like oxygen for sustenance. The atmosphere regulates temperature and protects organisms by absorbing harmful solar radiation. These interactions depend on the dynamic equilibrium, where disruption in one sphere can affect the entire biospheric balance .

Earth's habitability is attributed to several key factors: a suitable temperature range maintained by its distance from the Sun, the presence of liquid water in large quantities, and a stable atmosphere rich in oxygen. Unlike planets like Venus, Earth is positioned perfectly within the 'habitable zone,' where temperatures are conducive to maintaining water in liquid form. Additionally, Earth's atmosphere, consisting of oxygen, supports respiration and complex life forms. These factors combined with Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, ensure a stable environment for diverse ecosystems .

The atmosphere contributes to Earth's habitability by providing essential gases such as oxygen for respiration and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. It acts as a protective shield, filtering harmful ultraviolet radiation through the ozone layer. The atmospheric layers regulate Earth's temperature by trapping heat from the Sun, known as the greenhouse effect, which maintains a stable climate. Additionally, the atmosphere plays a critical role in the water cycle by transporting water vapor and facilitating precipitation, which supports life and ecosystems .

Solar eclipses occur when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun from view either partially or totally. This alignment must occur during a new moon phase when the Sun and Moon are on the same side of Earth . Lunar eclipses happen when the Earth positions itself between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. This alignment occurs during a full moon phase when the Earth is directly between the Sun and Moon. Both types of eclipses require specific alignments of these celestial bodies, which do not happen in every cycle due to the tilt of the Moon's orbit .

Understanding Earth's diameter (12,750 km) and circumference (40,000 km) provides insight into its spherical shape and the spatial relationships on its surface. These measurements allow scientists and geographers to accurately map and model the planet, aiding in navigation, climate models, and the study of Earth's physical properties. Recognizing Earth's roundness is essential for understanding concepts like gravity, atmospheric dynamics, and the distribution of climatic zones, which are affected by Earth's shape and rotation .

Galaxies, such as the Milky Way, provide a structural framework to understand the vastness and organization of the Universe. Our Solar System is located within the Milky Way Galaxy, which contains billions of stars along with dust and gas. Understanding the position of the Solar System in the galaxy allows us to comprehend its gravitational interactions, the presence of elements essential for planetary formation, and the cosmic conditions necessary for sustaining life. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the uniqueness of Earth's position and its potential for harboring life .

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