Climate Class 9 Questions and Answers – In this chapter, students will learn about atmospheric conditions, an important element in geography. The NCERT solutions provided by the subject experts to help students prepare for their CBSE exams.
Climate Class 9 Questions and Answers
1. Choose the correct answer from the four alternatives given below.
i. Which one of the following places receives the highest rainfall in the world?
a. Silchar
b. Mawsynram
c. Cherrapunji
d. Guwahati
ii. The wind blowing in the northern plains in summers is known as:
a. Kaal Baisakhi
b. Loo
c. Trade Winds
d. None of the above
iii. Which one of the following causes rainfall during winters in north-western part of India.
a. Cyclonic depression
b. Retreating monsoon
c. Western disturbances
d. Southwest monsoon
iv. Monsoon arrives in India approximately in:
a. Early May
b. Early July
c. Early June
d. Early August
v. Which one of the following characterises the cold weather season in India?
a. Warm days and warm nights
b. Warm days and cold nights
c. Cool days and cold nights
d. Cold days and warm nights
2. Answer the following questions briefly.
a. What are the controls affecting the climate of India?
Answer – There are several factors that control the climate of India:
- Latitude: India is located in the tropics, between the equator and the Tropic of Cancer, which means that it receives direct solar radiation for most of the year. This results in high temperatures and high humidity in most parts of the country.
- Altitude: India has a diverse range of altitudes, from sea level to the Himalayan mountains, which affect the temperature and humidity of different regions. The higher the altitude, the cooler the temperature.
- Proximity to the ocean: India is surrounded by the Indian Ocean, which has a moderating influence on the climate of the country. Coastal regions tend to have a more moderate climate, with lower temperatures and higher humidity, compared to inland regions.
- Landforms: India has a variety of landforms, including mountains, plateaus, and plains, which affect the climate of different regions. For example, the Himalayas block cold winds from the north, which helps to keep the plains of northern India warm in the winter.
- Monsoons: India’s climate is greatly influenced by the monsoon winds, which bring wet and dry seasons to different parts of the country. The monsoons are caused by the differential heating of land and water, and they result in heavy rainfall in some parts of the country and drought in others.
- Pollution: Human activities, such as industrialization and urbanization, can contribute to pollution, which can affect the climate of India by altering atmospheric conditions.
b. Why does India have a monsoon type of climate?
Answer – India has a monsoon type of climate due to its location and geography. India is situated in the tropics, and it is influenced by a number of meteorological factors that contribute to the development of the monsoon climate.
One of the main factors that determines the monsoon climate in India is the location of the country relative to the equator and the tropics. India is located in the northern hemisphere, and it is situated south of the equator. This means that it is exposed to the southwesterly winds that blow across the Indian Ocean, which bring moist air and high levels of precipitation to the country during the summer months.
Another factor that influences the monsoon climate in India is the presence of the Himalayas, a mountain range that runs across the northern part of the country. The Himalayas act as a barrier to the moist winds that blow across the Indian Ocean, and they cause the air to rise and cool, leading to the development of heavy rainfall in the region.
c. Which part of India does experience the highest diurnal range of temperature and why?
Answer – The part of India that experiences the highest diurnal range of temperature is the northwest region of the country, including the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Punjab and Haryana. This region is characterized by a hot, dry climate, and it experiences extreme temperatures and large fluctuations in temperature over the course of a day.
The high diurnal range of temperature in this region is due to a number of factors. One factor is the location of the region, which is situated in the tropics and is exposed to the direct rays of the sun. This leads to high temperatures during the day, and rapid cooling at night.
Another factor is the presence of low humidity and high evaporation rates in the region, which contribute to the dryness of the air and the rapid fluctuations in temperature. Finally, the topography of the region, with its flat, open landscape and lack of vegetation, also contributes to the high diurnal range of temperature by allowing the sun’s rays to reach the surface and heat the ground during the day, and by allowing heat to escape quickly at night.
d. Which winds account for rainfall along the Malabar coast?
Answer – The winds that account for rainfall along the Malabar coast are the southwest monsoon winds. The Malabar coast is a region of India that extends along the western coast of the country, and it includes the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Goa.
e. What are Jet streams and how do they affect the climate of India?
Answer – Jet streams are fast-flowing, narrow bands of strong winds that occur in the upper levels of the Earth’s atmosphere. They are found at altitudes of around 7-12 kilometers (4-8 miles) above the surface, and they are typically found at latitudes of around 30-60 degrees.
Jet streams are caused by the differences in temperature and pressure between the equator and the poles, and they are driven by the Earth’s rotation and the Coriolis effect. They typically flow from west to east, and they can reach speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour (120 mph).
Jet streams have a significant impact on the climate of India, and they play a key role in the development of the monsoon system in the country. The jet streams can influence the strength and direction of the monsoon winds, and they can affect the amount and distribution of rainfall in different parts of the country.
f. Define monsoons. What do you understand by “break” in monsoon?
Answer – Monsoons are seasonal winds that blow in different directions depending on the time of year. They are typically characterized by a marked shift in the direction of the wind, and they are accompanied by significant changes in temperature, humidity, and precipitation. The term “monsoon” is derived from the Arabic word “mausim,” which means “season.” Monsoons are common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and they are particularly prevalent in South Asia, including India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Monsoons are driven by the differences in temperature and pressure between the land and the sea, and by the Earth’s rotation and the Coriolis effect. They are typically associated with the summer and winter seasons, and they bring moist, warm air from the sea to the land during the summer months, and dry, cool air from the land to the sea during the winter months.
A “break” in the monsoon refers to a period of time during which the monsoon winds weaken or pause, leading to a temporary reduction in rainfall and other meteorological conditions. Breaks in the monsoon can occur for a variety of reasons, including changes in the strength and direction of the jet streams, and the influence of other meteorological factors. Breaks in the monsoon can have significant impacts on the climate and weather patterns in the region, and they can affect the agriculture, water resources, and other sectors of the economy.
g. Why is the monsoon considered a unifying bond?
Answer – The monsoon is considered a unifying bond in many parts of South Asia, including India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, because it affects the lives of people in these countries in a number of ways. The monsoon is a key source of water for the region, and it is vital for the agriculture and economy of the region.
3. Why does the rainfall decrease from the east to the west in Northern India.
Answer – Rainfall tends to decrease from the east to the west in northern India due to the influence of the Himalayas and other topographic features. The Himalayas are a mountain range that runs across the northern part of the country, and they play a key role in the development of the monsoon system in India.
During the summer months, the Himalayas act as a barrier to the moist, southwest monsoon winds that blow across the Indian Ocean. As the winds rise and cool over the mountain range, they release their moisture in the form of rainfall, which is heaviest on the windward side of the mountains (the eastern side).
As the monsoon winds move westward, they lose some of their moisture due to the dry, hot air on the leeward side of the mountains (the western side). This leads to a decrease in rainfall from the east to the west in northern India, with the highest levels of rainfall occurring in the eastern part of the region and the lowest levels occurring in the western part.
4. Give reasons as to why.
a. Seasonal reversal of wind direction takes place over the Indian subcontinent?
Answer –
- The seasonal change in wind direction is caused by differences in air pressure between different regions of the Earth.
- The El Nino weather phenomenon has a significant influence on the patterns of wind direction and other meteorological conditions.
b. The bulk of rainfall in India is concentrated over a few months.
Answer – Rainfall in India is largely dependent on the southwest monsoon winds, which bring moist, warm air from the Indian Ocean and cause heavy rainfall in many parts of the country during the summer months. The progress of the monsoon winds is rapid, and they cover a large area of the country by July.
c. The Tamil Nadu coast receives winter rainfall.
Answer – Rainfall in some parts of India is also influenced by the northeast monsoon winds, which blow from the northeast across the Bay of Bengal and bring dry, cool air to the country during the winter months. The northeast monsoon winds are responsible for rainfall in some parts of eastern and southern India, particularly in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
d. The delta region of the eastern coast is frequently struck by cyclones.
Answer – The Bay of Bengal experiences frequent fluctuations in air pressure.
e. Parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are drought-prone.
Answer – The regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and the leeward side of the Western Ghats are prone to drought due to a number of factors. One factor is the location of these regions, which are situated in the northwest and southwest parts of the country, and which are exposed to the dry, hot air of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
Another factor is the topography of these regions, which is characterized by flat, open landscapes and low levels of vegetation, which can contribute to the dryness of the air and the difficulty of retaining moisture.
5. Describe the regional variations in the climatic conditions of India with the help of suitable examples.
Answer – Regional variations in the climatic conditions of India are –
- The cold weather season in northern India lasts from mid-November to February, with December and January being the coldest months.
- The temperature decreases from south to north, with the average temperature in Chennai being 24-25°C and in the northern plains being 10-15°C.
- Days are warm and nights are cold, and frost is common in the north. The higher slopes of the Himalayas experience snowfall.
- In March, the highest temperature is around 38°C on the Deccan plateau.
- In April, temperatures in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh reach around 42°C.
- In May, the temperature can reach 45°C in the northwest parts of the country.
- The temperature in peninsular India is lower due to the moderating influence of the oceans.
6. Discuss the mechanism of monsoons.
Answer – Monsoons are seasonal winds that bring wet and dry seasons to many parts of the world, including India. The term “monsoon” is derived from the Arabic word “mausim,” which means “season.” Monsoons are caused by the differential heating and cooling of land and water, which leads to the development of high and low pressure systems.
During the summer, the landmass of India becomes much hotter than the surrounding oceans. This causes a low pressure system to develop over the land, while a high pressure system develops over the oceans. As a result, moist oceanic air is drawn towards the low pressure system over the land, leading to the development of the Southwest Monsoon in India.
The Southwest Monsoon brings heavy rainfall to India from June to September, particularly to the western and southern parts of the country. The Northeast Monsoon, which occurs from October to December, brings rainfall to the eastern parts of India.
7. Give an account of weather conditions and characteristics of the cold?
Answer – The cold weather season is characterized by lower temperatures, shorter days, and longer nights. The coldest temperatures are typically experienced in December and January, although the exact timing and duration of the cold weather season can vary depending on location.
During the cold weather season, the sky is often clear and sunny during the day, but nights can be very cold, especially in areas with high altitude or a dry, arid climate. In some parts of the world, the cold weather season is also characterized by the presence of fog, frost, and freezing rain.
Snow is common in areas with high elevation or a humid continental climate, and can result in icy and slippery roads and sidewalks. Cold weather can also lead to an increased risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and other cold-related health problems.