Geography Notes
Geography Notes
Among the various stars that the Milky way Galaxy consists of, The Sun
is one of them.
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.)
Lunar Eclipse: A total lunar eclipse takes place when the Earth comes
between the Sun and the Moon, and its shadow covers the Moon.
- 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.
- 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 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?