BCM SCHOOL Chandigarh Road Ludhiana
A SR. SEC SCHOOL AFFILIATED TO CBSE, NEW DELHI
SSYNOPSIS CLASS VII SUBJECT: SOCIAL SCIENCE
CHAPTER – 2 INSIDE OUR EARTH (GEOGRAPHY)
Our earth is a unique planet as it has land, water and air. It is a dynamic planet as it is constantly
undergoing changes inside and outside. The Radius of the earth is 6371 Km. The Deepest mine in
the world is in South Africa. It is about 4 Km deep.
INTERIOR OF THE EARTH-
Our Earth Is made up of Several Layers with one inside another.
a) CRUST- It is the uppermost, solid and thinnest layer of the earth's surface. It is about 35 Km on
the continental masses and only 5 km on the ocean Floors. It is made up of many minerals but
Silica and Alumina are the major minerals of the continental crust thus it is called Sial (Si- Silica
and Al-Alumina). The oceanic crust mainly consists of silica and magnesium, so it is called SIMA (Si
- Silica and ma- magnesium)
b) MANTLE: It is the second layer of the earth. It extends up to the depth of 2900 km below
the crust.
c) CORE: It is the innermost layer of the earth with the radius of about 3500 km. It is made of
nickel and iron and is called nife (ni-nickel and fe-ferrous i.e iron). The central part of the core i.e.
the inner core has very high temperature and pressure. To reach to the centre of the earth (which
is not possible) you will have to dig a hole 6000 km. deep on the ocean floor.
ROCKS AND MINERALS
Any natural mass of mineral matter that makes up the earth's crust is called a rock. Rocks can be
of different colour, size and texture. Rocks are made up of many minerals.
TYPES OF ROCKS: There are three types of rocks-
IGNEOUS ROCKS: It is the latin word Ignis meaning fire. When the molten magma cools and
becomes solid rocks these are called igneous rocks. These are also called primary rocks Further
igneous rocks are of two types-
Extrusive Igneous rocks: When the molten magma that comes out from the interior of the earth
on its surface, cools down rapidly and becomes solid such rocks formed on the crust are called
extrusive rocks. They have a very fine grained structure. E.g. Basalt. The Deccan plateau is made
up of basalt rocks.
Intrusive Igneous rocks: When the molten magma cools down deep inside the earth's crust. Solid
rocks so formed are called intrusive igneous rocks. They form large grains because they cool down
slowly Eg. Granite.
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS: When igneous rocks roll down, crack and hit each other and are broken
down into small particles called sediments. These sediments are transported and deposited by
wind, water etc. These loose sediments arc compressed and hardened to form layers of rocks.
These types of rocks are called sedimentary rock for ex. Sandstone is made from grains of sand.
These rocks contain fossils. Fossils are the remains of dead plants and animals trapped in the
layers of rocks.
METAMORPHIC ROCKS: It is a Greek word metamorphose means change of form. When Igneous
and sedimentary rocks are subjected to great heat and pressure they change into metamorphic
rocks For Eg Clay Changes into Slate and limestone into marble. The red Fort is made of red
sandstone. The Tai Mahal is made of white marble.
USES OF ROCKS- Hard Rocks are used for making buildings, roads, bridges, houses etc. We use
them in many games eg pitthoo, stapu, gitti etc. Rocks contain minerals also.
MINERALS – Minerals are naturally occurring substances which have certain physical and chemical
composition for example Coal, Natural Gas and Petroleum. Minerals are very important to human
kind some are used as fuels, e.g. Coal and Natural Gas. These are also used in industries as iron,
aluminium, gold, uranium, medicines, as fertilizers etc.
