SSLC Weather, Climate, Consumer, Money & Economy Q&A

Weather, Climate, Consumer, Money & Economy Q&A

Chapter 1: Weather and Climate

Observe the present atmospheric condition at your place. Are the atmospheric conditions that we experience such as sun light, rain, mist, wind, cloud, and the conditions such as hot and cold stable?

This is an observational query for the student and not directly answered in the source material. However, the source notes that atmospheric conditions of any place depend on factors such as temperature, pressure, wind, and humidity, which are influenced by the amount of sunlight available.

Conduct a discussion in the class on the significance of weather studies in day-to-day human activities. Hints: Agriculture, travel/ transport, fishing, tourism

This is a discussion prompt. The source implies the significance by stating that weather has "always been an influential factor right from the early marine voyages which revolutionised the world history, to the modern transport and communication systems". It also mentions that "Agricultural practices world over mainly correspond to the climatic conditions".

Haven’t you studied about nuclear fusion in the science class?

This is a rhetorical question, encouraging the reader to recall prior knowledge. The source describes nuclear fusion as the reaction where two or more atomic nuclei collide and merge to form a larger atom, common for elements with lower atomic numbers, generating massive amounts of energy. The sun continuously produces energy through this process, converting an estimated 600 million tonnes of Hydrogen into Helium every second.

What are Green Houses? Inquire.

This is an inquiry prompt for the student, inviting external research.

Discuss the importance of heat budget in sustaining the earth as a life supporting planet.

This is a discussion prompt. The source explains that the heat budget is the process by which "almost entire energy reaching the earth as insolation is radiated back every day," thus ensuring "the surface temperature of the earth remains balanced without becoming extremely hot or cold," which is crucial for sustaining life.

Do we get the same amount of energy from the sun throughout the day?

No, the amount of energy received from the sun is not the same throughout the day. The surface temperature of the Earth gradually increases with the flow of insolation from sunrise and reaches its maximum by noon.

Calculate the diurnal range of temperature and the daily mean temperature if the maximum and minimum temperatures of a place are 36º C and 28º C respectively.

• Diurnal Range of Temperature: 36º C – 28º C = 8º C
• Daily Mean Temperature: (36º C + 28º C) / 2 = 32º C

Is the distribution pattern of isotherms shown in the map uniform?

No, the distribution pattern of isotherms shown in the map is not uniform.

The isotherms show a noticeable bend along land-sea confluences. What may be the reason?

The reason for the noticeable bend along land-sea confluences is that compared to the sea, land gets heated and cooled at a faster rate. This leads to land areas experiencing higher summer temperatures and lower winter temperatures compared to the sea.

Compared to the Northern Hemisphere, Isotherms are more or less parallel to the latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. Why?

The Southern Hemisphere has a larger proportion of ocean compared to land, which leads to more uniform temperature distribution and thus isotherms more parallel to latitudes.

Estimate the temperature at 6 km altitude and label it.

• Normal Lapse Rate: 6.4º C/km
• Given temperature at 0 Km: 30˚ C
• Temperature decrease for 6 Km = 6 km * 6.4º C/km = 38.4º C
• Estimated temperature at 6 km altitude = 30º C - 38.4º C = -8.4º C

Analyse, which place, A or B, experiences the highest diurnal range of temperature. Give reason for your answer.

Place B would experience the highest diurnal range of temperature. This is because it is situated away from the sea, where the maritime influence gradually decreases, causing very high day temperatures and low night temperatures. Place A, being coastal, would have its temperature moderated by winds blowing from land to sea and vice versa.

Why do we generally experience low temperature at places situated at higher elevations such as Ooty, Munnar and Kodaikanal?

We generally experience low temperature at places situated at higher elevations because atmospheric temperature gradually decreases with an increase in altitude (Normal Lapse Rate: 6.4º C/km).

Diurnal range of temperature is generally low in Kerala. Why?

The diurnal range of temperature is generally low in Kerala because Kerala is a coastal area, and the winds blowing from land to sea and vice versa help to moderate the temperature experienced along coastal areas.

Coastal regions experience comparatively lower atmospheric pressure than interior locations. Why?

Coastal regions tend to have higher humidity due to proximity to the sea, leading to lower atmospheric pressure. As humidity increases, water molecules displace heavier gases like nitrogen and oxygen, making humid air lighter than dry air, which results in lower atmospheric pressure.

Why do we feel discomfort like clogging of ears while travelling to higher elevations?

We feel discomfort like clogging of ears while travelling to higher elevations because atmospheric pressure gradually decreases with an increase in altitude. Our bodies are accustomed to a certain external pressure, and changes in this pressure can cause discomfort.

Analyse the patterns of isobars given below (fig 1.15) and find out where the winds are strong. (Put a tick mark)

Winds are strong where there is a high pressure gradient, meaning a considerable change in pressure between nearby places. In Fig 1.15, the winds would be strong where the isobars are closer together, indicating a steeper pressure gradient (the right image).

What is the name given to the monsoon winds blowing towards the north east direction in India?

The monsoon winds blowing towards the north-east direction in India are called Northeast monsoon winds.

You have learnt about Coriolis Force in your earlier classes. What is Coriolis Force?

The Coriolis Force is an influence that causes winds to deflect towards the right of their direction in the Northern Hemisphere and towards the left of their direction in the Southern Hemisphere. This deflection is maximum at the poles and no deflection occurs at the equator.

Winds are comparatively stronger over oceans than over continents. Why?

Winds are comparatively stronger over oceans than over continents because the friction caused by hills, mountains, forests, and man-made structures on land obstructs the free flow of winds. Oceans, lacking such obstructions, allow for stronger winds.

Observe the diagram (Fig 1.17) and identify the pressure belts between which each of these permanent winds blow.

• Trade Winds: Blow from the Sub Tropical High Pressure belts (around 30° N/S) to the Equatorial Low Pressure belt (around 0°).
• Westerlies: Blow from the Sub Tropical High Pressure belts (around 30° N/S) to the Sub Polar Low Pressure belts (around 60° N/S).
• Polar Winds: Blow from the Polar High Pressure belts (around 90° N/S) to the Sub Polar Low Pressure belts (around 60° N/S).

Trade winds are North Easterlies in the Northern Hemisphere and are South Easterlies in the Southern Hemisphere. Why?

This is due to the Coriolis effect, which deflects winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Westerlies are comparatively stronger in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere. Why?

Westerlies are stronger in the Southern Hemisphere because the frictional force from landmasses is significantly less in the Southern Hemisphere, which is dominated by oceans. The Northern Hemisphere has more landmasses, which obstruct wind flow.

While Kerala receives Southwest monsoon rains, the western parts of Tamil Nadu receives very little rainfall. Why?

Kerala's windward slopes receive plentiful rainfall as moisture-laden Southwest monsoon winds are raised along the mountains, causing orographic rainfall. However, the western parts of Tamil Nadu lie on the leeward side of these mountains, making them rain shadow regions where descending dry air causes very little rainfall.

In equatorial climatic regions convectional rainfall is a diurnal phenomenon. Why?

In equatorial climatic regions, convectional rainfall is a diurnal phenomenon because the significant rise in temperature during the day causes a high rate of evaporation, leading to heavy downpours of convectional rain in the afternoons. This is commonly referred to as "4 O'Clock rains".

Is the climate where Nikhil is residing, similar to ours? Analyse the writing based on the weather elements given below. (Temperature, Precipitation, Wind)

Temperature: New Brunswick, Canada, experiences severe winters with temperatures averaging -20˚C and reaching -35˚C, and summers up to 30˚C. In contrast, the equatorial climatic region has consistently high temperatures around 27˚C throughout the year, with no winter.
Precipitation: New Brunswick has heavy snowfall (40-50 cm accumulation) during winter and rain during hot, humid summers. The equatorial region receives heavy and well-distributed rainfall throughout the year (175-250 cm annually), primarily convectional rain in the afternoons, with no distinct dry season.
Wind: New Brunswick experiences cold wind during winter. In the equatorial region, horizontal air movement in the Doldrums is minimal, though coastal areas experience moderating winds from the sea.

Chapter 2: Climatic Regions and Climate Change

Is climate the same everywhere in the world?

No, climate is not the same everywhere in the world. Some places experience severe cold and snowfall, while others are extremely hot and arid, and there are also areas with moderate temperature and humidity.

What is a climatic region?

A climatic region is an extensive geographical area in which similar climate characteristics are observed.

Identify the areas included in the equatorial climatic region.

The equatorial climatic region extends up to 10˚ North and South of the equator. Areas include the Amazon Basin, Central Africa, and South East Asia.

Is monsoon climate experienced only in the Indian subcontinent?

No, monsoon climate is not experienced only in the Indian subcontinent. Some other regions of the world also experience similar climatic conditions.

Observe the map and atlas, and list the regions experiencing monsoon climate.

• Indian subcontinent
• Parts of South East Asia (e.g., China)
• Other regions in North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Australia also experience monsoon climate.

Why does this difference in diurnal range of temperature occur?

This difference in diurnal range of temperature (low in coastal areas, high in interiors in monsoon climatic regions) occurs due to distance from the sea. Coastal areas experience moderation from sea winds, while inland areas, away from maritime influence, have greater temperature fluctuations between day and night.

Why are these crops called tropical crops?

These crops (rice, sugarcane, jute, cotton, tea, coffee) are called tropical crops because they are cultivated in tropical regions, which are characterized by high temperatures and often high rainfall suitable for their growth. Monsoon regions are located in tropical zones.

With the help of map and atlas, identify the countries in which tropical grasslands are found.

• Africa (Savanna)
• South America (Campos in Southern Brazil, Llanos in Venezuela)
• Parts of Australia and limited areas of Asia

Identify the continents where hot deserts are located.

• Africa (Sahara, Kalahari, Namib)
• Asia (Arabian desert)
• Australia (Australian desert)
• South America (Atacama)
• North America (various deserts)

What are oases?

Oases are formed in places where water sources are found in desert regions.

Find out the continents where grasslands are located and complete the table below.

• North America: Prairies
• South America: Pampas
• Africa: Veld
• Europe/Asia: Steppes
• Australia: Downs

Lumbering is more industrialized in the Taiga region than in the equatorial region. Why?

Lumbering is more industrialized in the Taiga region because the density of forests in the equatorial region and the difficulty of transporting logs hinder commercial lumbering. Additionally, the hardwoods in equatorial forests are too heavy to be floated down streams. Taiga forests, dominated by coniferous trees, likely present fewer such challenges, facilitating industrialisation.

Find more of them and classify them as natural and anthropogenic causes of climate change.

Natural Causes:

• Volcanic eruption
• Ocean currents
• Ice ages and inter glacial periods

Anthropogenic Causes:

• Deforestation
• Oil mining
• Industrialization
• Uncontrolled exploitation of resources and unscientific developmental activities
• Burning of fossil fuels, industrial effluents, solid waste, land use change, and urbanization

How does climate change affect human life?

• Displacement: Around 135 million people are at risk of being displaced by desertification. Climate change-induced disasters like droughts, floods, sea-level rise, and sea inundation forcibly displace people, leading to climate migration and creating "climate refugees".
• Sea Level Rise: The global sea level is estimated to rise by 0.42 cm per year, threatening island nations like Maldives with complete submergence if it rises by two and a half metres.
• Environmental Degradation: It affects ecosystems severely.
• Agricultural Impact: Changes in the nature of monsoon rain from months-long to few-days torrential rain can impact agriculture.
• Economic Impact: Uncontrolled exploitation and unscientific development harm climate characteristics.

Chapter 3: From The Rainy Forests to The Land of Permafrost

With the help of an atlas, find the locations of Congo and Naryanmar Town, and identify the climatic regions they belong to.

• Congo: Belongs to the Equatorial Climatic Region.
• Naryanmar Town: Located in the Pechora River basin, close to the pole, it belongs to the Tundra Region.

Which continents does the Equatorial climatic region spread across?

• South America (Amazon Basin)
• Africa (Central Africa, Congo Basin)
• Asia (South East Asia, Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, New Guinea)

Identify the countries that are included in the equatorial climatic regions of continents like Asia, Africa, and South America, and complete the table provided.

• Asia: Indonesia, Malay Peninsula, New Guinea
• Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Basin, Guinea coast
• South America: Brazil, Amazon Basin, Equitas, Quito, Bogotá, Manaus, Belem

Why is this climatic region called the equatorial climatic region?

This climatic region is called the equatorial climatic region because it is located along the equator, specifically extending up to 10˚ North and South of the equator. This location results in the region receiving vertical solar rays throughout the year, leading to consistently high temperatures and abundant rainfall.

How does convectional rainfall occur? What are the features of convectional rainfall?

How it occurs: Convectional rainfall occurs due to the convection process. When the ground gets heated intensely by sunlight, the air above it also heats up, expands, and rises. As this warm, moist air rises, it cools and the water vapour condenses to form rain clouds, leading to rainfall.
Features: In equatorial climatic regions, it is a diurnal phenomenon, meaning it occurs daily, typically in the afternoons. It is also known as "4 O'Clock rains".

Find the highest and the lowest mean monthly temperatures for each place (Kuala Lumpur and Bogota).

• Kuala Lumpur: Highest Mean Monthly Temperature: 26.3°C (May); Lowest: 25.1°C (Jan, Dec)
• Bogota: Highest Mean Monthly Temperature: 13.3°C (Sept); Lowest: 12.5°C (Nov)

What is the annual range of temperature at each place?

• Kuala Lumpur: 1.2°C
• Bogota: 0.8°C

Is there any month that does not receive rainfall? (Kuala Lumpur and Bogota)

• Kuala Lumpur: No, every month receives rainfall.
• Bogota: No, every month receives rainfall.

Why is Kilimanjaro snow-covered throughout the year?

Kilimanjaro is snow-covered throughout the year despite being in the equatorial climatic region because of its high altitude. Atmospheric temperature gradually decreases with increasing altitude at a rate of 6.4º Celsius per kilometre (Normal Lapse Rate), leading to low temperatures and snow at high elevations.

Observe the diagram and identify the distinct canopy layers formed by trees at different heights in equatorial rainforests.

• Upper Layer (approx. 150 Feet)
• Intermediate Layer (approx. 60 Feet)
• Lower Layer (approx. 30 Feet)

What features have you noticed here that are different from those in the equatorial region? (Tundra region)

• Snowfall
• Extremely low temperatures (winter -25°C to -40°C, summer up to 10°C)
• Long periods of darkness (polar night) and daylight (midnight sun)
• Northern Lights
• Harsh climatic conditions requiring thick clothing and heaters
• Scanty natural vegetation and fauna
• Sparsely populated, nomadic tribes, subsistence activities like hunting and fishing
• Specific shelters like igloos, transportation using sledges pulled by dogs
• Permafrost

By using an atlas, find the location of the town of Longyearbyen and identify the climatic region to which this town belongs.

Longyearbyen is located in the Svalbard Islands, north of Norway in the Arctic Sea. It belongs to the Tundra Region.

Have you identified the location of the Tundra region? Now, find the continents over which the Tundra region spreads. Complete the table given below.

The Tundra region spreads along the Arctic coasts of North America and Eurasia, and that of Greenland.

• Siberia: Asia (Eurasia)
• Greenland: North America/Europe
• Iceland: Europe
• North Scandinavia: Europe (Eurasia)
• North Canada: North America
• Alaska: North America

Identify from the table below the regions to which each type of Tundra belongs.

• Arctic Tundra: In parts located to the north of Taiga in Alaska, Northern Canada, Siberia, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia
• Alpine Tundra: In high mountainous regions

Analyze the diagram using the indicators given below. (Upernavik in Greenland)

• Month that receives the maximum rainfall: August (55 mm)
• Month that receives the minimum rainfall: February (13 mm)
• Month in which the maximum average temperature is recorded: July (6.4°C)
• Month in which the minimum average temperature is recorded: February (-23.4°C)

The maximum average temperature and the minimum average temperature. The Annual range of temperature (Upernavik in Greenland)

• Maximum average temperature: 6.4°C (July)
• Minimum average temperature: -23.4°C (February)
• Annual range of temperature: 29.8°C

Examine the table given below. Identify the different tribes in the tundra and the regions they belong to.

• Greenland, North Canada, Alaska: Eskimos or Inuit
• North Finland, Scandinavia: Lapps
• Siberia: Samoyeds
• Lena Basin: Yakuts
• North-Eastern Asia: Koryaks, Chuckchi

Chapter 4: Consumer: Rights and Protection

What are the factors that influence consumption?

• Price
• Income
• Utility (satisfaction gained from consumption)
• Quality of goods and services
• Accuracy of measurement

Can this kind of satisfaction be measured and quantified?

Yes, satisfaction gained through consumption (utility) can be considered as quantifiable. Alfred Marshall was the first economist to attempt such a quantification, using the unit of "utils". However, satisfaction is difficult to measure mathematically because it is subjective and depends on each person's mental state, and utility cannot be quantified using cardinal numbers is a limitation acknowledged later in the chapter.

What happens to total utility when 1 to 5 units of oranges are consumed? What is the change in total utility after the consumption of the 6th unit?

• When 1 to 5 units of oranges are consumed, Total Utility (TU) continuously increases, from 20 utils for 1 unit to 67 utils for 5 units.
• The change in total utility after the consumption of the 6th unit is zero (TU remains 67).

When a certain unit of oranges in consumed, the marginal utility is shown as zero. Which is it? Why does the marginal utility become negative when 7 and 8 unit oranges are consumed?

• The marginal utility is zero when the 6th unit of oranges is consumed.
• The marginal utility becomes negative when the 7th and 8th unit oranges are consumed because consuming additional units beyond the point of maximum satisfaction (where MU is zero) leads to a decrease in total satisfaction, indicating disutility or dissatisfaction. This illustrates the Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility.

What other rights does a consumer have?

• Right to Safety
• Right to Choose
• Right to Know
• Right to Seek Redressal
• Right to Consumer Education

Complete the table using the hints provided. (Types of Goods)

• Free goods: Abundant in nature and freely available to everyone; need not be paid for. Examples: Sunlight, Air
• Economic goods: Purchased and used for a price; can often be manufactured or collected from nature. Examples: Food, Vehicles, Clothes, Minerals
• Consumer goods: Final goods used by consumers to satisfy their wants; bought and sold for a price; not subjected to production process again. Examples: House, Footwear, Milk, Vegetables
• Capital goods: Physical product used in the production of another product; assist in the production process. Examples: Factory, Machinery, Table
• Durable goods: Last for a long time; can be reused. Examples: House, Footwear, Table
• Non-Durable goods: Items that can be used only for a short period of time. Examples: Milk, Vegetables

What are the things a consumer should pay attention to while buying goods and services from markets?

• Quality of the product
• Expiry date
• Price
• Warranty
• Safety standards
• Bill (ensuring it has GST number)
• GST rate
• Quantity and weight
• Manufacturing date
• Ingredients used
• Statutory warnings
• Meaning of symbols and images on product wraps (quality symbols like ISI, AGMARK, FSSAI)

List the collateral that the banks accept for various loans.

• Gold
• Land documents
• Salary certificates

How can a society intervene in this matter? (Consumer protection)

A society can intervene in consumer protection by developing civic consciousness and promoting consumer education. This involves being aware of consumer rights, being able to complain, seeking solutions to problems, and fostering a mindset of consuming only necessary goods, which also supports sustainable consumption and development.

Chapter 5: Money and Economy

Write down the various functions of money.

• Medium of Exchange: Money facilitates the buying and selling of goods and services, making countless transactions possible.
• Measure of Value: The value of all goods can be expressed in monetary terms, making it easy to compare values and define purchasing power.
• Store of Value: Money allows the value of any good, including perishable items, to be stored and used in the future, unlike in the barter system.
• Means of Deferred Payments: Money enables financial transactions to be settled at a later date, aiding short and long-term business transactions.

What is the source of currencies and coins in circulation in our country? Who is the ultimate authority of all this money?

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the ultimate authority of money in India and has the sole power to print and issue all currencies, except coins and one rupee notes.
• Coins and one rupee notes are printed and issued by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.

Who prints one rupee note and coins?

The Ministry of Finance, Government of India, prints one rupee notes and mints coins. This power is retained by the central government based on historical conventions, including the Paper Currency Act of 1835 and the Coinage Acts of 1906 and 2011.

What was the change in inflation in September 2023 compared to the inflation rate in August 2023?

• Inflation in August 2023: 6.83%
• Inflation in September 2023: 5.02%
• Change: 5.02% - 6.83% = -1.81 percentage points.
• Therefore, inflation decreased by 1.81 percentage points in September 2023 compared to August 2023.

What are the different sources of credit in India?

Formal Sources of Credit:

• Banks
• Non-Banking Financial Institutions (NBFIs)
• Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• Microfinance Institutions

Informal Sources of Credit:

• Local Money Lenders
• Friends, Relatives
• Other Methods

Why do banks offer higher interest rates on fixed deposits than on savings deposits?

Banks offer higher interest rates on fixed deposits than on savings deposits because money in fixed deposits is committed for a specific period, providing the bank with greater certainty about the availability of those funds for lending. Savings deposits, on the other hand, allow for withdrawals according to the depositor's needs, making them less predictable for the bank.

How do commercial banks influence economic activity?

• Accepting Deposits: They gather savings from the public, acting as a safe haven for money.
• Providing Loans: They convert these deposits into various types of loans for individuals and entrepreneurs, thereby financing production, investment, and consumption. This function is crucial for economic development.
• Facilitating Transactions: Through various banking services (e.g., credit/debit cards, ATM, online banking, NEFT, RTGS, UPI), they speed up money transactions, which accelerates economic growth.
• Credit Creation: By keeping a portion of deposits as reserves and lending the rest, they expand the money supply in the economy, which can stimulate economic activity.
• Income Generation: The difference between interest charged to borrowers and interest paid to depositors (the "spread") is the bank's income, contributing to the financial sector's economic activity.

What are the steps the government has taken to promote financial inclusion?

• Nationalization of Banks: 14 banks in 1969 and 6 in 1980, to expand banking facilities in rural areas, provide credit to farmers at lower rates, ensure equitable credit distribution, and prevent concentration of economic power.
• Co-operative Banking Systems: To activate the rural economy by providing banking facilities to villagers and ordinary farmers, inculcate saving habits, protect from private moneylenders, and provide low-cost loans.
• Microfinance: Schemes like Kudumbashree in Kerala work on the concept of microfinance, providing financial services to low-income individuals who lack access to conventional banking, promoting poverty alleviation, women empowerment, and entrepreneurship.
• Jan Dhan Account: A scheme to open zero-minimum-balance bank accounts for all unbanked individuals, promoting financial literacy and banking habits.
• Promotion of Digital Currencies: Encouraging Aadhaar-based payment systems, e-wallets, and National Finance Switch to reduce physical currency use and move towards a cashless economy.