Chap 2 – Understanding the Weather

Q 1. How can we measure and monitor the weather around us?
A. We use special tools:

• Thermometer for temperature,

• Rain-gauge for rain and snow,

• Barometer for air-pressure,

• Anemometer or wind-vane for wind speed and direction,

• Hygrometer for humidity.
  By checking these tools often, we know exactly how the weather is changing.

Q 2. How do weather predictions help us prepare for heavy rain, storms, drought and heat waves?
A. If we know bad weather is coming, we can act early: store water for drought, keep children indoors during heat waves, warn fishermen before storms, and move people from flood areas before very heavy rain.

In-text and Activity Questions

1. LET’S EXPLORE (p 28): What words in your local language describe the weather?
   Answer example. Marathi: “उकाडा” (very hot), “थंड” (cold), “ढगाळ” (cloudy), “ओलसर” (humid).

2. THINK ABOUT IT (p 29): How will Krishnan tell Amir how cold it is in Chennai?
   Answer. He should give a number, such as “The temperature is only 20 °C,” so Amir can understand exactly.

3. LET’S EXPLORE (p 29): Other reasons to measure weather precisely?
   Answer. Farmers decide when to plant seeds, pilots choose safe flight paths, doctors warn older people during heat waves, and schools plan outdoor games only when the weather is fine.

4. LET’S EXPLORE (p 32): Using the temperature chart, find the maximum, minimum, and range.

   • Highest max = 32 °C (03-03-2025)

   • Lowest min = 14 °C (05-03-2025)

   • Range = 32 °C – 14 °C = 18 °C.

5. THINK ABOUT IT (p 33): Amir’s likely reaction to 20 °C in Chennai?
   Answer. He may smile and say 20 °C feels pleasant for someone from Kashmir, where winters drop much lower.

6. LET’S EXPLORE (p 33): Make a rain-gauge. What should you do?
   Answer. Put a clean bottle with a funnel in the open, straight and steady. Check water depth at the same time daily and write the numbers. Average each week to see if rain is increasing or decreasing.

7. THINK ABOUT IT (p 34): Why measure air-pressure and who uses it?
   Answer. Falling pressure can mean storms or cyclones. Sailors, pilots, fishermen, weather scientists and rescue teams use the readings to stay safe.

8. THINK ABOUT IT (p 36): What happens to flying seeds if there is no wind?
   Answer. Seeds would fall near the parent plant and many might not grow. Wind helps them spread far where they can find space and soil.

9. LET’S EXPLORE (p 37): Where is humidity higher, Kochi or Jaipur? How to compare Kochi and Mangaluru?
   Answer. Kochi (near the sea) has more humidity than desert-side Jaipur. To compare Kochi and Mangaluru, use a hygrometer in both cities at the same time and note the percentages.

10. THINK ABOUT IT (p 38): Clothes drying and sweating at 52 % vs 84 % humidity.
    Answer. Clothes dry faster in Delhi at 52 % humidity. People will sweat more and feel sticky in Kochi at 84 %.

11. LET’S EXPLORE (p 40): Situations helped by weather forecasts.
    Answer.

    • Farmers planning irrigation.

    • Fishermen avoiding rough seas.

    • Airlines scheduling flights.

    • Families carrying umbrellas for school.

    • City teams cleaning drains before heavy rain.

12. LET’S EXPLORE (p 41): Questions about the 19 May 2024 IMD map.

    • a. What is happening? Many areas have alerts: heat waves in the north-west, heavy rain with thunder in the north-east and Lakshadweep, and strong winds on the east coast.

    • b. States with warning signs? Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (heat); Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram (heavy rain); Kerala and Lakshadweep (rain and wind).

    • c. Areas free from severe weather? Central India (Madhya Pradesh) and parts of Tamil Nadu show no warning.

    • d. States facing heat-wave conditions? Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh.

    • e. Cause of warnings in Tripura and Lakshadweep? Tripura: heavy rain with storms; Lakshadweep: very heavy rain and strong winds.

End-of-Chapter “Questions and Activities” (pages 42-43)

Q 1. Match the instrument with the weather element.

Q 2. What clothes should Jyotsna pack for Mumbai in June (29 °C, 84 % humidity)?
A. Light cotton T-shirts, shorts or loose trousers, a cap, sandals, and a small towel. She should avoid heavy jackets and keep a water bottle to stay cool.

Q 3. Best site for the school rain-gauge and why?
A. Open ground with an elevated platform (option 3).
It is away from walls and roofs that block rain, stands level, and the platform stops splashes from mud.

Q 4. Short weather report for Jammu & Kashmir (1-02-2024).
“Good evening! On 1 February 2024, most places in Jammu & Kashmir were chilly. Srinagar had a maximum of 6 .5 °C and almost no rain. Qazigund was colder at 3 .2 °C and received 11.8 mm of rain. Pahalgam was near freezing, with light snow of 8 cm. Kupwara stayed at 5 °C with only 0.5 mm rain. Kukernag had 12 mm rain, while the ski-spot Gulmarg was coldest at −2 .6 °C and saw 8 cm fresh snow. Humidity stayed high everywhere (76 %–100 %), so the air felt damp.”