The latest Understanding Society India and Beyond Class 9 Solutions and Class 9 Social Science SST Chapter 3 Atmosphere and Climate Question Answer NCERT Solutions are prepared according to the updated syllabus.
Class 9 SST Chapter 3 Atmosphere and Climate Question Answer
Class 9 Atmosphere and Climate Question Answer
The Big Questions (Page No. 39)
Question 1.
What is the composition of the atmosphere?
Answer:
The Earth’s atmosphere is a mixture of gases, water vapour, and dust particles. It mainly consists of nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), along with small amounts of argon (0.93%), carbon dioxide (0.04%), helium, neon, krypton, xenon, ozone, and hydrogen. Water vapour (0.1-0.4%) plays an important role in cloud formation and precipitation, while dust particles also contribute to weather processes.
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Question 2.
How do the different layers of the atmosphere affect the planet Earth?
Answer:
The different layers of the atmosphere each play a unique role in protecting Earth and influencing weather and climate:
| Layer | Altitude Range | Effect on Earth |
| 1. Troposphere | 0 – 12 km | Contains the air we breathe, most water vapour, and clouds; all weather phenomena (rainfall, fog, storms) occur here. |
| 2. Stratosphere | 12 – 50 km | Houses the ozone layer, which filters harmful UV radiation and protects life. |
| 3. Mesosphere | 50 – 80 km | Burns up meteors before they reach Earth. |
| 4. Thermosphere | 80 – 700 km | Absorbs X-rays and UV rays; helps in radio transmission through the ionosphere, and is the region where auroras occur. |
| 5. Exosphere | Outermost Layer | Has very thin air and gradually merges into outer space, allowing gases hydrogen and helium to escape into space. |
Question 3.
What is the mechanism of monsoon?
Answer:
The monsoon is a seasonal wind system caused by the unequal heating of land and the sea. During summer, the land heats up faster than the surrounding oceans, creating a low-pressure area over the land and a high-pressure area over the oceans. Moist winds from the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal move towards the land and bring heavy rainfall. During winter, the situation reverses as land cools faster than the surrounding oceans, causing winds to blow from land towards the sea. After passing over the Bay of Bengal, these winds absorb moisture and bring rainfall to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka. This seasonal reversal of winds is known as the monsoon mechanism.
Question 4.
How can we reduce our carbon footprint?
Answer:
A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gases released by human activities. To reduce it, we need to adopt eco-friendly habits in our daily lives.
Steps to reduce the carbon footprint are:
- Save energy: Switch off lights and fans when not in use, and use energy-efficient appliances.
- Use renewable energy: Solar panels, wind energy, and hydropower instead of fossil fuels.
- Use Eco-friendly transport: Walk, cycle, carpool, or use public transport instead of private vehicles.
- Plant trees: Trees absorb carbon dioxide and help improve air quality.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle: Minimise waste by recycling paper, plastic, glass and metals.
- Adopt Sustainable lifestyles: Use cloth bags, avoid single-use plastics, and prefer environmentally friendly products.
- Conserve water: Save water to reduce the energy required for its supply and treatment.
Atmosphere and Climate Question Answer Class 9
InText Questions
Let’s Explore
Question 1.
Find out other categories of wind based on speed and their common effects, and share your findings in class. (Page No. 46)
Answer:
Winds can be classified according to their speed and intensity. A breeze is a gentle wind that creates pleasant weather. A strong wind can make movement difficult and can blow away light objects. A gale is a very strong wind that can damage trees and buildings. A storm is accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds, causing widespread disruption. A cyclone has extremely high wind speeds and can result in severe damage to property, crops, and infrastructure. The effects of wind generally become severe as its speed increases.
Question 2.
Describe in your own words how monsoon affects the lives of the people around you. (Page No. 52)
Answer:
The monsoon has a significant impact on the lives of people around me. It provides the rainfall needed for agriculture, helping farmers sow and grow crops and ensuring food production. Monsoon rains also replenish rivers, reservoirs, wells, and groundwater resources. The weather becomes cooler and more pleasant after the hot summer months. However, excessive rainfall can cause waterlogging, traffic disruptions, floods, and damage to property. Thus, while the monsoon is essential for water supply and agriculture, it can also create challenges when rainfall is very heavy.
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Question 3.
My Carbon Footprint (Page No. 53-54)
Step 1: My Daily Habits
Tick the options that best describe you.
A. Transport
- I usually walk/use a cycle. (Low impact)
- I use public transport/carpool. (Medium impact)
- I travel by private cars even for short distances. (High impact)
- I take flights more than twice a year. (Very high impact)
B. Electricity Use
- I always switch off electrical appliances (lights, fans, etc.) when not in use. (Low impact)
- I sometimes forget to switch off electrical appliances (lights, fans, etc.). (Medium impact)
- I leave electrical appliances (lights, fans, etc.) on frequently. (High impact)
C. Water Use
- I use water judiciously, for example, just one bucket of water for bathing. (Low impact)
- I sometimes waste water (leaving the tap running/ more buckets of water for a bath/long showers). (Medium impact)
- I rarely think about saving water. (High impact)
D. Waste and Plastics
- I reuse, recycle, and avoid single-use plastics. (Low impact)
- I sometimes use disposable plastics (bottles/bags/ straws). (Medium impact)
- I often throw away plastic and do not recycle. (High impact)
Step 2: Score Yourself
- Low impact choices = 1 point
- Medium impact choices = 2 points
- High impact choices = 3 points
- Very high impact choices = 4 points
Now add up your total score: _________ points
Step 3: My Climate Action Pledge
Think about two simple changes you can make to reduce your score, and write them down below.
1. ______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
Answer:
Students to do it themselves.
Think About It
Question 1.
Can you imagine what would happen if there were no atmosphere? Discuss your thoughts with your friends and teachers. (Page No. 39)

Answer:
If there were no atmosphere, life on Earth would not be possible. There would be no air to breathe and no protection from the Sun’s harmful radiation. The Earth would experience extremely hot temperatures during the day and freezing temperatures at night. Water would not remain in liquid form for long, affecting plants, animals, and humans. Meteorites would strike the Earth’s surface directly because there would be no atmosphere to burn them up. Thus, the atmosphere is essential for protecting the Earth and supporting life.
Question 2.
You might have noticed that sometimes the wind is so strong that it is difficult to walk against it. Can you think of some other times when strong winds have caused problems for you? (Page No. 45)
Answer:
Strong winds can create many difficulties in daily life. I remember returning from school when strong winds suddenly started blowing. It became difficult to walk against the wind, and I had to hold my bag tightly to stop it from being blown away. I saw clothes and loose papers flying through the air, and dust making it difficult to see clearly. As I walked further, I noticed tree branches had fallen on the road, causing traffic to slow down. Later, there was also a power cut in my area because of the storm. This experience showed me how strong winds can affect transportation, safety, and normal day-to-day activities.
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Question 3.
Hindustani Classical music associates certain ragas with specific seasons. Find out which ragas are connected to each season with the help of your elders and teachers. (Page No. 48)
Answer:
In Hindustani classical music, different ragas are traditionally associated with different seasons because they are believed to reflect the mood and beauty of nature during that time. For example, Raga Basant and Raga Bahar are linked with spring, while Raga Megh, Megh Malhar, and Miyan ki Malhar are associated with the rainy season. Raga Hemant is connected with early winter, and Raga Deepak is traditionally linked with summer. These ragas reflect the mood and beauty of each season through music.
Let’s Recall
Question 1.
How is nitrogen useful for plants? Remember that you learnt this in the chapter ‘The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eyes’, in your Grade 8 Science textbook. (Page No. 40)
Answer:
Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plants. It helps in the formation of proteins, chlorophyll, and other substances required for the growth and development of plants. Although nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere, plants cannot use it directly. Certain bacteria in the soil convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms such as nitrates, which plants absorb through their roots. Thus, nitrogen plays a vital role in maintaining plant health and increasing crop productivity.
Let’s Analyse
Question 1.
Note down the weather report from a local newspaper for two weeks and observe the changes occurring in the weather. (Page No. 47)
Answer:
I observed the weather report of my city for two weeks. During the first week, the temperature remained between 38°C and 42°C with clear skies and hot winds. In the second week, cloud cover increased, and light to moderate rainfall occurred on several days. The temperature dropped to around 30°C-35°C, and humidity increased. Wind speed also increased before the rainfall. These observations show that weather conditions change from day to day due to variations in temperature, rainfall, humidity, cloud cover, and wind.
Classroom Discussion
Question 1.
To what extent did natural factors cause these floods compared to human activities? (Page No. 56)
Answer:
Natural factors played a major role in causing the floods, as very heavy monsoon rains, intensified by western disturbances, caused the rivers Satluj, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggar to overflow. However, human activities such as weak and old river embankments, construction near riverbanks, silt accumulation in rivers and dams, and delayed flood warnings further increased the damage. Therefore, both natural and human factors were responsible, with human activities worsening the impact of the floods.
Question 2.
Do you think better planning could have reduced the damage? How? (Page No. 56)
Answer:
Yes, better planning could have reduced the damage. Regular maintenance of river embankments, timely removal of silt from rivers and dams, preventing construction near riverbanks, and issuing early flood warnings could have reduced flooding and helped protect lives, property, and crops.
Question 3.
What are the guidelines for the management of floods according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)? (Page No. 56)
Answer:
According to the NDMA, flood management includes improving flood forecasting and early warning systems, maintaining embankments and drainage systems, avoiding construction in flood-prone areas, preparing evacuation plans, and creating public awareness to reduce the loss of life and property.
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Question 4.
What role can students/youth play in helping with disaster preparedness? (Page No. 56)
Answer:
Students and youth can spread accurate information, help elderly people, children, and persons with disabilities during evacuation, assist in relief camps, encourage people to follow safety measures, and participate in awareness programmes. Their active involvement can support the community and reduce the impact of disasters.
Atmosphere and Climate Class 9 Questions and Answers
Questions and Activities (Page No. 57-59)
Question 1.
What is atmosphere? Explain its composition with the help of a pie diagram.
Answer:
The atmosphere is a mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth and is held around it by gravity. It protects living organisms from harmful solar radiation, helps regulate the Earth’s temperature, and provides the air necessary for life.

The pie diagram shows the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere as follows:
- Nitrogen (78%) is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere and makes up the largest share of it.
- Oxygen (21%) is the second-largest component of the atmosphere and is necessary for the survival of living organisms.
- Argon (0.93%) is present in a small amount in the atmosphere.
- Carbon dioxide (0.04%) is found in a very small quantity.
- The remaining 0.03% includes gases such as helium, neon, krypton, xenon, ozone, and hydrogen.
- The atmosphere also contains water vapour (0.1%-0.4%) and tiny dust particles, which play an important role in cloud formation and precipitation.
Question 2.
Draw a labelled diagram of the structure of the atmosphere.
Answer:
The atmosphere consists of five major layers arranged from Earth’s surface outwards, based on changes in temperature and density with increasing altitude.

Question 3.
Which are the four main seasons of India?
Answer:
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has recognised four main seasons in India:
1. Winter Season (December to Early April)
The winter season is marked by low temperatures and cool, dry weather.
The coldest months are December and January.
In North-Western India, some areas experience fog, frost, and snowfall in the Himalayan region.
2. Summer or Pre-monsoon Season (April to June)
During this season, temperatures rise significantly, and the weather becomes hot and dry.
April is generally the hottest month in western and southern India, while May is the hottest in northern India.
The average temperature in most inland areas ranges between 32°C and 40°C.
3. Monsoon or Rainy (Advancing Monsoon) Season (June to September)
This season is dominated by the humid South-West monsoon winds, which spread across the country and bring most of India’s annual rainfall. Monsoon rains begin to withdraw from northern India at the beginning of October, while South India receives more rainfall during this period.
4. Post-monsoon (Retreating Monsoon) Season (October to November)
During this season, the monsoon winds gradually withdraw from the country.
In north-western India, October and November are usually clear and cloudless.
Question 4.
Why do you not feel the pressure of the atmosphere?
Answer:
We do not feel the pressure of the atmosphere because the air pressure acting on our body from all directions is balanced by the pressure inside our body. The gases and fluids present within our body exert an equal outward pressure that balances the atmospheric pressure. As a result, there is no net force acting on our body, so we do not feel the weight of the atmosphere. We notice changes in atmospheric pressure only under special conditions, such as at high altitudes or underwater.
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Question 5.
In which layer of the atmosphere do aeroplanes fly and why?
Answer:
Aeroplanes generally fly in the lower stratosphere. This layer has stable weather conditions and is free from clouds, storms, and heavy turbulence that are common in the troposphere. The air is also thinner, which reduces friction and helps aircraft move more efficiently, saving fuel. Therefore, the stratosphere provides safer and smoother conditions for air travel.
Question 6.
Distinguish between the following:
(a) The troposphere and stratosphere
(b) The south-west monsoon and north-east monsoon
Answer:
The differences between the troposphere and stratosphere and the south-west monsoon and north-east monsoon are given below:
(a) The troposphere and stratosphere
| Troposphere | Stratosphere |
| It is the lowest layer of the atmosphere. | It lies above the troposphere. |
| It extends up to about 12 km above the Earth’s surface. | It extends up to 50 km. |
| All weather phenomena such as clouds, rainfall, and storms occur here. | Weather conditions are generally calm and stable. |
| Temperature decreases with increasing altitude. | Temperature increases with increasing altitude. |
| It contains the air we breathe along with most of the water vapour and clouds. | It contains the ozone layer that filters the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. |
(b) The south-west monsoon and north-east monsoon
| South-West Monsoon | North-East (Retreating) Monsoon |
| Occurs from June to September. | Occurs from October to February. |
| Winds blow from the sea towards the land. | Winds blow from the land towards the sea. |
| Brings most of India’s annual rainfall. | Brings little rainfall to most parts of India. |
| It is caused by the unequal heating of land and sea. | It develops when the land cools faster than the surrounding seas. |
| Very important for agriculture and water resources. | After passing over the Bay of Bengal, the winds bring rainfall to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka. |
Question 7.
Do it yourself: The table (below) shows the average monthly temperatures and rainfall amounts for 10 representative stations. Study these figures on your own and convert them into ‘temperature and rainfall1 graphs. The visual representations will help you grasp their similarities and differences at a glance. One such graph (Fig. below) is already prepared for you. See if you can arrive at some broad generalisations about our diverse climatic conditions.


Answer:
The temperature and rainfall graphs of the 10 representative stations are shown below:




Question 7.1.
Now look at the given Table again. Re-arrange the 10 stations according to their distance from the equator.
Answer:
The 10 representative stations are arranged below from the nearest to the farthest from the equator based on their latitudes:
- Thiruvananthapuram (8°29’N)
- Bengaluru (12°58’N)
- Chennai (13°4’N)
- Mumbai (19°N)
- Nagpur (21°9’N)
- Kolkata (22°34’N)
- Shillong (24°34’N)
- Jodhpur(26° 18’N)
- Delhi (29°N)
- Leh (34°N)
Question 7.2.
Find out:
(a) Two stations with the most extreme climate.
(b) Two stations influenced by retreating monsoons.
(c) The two hottest stations in the months of (i) February (ii) June.
Answer:
(a) Two stations with the most extreme climate
Jodhpur and Leh have the most extreme climate, as both experience a large difference between their summer and winter temperatures.
(b) Two stations influenced by retreating monsoons.
Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram
These stations receive significant rainfall during October and November due to the retreating (north-east) monsoon.
(c) The two hottest stations in the months of
(i) February
- Thiruvananthapuram – 27.3°C
- Chennai – 25.7°C
(ii) June
- Delhi – 33.3°C
- Jodhpur – 33.9°C
Question 7.3.
Now find out:
(a) Why does Shillong experience more rainfall than Kolkata?
(b) Why does Delhi receive more rainfall than Jodhpur?
Answer:
(a) Shillong receives heavy rainfall because it is located in the Khasi Hills. Moist monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal are forced to rise along the hills, causing abundant rainfall. Kolkata, being located on the plains, receives less rainfall than Shillong.
(b) Delhi receives more rainfall because it is more directly affected by the south-west monsoon winds. Jodhpur lies in the arid region of Rajasthan, where the Aravalli Range does not effectively obstruct the monsoon winds, resulting in lower rainfall.
Question 7.4.
Now think why
(a) Thiruvananthapuram has an equable climate?
(b) Chennai has more rainfall only after the fury of the monsoon is over in most parts of the country?
(c) Leh has moderate precipitation almost throughout the year?
Answer:
(a) Thiruvananthapuram is situated near the sea. The moderating influence of the Arabian Sea keeps temperatures fairly uniform throughout the year, resulting in an equable climate.
(b) Chennai receives most of its rainfall during the north-east (retreating) monsoon during October and November. At this time, winds pick up moisture from the Bay of Bengal and bring rainfall to the Coromandel Coast.
(c) Leh is located in a high-altitude cold desert region. It receives little but fairly uniform precipitation throughout the year because it lies in the rain-shadow region of the Himalayas, where moisture-bearing winds cannot reach easily.
Question 7.5.
Despite these differences across regions, can you observe any substantial evidence to conclude that the monsoons provide a very strong framework, lending overall climatic unity to the whole country?
Answer:
Yes, the monsoon provides climatic unity to India. Although temperature and rainfall vary from region to region, most parts of the country receive rainfall due to the seasonal monsoon winds. Agriculture, water resources, and the daily lives of people largely depend on the monsoon. Thus, the monsoon acts as a common climatic factor that links different regions of India and gives the country a sense of climatic unity.
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Question 8.
Collect pictures of houses and clothing of people from different regions of India. Examine whether they reflect any relationship with the climatic conditions or the relief of those regions.
Answer:
Houses and clothing from different regions of India are given below.
1. Rajasthan (Hot and Dry Desert Region)


2. Himachal Pradesh (Mountainous and Cold Region)

3. Kerala (Hot, Humid, High Rainfall Region)

4. Assam (Heavy Rainfall Region)


5. Ladakh (Cold Desert Region)

After examining pictures of houses and clothing from different regions of India, I found that they clearly reflect the climatic conditions and relief features of those regions.
- In Rajasthan, houses have thick walls and small windows to protect people from intense heat and dust storms. People wear loose cotton clothes that keep them cool in the hot desert climate.
- In Himachal Pradesh, houses are made of wood and stone with sloping roofs to prevent the accumulation of snow. People wear woollen clothes to protect themselves from cold weather.
- In Kerala, houses have sloping tiled roofs that allow rainwater to flow off easily during heavy rainfall. People wear light cotton clothes because the climate is hot and humid.
- In Assam, many houses are built on stilts to protect them from floods. People wear light and comfortable clothes suitable for the humid climate.
- In Ladakh, houses are built with stone and mud to keep the interiors warm during extremely cold winters. People wear thick woollen clothes to protect themselves from the severe cold.
These adaptations help people live comfortably under the climatic conditions of their respective regions.
The post Atmosphere and Climate Class 9 Question Answer SST Chapter 3 appeared first on Learn CBSE.
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