NCERT Class 7 Science Weather Climate and Adaptation

7 Weather, Climate and

Adaptations of Animals to

Climate

Do you remember the things that you were asked to pack when you were heading for a hill station? When the sky is cloudy, your parents insist that you carry an umbrella. Have you heard elders in your family discuss the weather before planning a family function? You must have also heard the experts discussing the weather before the start of a game. Have you ever wondered why? The weather may have a profound effect on the game. It has a profound effect on our lives. Many of our daily activities are planned based on the weather predicted for that day. There are daily reports of the weather on the television and radio and in the newspapers. But do you know what this weather really is? In this chapter, we will study about the weather and climate. We will also see how different forms of life are adapted to the climate of their habitat.

7.1 WEATHER

In Fig. 7.1 a sample of weather report from a newspaper is given. We find that the daily weather report carries information about the temperature, humidity and rainfall during the past 24 hours. It also predicts the weather for the day. Humidity, as you might know, is a measure of the moisture in air.

Activity 7.1

Cut out the weather reports of the last week from any newspaper. If you do not get a newspaper at home borrow from your neighbours or friends and copy these reports in your notebook. You can also collect weather reports from a library. Paste all the cut-outs on a white sheet or on a chart paper. Now record the information from the weather reports collected by you in Table 7.1. The first row is just a sample.

Fill all the columns according to the data in the chart that you have prepared Do all the seven days have the same maximum and minimum temperatures, humidity and rainfall? The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded may be the same for some of the days. However, all the parameters are not the same on any two days. Over a week there may be considerable variation. The dayto- day condition of the atmosphere at a place with respect to the temperature, humidity, rainfall, windspeed, etc., is called the weather at that place. The temperature, humidity, and other factors are called the elements of the weather. The weather of a place changes day after day and week after week. That is why we often say, “today’s weather is too humid”, or “the weather was warm last week”.

The weather is such a complex phenomenon that it can vary over very short periods of time. It can happen sometimes that it is sunny in the morning, but suddenly clouds appear from nowhere and it starts raining heavily. Or, a heavy rain may vanish in a matter of minutes and give way to bright sunshine. You must have had several such experiences. Try to recall any such experience and share it with your friends. Since weather is such a complex phenomenon, it is not easy to predict.

Exercises

1. Name the elements that determine the weather of a place.

2. When are the maximum and minimum temperature likely to occur during the day?

3. Fill in the blanks:

(i) The average weather taken over a long time is called ___________

(ii) A place receives very little rainfall and the temperature is high throughout the year, the climate of that place will be ___________ and ___________ .

(iii) The two regions of the earth with extreme climatic conditions are ___________ and __________.

4. Indicate the type of climate of the following areas:

(a) Jammu and Kashmir: _________________________________

(b) Kerala: ____________________________________________

(c) Rajasthan: __________________________________________

(d) North-east India: _____________________________________

5. Which of the two changes frequently, weather or climate?

6. The tropical rainforest has a large population of animals. Explain why it is so.

7. Explain, with examples, why we find animals of certain kind living in particular climatic conditions.

8. How do elephant living in the tropical rainforest adapt itself.

Please refer to attached file for NCERT Class 7 Science Weather, Climate and Adaptation