Winds, Storms and Cyclones

NCERT TEXTBOOK EXCERSISE

Q.1.Fill the missing word in the blank spaces in the following statements:
(a) Wind is ___________air.
(b) Winds are generated due to _________ heating on the earth.
(c) Near the earth’s surface _________ air rises up whereas _________ air
comes down.
(d) Air moves from a region _________of pressure to a region _________of
pressure.
Ans.(a) moving (b) uneven
(c) warm, cooler (d) high, low

Q.2. Suggest two methods to find out wind direction at a given place.
Ans.(i) Take a piece of a paper in your hand. Allow it to fall from your hand. It will
flow in the direction in which wind is blowing.
(ii) You can also use a wind-pane which helps us to know accurate wind direction.

Q.3.State two experiences that made you think that air exerts pressure.
Ans.(i) Balloons and balls can be used only when they are inflated with air. When
balloon is overfilled with air it bursts due to excessive air pressure.
(ii) Compressed air is used in the brake system for stopping trains.

Q.4.You want to buy a house. Would you like to buy a house having windows
but no ventilators? Explain your answer.
Ans.No, a house which has no ventilators is not a safe or healthy house to live in.
The air circulation is not there in such a house. So, it has no fresh air. Because warm
air rises up and goes out through ventilators and fresh air comes in through
windows.

Q.5.Explain why holes are made in hanging banners and hoardings.

Ans.Air exerts pressure. Due to this pressure banners and hoarding flutter and torn
when wind is blowing fast. Holes are made in banners and hoardings so that wind
passes through the holes and they do not become loose and fall down.

Q.6.How will you help your neighbours in case cyclone approaches your
village/town?
Ans. (i) I will make them aware of cyclone forecast and warning service.
(ii) Rapid communication of warning to the government agencies and all the
important places.
(iii) Construction of cyclone shelters in the cyclone prone areas.
(iv) Helping them to shift essential goods, domestic animals etc. to safer places.

Q.7.What planning is required in advance to deal with the situation created by

a cyclone?
Ans.To deal with cyclone, it is important to follow the following points :
(i) carefully listening the warnings transmitted on T.V. and radio.
(ii) moving to the safer places.
(iii) keeping an emergency kit ready.
(iv) store food in waterproof bags. .
(v) not venturing into sea.
(vi) keeping all the emergency numbers.

Q.8. Which one of the following places is unlikely to be affected by cyclone?

(i) Chennai (ii) Mangalore
(iii) Amritsar (iv) Puri
Ans.(iv) Amritsar

Q.9.Which of the statements given below is correct?

(i) In winter the winds flow from the land to the ocean.
(ii) In summer the winds flow from the land towards the ocean.
(iii) A cyclone is formed by a very high-pressure system with very high-speed
winds revolving around it.
(iv) The coastline of India is not vulnerable to cyclones.
Ans.(i) In winter the winds flow from the land to the ocean.

Question 1.
Why is Chandigarh unlikely to be affected by a cyclone? [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Chandigarh is unlikely to be affected by a cyclone because it is not near to the sea or
an ocean.

Question 2.
Discuss the major cause of winds.
Answer:
Wind currents are generated due to uneven heating on the earth. It may be between
equator and pole and between land and water.

Question 3.
Name the ocean which is mainly responsible to bring rain bearing monsoon winds to
Kerala coast in June every year. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
An Indian ocean is mainly responsible to bring rain bearing monsoon winds to Kerala
coast in June every year.

Question 4.
Briefly describe the effect of heat on air pressure.
Answer:
The heat causes air to expand and occupies more space. It becomes lighter. That’s
why, warm air is lighter than the cold air.

Question 5.
To expel hot air out of the kitchen, A has an exhaust fan fitted on the window of her
kitchen and B has a similar exhaust fan fitted on the wall near the ceiling of her
kitchen. Which of the exhaust fan will expel the hot air more effectively? Explain why.
[NCERT Exemplar; HOTS]
Answer:
B’s exhaust fan will expel the hot air more effectively because hot air rises up and
her fan is at greater height than A’s.

Question 6.
Enlist the other names of cyclone.
Answer:
Hurricane and typhoon are the other names of cyclone.

Question 7.
Suggest some precautions to be taken to prevent the roof of a tin sheet from flying
away during a fierce wind storm. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
Some precautions are

 Put heavy stones on it.

 Screw it tight.

Question 8.
Name the instrument which is used to measure the speed of wind.
Answer:
Anemometer is used to measure the speed of wind.

Question 9.
A flag mounted on a flag post near the sea coast flutters in the direction of sea. At
what time of the day does this happen — at mid-night or in the afternoon? [NCERT
Exemplar]
Answer:
In the mid-night, the wind blows from land to sea. So, in the mid-night flag mounted
on a flag post near the sea coast flutters in the direction of sea.

Question 10.
Figure shows a diagrammatic representation of trees in the afternoon along a sea
coast. State on which side is the sea, A or B? Give reasons for your choice. [NCERT
Exemplar]
Answer:
In the afternoon, the wind blows from sea to land.
As pressure on the land is less than the pressure above sea, so the sea is on B side.

Question 11.
Name the factor responsible for the increase of speed of wind or cyclones.
Answer:
Factors like wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity contribute to the
development of cyclones.

Question 12.
Name some cyclones that occurred in the past.
Answer:
Hugo, Katrina, Rita, Hud-Hud and Phailin are the various types of cyclones that
occurred in the past.

Question 13.
Can you say why smoke always rises up?
Answer:
As we know that smoke is the combination of hot airs and hot air becomes light
weight with respect to cold air. Thus, it always rises up.

Question 14.
In the wind flow pattern, it can be found that the wind shown is not in the exact
North-South direction. Explain why.
Answer:
It is because the winds would have blown in the North-South direction either from
North to South or from South to North. A change in direction is however caused by
the rotation of the earth.

Question 15.
Monsoon winds are helpful. Do you agree?
Answer:
The monsoon winds carry water and it rains. Clouds bring rain and give us
happiness. Farmers in our country depend mainly on rains for their harvests. So,
monsoon winds are helpful.

Winds, Storms and Cyclones Class 7 Science Extra

Questions Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
Paheli kept an empty bottle made of plastic inside a refrigerator. After few hours,
when she opened the refrigerator, she found the bottle had collapsed. Explain the
possible reason. [NCERT Exemplar; HOTS]
Answer:
On cooling the air, contraction of air takes place. The air inside the bottle contracts
due to low temperature. Hence, the bottle collapses due to the outside pressure.

Question 2.
Mention an example when the cyclone hit a part of India and how much destruction
was caused due to it.
Answer:
Orissa (a part of India) was hit by cyclone in 18th October 1999. The wind speed
was 200 km/h and smashed 45000 houses making 700000 people homeless.
Another cyclone hit the Orissa again an 29th October with the wind speed of 260
km/h. Thousands of people lost their lives and property worth crores of rupees was
destroyed.

Question 3.
When strong/high speed wind blows, an umbrella held upright at times gets
upturned. Explain the reason. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answer:
High speed wind passing over the umbrella creates low pressure above the umbrella
with respect to below of it. Therefore, the umbrella upturns.

Question 4.
Give three precautions that should be taken to protect oneself from the
thunderstorm. [Value Based Question]
Answer:
The following three precautions must be taken to protect oneself from the lightning of
thunderstorm

 Do not take shelter under an isolated tree.

 Do not lie on the ground
 Do not take shelter under an umbrella with a metallic end.

Question 5.
Explain thunderstorm and how are they produced.
Answer:
The swift movement of the falling water along with the rising warm air producing
sound, lightning, heavy rain and strong wind is called thunderstorm.

Question 6.
Name some effective safety measures against cyclone?
Answer:
On the part of government

 Cyclone forecast and warning system must be installed.

  Information about cyclone should be given to the people in time through rapid
communication system.
 Construction of cyclone-shelter in cyclone-prone areas.
 Administrative arrangement should be taken to move people faster to safer
places.

On the part of the people

 People should follow the essential guidelines provided by the agencies through
TV radio, phones, etc.
 Proper arrangement should be made to shift the essential household goods,
domestic animals, etc. to the safer places.
 Avoid driving on road which are under water because flood might have
damaged the road.
 Phone numbers of all the emergency services like police, fire brigade,
hospitals, etc. should be kept ready.

These are produced by the dark clouds which form at fairly low altitude in the
atmosphere.

Question 7.
Tornado is different from a cyclone. Briefly explain Tornado. What destructions does
it cause?
Answer:
These are formed over sea and are called water spouts. Tornado develops from
thunderstorm and are formed mostly on the land. These are violent and can reach
the speeds of more than 500 km/h destroying everything in their path. These are not
very common in India but occurs in Canada and USA.

Most of the tornadoes are weak. When the warm air from the earth’s surface rises
up, it whirls around it and causes very high speed winds. These are much smaller
than cyclones, i.e. from a few metre to a few hundred metre but the wind speed can
rise as high as 500 km/h. The funnel of tornado sucks up everything at its base like
dust, debris, cars, trees and even houses.

Question 8.
The advanced technologies issue the alerts and warnings of unexpected storm.
Comment.
Answer:
The technologies that include satellites and radars issue the information of expected
storm in advance in the form of cyclone warnings. It is issued in two stages, i.e. a
cyclone alert or cyclone watch is issued 48 h in advance of any expected storm and
cyclone warning is issued 24 h in advance. The message is broadcasted every hour
or half hour when a cyclone is nearest the coast.

Question 9.
Monsoon brings rain. Explain the formation of monsoon.
Answer:
During summer, when the land gets warmed and temperature of land becomes
higher than that of water in ocean. The air above the land gets heated and rises.
Therefore, the cold wind flows from the ocean towards the land. These are monsoon
winds which bring water and cause rain.

Question 10.
Due to uneven heating of land and ocean water what happens in the following
season?
(a) In winter season
(b) In summer season [HOTS]
Answer:
Due to uneven heating of land and ocean water
(a) In winter season The uneven heating of land and water generates winds from the
North-West colder land which carry little water. It brings small amount of rain in
winter season.
(b) In summer season The uneven heating of land and ocean water generates wind
from the South-West direction. These winds carry lot of water from the Indian ocean.

Question 11.
Rohan was very happy that there was his birthday. He was decorating the room by
blowing balloons. He was wondered that most of his balloons burstd. He rushed to
his father and asked the reason. His father smiled and explained.
(a) Can you explain the region that why his balloons get burst?
(b) What can be conclude from the condition mentioned?
(c) What are the values shown by Rohan? [Value Based Question]
Answer:
(a) When Rohan blows air into the balloon, the balloon gets inflated due to the
pressure exerted by air. But, Rohan observed that most of his balloons burstd. The
reason behind it was, he overfilled the air into the balloon. The warm air gets
expanded inside the balloon and exerted more and due to the more pressure on the
walls of the balloon, balloons burstd.
(b) From the condition mentioned above, it can be concluded that air expands on
heating.
(c) Curiosity to learn and scientific attitude.

Question 12.
How are the pressure difference created in nature?
Answer:
Pressure difference is created in the nature by the heat of the sun. When it falls on
the earth surface, the surface of the earth gets heated and air above it also gets
warm and becomes light weight and moves upward. Thus, the pressure difference is
created.

Question 13.
Describe the following terms briefly.
(a) Trade winds
(b) Wester lies
(c) Polar winds
Answer:
(a) The permanent wind that blows towards the equator from North to South are
called trade winds.
(b) The wind blowing towards 60° N and 60° S latitudes are called wester lies.
(c) The set of wind blowing from the cold polar regions towards 60° N and 60° S
latitudes are called polar winds.

Question 14.
A flat in Mumbai with a balcony facing the sea has some clothes hung on a clothes
line in the balcony. Towards which direction, the clothes will be blown in the
afternoon? Explain it. [NCERT Exemplar; HOTS]
Answer:
As during the afternoon, the land becomes hot which ultimately creates hot air above
it and we know that hot air rises up and there is low pressure created. Thus, winds
from sea start blowing towards the land and the clothes will be blown towards the
house because sea breeze blowing towards the land.

Question 15.
Briefly explain what are cyclones and how are they formed.
Answer:
High speed winds and air pressure difference can cause cyclones.They are formed
when water vapour changes back to liquid by the release of heat. This heat warms
air around and it rises to move up and more air rushes to the vacant place. Thus, a
cycle is formed which have low pressure and very high speed of air.

Winds, Storms and Cyclones Class 7 Science Extra

Questions Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
The picture in figure shows tree line along the sea coast on an tops are permanently
bent in one direction. Are the trees bendisland near the equator. As shown, the tree
towards the sea or away from it? Explain. [NCERT Exemplar]

Answer:
In the given figure, the tree line along the sea coast on an island near the equator
shows that tree tops are permanently bent in one direction. The reason behind this
movement of tree is that during the day time the wind blows from sea to land
because land gets warmer more quickly than sea.

This makes the air of land, warm and lighter which is raised up in the sky. Therefore,
the top of the bent trees shows the moving direction of wind from sea to land.
Question 2.
Describe an activity to demonstrate that warm air is lighter than cool air. [NCERT
Exemplar]
Answer:
Take two paper bags of same size and hang them in the inverted position at the two
ends of metal or wooden stick. Now, tie a piece of strong thread in the middle of the
stick. Now, hold the stick by thread. The wooden stick with two paper bags tied to its
two ends will hang like a common beam balance. Initially, the wooden stick is
perfectly horizontal showing that the two paper bags contain an equal mass of the
air.

Caution Perform the experiment with the help of a teacher.

Now, put the burning candle below the open mouth of one side paper bag. We will
see that after sometime, the left side of wooden stick goes up showing that it has
become lighter than the right side and the balance of the cup is disturbed. The
reason for this is that when a burning candle is placed below the one side paper bag,
the air above the candle flame gets heated. The hot air being lighter rises up and fills
the paper bag above it. Therefore, this side of wooden stick becomes lighter and
moves up.
This experiment shows that the air becomes lighter and moves up.

This fact of air is utilised in launching hot air balloons. In nature, there are several
situations where warm air rises at a place. The air pressure at that place is lowered.
The cold air from the surrounding areas rushes in to fill its place.

Question 3.
State the importance of air pressure. Give reasons for air pressure.
Answer:
The importance of air pressure can be discussed as follows:

 It creates wind The difference in atmospheric pressure gives rise to the wind on
the earth.
 It influences weather Air movement, i.e. downward or upward movement of air,
caused due to differences in pressure creates cloudy and clear sky, brings rain
or fine weather.
  Weather forecasting The changes in air pressure give important clues for
weather forecasting. The air pressure is measured by an instrument called
barometer.

Question 4.
A cyclone is generated from a thunderstorm. How a thunderstorm becomes a
cyclone? Explain.
Answer:
When air moves gently (low speed), it is called a breeze while when it moves
violently (high speed), it is called a storm. When the pressure of air drops, it indicates
the possibility of a storm.

The swift movement of the falling water along with the rising warm air producing
sound, lightning, heavy rain and strong wind is called thunderstorm. It develops in
hot and humid tropical areas like India and is accompanied by heavy rains or hail.
Thunderstorms are produced by the dark clouds which form at fairly low altitude in
the atmosphere. In the tropical area, the air gets warmed up and makes it to rise,
whereas humidity provides the water vapour for the formation of cloud.

Therefore, it can be said that to occur a thunderstorm, it requires moisture, rapidly

rising warm air and sea breeze or mountains.

Question 5.
Advanced technology has helped people to save them from natural calamities like
thunder storm and cyclone. Explain how.
Answer:
During the early part of the last century, the people residing in coastal regions have
less than a day for the preparations or to evacuate their homes from an overcoming
cyclone. But, the today’s situation is very different. Today we are much protected.
We have satellites and radars which can issue the cyclone watch or cyclone alert
before 48 hrs (in advance) of any expected storm and a cyclone warning is issued 24
hrs in advance.

Therefore, the coastal residents have sufficient time to prepare and evacuate their
homes. The message related to cyclone is broadcasted over the ratio every hour or
half hour when a cyclone is nearer the coast.

In this way, the advanced technology has helped us in giving better protection from
cyclones. Several national and international organisations cooperate to monitor the
cyclone related disasters.

Question 6.
The phenomenon of cloud formation, rain, storm and cyclone are inter linked. Do you
agree? If yes, give a flow chart that explain this relation. [HOTS]
Answer:
Yes, the following flow chart explains the phenomenon leading to the formation of
cloud, rain, stornrand cyclone.

Winds, Storms and Cyclones Class 7 Science Extra

Questions Miscellaneous Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
A fire alarm usually detects smoke in case of fire. Where should such an alarm be
placed in a room? [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) Near the door
(b) On the floor
(c) On any wall
(d) On the ceiling
Answer:
(d) On the ceiling

Question 2.
Following are precautions, one must take in case a storm is accompanied by
lightning. [NCERT Exemplar]
(i) Do not take shelter under tree.
(ii) Do not take shelter under an umbrella with a metallic end.
(iii) Do not take shelter in open garages, storage sheds, etc.
(iv) Do not take shelter in a bus in the open.
Which one of these is not correct?
(a) (i)
(b) (ii)
(c) (iii)
(d) (iv)
Answer:
(d) (iv)

Question 3.
Orissa was hit by a cyclone with wind speed of 200 km/h on which date
(a) 18 Oct, 1998
(b) 18 Oct, 1999
(c) 18 Oct, 2001
(d) 18 Oct, 2000
Answer:
(b) 18 Oct, 1999

Question 4.
Four schematic diagrams are shown below to depict the direction of sea breez.
Which of them gives the correct direction? [NCERT Exemplar]

Answer:
(c) In summer, near the equator the land becomes warm and the temperature of the
air increases. This causes the air from the ocean to blow towards the land. These
are known as summer monsoon winds.

Question 5.
The warning of cyclone can be issued
(a) 48 h in advance
(b) 12 h in advance
(c) 6 h in advance
(d) 24 h in advance
Answer:
(d) 24 h in advance

Question 6.
Wind is caused due to
(a) uneven heating of equator and poles
(b) difference in humidity
(c) even heating of land and water
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(a) uneven heating of equator and poles

Question 7.
Figure shows a child blowing air with a straw near the opening of another straw
which has its other end in a soft drink bottle. It was observed that the level of the soft
drink in the straw rises up as soon as air is blown over its open end. Which one of
the following best explains the reason for rise in level of the drink? [NCERT
Exemplar]
(a) Blowing of air decreases pressure over the opening of the straw
(b) The straw of the soft drink bottle collapses when air is blown over its open end
(c) Blowing of air warms up the air inside the straw
(d) Blowing of air increases the pressure on the surface of soft drink in the bottle
Answer:
(a) Blowing of air decreases pressure over the opening of the straw

Question 8.
Formation of thunderstorm requires
(a) moisture
(b) rapidly rising warm air
(c) sea breeze
(d) All of the above
Answer:
(d) All of the above

Question 9.
Which of the following place is most likely to be affected by a cyclone? [NCERT
Exemplar]
(a) Mumbai
(b) Puri
(c) Goa
(d) Porbandar
Answer:
(b) Puri

Question 10.
Increased wind speed is accompanied with
(a) increased air pressure
(b) affected air pressure
(c) reduced air pressure
(d) lower humidity
Answer:
(c) reduced air pressure

Question 11.
A curtain is hanging at the entrance of a room. A long corridor runs at right angles to
the door, that is parallel to the curtain. If a strong wind blows along the corridor, the
curtain will [NCERT Exemplar]
(a) get pushed inside the room
(b) get pushed outside the room
(c) get collected towards one end/ swirled
(d) remain unaffected
Answer:
(b) get pushed outside the room

Question 12.
The calm centre of cyclone is called
(a) head
(b) eye
(c) water spout
(d) storm
Answer:
(b) eye

Question 13.
Which precaution among the following is not a correct precaution to protect from
lightning during a thunderstorm?
(a) Do not sit near a window
(b) Do not lie on the ground
(c) Do not sit in a car
(d) Do not stand under a tall tree
Answer:
(c) Do not sit in a car

Question 14.
Thunderstorm develops very frequently in areas having
(a) polar climate
(b) tropical climate
(c) desert climate
(d) temperate climate
Answer:
(b) tropical climate

Question 15.
A cyclone is
(a) winds from the oceans carrying water
(b) very low pressure system with very high speed wind revolving around it.
(c) dark funnel shaped cloud that reaches from the sky to the ground
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(b) very low pressure system with very high speed wind revolving around it.

Question 16.
The word monsoon is derived from the word
(a) mausam
(b) monsoon
(c) museum
(d) storm
Answer:
(a) mausam

Fill in the Blanks

1. It is ……………….. row boat in the moving direction of wind.
2. The bicycle tube ……………….. when it is overfilled with ……………….. .
3. Air ……………….. on heating and ……………….. on cooling.
4. The ……………….. the difference in ……………….. the ……………….. the air
moves.
5. A change in the direction of wind is caused due to ……………….. of earth.
6. The wind from the ocean carry ……………….. and bring rain which is a part of
……………….. .
7. Uneven heating of land generates monsoon winds from ……………….. direction in
……………….. .
8. factors like ……………….., ……………….., ……………….. and ………………..
contribute to the development of cyclones.
9. A violent Tornado can travel at the speeds of about ……………….. .
10. A whole ……………….. of India in vulnerable to
11. Air around us exerts ……………….. . [NCERT Exemplar]
12. The moving air is called ……………….. . [NCERT Exemplar]
13. The main cause of wind movement is uneven ……………….. . [NCERT
Exemplar]
14. High speed wind can cause cyclone in regions of ……………….. pressure.
[NCERT Exemplar]
Answers:
1. easier
2. bursts, air
3. expands, contracts
4. greater, pressure, faster
5. rotation
6. water, water cycle
7. South-West, summer
8. Wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity
9. 300 km/h
11. pressure
12. wind
13. heating
14. low

True/False
1. The layer of air surrounding the earth is called atmosphere.
2. Air gets contracted on the heating.
3. Cyclone develops in the polar region.
4. Hud-Hud and Katrina are Typhoon.
5. Tornado is frequently observed in India.
6. Cyclone appears a dark funnel shaped structure.
7. Falling water droplets and rising air move vigorously to produce thunderstorm.
8. Monsoon winds do not carry water with them.
9. The wind speed during cyclone is 150-250 km/h.
10. Uneven heating of land and water in winter (North-West and colder land) brings
little rain in winter.
11. If wind flows from land to the ocean, then it is day time. [NCERT Exemplar]
12. A very high pressure system with very high speed wind surroundings, it forms a
cyclone.
13 . The coast line of India is not vulnerable to cyclones. [NCERT Exemplar]
14 . Warm air is lighter than cool air. [NCERT Exemplar]
Answers:
1. True
2. False, air expands on heating.
3. False, cyclone develops in tropical region.
4. True
5. False, tornado does not occur in India.
6. False, tornado is dark funnel shaped structure.
7. True
8. False, monsoon wind carry water with them
9. True
10. True
11. False, if wind flows from land to the ocean, then it is night time.
12. False, a very low pressure system with very high speed wind revolving around it
forms a cyclone.
13. False, the whole coastline of India is vulnerable to cyclone.
14. True

Match the Columns

Question 1.
Match the Column I with Column II. There can be more than one.

Column I Column II

(a) On heating air (i) descends

(b) On cooling air (ii) expands

(iii) contracts
 (iv) rises

Question 2.
Match the Column I with Column II.

Column I Column II

(a) Tornado (i) Occurs in Western Pacific region

(b) Anemometer (ii) Reduces soil fertility

(c) Cyclone (iii) Dark funnel shaped cloud

(d) Meteorologist (iv) Measures the speed of wind

(e) Typhoon (v) Study weather

Question 3.
Match the Column I with Column II.

Column I Column II

(a) North-West wind (i) Before 48 h

(b) Uneven heating of earth (ii) Found the direction of wind

(c) Wind vane (iii) Wind carrying water

(d) Monsoon (iv) Bring little rainfall

(e) Cyclone watch (v) Generates wind

Answers:
1.
(a)-(ii) and (iv)
(b)-(i) and (iii)

2.
(a)-(iii)
(b)-(iv)
(c)-(ii)
(d)-(v)
(e)-(i)

3.
(a)-(iv)
(b)-(v)
(c)-(ii)
(d)-(iii)
(e)-(i)