Grade 10 Geography Revision Guide (CAPS)
1. Climate and Weather
Notes:
Atmosphere Structure:
Troposphere: The layer closest to the Earth where all weather occurs.
Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer, absorbs harmful UV radiation.
Mesosphere: Coldest layer, where meteors burn up.
Thermosphere: Where the auroras occur, and satellites orbit.
1. Define thermosphere.
The thermosphere is the region of the atmosphere that lies above the mesosphere. In this layer, the
temperature increases as you go higher up. The temperature increases due to the absorption of
powerful radiations like X-rays and UV rays from the sun.
2. The lowest layer of the atmosphere is _____
a. Stratosphere
b. Mesosphere
c. Ionosphere
d. Troposphere
Answer: d) Troposphere
Explanation: Troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere.
3. State true or false: Atmosphere is not responsible for life on the Earth.
a. TRUE
b. FALSE
Answer: b) FALSE
Explanation: Atmosphere is one of the critical reasons for life on the Earth.
4. Fill in the blanks: Meteors burn in this layer _____
a. Stratosphere
b. Mesosphere
c. Ionosphere
d. Troposphere
Answer: b) Mesosphere
Explanation: Mesosphere has a temperature in the range of -2 to -92, and it is the layer in which the
meteors burn.
5. Choose YES or No: Traces of noble gases are present in the atmosphere.
a. YES
b. NO
Answer: a) YES
Explanation: The atmosphere consists of gases like carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, argon, along
with the traces of nitrous oxide, ozone, helium, hydrogen, neon, and other noble gases.
6. The jet planes fly in the lower ______
a. Stratosphere
b. Mesosphere
c. Ionosphere
d. Troposphere
Answer: a) Stratosphere
Explanation: Since less turbulence is seen than other layers of the atmosphere, jet planes fly in this
region (lower stratosphere).
7. Significant quantity of sulfur is released into the atmosphere through _____
a. Storm
b. Burning of wood
c. Burning of fossil fuels
d. lightning
Answer: c) Burning of fossil fuels.
Explanation: Among the following options burning fossil fuels releases enormous amounts of sulfur.
8. Choose YES or NO: Air does not occupy space.
a. YES
b. NO
Answer: b) NO
Explanation: Air occupies space since air has mass.
9. Air pressure is measured using which of the following device?
a. Thermometer
b. Compass
c. Solenoid
d. Barometer
Answer: d) Barometer
Explanation: A barometer is an instrument mainly used to calculate atmospheric pressure.
10. Is the atmosphere seen on the planet mars?
Yes, the atmosphere is seen on the planet Mars. The composition of the atmosphere varies from that
of the Earth.
Practice Questions
1. What are the layers of the atmosphere?
2. Explain the greenhouse effect.
3. List the properties of the air.
4. What are the gases present in the air?
5. Which is the coldest layer of the atmosphere?
Heat Energy:
The Earth receives energy from the sun in the form of insolation (incoming solar
radiation).
Absorption and reflection: Earth absorbs heat, which is radiated back into the
atmosphere at night.
Global Air Circulation:
- The unequal heating of the Earth causes differences in air pressure.
-High-pressure systems: Cool, sinking air; stable weather.
- Low-pressure systems: Warm, rising air; unstable weather and rainfall.
- The Coriolis Effect deflects winds due to Earth’s rotation, affecting global wind
patterns.
Synoptic Weather Maps:
Isobars: Lines that connect points of equal air pressure. Closely spaced isobars
indicate strong winds.
Cold Fronts: Boundaries where cold air displaces warm air, often causing storms.
Warm Fronts: Warm air overtakes cold air, leading to light, steady rain.
Synoptic Weather Map:
Practice Questions:
1. Describe the characteristics of a high-pressure system and its effect on
weather.
2. Explain how the Earth’s tilt and revolution around the sun create seasons.
3. Interpret a synoptic weather map to identify a cold front and predict the
weather conditions.
