Class 5 SST Question Answers - Weather and Climate

Q1: What is the difference between weather and climate?
Ans: Weather is the day-to-day condition of the atmosphere, like whether it's sunny or rainy today. Climate, on the other hand, is what the weather is like over a long time, like a year. Weather can change quickly, but climate stays more or less the same.

Q2: Explain why it gets hot during the day and cool at night.
Ans: It gets hot during the day because the sun is directly above us, and its rays focus on a small area, causing an increase in temperature. At night, the sun's rays are slanting and spread over a larger area, which leads to cooler temperatures.

Q3: Why are shadows longer in the morning and evening?
Ans: Shadows are longer in the morning and evening because the sun's rays are slanting during these times. This angle causes objects to block more sunlight, resulting in longer shadows.

Q4: What are the factors that influence climate?
Ans: There are several factors that influence climate:

• Distance from the equator
• Altitude (height above sea level)
• Distance from the sea
• Direction of the winds
• Humidity (moisture in the air)
• Rainfall

Q5: How does the distance from the equator affect the climate of a place?
Ans: Places closer to the equator are hotter because the sun's rays fall directly on them, covering a small area. Places near the poles are colder because the sun's rays are slanting and spread over a larger area.

Q6: Why is it cooler in hill stations like Shimla compared to places at lower altitudes like Ferozpur?
Ans: Hill stations like Shimla are cooler because they are located at higher altitudes. This altitude results in fewer layers of air above them, which leads to lower temperatures. In contrast, places at lower altitudes, such as Ferozpur, experience warmer conditions due to the thicker atmosphere above them.

Q7: How does the distance from the sea affect the climate of a place?
Ans: Places near the sea tend to have milder climates because the sea moderates temperature fluctuations. During the day, sea breezes bring cooler air to the land, while at night, the land releases heat back to the sea. This exchange helps in keeping the climate moderate.

Q8: How can the direction of the winds influence the climate of a region?
Ans: If a region gets winds from a hot place, it becomes hot, and if it gets winds from a cold place, it becomes cold. The direction of the winds can make a place's climate hot or cold.

Q9: Explain how humidity and rainfall are related to a place's climate.
Ans: Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air, which depends on how close a place is to a large water body. Places near water bodies have more humidity and often receive more rainfall, affecting their climate.

Q10: What is the main difference between weather and climate?
Ans: The main difference is that weather refers to the day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere, while climate is the average of these conditions over a long period, typically a year. Weather can change quickly, but climate remains relatively stable.