NCERT Chapter Summary: Major Domains of the Earth

NCERT Chapter Summary: Major Domains of the Earth

The surface of the earth is a complex zone in which three main components of the environment meet, overlap and interact. The solid portion of the earth on which we live is called the Lithosphere.

The gaseous layers that surround the earth, is the Atmosphere, where oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and other gases are found. Water covers a very big area of the earth’s surface and this area is called the Hydrosphere. The Biosphere is the narrow zone where we find land, water and air together, which contains all forms of life.

1. Name the two main division of the Earth's surface.

The two main divisions of the Earth's surface are: (i) Continents (ii) Ocean basin.

2. What is a Continent? 

A continent is a large landmass separated by a water body such as ocean or sea.

3. How many continents are there in the world? Name the largest continent of the world?

There are seven continents in the world. Asia is the largest continent.

4. Which continent is known as the "white continent" and why? 

Antarctica is known as the White Continent because it always remains under a thick cover of ice.

5. Which ocean is named after a country?

Indian Ocean is named after a country. 

6. Name the ocean which is ‘S’ shaped. 

The Atlantic Ocean is ‘S’ shaped.

7. What is the composition of nitrogen in atmosphere? 

It is 78%.

8. What is Atmosphere? 

The gaseous layers that surround the Earth is called Atmosphere, where oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and other gases are found.

9. What is Wind?

Air moves form high pressure to low pressure. Moving air is known as wind.

10. What is Biosphere?

Biosphere is the narrow zone where we find land, water and air together and which contains all forms of life.

11.What are the components of Lithosphere?

Lithosphere comprise of rocks of the earth’s crust and thin layers of soil that contain nutrient elements which sustain organisms.

12. How is elevation of land measured?

Elevation of land is measured from the level of the sea, which is taken as zero.