Wind Storms and Cyclones

Chapter-8
Air: Air is a mixture of gases.
Wind: Moving air is called wind.
Air exerts pressure: The fact that Air exerts pressure can be understood by many examples.
Tube of bicycle gets inflated when air is filled in it. This happens because air exerts pressure.
It is difficult to move the bicycle against the direction of wind. Similarly, a sailor feels it difficult to sail
his boat against the direction of wind. This happens because air exerts pressure.
When boiled water is filled in a tin can and its mouth is closed with the lid; followed by cold water
being poured over it, the can gets distorted. This happens because air inside the can gets condensed and
creates low pressure. The higher pressure from outside distorts the shape of the can.
You can fly a kite because air exerts pressure from the rear portion of the kite.
Aeroplane can fly because air exerts pressure.
Birds can fly because air exerts pressure.
High speed wind creates area of low air pressure:
Thatched roof is blown off because of high speed wind. This happens because high speed wind creates
an area of low pressure. Due to this, the thatched roof is sucked up and finally gets blown away. Thus,
increase in wind speed is associated by decrease in air pressure.

Movement of air:
Air moves from high pressure zone to low pressure zone of air. Air; from high pressure zone; rushes
towards the low pressure zone; to fill the gap. Thus, greater is the pressure difference greater will be
the speed of wind and vice-versa.

Cause of Wind Movement:

Pressure difference in the air is cause by differential heating. Warm air rises up because it becomes
lighter. This creates an area of low pressure below the rising air. The area of low pressure is quickly
filled in by cooler air from around. That is how the wind movement is created on the earth. Thus
differential heating of air creates pressure difference; which makes the wind movement.

Movement of Air Because of Uneven Heating on Earth:

Movement of Air in Equatorial Region: The Equatorial region gets the highest amount of sunshine
throughout the year. Due to this, the air near the equatorial region gets heated. The warm air rises up
and creates an area of low pressure. The cooler air; from the higher latitudes; rushes towards the
equator to fill the gap. This results in the wind movement from tropical zones towards the equator.
Similarly, wind movement is caused in other parts of earth.

Movement of Air Because of Uneven Heating of Land and Water:

Sea Breeze: In coastal areas, the land warms up faster than the ocean surface. Warm air from the land
rises up and creates an area of low pressure near the ground. The low pressure zone is filled in by
cooler air from the ocean surface. This gives rise to the sea breeze.

Land Breeze: During night, the land cools down faster than the ocean surface. The warmer air from
the ocean surface rises up and creates an area of low pressure near the surface. This is filled in by
cooler air from the land. This gives rise to the land breeze.

Monsoon: The flow of moist air from ocean towards land in summer is called Monsoon or Monsoon
wind. The word Monsoon came from Arabic word ‘mausim’, which means weather. The term
‘Monsoon’ had traditionally been used to describe the typical climate of the Indian Peninsula during
the rainy season. Now-a-days, the term ‘Monsoon’ is being also used to describe the similar climate in
other parts of the world.
Monsoon winds carry water vapour which falls over the land in the form of rain after cooling down. In
India, the harvest depends on the monsoon wind because it is the major factor towards bringing rainfall
in India.

Thunderstorm: Many a times, rain is associated with lightning. Rain with lightning is called
thunderstorm. This happens mostly in the summer. Thunderstorm occurs frequently in hot and humid
tropical areas, such as India.
In summer, the air rises up along with lot of moisture. After rising up to a certain height water vapour
cools down and starts coming down in the form of water droplets. The swift drifting of water droplets
creates electricity among clouds. This manifests in the form of lighting and sound. This is known as
thunderstorm.

Cyclone
Fast moving air towards a centre; usually with heavy rain; is known as cyclone. Wind direction, wind
speed, humidity and temperature together create cyclone.
When water vapour in the clouds cools down it releases heat. This heat warms the air around the
clouds. The warm air rises up and creates a low pressure zone. This low pressure zone is quickly filled
in by cooler air from the surrounding. This creates a system in which the centre is having very low
pressure and is surrounded by wind moving around it. The wind from the surroundings moves in a
circular fashion towards the centre and gives rise to cyclone.
The centre of the cyclone is called ‘eye’. A cyclone may be 10 to 15 km high. It is a rotating mass of
air. The diameter of eye may be vary from 10 to 30 km. Eye of a cyclone is a calm area, but around the
eye air may move with high speed such as 150 to 250 km/h.

Destruction caused by Cyclone: A strong cyclone can be very destructive.

Since cyclone is accompanied with high speed wind, it can damage houses, telephone poles, electric
poles and uproot trees.
Strong wind of the cyclone may push the sea water towards the sea shore in the form of high wave.
These high waves may damage houses and push water to low land which may be accompanied with
loss of life and properties.
Being the area of very low pressure, eye of cyclone lifts water in the centre. This may cause the rise of
water up to 3 to 15 metre high. This appears like a water wall. This water wall; when pushed towards
seashore; can inundate a large area, which can cause the loss of life and property.
In India, the eastern coastal region is more vulnerable to cyclones; in terms of intensity and frequency
of cyclones, compared to the western coast.
Cyclone is known by different names in different countries. Cyclone is known as HURRICANE in the
American continent. It is known as TYPHOON in Philippines and Japan.
TORNADOES: Tornadoes are the very fast moving dark cloud in the shape of a funnel. The speed of
violent tornadoes may be up to 300km. Tornadoes are as destructive as cyclone. Tornadoes may form
within cyclones.
ANEMOMETER: An instrument which measures the speed of wind.

Effective Safety Measures:

(1) Safety services towards cyclone and other disaster by Government and other agencies:
Cyclone forecast and warning services: With the advances in technology, cyclone can be forecast in
about 24 to 48 hours in advance. This becomes possible because of satellites and computers. When a
cyclone is nearer to the coastline, the cyclone warning is forecasted almost at every half an hour.
Rapid communication to the Government and concerned people: Communication about the
cyclone is given quickly to the Government and the people so that proper safety measures and rescue
operations can be carried out.
Construction of cyclone shelters in the cyclone prone area.
Shifting the people quickly to a safer place.

(2) Action on the part of people:

Pay attention towards warning broadcasts from time to time.
In case of a cyclone warning, stock necessary food items and medicines.
If possible, move to a safer place.
Fishermen should not venture into the sea during a cyclone warning.
Cooperate with others in the community.
Help the rescue team.

Important Points:
Wind: Moving air is called wind.
Air exerts pressure.
Air expands on heating.
Warm air is lighter and rises up.
Air moves from high pressure to low pressure.
Air Current: Movement of air from high pressure zone to low pressure zone creates air current.
Uneven heating on land creates air current.
Air moves from 0-30⁰ north and from 0-30⁰ south towards equator.
Land gets heated as well as loses heat faster than water.
Monsoon: The flow of air from ocean towards land in summer is called Monsoon or Monsoon wind.
Monsoon winds carry vapour which falls over the land in the form of rain after cooling down.
In India harvest is depend on monsoon wind, which brings rain.
Thunderstorm: Rain with lightning is called thunderstorm. This happens mostly in the summer.
Thunderstorm occurs frequently in hot and humid tropical areas, such as India.
Cyclone: Fast moving air towards a circle usually with heavy rain is known as cyclone.
Wind direction, wind speed, humidity and temperature together creates cyclone.
Eye: Centre of cyclone is known as eye.
Tornadoes: Tornadoes are the very fast moving dark cloud in the shape of funnel. Tornadoes may form
within cyclones.
The speed of violent tornadoes may be up to 300km.
Tornadoes are as destructive as cyclone.
Anemometer: An instrument which measures the speed of wind.

Wind Storm and Cyclone :Natural Phenomena: 7th class Hots Questions
Question: 1. Why are people advised not to stand near fast moving train?
Ans: When train moves with high speed it creates region of lower pressure . This low pressure push
man towards the train

Question: 2. Why are holes made in huge hoardings? Explain their usefulness.
Ans: Holes are made in huge hoardings to reduce air pressurecausing it to flutter or blown away.

Question: 3. in winter regions near, why does wind blow from land to sea?
Ans:. In winter the sea become warmer quickly than the land. So In winter monsoon blows from land
to sea
Question: 4. Why are things colorful in appearance?
Ans: The colour of object is colour that is reflected. Thus different coulor makes things colourfull.

Question: 5. Fill the missing word in the blank spaces in the following statements:
(a) Wind is moving air.
(b) Winds are generated due to uneven heating on the earth.
(c) Near the earth’s surface warm air rises up whereas cold air comes down.
(d) Air moves from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure.

Question: 6. Suggest two methods to find out wind direction at a given place.
Answer: Two methods to find out wind direction at a given place are:
(a) An instrument called anemometer can be used to find the direction and speed of the wind.
(b) Hold a strip of paper outside. The direction in which the paper is blowing is the direction of the
flow of the wind.

Question: 7. State two experiences that made you think that air exerts pressure.
Answer: Two experiences that made us think that air exerts pressure are:
(a) . Whiling cycling against the direction of the wind, it is difficult to ride. It shows that the air exerts
pressure.
(b) While rowing a sailboat in the direction of the wind, it is always easier to row and while rowing a
sailboat against the direction of the wind, it is very difficult to row. It also shows that the air exerts
pressure.

Question: 8. You want to buy a house. Would you like to buy a house having windows but no
ventilators? Explain your answer.
Answer: No, I would not like to buy a house having windows but no ventilators. Warm air rises up
and cool air comes downward. So, to make a stream of cool and fresh air to continuously flow to the
house through the windows, there must be some ventilators in the upper part of the wall.

Question: 9. Explain why holes are made in hanging banners and hoarders.
Answer: Holes are made in hanging banners and hoarders to allow air to pass through them as a result
of which there will be less pressure of air on the banners or hoarders. Unless it is done, these may be
uprooted or distorted due to the pressure of the air.

Question:10 How will you help your neighbours in case cyclone approaches your village/town?
Answer:(a) I will help my neighbours in case cyclone approaches my village/town by the following
ways.
(b) I will help my neighbours in shifting their household articles, domestic animals etc to a safe place.
(c) I will provide phone numbers of all emergency services like police, fie brigade and medical centers.
(d) I will give them safety advice like avoiding driving on roads through standing water, not touching
wet switches etc.

1. Why are people advised not to stand near fast moving train?
Ans: When train moves with high speed it creates region of lower pressure . This low
pressure push man towards the train
2. Why are holes made in huge hoardings? Explain their usefulness.
Ans: Holes are made in huge hoardings to reduce air pressure causing it to flutter or
blown away.
3. in winter regions near, why does wind blow from land to sea?
Ans:. In winter the sea become warmer quickly than the land. So In winter monsoon
blows from land to sea

Q1. Fill in the blanks.

 Wind is moving air.
 Winds are generated due to uneven heating on the earth.
 Near the earth’s surface warm air rises up whereas cooler air comes down.
 Air moves from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure.
 Air expands on heating.
 Warm air is lighter than the cold air.

Q2. True/False
 In summer the winds flow from the land towards the ocean. False
 In winter the winds flow from the land to the ocean. True
 A cyclone is formed by a very high-pressure system with very high-speed winds revolving
around it. False
 The coastline of India is not vulnerable to cyclones. False
 Increased wind speed is accompanied by a reduced air pressure. True
 Regions close to the equator get maximum heat from the Sun. True

Q3. Which one of the following place is unlikely to be affected by a cyclone?

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

Q4. What is wind?

Ans. The moving air is called wind.

Q5. What is anemometer?

Ans. The instrument that measures the wind speed is called an anemometer.

Q6. When you fly a kite, does the wind coming from your back help?
Ans. Yes, the force of the wind pushes the kite upwards and backwards.

Q7. Does the water give back heat when vapour condenses into liquid?
Ans. Yes, the water gives back heat when vapour condenses into liquid.

Q8. What is the main cause of wind movement?

Ans. Uneven heating on the earth is the main cause of wind movements.

Q9. Why we fill air into the bicycle tube?

Ans. We have to fill air into the bicycle tube to keep it tight.
Q10. Where do thunderstorms usually develop?
Ans. Thunderstorms develop in hot, humid tropical areas like India very frequently.

Q11. What do tornadoes look like?

Ans. Tornadoes can appear as a traditional funnel shape, or in a slender rope-like form.
Q12. From where does the word monsoon derived? What does it mean?
Ans. The word monsoon is derived from the Arabic word ‘mausam’, which means ‘season’.
Q13. What is the direction wind in winter?
Ans. In winter, the direction of the wind flow gets reversed; it flows from the land to the ocean.

Q14. What are the factors that contribute to the development of cyclones?
Ans. Factors like wind speed, wind direction, temperature and humidity contribute to the development
of cyclones.

Q15. What role does the wind play in the formation of storm?
Ans. All storms are low pressure systems. Thus, wind speed plays an important role in the formation of
storms.

Q16. Why do the leaves of trees, flags and banners flutter when the wind is blowing?
Ans. It is due to the pressure exerted by moving air (or wind) that the leaves of trees, flags and banners
flutter when the wind is blowing.

Q17. Is it difficult to ride a bicycle against the direction of the wind? Why?
Ans. Yes, it difficult to ride a bicycle against the direction of the wind as air exerts pressure in the
opposite direction in which bicycle is moving.

Q18. How can cyclones be predicted?

Ans. Meteorologists around the world use modern technology such as satellites, weather radars and
computers etc. to track tropical cyclones as they develop.
Q19. Why is it easier to row the boat if there is wind coming from behind you?
Ans. It is easier to row the boat if there is wind coming from behind us because it exerts pressure on the
boat in the same direction in which boat is moving.

Q20. What is the difference between a Cyclone, Typhoon, and Hurricane?

Ans. A cyclone is known by different names in different parts of the world. It is called a ‘hurricane’ in
the American continent. In Philippines and Japan it is called a ‘typhoon’.

Q21. What is a tornado?

Ans. A tornado is a dark funnel shaped cloud that reaches from the sky to the ground. Most of the
tornadoes are weak. A violent tornado can travel at speeds of about 300 km/h. Tornadoes may form
within cyclones.

Q22. Which regions of India are vulnerable to cyclones?

Ans. The whole coastline of India is vulnerable to cyclones, particularly the east coast. The west coast
of India is less vulnerable to cyclonic storms both in terms of intensity and frequency of the cyclones.
Q23. How does air move?
Ans. Air moves because of difference in air pressure. Air moves from the region where the air pressure
is high to the region where the pressure is low. The greater the difference in pressure, the faster the air
moves.

Q24. Explain why smoke always rises up?

Ans. On heating the air expands and occupies more space. When the same thing occupies more space,
it becomes lighter. The warm air is, therefore, lighter than the cold air. That is the reason that the
smoke goes up.
Q25. Hold a strip of paper, 20 cm long and 3 cm wide, between your thumb and forefinger. Now blow
over the paper. What do you think will happen to the paper? Give reason.
Ans. When we blew over the paper strip, it went upwards. This could happen if blowing over the paper
reduced the air pressure above the strip.

Q26. List some effective safety measures for cyclone.

Ans. Some effective safety measures are:
 A cyclone forecast and warning service.
 Rapid communication of warnings to the Government agencies, the ports, fishermen, ships and
to the general public.

Q27. Explain why holes are made in hanging banners and hoardings.
Ans. Air exerts pressure. It is due to this pressure that the banners or hoardings flutter and torn when
the wind is blowing. Holes are made in hanging banners and hoardings so that air can pass through
these holes, which reduces the air pressure on the banners and hoardings.

Q28. Why is it difficult to force the paper ball into the bottle?
Ans. When we blow into the mouth of the bottle the air near the mouth has higher speed. This
decreases the pressure there. The air pressure inside the bottle is higher than near the mouth. The air
inside the bottle pushes the ball out. Thus, it is difficult to force the paper ball into the bottle.

Q29. What are monsoon winds?

Ans. In summer, near the equator the land warms up faster and most of the time the temperature of the
land is higher than that of water in the oceans. The air over the land gets heated and rises. This causes
the winds to flow from the oceans towards the land. These are monsoon winds.

Q30. Suggest two methods to find out wind direction at a given place.
Ans. Two methods to find out wind direction at a given place are:
 Take some dry leaves and release it from height. The direction in which the leaves start flowing
is the direction of wind.
 Wind vane, or weathercock is an instrument for showing the direction of the wind can be used to
find out wind direction.

Q31. ‘A bicycle tube overfilled with air may burst’. Give reason.
Ans. Air is made up of tiny particles called ‘molecules’ which move around quickly in all directions.
When we put air in a bicycle tube, the fast-moving air molecules ‘collide’ with the walls of the tube
and exert a force on the walls of the tube from inside. The force produces pressure. When the pressure
of air increases than the capacity of the tube, the tube may burst.

Q32. What is thunderstorm?

Ans. Thunderstorms develop in hot, humid tropical areas like India very frequently. The rising
temperatures produce strong upward rising winds. These winds carry water droplets upwards, where
they freeze, and fall down again. The swift movement of the falling water droplets along with the rising
air creates lightning and sound. It is this event that we call a thunderstorm.

Q33. Why are people advised not to stand near fast moving train?
Ans. When train moves with high speed it creates region of low pressure. Therefore, the air pressure
behind the person becomes bigger than the air pressure between the person and the train. Due to this
pressure differences, the force acts on the person towards the train and push man towards the train.
Thus, people are advised not to stand near fast moving train.

Q34. What are the destructions caused by cyclones?

Ans. As a result of cyclone, the seawater enters the low-lying coastal areas, causing severe loss of life
and property. It also reduces the fertility of the soil. Continuous heavy rainfall may further worsen the
flood situation. High-speed winds accompanying a cyclone can damage houses, telephones and other
communication systems, trees, etc., causing tremendous loss of life and property.

Q35. What would happen if high-speed winds blew over the roofs of buildings?
Ans. If the roofs were weak, they could be lifted and blown away. This happens when high speed
winds are blowing above the roof of a building; air pressure above the roof gets reduced. The air
pressure inside the building is much more than the air pressure above the roof. This difference in the air
pressure makes the roof be blown away.

Q36. Take a soft plastic bottle. Fill it with hot water. Empty the bottle and immediately cap it tightly.
Place the bottle under running water. Shape of the bottle gets distorted. Explain why the bottle gets
distorted?
Ans. As water is poured over the bottle, some steam in the bottle condenses into water, reducing the
amount of air inside. The pressure of air inside the bottle decreases than the pressure exerted by the air
from outside the bottle. As a result the can gets compressed.

Q37. You want to buy a house. Would you like to buy a house having windows but no ventilators?
Explain your answer.
Ans. As warm air rises, air pressure at that place is reduced and the cooler air moves to that place. This
warm air goes out from the house mostly through ventilators. If a house does not have ventilators then
the warm cannot go out easily and circulation of air will not happen. Hence, I would not prefer a house
having windows but no ventilators.

Q38. How will you help your neighbours in case cyclone approaches your village/town?
Ans. I will help my neighbours in case cyclone approaches our village/town:
 By making them aware of cyclone forecast and warning service.
 By helping them to shift the essential household goods, domestic animals and vehicles, etc. to
safer places.
 By calling emergency services like police, fire brigade, and medical centres in case of need.

Q39. State two experiences that made you think that air exerts pressure (other than those given in the
text).
Ans. Two experiences that made us think that air exerts pressure are:
Experience 1: Fill up the tumbler with water up to the brim. Cover it with cardboard piece and turn the
glass upside down. Slowly remove your hand. We will observe that cardboard does not fall and water
stays in the glass. This happens as air pushes the cardboard up and prevents it from falling.
Experience 2: When we blow air into the balloon the pressure inside the balloon increases and the
balloon inflates to increase its surface area.

Q40. What planning is required in advance to deal with the situation created by a cyclone?
Ans. The following planning is required in advance to deal with the situation created by a cyclone.
 A cyclone forecast and warning service.
  Rapid communication of warnings to the Government agencies, the ports, fishermen, ships and
to the general public.
 Construction of cyclone shelters in the cyclone prone areas, and Administrative arrangements
for moving people fast to safer places.

Q41. Explain the formation of a cyclone.

Or
What is a cyclone?
Ans. Before cloud formation, water takes up heat from the atmosphere to change into vapour. When
water vapour changes back to liquid form as raindrops, this heat is released to the atmosphere. The heat
released to the atmosphere warms the air around. The air tends to rise and causes a drop in pressure.
More air rushes to the centre of the storm. This cycle is repeated. The chain of events ends with the
formation of a very low-pressure system with very high-speed winds revolving around it. It is this
weather condition that we call a cyclone.

Q42. Write a note on wind flow pattern.

Ans. Regions close to the equator get maximum heat from the Sun. The air in these regions gets warm.
The warm air rises, and the cooler air from the regions in the 0–30 degrees latitude belt on either side
of the equator moves in. These winds blow from the north and the south towards the equator. At the
poles, the air is colder than that at latitudes about 60 degrees. The warm air at these latitudes rises up
and the cold wind from the polar regions rushes in, to take its place. In this way, wind circulation is set
up from the poles to the warmer latitudes.

Q43. How a thunderstorm becomes a cyclone?

Ans. Before cloud formation, water takes up heat from the atmosphere to change into vapour. When
water vapour changes back to liquid form as raindrops, this heat is released to the atmosphere. The heat
released to the atmosphere warms the air around. The air tends to rise and causes a drop in pressure.
More air rushes to the centre of the storm. This cycle is repeated. The chain of events ends with the
formation of a very low-pressure system with very high-speed winds revolving around it. It is this
weather condition that we call a cyclone.

Q44. List some action on the part of people in case of cyclone.

Ans. Action on the part of people in case of cyclone
 We should not ignore the warnings issued by the meteorological department through TV, radio,
or newspapers.
 We should — make necessary arrangements to shift the essential household goods, domestic
animals and vehicles, etc. to safer places; avoid driving on roads through standing water, as
floods may have damaged the roads; and keep ready the phone numbers of all emergency
services like police, fire brigade, and medical centres.

Q45. What precautions would you take, if you are staying in a cyclone hit area?
Ans. Some precautions, if we are staying in a cyclone hit area —
 Do not drink water that could be contaminated. Always store drinking water for emergencies.
 Do not touch wet switches and fallen power lines.
 Do not go out just for the sake of fun.
 Do not pressurise the rescue force by making undue demands.
 Cooperate and help your neighbours and friends.
Q46. What precautions should we take if a storm is accompanied by lightning?
Ans. If a storm is accompanied by lightning, we must take the following precautions:
 Do not take shelter under an isolated tree. If you are in a forest take shelter under a small tree.
Do not lie on the ground.
 Do not take shelter under an umbrella with a metallic end.
 Do not sit near a window. Open garages, storage sheds, metal sheds are not safe places to take
shelter.
 A car or a bus is a safe place to take shelter.
 If you are in water, get out and go inside a building.

Q47. Write an experiment to show that air exerts pressure.

Ans. Take a tin can with a lid. Fill it approximately half with water. Heat the can on a candle flame till
the water boils. Let the water boil for a few minutes. Blow out the candle. Immediately put the lid
tightly on the can. Put the can carefully in a shallow metallic vessel or a washbasin. Pour fresh water
over the can. As water is poured over the can, some steam in the can condenses into water, reducing the
amount of air inside. The pressure of air inside the can decreases than the pressure exerted by the air
from outside the can. As a result the can gets compressed.

Q48. High speed winds are accompanied by reduced air pressure. Prove the statement with help of an
experiment.
Ans. Crumple a small piece of paper into a ball of size smaller than the mouth of an empty bottle. Hold
the empty bottle on its side and place the paper ball just inside its mouth. Now try to blow on the ball to
force it into the bottle. When we blow into the mouth of the bottle the air near the mouth has higher
speed. This decreases the pressure there. The air pressure inside the bottle is higher than near the
mouth. The air inside the bottle pushes the ball out.

Q49. Explain with the help of an activity that an increase in the speed of air, results in the drop of
pressure.
Ans. Take two balloons of approximately equal size. Put a little water into the balloons. Blow up both
the balloons and tie each one to a string. Hang the balloons 8–10 cm apart on a cycle spoke or a stick.
Blow in the space between the balloons. We will observe that the freely suspended balloons move
toward each other. The reason is, when high speed air moves through the gap in between the balloons,
the pressure of air falls in the gap. Thus, air at high pressure the sides of balloons forces them inward.

Image from NCERT

Q50. Write an experiment to show that on heating the air expands and occupies more space.
Ans. Take two paper bags or empty paper cups of the same size. Hang the two bags in the inverted
position on the two ends of a metal or wooden stick. Tie a piece of thread in the middle of the stick.
Hold the stick by the thread as in a balance. Put a burning candle below one of the bags. We will see
that the balance of the bags gets disturbed. This happen as the warm air rises up, it pushes the bag
above the candle.

Q51. How technologies help people to be protected from cyclone?

Ans. These days we are better protected. In the early part of the last century, coastal residents may have
had less than a day to prepare or evacuate their homes from an oncoming cyclone. The world today is
very different. Thanks to satellites and radars, a Cyclone alert or Cyclone watch is issued 48 hours in
advance of any expected storm and a Cyclone warning is issued 24 hrs in advance. The message is
broadcast every hour or half hour when a cyclone is nearer the coast. Several national and international
organisations cooperate to monitor the cyclone-related disasters.

Q52. What are characteristics of Tornadoes?

Ans. Characteristics of Tornadoes are:
 A tornado is a dark funnel shaped cloud that reaches from the sky to the ground.
 Most of the tornadoes are weak. A violent tornado can travel at speeds of about 300 km/h.
 Tornadoes may form within cyclones. The diameter of a tornado can be as small as a metre and
as large as a km, or even wider.
 The funnel of a tornado sucks dust, debris and everything near it at the base (due to low
pressure) and throws them out near the top.
Q53. Write a note on structure of a cyclone.
Ans. Structure of a cyclone
 The centre of a cyclone is a calm area. It is called the eye of the storm. A large cyclone is a
violently rotating mass of air in the atmosphere, 10 to 15 km high.
 The diameter of the eye varies from 10 to 30 km. It is a region free of clouds and has light
winds.
 Around this calm and clear eye, there is a cloud region of about 150 km in size. In this region
there are high-speed winds (150–250 km/h) and thick clouds with heavy rain.
 Away from this region the wind speed gradually decreases.

Q54. Take a boiling tube. Stretch a balloon tightly over the neck of the tube. You can use a tape to
make it tight. Pour some hot water in a beaker. Insert the boiling tube with the balloon in the hot water.
Observe for 2–3 minutes for any change in shape of the balloon. Take the tube out, let it cool down to
the room temperature. Take some ice-cold water in another beaker and place the tube with the balloon
in cold water for 2–3 minutes. Observe the change in the shape of the balloon. Think and try to answer:
i.What makes the balloon inflated when the boiling tube is placed in hot water?
ii. Why is the same balloon deflated when the tube is kept in cold water?
iii. Can we infer from the first observation that air expands on heating?
iv Can you now state what happens to the air in the boiling tube when it cools down?

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Ans.
 Before the air in the balloon is heated, the molecules inside are creating as much pressure as the
molecules outside, meaning that the balloon stays at equilibrium and neither expands nor
contracts. When they get heated, however, the inside molecules start moving with more force.
They create more pressure, causing the balloon to expand outward until the pressure equalizes.
 When the inflated balloon is placed in cold water, the cold water lowers the overall temperature
of the air inside the balloon. The decrease in temperature causes the air molecules to move more
slowly, with less energy and air pressure reduces. Since the molecules have lower energies, their
collisions with the walls of the balloon are insufficient to keep the balloon inflated.
 Yes, this shows that air expands on heating.
 The overall temperature of the air inside the balloon decreases. The decrease in temperature
causes the air molecules to move more slowly, with less energy and air pressure reduces.