Some Natural Phenomena Notes

Some Natural Phenomenon Notes

Natural phenomena are events that take place in the environment without any human influence. They arise from various natural processes and can manifest in numerous ways, including changes in weather, geological activities, and astronomical events. By studying these phenomena, we deepen our understanding of Earth's processes, better equip ourselves to respond to natural disasters, and cultivate a greater appreciation for the beauty of our planet. Some of the most common natural phenomena in the nature includes:

Earthquake – Sudden shaking of the Earth’s surface.
Volcanic Eruption – Magma and ash expelled from a volcano.
Flood – Overflow of water onto land.
Cyclone/Tornado – Strong rotating storms or winds.
Thunder and Lightning – Atmospheric electrical discharge.
Rainbow – Light refraction, reflection, and dispersion in water droplets.
Tsunami – Large sea waves caused by underwater earthquakes

Transfer of Charges

Transfer of electric charges is also known as conduction. Conduction occurs when a charged object comes into contact with a conductor, leading to the transfer of charges through the conductor. Induction due to when a charged object is brought close to a neutral object, causing the electrons in the neutral object to shift position. The process of induction does not require physical contact between the charged and uncharged objects, while conduction necessitates direct contact between them. Removing charge from a charged body is known as discharging. Some examples of materials that can be charged by rubbing are in the table below:

Objects that get charged	Material used for rubbing
Refill	Polythene, woolen cloth
Balloon	Polythene, woolen cloth, dry hair
Eraser	Wool
Steel spoon	Polythene, woolen cloth
Ebonite comb	Dry hair, silk cloth
Glass rod	Woolen cloth, silk cloth

Types of charges

Charges are of two types, Positive charges and Negative charge. Like charges ( positive with positive or negative with negative) repel each other, while the opposite charges( positive with negative or negative with positive) attract each other.

Electroscope

An electroscope is a scientific instrument used to detect the presence of electric charge on a body and sometimes to estimate the magnitude of the charge. It doesn’t measure charge quantitatively like a meter, but it shows if a material is charged and whether the charge is positive or negative.

Discharging

Removing charge from a charged body is known as discharging. Buildings are provided with earthing so that in case of leakage of an electrical charge, people inside the building are not affected, and the charge is transferred to the ground safely. The static charge in the clouds is the cause of lightning. Generally lower portion of clouds get negatively charged and positive charge is induced on the objects below the cloud. results in discharging of charge to the earth surface. The electrical discharge that causes lightning may take place between two clouds or between a cloud and the Earth.

Natural Phenomenon	Definition	Causes	Effects	Examples	Remedies / Precautions
Earthquake	Sudden shaking of the Earth's surface	Tectonic plate movements, volcanic activity, human activities	Collapse of buildings, roads, landslides, tsunamis, loss of life	2004 Indian Ocean earthquake	A. Build earthquake-resistant structures B. Keep emergency kits C. Practice “Drop, Cover, Hold” during tremors. D. Avoid standing under unstable structures
Volcanic Eruption	Explosion of magma, ash, and gases from a volcano	Pressure in magma chamber, tectonic plate movements	Lava flow, ash clouds, gas emissions, destruction of property	Mount Vesuvius (79 AD), Mount St. Helens (1980)	A. Evacuate nearby areas B. Monitor volcanic activity C. Wear masks to avoid inhaling ash D. Follow government alerts
Flood	Overflow of water onto normally dry land	Heavy rainfall, river overflow, cyclones, dam breaks	Submerged fields/homes, loss of life, waterborne diseases	Kerala floods (2018)	A. Avoid building on floodplain B. Construct proper drainage systems C. Evacuate when warned D. Store clean water and medicines
Cyclone / Tornado	Cyclone: large rotating storm over ocean; Tornado: funnel-shaped rotating air	Cyclone: warm ocean water, low pressure Tornado: severe thunderstorms	Strong winds, heavy rainfall, property damage, flooding, death	Cyclone Amphan (2020), Tornadoes in USA	A. Evacuate coastal/low-lying area B. Build cyclone shelters C. Stay indoors during storms D. Avoid flying debris
Thunder & Lightning	Lightning: electrical discharge; Thunder: sound from lightning	Accumulation of opposite charges in clouds	Fires, power outages, injuries or death	Frequent in monsoon season in India	A. Avoid open fields and tall trees B. Stay indoors or in cars C. Avoid using electrical appliances during storms
Rainbow	Multicolored arc in the sky opposite the Sun	Refraction, reflection, and dispersion of sunlight in water droplets	No harmful effects	Seen after rain when sunlight passes through raindrops	A. No precautions needed (natural phenomenon of beauty)
Tsunami	Extremely large sea wave	Underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides	Flooding of coastal areas, destruction of property, loss of life	2004 Indian Ocean tsunami	A. Early warning systems B. Evacuate coastal areas immediately C. Move to higher ground D. Educate coastal communities about safety

Textbook Solutions

1) Which of the following cannot be charged easily by friction?

(a) A plastic scale

(b) A copper rods

(d) A woollen cloth.

Ans: – Option(b) Explanations – (As the surface of copper rods is rough as compared to the other)

2)When a glass rod is rubbed with a piece of silk cloth the rod

(a) and the cloth both acquire positive charge.

(b) becomes positively charged while the cloth has a negative charge.

(d) becomes negatively charged while the cloth has a positive charge.

Ans: – Option(d).

Explanations – (This silk which is rounded the rod produces the electricity)

3) Write T against true and F against false in the following statements.

(a) Like charges attract each other (T/F)

Ans: – False.

Explanations – (The positive and negative charges attract each other)

(b) A charged glass rod attracts a charged plastic straw (T/F)

Ans: – True.

Explanations – (As both are in opposite charges)

Ans: – False.

Explanations – (As in lightening there are huge amount of electricity present)

(d) Earthquakes can be predicted in advance (T/F)

Ans: – False.

Explanations – (After it happening Richter scale predict it)

4) Sometimes, a crackling sound is heard while taking off a sweater during winters. Explain.

Ans: – As we all know the sweater of us is made up with the cotton wool which rubbed the whole body so, when we take off then it produces some electric charges. And because of the effect of some electric charges, we heard a crackling sound.

5)Explain why a charged body loses its charge if we touch it with our hand.

Ans: – Our body works as a medium of electricity transfer to the earth. So, when we touch the charged body then this charge passes throughout the body and go into the earth. As a result, we feel shock whenever we touch an electric wire.

6)Name the scale on which the destructive energy of an earthquake is measured. An earthquake measures 3 on this scale. Would it be recorded by a seismograph? Is it likely to cause much damage?

Ans: The earthquake is measured by the Richter scales.

The value of 3 in the earthquake scale would be measured by the Richter scales.

As this value is light as compared to the destruction happen because of the high value like above 6. So, this will not affect.

7) Suggest three measures to protect ourselves from lightning.

Ans: – The measure for protection of lighting is

Go into a concrete shaded region at that time.
Avoid wide field.
Don’t go in the Shadow of high trees.

8) Explain why a charged balloon is repelled by another charged balloon whereas an uncharged balloon is attracted by another charged balloon?

Ans: – The charged particles always repeal each other and the uncharged particles attract by the charged particles. So, as this balloon have same charges this will repeal by each other but the uncharged attracted by the charges one.

9) Describe with the help of a diagram an instrument, which can be used to detect a charged body.

Ans:

10)List three states in India where earthquakes are more likely to strike.

Ans: – Mostly the northeast state of India and the northern state is earthquake happen. This are Assam, Uttrakhand, Jammu and Kashmir etc.

11)Suppose you are outside your home and an earthquake strikes. What precaution would you take to protect yourself?

Ans: – If the earthquake strike’s when I am present in outside of the room the first thing which I should do is took out the whole person of the home outside and then also helps other to coming out from old houses most as this are more vulnerable places.

12)The weather department has predicted that a thunderstorm is likely to occur on a certain day. Suppose you have to go out on that day. Would you carry an umbrella? Explain.

Ans: – As the weather department already predicted that there is a chance of thunderstorms in an area so, I must carry an umbrella as there is possibility of rainy season. The raincoat also be very helpful in that situation which should be carryout if possible.