CBSE Class 5 Environmental Studies: Sunita In Space NCERT Solutions

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This chapter, 'Sunita In Space,' for CBSE Class 5 Environmental Studies, introduces young learners to the fascinating world of space travel and the unique experiences of astronauts. Through engaging questions and answers, students explore concepts like gravity, the shape of the Earth, and the effects of being in a zero-gravity environment. The solutions explain why we don't fall off the Earth, how astronauts float, and why their hair stands on end in space. It also touches upon the fundamental force of gravity that keeps everything grounded. These solutions are designed to clarify complex ideas in a simple, accessible manner, aiding students in understanding the principles of space and gravity, and preparing them effectively for their exams.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 5
SubjectEnvironmental Studies
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter11 Sunita In Space

Chapter summary

Chapter 11, 'Sunita In Space,' for Class 5 EVS NCERT Solutions, focuses on the basic concepts of gravity and space. It addresses student queries about the Earth's shape, why people don't fall off, and the experience of astronauts in zero gravity. The solutions explain the role of gravitational force and contrast it with the conditions in space. The chapter also includes simple magic tricks demonstrating principles related to motion and force, making learning interactive and memorable for young students.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concept of gravity and its effect on Earth.
  • Visualize the Earth as a sphere.
  • Describe the experience of astronauts in a zero-gravity environment.
  • Explain why objects fall downwards on Earth.
  • Relate the concept of 'up' and 'down' to gravity.
  • Appreciate the difference between Earth's environment and space.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Shape of the Earth
  • Gravity
  • Zero Gravity
  • Space Travel
  • Astronauts' Experience
  • Up and Down
  • Force
  • Motion
  • Observation Skills
  • Timeline of Events

Important topics

  • Understanding Gravity
  • Life in Zero Gravity
  • Earth's Shape and Gravity
  • Astronauts' Daily Life in Space
  • Relative Nature of Up and Down

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What do you think the earth looks like? Make a drawing of the earth in your notebook. On your drawing show where you are. Take a look at your friend's drawing too.
Solution: The Earth appears to be a sphere, much like a ball or a globe. When drawing it, you can imagine yourself standing on its surface. If you were to draw yourself on the Earth, you would be a tiny figure on the curved surface of this sphere. Looking at your friend's drawing can help you see different perspectives of how they imagine the Earth and their position on it.

Question 1

If the earth is round like a globe, how is it that we do not fall off?
Solution: We do not fall off the Earth because of a fundamental force called gravity. The Earth is a very large celestial body, and it has a strong gravitational pull. This force constantly attracts everything on or near its surface towards the center of the Earth. It's like an invisible string pulling us down, ensuring that we, along with everything else like buildings, trees, and oceans, remain firmly attached to the Earth's surface.

Question 2

Do the people in Argentina stand upside down?
Solution: No, people in Argentina do not stand upside down. The concept of 'up' and 'down' is relative and depends on the direction of gravity. For people in Argentina, 'down' is towards the center of the Earth, just as it is for us. They stand 'up' relative to their local ground, which is towards the sky. Gravity pulls everyone towards the Earth's center, so no matter where you are on the globe, your 'down' is always towards the planet's core.

Question 3

Can you think why Sunita's hair was standing?
Solution: Sunita's hair was standing up because she was in space, where there is very little or almost zero gravity. On Earth, gravity pulls our hair downwards. In the microgravity environment of space, there is no significant force pulling her hair in any particular direction, so it stands out and floats around, appearing to be 'standing up'.

Question 4

Look at Sunita's photographs and the dates written on each of them. Write what all is happening and when?
Solution: Based on the dates provided, here is a timeline of events related to Sunita's space journey:

09-12-2006: The spacecraft carrying Sunita and other astronauts began its journey, taking off from Earth.

11-12-2006: By this date, the astronauts were inside the spacecraft and experiencing the effects of microgravity, causing them to float.

11-12-2006: During this time, the astronauts were shown taking their meals, which would also involve floating food and utensils in the zero-gravity environment.

13-12-2006: Sunita was actively engaged in her work as an astronaut, likely performing experiments or maintenance tasks aboard the spacecraft.

16-12-2006: Sunita was engaged in an activity outside the spacecraft, possibly a spacewalk (Extravehicular Activity or EVA), where astronauts work in space suits.

Question 1(a)

Close your eyes. Imagine that your class is a spaceship. Zooo...m in 10 minutes you have entered in space. Your spaceship is now going around the earth. Now say: Are you able to sit at one place?
Solution: No, if our classroom were a spaceship in space, we would not be able to sit at one place. In the absence of significant gravity, everyone and everything would be floating freely in the air inside the spaceship, making it impossible to stay seated in a fixed position.

Question 1(b)

What about your hair?
Solution: If we were in a spaceship in space, our hair would likely stand up and float around. This is because, without gravity pulling it down, each strand of hair would move independently and float freely in the air, similar to how Sunita's hair was described.

Question 1(c)

Oh, look...where are your bags and books going?
Solution: In a spaceship in space, our bags and books would not stay in place. They would float around freely in the cabin, moving in different directions as they drift in the zero-gravity environment. We would need to secure them to prevent them from floating away.

Question 1(d)

What is your teacher doing? Where is her chalk?
Solution: If the classroom were a spaceship in space, the teacher would also be floating. She would likely be trying to manage the floating chalk and other objects. The chalk, instead of falling, would float around, and the teacher would have to actively catch it or secure it to prevent it from drifting away.

Question 1(e)

How did you eat your food during the break? How did you drink water? What happened to the ball that you threw up?
Solution: Eating food and drinking water in space is different. Food might float away, so astronauts often need to grab it quickly or use special packaging. Water doesn't stay in a cup; it forms floating blobs that need to be sucked from a pouch. If you threw a ball up, it wouldn't come back down due to gravity; instead, it would continue to float in the air until acted upon by another force or until it bumped into something.

Question 2

Can you now say why Sunita's hair kept standing?
Solution: Sunita's hair kept standing because she was in space, where the force of gravity is extremely weak (near zero gravity). On Earth, gravity pulls everything downwards, including hair. In space, without this downward pull, her hair was free to float and stand out in various directions.

Question 3

Think why water flows downwards on any slope? On mountains too water flows downwards, not upwards?
Solution: Water flows downwards on any slope, including mountains, because of the Earth's gravitational force. Gravity is a constant pull towards the center of the Earth. This force acts on the water, pulling it in the direction of the Earth's center, which is always downwards relative to the surface, regardless of the terrain.

Question 1

Take a 5 rupee coin and a small piece of paper. The paper should be about one-fourth the size of the coin. Hold the coin in one hand and the paper in the other. Drop them at the same time. What happened? Now place the tiny paper on the coin and drop them. What happened this time? Surprised?
Solution: When you drop the coin and the piece of paper separately, the coin falls much faster than the paper. This is because the coin is denser and heavier, and it is less affected by air resistance. The paper, being lighter and having a larger surface area relative to its weight, experiences more air resistance, which slows its fall. However, when you place the paper on top of the coin and drop them together, the coin shields the paper from air resistance. As a result, both the coin and the paper fall at nearly the same rate, and you might be surprised to see them land at the same time.

Question 5

How did this magic happen? (Referring to the mouse lifting an elephant trick)
Solution: This 'magic' trick works because of the principle of rotational motion and centrifugal force (or more accurately, inertia in a rotating frame). When the small stone (with the mouse tied to it) is rotated rapidly inside the paper roll, it starts moving in a circle. This circular motion creates an outward force (centrifugal effect) that pushes the larger stone (with the elephant) outwards. If the rotation is fast enough and the string is appropriately positioned, the outward force on the larger stone can overcome its weight, making it appear as if the mouse is lifting the elephant. It's an illusion created by the forces generated from the rotation.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'up' and 'down' in a global context.
  • Not understanding that gravity is a force pulling towards the center of the Earth.
  • Assuming space has no effect on everyday phenomena like hair standing up.
  • Difficulty in visualizing the Earth as a sphere from personal experience.

Revision tips

  • Draw your own picture of the Earth and mark your location to understand perspective.
  • Discuss with friends why astronauts float and how it differs from life on Earth.
  • Think about everyday examples of gravity, like why a dropped object falls.
  • Review the dates and events related to Sunita's space journey to understand the timeline.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What force keeps us from falling off the Earth?

Q2. In space, what happens to objects and people due to the absence of strong gravity?

Q3. Why does water flow downwards on Earth, even on a slope?

Q4. How does the Earth appear from space?

Q5. What is the sense of 'up' and 'down' on Earth related to?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main concept covered in the 'Sunita In Space' chapter for Class 5 EVS?

The chapter primarily explains the concept of gravity, the shape of the Earth, and the unique experiences of astronauts in space, such as floating due to zero gravity.

Why don't people fall off the Earth, according to the NCERT Solutions?

The solutions explain that the Earth's gravitational force attracts everything towards its center, which is why people and objects stay on the ground and do not fall off.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for each question, helping students understand complex topics like gravity and space in a simple and engaging way, aiding exam preparation.

What is the significance of Sunita's experience in the chapter?

Sunita's experiences as an astronaut are used to illustrate the effects of zero gravity, such as hair standing on end and objects floating, contrasting it with life on Earth.

Are there any practical activities or demonstrations in this chapter's solutions?

Yes, the chapter includes explanations for simple 'magic' tricks that demonstrate principles of motion and force, like a paper falling with a coin when placed on it.

Important links

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