NCERT Class 7 Science Curiosity: Chapter 12 — Earth, Moon, and the Sun
This chapter, "Rotation of the Earth," from NCERT's Class 7 Science Curiosity textbook, explores why the Sun appears to move across the sky. It uses the analogy of a merry-go-round to explain how our perspective from a moving platform (Earth) makes stationary objects (like the Sun) seem to move. The chapter addresses a common observation: the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West. It poses the question of whether the Sun moves or the Earth rotates. Through an activity, students are encouraged to experience how objects appear to move in the opposite direction of their own motion. This chapter helps students understand the concept of Earth's rotation as the reason for the apparent movement of the Sun, a fundamental concept in understanding day and night cycles and celestial motion, crucial for CBSE science learning.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | Science |
| Book | Curiosity |
| Chapter | Chapter 12 — Earth, Moon, and the Sun |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 3 minutes |
| Word count | 503 |
Learning outcomes
- Explain why the Sun appears to move across the sky.
- Understand the concept of Earth's rotation.
- Relate the apparent movement of the Sun to the Earth's turning.
- Differentiate between the Earth's movement and the Sun's apparent movement.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rotation | The act of turning around an axis or a center. |
| Apparent | Clearly visible or understood; obvious. |
| Perspective | A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. |
| Celestial | Positioned in or relating to the sky, or outer space as observed in astronomy. |
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Practice questions
- Why does the Sun appear to rise in the East and set in the West? Answer: The Sun appears to rise in the East and set in the West because the Earth rotates on its axis.
- What is the main reason for the apparent movement of the Sun in the sky? Answer: The main reason for the apparent movement of the Sun is the rotation of the Earth.
- If you are on a merry-go-round moving anti-clockwise, in which direction do the stationary objects around you appear to move? Answer: Stationary objects around you appear to move in the clockwise direction.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Sun move across the sky every day?
No, the Sun does not move across the sky. It appears to move because the Earth rotates on its axis.
What is the main concept explained in Chapter 12 of Class 7 Science Curiosity?
Chapter 12 explains the concept of Earth's rotation and how it causes the Sun to appear to move across the sky.
How does the merry-go-round activity help understand Earth's rotation?
The merry-go-round activity helps understand that when we are on a moving platform (like Earth), stationary objects (like the Sun) appear to move in the opposite direction.
Why did Rashmika get puzzled about the Sun's movement?
Rashmika was puzzled because she knew the Earth moved around the Sun but also observed the Sun moving across the sky, questioning which movement was real.
What is the direction of Earth's rotation?
The text implies Earth rotates in a direction that makes the Sun appear to move from East to West, consistent with an anti-clockwise rotation when viewed from above the North Pole.
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NCERT Class 7 Science — Curiosity — Chapter 12 — Earth, Moon, and the Sun. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.