CBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 10: Motion and Measurement of Distances NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter, 'Motion and Measurement of Distances,' for CBSE Class 6 Science, introduces fundamental concepts related to movement and how we quantify distances. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and step-by-step answers to exercises covering various modes of transport (land, water, air), different types of motion (rectilinear, circular, periodic), and the importance of standard units for measurement. Students will learn to convert between units like meters, centimeters, and kilometers, and understand why non-standard units are unreliable. These solutions are designed to help students grasp these concepts thoroughly, enabling them to solve problems accurately and build a strong foundation for future physics and science studies. They serve as an excellent tool for exam preparation, reinforcing understanding and ensuring clarity on all topics within the chapter.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 6
SubjectScience
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 10

Chapter summary

Chapter 10 of NCERT Class 6 Science focuses on 'Motion and Measurement of Distances.' The exercises cover identifying different modes of transport, understanding various types of motion like rectilinear, circular, and periodic, and the necessity of standard units for measuring length. Solutions explain conversions between metric units (mm, cm, m, km) and address the unreliability of non-standard units like paces. This chapter builds foundational knowledge for understanding physical phenomena and measurement techniques.

Learning outcomes

  • Identify different modes of transport used on land, water, and air.
  • Understand and differentiate between rectilinear, circular, and periodic motion.
  • Recognize the need for standard units of length.
  • Convert between different units of length (mm, cm, m, km).
  • Explain why non-standard units are not suitable for measurement.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Modes of Transport
  • Land Transport
  • Water Transport
  • Air Transport
  • Measurement of Length
  • Units of Length
  • Millimetre (mm)
  • Centimetre (cm)
  • Metre (m)
  • Kilometre (km)
  • Types of Motion
  • Rectilinear, Circular, and Periodic Motion

Important topics

  • Modes of Transport
  • Standard Units of Length
  • Unit Conversions (mm, cm, m, km)
  • Types of Motion (Rectilinear, Circular, Periodic)

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Give two examples each, of modes of transport used on land, water and air.
Solution: To understand how people and goods travel, we can categorize modes of transport based on the medium they use:

Land Transport: These are vehicles that travel on roads or tracks.

  • Examples: Bus, Train, Car, Motorcycle, Bicycle.

Water Transport: These are vessels that move on bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and oceans.

  • Examples: Boat, Ship, Submarine, Steamer.

Air Transport: These are vehicles that travel through the sky.

  • Examples: Aeroplane, Helicopter, Hot Air Balloon.

Question 2

Fill in the blanks:
  1. One metre is _____ cm.
  2. Five kilometre is _____ m.
  3. Motion of a child on a swing is _____.
  4. Motion of the needle of a sewing machine is _____.
  5. Motion of wheel of a bicycle is_____.
Solution: Let's fill in the blanks with the correct terms and values:
  1. One metre is 100 cm. (Since 1 m = 100 cm)
  2. Five kilometre is 5000 m. (Since 1 km = 1000 m, so 5 km = 5 × 1000 m = 5000 m)
  3. Motion of a child on a swing is periodic motion. (The child moves back and forth over a regular interval of time).
  4. Motion of the needle of a sewing machine is periodic motion. (The needle moves up and down repeatedly in a regular pattern).
  5. Motion of wheel of a bicycle is circular motion. (The wheel rotates around its center).

Question 3

Why can a pace or a footstep not be used as a standard unit of length?
Solution: A pace or a footstep cannot be used as a standard unit of length because these measurements are not consistent. The length of a person's pace or footstep varies significantly from one individual to another. For example, an adult's pace is longer than a child's pace. This variability would lead to different measurements for the same distance depending on who is measuring, causing confusion and making it impossible to have a reliable, universally accepted measurement. Standard units, like the meter, are defined precisely and are the same for everyone, ensuring accuracy and consistency in measurements.

Question 4

Arrange the following lengths in their increasing magnitude: 1 metre, 1 centimetre, 1 kilometre, 1 millimetre.
Solution: To arrange these lengths in increasing order, we need to understand their relative sizes. The standard relationships are:
  • 1 kilometre (km) = 1000 metres (m)
  • 1 metre (m) = 100 centimetres (cm)
  • 1 centimetre (cm) = 10 millimetres (mm)
From these relationships, we can see that a millimetre is the smallest unit, followed by a centimeter, then a meter, and finally a kilometer is the largest unit among the given options. Therefore, arranging them in increasing magnitude gives: 1 millimetre, 1 centimetre, 1 metre, 1 kilometre.

Question 5

The height of a person is 1.65 m. Express it into cm and mm.
Solution: We are given the height of a person as 1.65 meters and need to convert it into centimeters (cm) and millimeters (mm). We know the standard conversion factors:
  • 1 metre = 100 centimetres
  • 1 metre = 1000 millimetres
To convert 1.65 m to cm, we multiply by 100:

1.65 \text{ m} = 1.65 \times 100 \text{ cm} = 165 \text{ cm}

To convert 1.65 m to mm, we multiply by 1000:

1.65 \text{ m} = 1.65 \times 1000 \text{ mm} = 1650 \text{ mm}

So, the height of the person is 165 cm and 1650 mm.

Question 6

The distance between Radha's home and her school is 3250 m. Express this distance into km.
Solution: The distance between Radha's home and school is given as 3250 meters (m). We need to express this distance in kilometers (km). We know the conversion factor between meters and kilometers:

1 \text{ m} = \frac{1}{1000} \text{km}

To convert 3250 m to km, we divide the value in meters by 1000:

3250 \text{ m} = \frac{3250}{1000} \text{ km} = 3.25 \text{ km}

Therefore, the distance between Radha's home and her school is 3.25 km.

Question 7

While measuring the length of a knitting needle, the reading of the scale at one end is 3.0 cm and at the other end is 33.1 cm. What is the length of the needle?
Solution: To find the length of the knitting needle, we need to calculate the difference between the final reading and the initial reading on the measuring scale. The initial reading (one end) is 3.0 cm. The final reading (other end) is 33.1 cm. The length of the needle is the difference between these two readings:

\text{Length of needle} = \text{Final reading} - \text{Initial reading}

\text{Length of needle} = 33.1 \text{ cm} - 3.0 \text{ cm} = 30.1 \text{ cm}

Thus, the length of the knitting needle is 30.1 cm.

Question 8

Write the similarities and differences between the motion of a bicycle and a ceiling fan that has been switched on.
Solution: Let's compare the motion of a bicycle and a ceiling fan:

Similarity:

  • Both a bicycle (specifically its wheels) and a ceiling fan exhibit circular motion. The wheels of the bicycle rotate around their axles, and the blades of the ceiling fan rotate around the central motor.

Differences:

  • Bicycle: When a bicycle is moving forward on a straight road, its overall motion is rectilinear motion (motion in a straight line). While the wheels are rotating (circular motion), the bicycle itself travels in a straight path.
  • Ceiling Fan: A ceiling fan, when switched on, primarily exhibits rotational motion around a fixed axis (the motor). It does not typically show rectilinear motion unless the entire fan assembly is moving, which is not the usual case. The blades move in a circle, but the fan itself stays in one place.

Question 9

Why could you not use an elastic measuring tape to measure distance? What would be some of the problems you would meet in telling someone about a distance you measured with an elastic tape?
Solution: An elastic measuring tape cannot be reliably used to measure distance because it is not a rigid object and can be stretched. Here are the problems you would encounter:

Why it cannot be used:

  • Stretching: When you pull an elastic tape, it stretches. This stretching increases its length beyond its actual marked length. If you measure a distance using a stretched tape, the measured value will appear shorter than the actual distance.

Problems in telling someone about a measured distance:

  • Inconsistent Measurements: You would not know how much the tape has stretched each time you use it. The amount of stretch can vary depending on how tightly you pull it, the temperature, or even the material's condition. This means repeated measurements of the same distance could yield different results.
  • Lack of Standardization: Since the amount of stretch is variable and not standardized, the measurement taken with an elastic tape is not comparable to measurements taken with a standard, non-elastic tape or ruler.
  • Difficulty in Communication: If you tell someone a distance measured with an elastic tape, they cannot verify it or use it accurately because they don't know the exact conditions under which it was measured (e.g., how much it was stretched). This makes communication of the measurement unreliable.
For accurate measurements, rigid measuring instruments like a non-elastic measuring tape, a ruler, or a meter scale are necessary.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing different types of motion.
  • Errors in unit conversions (e.g., m to cm, m to km).
  • Not understanding the variability of non-standard units.
  • Incorrectly calculating length from scale readings.

Revision tips

  • Memorize the relationships between different units of length (mm, cm, m, km).
  • Practice identifying the type of motion for various objects.
  • Review the examples of transport modes for each category.
  • Understand the reasoning behind using standard units for measurement.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is a mode of air transport?

Q2. How many centimeters are there in one meter?

Q3. The motion of a child on a swing is an example of:

Q4. Which unit is the smallest among the following: metre, centimetre, millimetre, kilometre?

Q5. Why is a footstep not a standard unit of length?

Frequently asked questions

What are the main topics covered in CBSE Class 6 Science Chapter 10?

Chapter 10 covers modes of transport (land, water, air), the concept of motion, different types of motion (rectilinear, circular, periodic), and the measurement of distances using standard units like meters and kilometers.

Why is it important to use standard units for measuring length?

Standard units like meters and centimeters are essential because they provide a consistent and universally accepted measure. Non-standard units like paces or footsteps vary from person to person, leading to confusion and inaccurate measurements.

How do you convert between different units of length in this chapter?

The chapter explains conversions such as 1 meter = 100 centimeters, 1 kilometer = 1000 meters, and 1 meter = 1000 millimeters. These conversions are done using multiplication or division by the appropriate factor.

What are the different types of motion discussed?

The chapter discusses rectilinear motion (straight line), circular motion (around a fixed point), and periodic motion (repeats at regular intervals).

How can these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step answers to all exercises, helping students understand the concepts, practice problem-solving, and prepare effectively for their exams.

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