CBSE Class 7 Social Science Our Environment: Chapter 5 Water NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 7 PDF

This chapter delves into the essential topic of Water, covering its various forms and movements on Earth. The NCERT Solutions for Class 7 Social Science, Chapter 5, explain key concepts such as precipitation, the continuous circulation of water through the water cycle, and the factors influencing ocean water movement. It also details the phenomenon of tides, explaining their causes and effects, including their use in generating electricity. These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations designed to help students grasp the fundamental principles of Earth's water systems and prepare effectively for their examinations.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 7
Subject	Social Science Our Environment
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 5

Chapter summary

Chapter 5 of the NCERT Social Science textbook for Class 7 focuses on Water. The provided solutions explain the process of precipitation, define the water cycle, and identify factors affecting ocean water movement and wave heights. It also elaborates on tides, their causes (gravitational pull of the moon and sun), and their practical applications. These solutions aim to clarify the dynamic nature of water on our planet.

Learning outcomes

Understand the process of precipitation and its different forms.
Define and explain the continuous water cycle.
Identify factors that influence the movement of ocean water.
Explain the causes and effects of tides.
Recognize the role of the moon and sun's gravity in creating tides.
Understand how tides can be utilized for energy generation.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Precipitation
Forms of Precipitation
Water Cycle
Evaporation
Condensation
Runoff
Ocean Water Movement
Factors Affecting Ocean Water
Waves
Tides
Causes of Tides
Tides for Electricity Generation

Important topics

Water Cycle
Precipitation
Tides: Causes and Effects
Factors Affecting Ocean Water Movement

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1. (a)

What is precipitation?

Solution: Precipitation refers to the process where water from the Earth's surface evaporates, rises into the atmosphere, cools, and forms tiny water droplets. These droplets gather to create clouds. When clouds become too heavy to hold more water, the droplets fall back to the Earth in various forms like rain, hail, frost, fog, sleet, or snow. This falling of water from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface is known as precipitation.

Question 1. (b)

What is water cycle?

Solution: The water cycle describes the continuous movement and transformation of water on, above, and below the Earth's surface. It is the constant circulation of water between the oceans, atmosphere, and land, where water continually changes its form (e.g., liquid to gas, gas to liquid).

Question 1. (c)

What are the factors affecting the height of the waves?

Solution: The height of waves can be significantly affected by strong winds. Additionally, sudden geological events occurring underwater, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides, can cause large shifts in water volume, leading to an increase in wave height.

Question 1. (d)

Which factors affect the movement of ocean water?

Solution: Several factors influence the movement of ocean water. These include the temperature of the water, the force of winds blowing across the surface, the gravitational pull exerted by the moon, and the presence of warm and cold ocean currents.

Question 1. (e)

What are tides and how are they caused?

Solution: Tides are the rhythmic rise and fall of the ocean water level that occur approximately twice a day. They are primarily caused by the strong gravitational pull exerted by the moon on the Earth's surface. The sun also exerts a gravitational pull, contributing to the tides. The moon's gravitational attraction pulls the oceans, causing them to bulge outwards in the direction of the moon. This phenomenon is also utilized in some locations to generate electricity.

Common mistakes

Confusing precipitation with evaporation.
Not clearly defining the continuous nature of the water cycle.
Misidentifying the primary forces causing tides.
Incomplete understanding of factors affecting ocean water movement.

Revision tips

Draw diagrams to visualize the water cycle and precipitation.
Create flashcards for key terms like precipitation, water cycle, and tides.
Focus on understanding the cause-and-effect relationships for tides and ocean currents.
Relate the concepts to real-world examples of water usage and phenomena.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the process by which water falls back to the Earth from the atmosphere in various forms?

Q2. Which of the following is NOT a form of precipitation?

Q3. The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth is known as:

Q4. What is the primary cause of tides?

Q5. Which of these factors affects the movement of ocean water?

Frequently asked questions

What is precipitation in simple terms?

Precipitation is any form of water that falls from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface, such as rain, snow, hail, or sleet.

Can you explain the water cycle briefly?

The water cycle is the continuous process where water evaporates from the Earth's surface, rises into the atmosphere, condenses into clouds, and then falls back to Earth as precipitation, repeating the cycle.

What causes the ocean water to move?

Ocean water movement is influenced by factors like temperature, winds, the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, and the formation of currents.

What are tides and what causes them?

Tides are the rhythmic rise and fall of ocean water levels. They are primarily caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and, to a lesser extent, the sun.

Are tides useful for anything?

Yes, the rise and fall of water due to tides can be harnessed in some places to generate electricity.

How do these NCERT solutions help with Class 7 Social Science revision?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten explanations for all questions in Chapter 5, helping students understand concepts like precipitation, the water cycle, and tides, which are crucial for exam preparation.

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