Earth, Moon, and | Class 7 Science Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 4 min read
Earth, Moon, and – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Earth, Moon, and from Class 7 Science, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
12.3 Eclipses
This section introduces eclipses, phenomena that occur due to the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. It begins by noting that while planets like Mercury and Venus orbit between Earth and the Sun, they do not block the Sun's light completely due to their small apparent size. However, the Moon, being much closer to Earth, can block the Sun's light, causing eclipses. The section explains that the Moon is Earth's natural satellite, revolving around Earth as Earth revolves around the Sun. Two types of eclipses are discussed: solar and lunar. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight from reaching Earth. The apparent sizes of the Sun and Moon are similar because the Moon is much closer to Earth despite being smaller. An activity demonstrates this using a thumb and a friend's head to explain apparent size. The section describes total and partial solar eclipses, where the Moon's shadow falls on parts of Earth, causing total or partial darkness. It warns against looking directly at the Sun during a solar eclipse due to eye damage and suggests safe viewing methods like using eclipse glasses or attending organized events. The section also mentions ancient fears and superstitions about eclipses and highlights their scientific importance today. The Sanskrit term 'grahan' for eclipse and the ancient text Surya Siddhanta are referenced. The section concludes with the lunar eclipse, which occurs when Earth comes between the Sun and Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon. Lunar eclipses can be total or partial and are safe to observe with the naked eye.
📊 Diagram: Fig. 12.13 shows the geometry of a solar eclipse with the Moon's shadow on Earth. Fig. 12.14a-c show images of total solar eclipse, partial solar eclipse, and the 'diamond ring' effect. Fig. 12.15 shows a public solar eclipse viewing event. Fig. 12.16 illustrates the geometry of a lunar eclipse with Earth's shadow on the Moon.
🧪 Activity: Activity 12.4: Using a thumb and a friend's head to understand apparent size and the Moon's ability to cover the Sun during a solar eclipse.
🔗 Connection: Leads to the concluding sections on notable scientists and summary of the chapter.
Frequently asked questions
In Fig. 12.17, how many hours of sunlight do the North Pole and the South Pole receive during one rotation of the Earth?
During one rotation of the Earth, the North Pole receives 24 hours of sunlight during its summer (around June 21) and 0 hours during its winter (around December 21). Conversely, the South Pole receives 24 hours of sunlight during its summer (around December 21) and 0 hours during its winter (around June 21). This is because of the tilt of the Earth's axis.
Fill in the blanks (i) Stars rise in the ______ and set in the ______. (ii) Day and night are caused by the Earth's ______. (iii) When the Moon fully covers the Sun from our view, it is called a ______ solar eclipse.
(i) Stars rise in the east and set in the west. (ii) Day and night are caused by the Earth's rotation. (iii) When the Moon fully covers the Sun from our view, it is called a total solar eclipse.
State whether True or False (i) Lunar eclipse occurs when the Sun comes between the Earth and the Moon. (ii) Sunrise happens earlier in Gujarat than in Jharkhand. (iii) In Chennai, the longest day occurs on the summer solstice. (iv) We should watch the solar eclipse directly with our naked eye. (v) Seasons occur due to the tilt of Earth's axis of rotation and its spherical shape. (vi) The Earth's revolution around the Sun causes day and night.
(i) False - Lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon. (ii) True - Gujarat is west of Jharkhand, so sunrise happens earlier there. (iii) True - The longest day in Chennai occurs on the summer solstice. (iv) False - Watching a solar eclipse directly can damage the eyes. (v) True - Seasons occur due to the tilt of Earth's axis and its spherical shape. (vi) False - Day and night are caused by Earth's rotation, not revolution.
Padmashree saw the Orion constellation nearly overhead at 8 pm yesterday. When will she see Orion overhead today?
Padmashree will see the Orion constellation nearly overhead about 4 minutes earlier each day, so approximately at 7:56 pm today.
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