Chapter 10: Day and Night Wonders
Sunrise in the East, Shadows, Moon Phases, Twinkling Stars | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Rotation of Earth Causing Day and Night
- Cardinal Directions: East, West, North, South
- Shadow Formation and Length Changes throughout the Day
- The Night Sky: Moon Phases, Stars, and Constellations
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (15 Questions)
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Q1
Think and Tell
How are day and night formed on Earth?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Day and night are caused by the spinning rotation of the Earth on its axis once every 24 hours. The half of the Earth facing the Sun has daylight (Day), while the other half turned away in darkness experiences Night.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Earth's rotation on its axis in 24 hours
1.5
Half facing Sun = Day, half in darkness = Night
1.5
Q2
Four Directions
Name the four main cardinal directions. In which direction does the Sun rise and set?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
The four main directions are East, West, North, and South.
• The Sun rises in the EAST.
• The Sun sets in the WEST.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Listing East, West, North, South
1
Rises in East
1
Sets in West
1
Q3
Finding Directions
How can you find directions standing outdoors facing the rising Sun in the morning?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Stand facing the rising Sun:
• In front of you is EAST.
• Behind your back is WEST.
• To your left hand is NORTH.
• To your right hand is SOUTH.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Front = East, Back = West
1
Left = North, Right = South
1
Q4
Shadow Formation
What is a 'Shadow'? What three things are required to form a shadow?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
A shadow is a dark shape formed on a surface when an opaque object blocks the path of light.
Three things required:
1. A source of light (Sun, torch, bulb)
2. An opaque object to block the light
3. A screen or surface (ground, wall) on which the shadow falls.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Definition of shadow
1.5
Source of light, opaque object, and screen
1.5
Q5
Shadow Lengths
At what time of day is our shadow the shortest, and why?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Our shadow is shortest at 12 Noon because the Sun is positioned directly overhead above us, casting light straight downward.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
At 12 Noon
1
Sun directly overhead
1
Q6
Phases of the Moon
What are the 'Phases of the Moon'? Name the Full Moon and New Moon in Hindi.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
The changing visible shapes of the Moon seen from Earth are called Phases of the Moon.
• Full Moon: Purnima (Moon appears as a full bright circle).
• New Moon: Amavasya (Moon is not visible at all in the sky).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Phases of the Moon definition
1
Full Moon - Purnima
1
New Moon - Amavasya
1
Q7
Nocturnal Animals
What are 'Nocturnal Animals'? Give two examples of animals active at night.
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Animals that sleep during the daytime and remain active, hunt, and forage at night are called nocturnal animals. Examples: Owl and Bat.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Nocturnal definition
1
Owl and Bat examples
1
Q8
Match the Following
Match the celestial object with its fact:
(a) Sun -> (i) Crescent and full shapes
(b) Moon -> (ii) Saptarishi / Great Bear
(c) Constellation -> (iii) Closest star providing light and life
(d) Earth -> (iv) Blue planet rotating in 24 hours
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
(a) Sun -> (iii) Closest star providing light and life
(b) Moon -> (i) Crescent and full shapes
(c) Constellation -> (ii) Saptarishi / Great Bear
(d) Earth -> (iv) Blue planet rotating in 24 hours.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 4 correct matches
2
Q9
True or False
State True or False:
(a) A shadow is always formed on the same side as the light source.
(b) The Earth takes 24 hours to complete one full rotation on its axis.
(c) Stars are present in the sky during daytime but invisible due to bright sunlight.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
(a) False (Shadow is always formed on the opposite side of the light source)
(b) True
(c) True.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
1 mark per correct statement
3
Q10
Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks:
(a) The Sun rises in the ________ (East / West).
(b) A night when the Moon looks like a thin curved sickle is called a ________ (crescent / gibbous) moon.
(c) Shadows are ________ (longest / shortest) during early morning and late evening.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
(a) East
(b) crescent
(c) longest.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
1 mark per correct blank
3
Q11
Transparent vs Opaque
Can a clear clean glass window make a dark shadow? Why or why not?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
No, clear glass is transparent and allows light to pass completely through it without blocking it, so it cannot cast a dark shadow.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
No, cannot make a dark shadow
1
Clear glass is transparent and lets light pass through
1
Q12
Compass
What instrument is used by sailors and trekkers to find directions?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
A magnetic 'Compass' is used to find directions; its needle always points towards the North-South direction.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Magnetic Compass
1
Needle points North-South
1
Q13
Night Routine
Why is sleeping at night important for our body and brain?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Sound sleep at night allows our body to repair tissues, strengthens our immune system, rests our eyes, and recharges our brain for next day's learning.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Tissue repair, resting eyes, and recharging brain
2
Q14
Pole Star (Dhruva Tara)
What is the special star that always stays fixed in the northern sky?
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
The 'Pole Star' (North Star or Dhruva Tara) stays fixed in the northern sky and helps travelers find the North direction at night.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Pole Star / Dhruva Tara
1
Q15
Riddle on Shadows
Guess who I am:
'I follow you wherever you walk in the sun, I run when you run, yet when you step into darkness, I completely disappear. Who am I?'
[1 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
I am your 'Shadow'.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Shadow
1
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Practical Application Task
Analytical Task: Why did the length and direction of Rohan's shadow change throughout the day?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
A shadow changes in length and direction because the position of the Sun changes in the sky as Earth rotates:
1. Morning: Sun is low in the East, creating long shadows pointing West.
2. Noon: Sun is directly overhead, creating the shortest shadow under the feet.
3. Evening: Sun is low in the West, casting long shadows pointing East.
Rubric: [object Object],[object Object]