NCERT Geography Class 9 Chapter 4 | Climatic Controls Notes & PDF

Topic covered: Climatic Controls and MCQs Questions: Climate (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).

We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 9th about the “Climatic Controls” from the NCERT Geography notes for class 9th chapter 4 “Climate“.

Download the NCERT Geography for Class 9th Chapter 4 Climate Notes PDF

NCERT Geography for Class 9th Chapter 4 – Climate Notes & MCQ’s Question-Answer – E-book NCERT

The Climate chapter of Class 9 Geography explores the factors that influence India’s diverse weather patterns. These notes explain major elements like temperature, rainfall, pressure, and wind systems, along with concepts such as monsoons, seasons, factors that affect climate and climatic controls. Students will also find clear points on why different regions in India experience varied climates and how these patterns affect daily life and agriculture. The PDF is designed to make revision easy with concise summaries, diagrams, and exam-ready pointers. Download the NCERT Geography Class 9 Chapter 4 Climate Notes PDF to prepare effectively and build a solid understanding of this topic.

Climatic Controls

1. Six Major Controls of Climate:

• The climate of any place is influenced by six major controls:
  a. Latitude
  b. Altitude
  c. Pressure and Wind System
  d. Distance from the Sea (Continentality)
  d. Ocean Currents
  e. Relief Features

2. Latitude:

• Due to the curvature of the Earth, the amount of solar energy received differs by latitude.
• Temperature decreases from the equator towards the poles.

3. Altitude:

• As altitude increases, the atmosphere becomes less dense.
• Temperature decreases with height.
• Hence, hills are cooler during summers compared to plains.

4. Pressure and Wind System:

• The pressure and wind system of a region depends on latitude and altitude.
• It directly affects the temperature and rainfall pattern of that place.

5. Distance from the Sea (Continentality):

• The sea has a moderating effect on climate.
• Coastal regions: experience moderate climate (not too hot, not too cold).
• Interior regions: experience extreme climate (very hot summers, very cold winters) → this condition is called continentality.

6. Ocean Currents:

• Ocean currents along with onshore winds affect coastal climate.
• Example:
  a. Warm currents raise temperature.
  b. Cold currents lower temperature.

7. Relief Features:

• High mountains act as barriers to cold or hot winds.
• They also cause precipitation if they intercept rain-bearing winds.
• The leeward side of mountains remains relatively dry (rain shadow effect).

Related Exam Questions and Answers

Question 1. Name the six major controls of climate.

Short Answer:

Latitude, Altitude, Pressure and Wind System, Distance from the Sea (Continentality), Ocean Currents, Relief Features.

Detailed Answer:

The climate of any place is mainly controlled by six factors:

1. Latitude (location north or south of the equator),
2. Altitude (height above sea level),
3. Pressure and wind system,
4. Distance from the sea (continentality),
5. Ocean currents, and
6. Relief features like mountains and valleys.

All these together influence the temperature, rainfall, and overall climate of a region.

Question 2. How does latitude affect the climate of a place?

Short Answer: Climate varies with latitude as solar energy decreases from the equator to the poles.

Detailed Answer:

Latitude controls the amount of solar energy received by a place. Due to the curvature of the Earth, equatorial regions receive direct sunlight and are hot, while polar regions receive slanting rays and are cold. Therefore, temperature generally decreases from the equator towards the poles.

Question 3. Why are hill stations cooler in summer?

Short Answer: Because temperature decreases with increase in altitude.

Detailed Answer:

As we go higher from the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere becomes thinner and less able to retain heat. This causes the temperature to decrease with altitude. Hence, hill stations like Shimla, Ooty, or Darjeeling remain cooler in summer compared to the nearby plains.

Question 4. What is continentality? Explain with example.

Short Answer: Continentality is the extreme type of climate experienced in inland areas far from the sea.

Detailed Answer:

Continentality refers to the effect of distance from the sea on the climate of a place. The sea has a moderating effect, but as the distance from the sea increases, this effect reduces. Areas far from the sea experience very hot summers and very cold winters (extreme climate). Example: Delhi has more extreme temperatures than Mumbai, which is near the sea.

Question 5. How do ocean currents and onshore winds influence coastal climate?

Short Answer: Warm currents raise temperature, cold currents lower it, and onshore winds spread their effect to coastal areas.

Detailed Answer:

Ocean currents, whether warm or cold, influence the temperature of nearby coastal regions. When onshore winds blow across these currents, they carry the temperature effect inland. For example, the warm Gulf Stream warms the western European coast, while the cold Labrador Current cools the northeastern coast of North America.

Question 6. Why does the leeward side of mountains remain dry?

Short Answer: Because it lies in the rain shadow area where rain-bearing winds cannot reach.

Detailed Answer:

Mountains block rain-bearing winds and force them to rise. As the winds rise, they cool and cause rainfall on the windward side. By the time these winds cross to the leeward side, they have lost most of their moisture. Therefore, the leeward side remains relatively dry. Example: The Deccan Plateau lies in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats.

Question 7. Distinguish between the climatic conditions of coastal and interior areas.

Short Answer: Coastal areas – moderate climate; Interior areas – extreme climate.

Detailed Answer:

Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Geography Class 9 Chapter 4: Climate

MCQs on NCERT Geography Class 9 Chapter 4 Topic – Climatic Controls

Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “Climatic Controls” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:

Question 1. How many major controls of climate are there?

a) Four
b) Five
c) Six
d) Seven

Answer: c) Six

Question 2. Which of the following is NOT a control of climate?

a) Latitude
b) Altitude
c) Longitude
d) Ocean currents

Answer: c) Longitude

Question 3. Due to the curvature of the Earth, the amount of solar energy received varies according to:

a) Altitude
b) Latitude
c) Ocean currents
d) Relief features

Answer: b) Latitude

Question 4. Air temperature generally decreases from:

a) Poles towards the equator
b) Equator towards the poles
c) Sea towards land
d) Coastal areas towards mountains

Answer: b) Equator towards the poles

Question 5. As one goes from the Earth’s surface to higher altitudes, temperature:

a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Remains constant
d) First increases then decreases

Answer: b) Decreases

Question 6. Why are hills cooler during summers?

a) Because of rainfall
b) Because atmosphere is dense
c) Because atmosphere is less dense at higher altitudes
d) Because they are near the sea

Answer: c) Because atmosphere is less dense at higher altitudes

Question 7. Pressure and wind system of any area depends on:

a) Longitude
b) Ocean currents
c) Latitude and altitude
d) Continentality

Answer: c) Latitude and altitude

Question 8. The pressure and wind system influences:

a) Soil fertility
b) Temperature and rainfall pattern
c) Ocean currents
d) Vegetation types

Answer: b) Temperature and rainfall pattern

Question 9. The sea exerts what kind of influence on climate?

a) Extreme
b) Moderating
c) No influence
d) Seasonal

Answer: b) Moderating

Question 10. As the distance from the sea increases, moderating influence:

a) Increases
b) Decreases
c) Remains constant
d) Becomes extreme

Answer: b) Decreases

Question 11. The condition in which places far from the sea experience extreme climate is known as:

a) Monsoon
b) Continentality
c) Tropicality
d) Insolation

Answer: b) Continentality

Question 12. Which statement is true about continentality?

a) Very hot during summers and very cold during winters
b) Moderate climate throughout the year
c) More rainfall in coastal regions
d) Always humid

Answer: a) Very hot during summers and very cold during winters

Question 13. Ocean currents along with onshore winds affect:

a) Forest cover
b) Climate of coastal areas
c) Soil fertility
d) Altitude of mountains

Answer: b) Climate of coastal areas

Question 14. A coastal area with warm or cold currents flowing past it will be:

a) Warmer or cooler depending on onshore winds
b) Always warm
c) Always cold
d) Unaffected

Answer: a) Warmer or cooler depending on onshore winds

Question 15. Relief plays a role in determining climate because:

a) High mountains act as barriers for winds
b) Mountains reduce temperature
c) Plains increase rainfall
d) Hills always remain dry

Answer: a) High mountains act as barriers for winds

Question 16. High mountains lying in the path of rain-bearing winds cause:

a) Increase in temperature
b) Decrease in humidity
c) Precipitation
d) No effect

Answer: c) Precipitation

Question 17. The side of the mountain which remains relatively dry is called:

a) Windward side
b) Leeward side
c) Coastal side
d) Plateau side

Answer: b) Leeward side