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Schooling · Class 7 · Science · Earth, Moon, and the Sun · Chapter on a page

CBSE Class 7 · Science · NCERT Curiosity

Earth, Moon, and the Sun: chapter on a page

A cut of Shishya's notes for this chapter: the first paragraph of the introduction and the key ideas, formulas and facts, common mistakes and quick revision lists, word for word. Nothing is added or reworded; the worked examples are left out (they are on the chapter page).

About the notes: Written by Shishya's AI on 26 Sept 2026 from the chapter's title and class level, in Shishya's own words — not a copy or summary of the textbook. Read the official chapter for the book's own text, activities and exercises.

This note's current text has no applied fact-check on record.

Mind map

Drawn from the same notes by a fixed rule (no AI): each label is the item's own words — its bold term, its label before a colon, a short formula as written, or its first words.

Mind map of Earth, Moon, and the Sun: Key ideas, Formulas and facts, Watch out forKey ideasThe Earth rotates (spins) on its…The Earth revolves (orbits) around…The Moon revolves around the Earth…We see different phases of the Moon…A solar eclipse happens when the…A lunar eclipse happens when the…The Earth's axis is tilted at about…Formulas and factsRotation period of EarthRevolution period of EarthRevolution period of Moon around EarthAxis tilt of EarthMoon's light sourceSolar eclipse conditionLunar eclipse conditionWatch out forThinking the Moon glows by itselfBelieving seasons happen because…Mixing up rotation and revolutionExpecting a lunar eclipse every full…Thinking the Moon takes 30 days to…Earth, Moon, and theSun
The mind map as a list
  • Key ideas
    • The Earth rotates (spins) on its…
    • The Earth revolves (orbits) around…
    • The Moon revolves around the Earth…
    • We see different phases of the Moon…
    • A solar eclipse happens when the…
    • A lunar eclipse happens when the…
    • The Earth's axis is tilted at about…
  • Formulas and facts
    • Rotation period of Earth
    • Revolution period of Earth
    • Revolution period of Moon around Earth
    • Axis tilt of Earth
    • Moon's light source
    • Solar eclipse condition
    • Lunar eclipse condition
  • Watch out for
    • Thinking the Moon glows by itself
    • Believing seasons happen because…
    • Mixing up rotation and revolution
    • Expecting a lunar eclipse every full…
    • Thinking the Moon takes 30 days to…

What this chapter is about

This chapter helps you understand the three bodies that shape our daily life: the Earth we live on, the Moon that lights our nights, and the Sun that gives us day and warmth. You will learn how their movements cause day and night, seasons, and the changing phases of the Moon.

Key ideas

  • The Earth rotates (spins) on its axis once every 24 hours; this rotation causes day and night.
  • The Earth revolves (orbits) around the Sun once every 365¼ days; this revolution, along with the tilt of Earth's axis, causes seasons.
  • The Moon revolves around the Earth once in about 27 to 28 days and does not produce its own light; it reflects sunlight.
  • We see different phases of the Moon (new moon, crescent, half, gibbous, full moon) because the lit part visible from Earth changes during its orbit.
  • A solar eclipse happens when the Moon comes between the Sun and Earth, blocking sunlight for a short time.
  • A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth comes between the Sun and Moon, and Earth's shadow falls on the Moon.
  • The Earth's axis is tilted at about 23.5 degrees; this tilt causes the Northern and Southern Hemispheres to receive different amounts of sunlight at different times of the year.

Formulas and facts to remember

  • Rotation period of Earth: 24 hours (one day-night cycle).
  • Revolution period of Earth: About 365¼ days (one year).
  • Revolution period of Moon around Earth: About 27–28 days.
  • Axis tilt of Earth: About 23.5 degrees from the vertical to its orbit.
  • Moon's light source: The Moon has no light of its own; it reflects sunlight.
  • Solar eclipse condition: Sun → Moon → Earth (Moon's shadow on Earth).
  • Lunar eclipse condition: Sun → Earth → Moon (Earth's shadow on Moon).
  • Seasons depend on: Earth's tilt and its position in its orbit around the Sun.

Common mistakes

  • Thinking the Moon glows by itself → The Moon only reflects the Sun's light.
  • Believing seasons happen because Earth moves closer to or farther from the Sun → Seasons happen because of Earth's tilted axis, not distance.
  • Mixing up rotation and revolution → Rotation is spinning in place (causes day-night); revolution is orbiting another body (causes year and seasons).
  • Expecting a lunar eclipse every full moon → The Moon's orbit is slightly tilted, so its shadow often misses Earth; eclipses happen only when alignments are exact.
  • Thinking the Moon takes 30 days to orbit Earth → It takes about 27–28 days; the calendar month is slightly longer.

Quick revision

  • Earth rotates once in 24 hours, giving day and night.
  • Earth revolves around the Sun in about 365¼ days, giving us a year.
  • The Moon revolves around Earth in about 27–28 days and shows phases because we see different portions of its sunlit side.
  • Earth's 23.5-degree tilt causes seasons, not distance from the Sun.
  • Solar eclipse: Moon blocks the Sun; lunar eclipse: Earth's shadow covers the Moon.