Beyond Earth — Class 6 Science NCERT Solutions (Free)
Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 6 Science chapter "Beyond Earth" — 8 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam preparation.
TL;DR: Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 6 Science chapter "Beyond Earth" — 8 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam prepara…
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science — Beyond Earth. Step-by-step answers to all 8 textbook questions from this chapter, written for CBSE board preparation and free to use.
Beyond Earth — All 8 Questions Solved
Q1. What is the solar system? Describe its main components.
The solar system consists of:
- The Sun: a star at the center providing heat and light
- Planets: eight planets orbiting the Sun (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune)
- Moons: natural satellites orbiting planets
- Asteroids: rocky bodies between Mars and Jupiter
- Comets: icy bodies that orbit the Sun
- Meteoroids: small rock fragments in space
Q2. Name the eight planets in order from the Sun and classify them.
The eight planets from the Sun are:
1. Mercury, 2. Venus, 3. Earth, 4. Mars (Inner planets - rocky, small)
5. Jupiter, 6. Saturn, 7. Uranus, 8. Neptune (Outer planets - gaseous, large)
Inner planets are solid and close to the Sun.
Outer planets are made of gases and liquids and are farther from the Sun.
Q3. What are the characteristics of Earth that make it unique?
Earth's unique characteristics:
- Presence of liquid water essential for life
- Suitable temperature range for life (neither too hot nor too cold)
- Protective atmosphere that filters harmful radiation
- One natural satellite - the Moon
- Rich biodiversity - millions of living species
- Presence of oxygen in atmosphere for respiration
Q4. Explain the phases of the Moon and why they occur.
Moon phases are caused by the Moon's position relative to Earth and Sun as it orbits Earth. As the Moon orbits:
- New Moon: Moon is between Earth and Sun (not visible)
- Crescent: small part is lit
- Half Moon: half of the Moon is lit
- Full Moon: entire side facing Earth is lit
These phases repeat in a cycle of about 29.5 days. The Moon does not produce light; it reflects sunlight.
Q5. What are stars? How are they classified?
Stars are massive hot spheres of gas that produce their own light and heat through nuclear fusion. They are classified by:
- Colour and temperature: red (cool), yellow (medium), white and blue (hot)
- Size: dwarf stars (small), giant stars (large), supergiant stars (very large)
- Brightness: determines by size and temperature
Our Sun is a medium-sized yellow star.
Q6. What is a constellation? Name five constellations.
Constellations are patterns of stars as seen from Earth. They were named by ancient people after mythological figures and animals. Five constellations are:
- Ursa Major (Big Bear): contains stars of the Big Dipper
- Ursa Minor (Small Bear): contains the North Pole Star
- Orion (Hunter): prominent constellation in winter
- Leo (Lion): zodiac constellation
- Cassiopeia: W-shaped constellation
They help in navigation and identifying sky regions.
Q7. Explain the difference between a meteor, meteorite, and meteoroid.
Meteoroid: small rock or debris in space
Meteor: meteoroid that enters Earth's atmosphere and burns due to friction, creating a bright streak (shooting star)
Meteorite: meteoroid that survives the journey through atmosphere and reaches Earth's surface
Only meteoroids that reach Earth become meteorites. Most burn up as meteors before reaching the ground.
Q8. Why is the study of space and planets important?
Studying space and planets is important because:
- Helps us understand our place in the universe
- Provides information about Earth and climate
- Leads to technological advancement (satellite technology)
- Helps predict weather and monitor environment
- Enables communication and navigation (GPS)
- Explores possibility of life beyond Earth
- Contributes to scientific knowledge and discovery
Beyond Earth — Practice MCQs with Answers
Attempt these 20 multiple-choice questions after working through the solutions above. Each carries the correct option and the reasoning behind it, so a wrong answer tells you which idea to revisit.
MCQ 1. What is the name of the star that is at the center of our Solar System?
- A. Moon
- B. Mars
- C. Sun
- D. Earth
Answer: C. Sun — The Sun is the star that anchors our Solar System with its immense gravitational pull, and all planets, including Earth, orbit around it.
MCQ 2. How many major planets are currently recognized in our Solar System?
- A. 7
- B. 8
- C. 9
- D. 10
Answer: B. 8 — According to the International Astronomical Union (IAU), there are 8 major planets in our Solar System. Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet.
MCQ 3. Which celestial body is Earth's natural satellite and orbits around it?
- A. Venus
- B. Sun
- C. Mars
- D. Moon
Answer: D. Moon — The Moon is the only natural satellite of Earth and it revolves around our planet, causing phases that we observe from Earth.
MCQ 4. What primary movement of Earth causes the cycle of day and night?
- A. Earth's revolution around the Sun
- B. Earth's rotation on its axis
- C. Moon's revolution around Earth
- D. Sun's rotation on its axis
Answer: B. Earth's rotation on its axis — The Earth's spinning motion, called rotation, on its own axis causes different parts of the Earth to face or turn away from the Sun, creating day and night.
MCQ 5. What is the main source of light and heat for Earth?
- A. Stars
- B. Moon
- C. Sun
- D. Jupiter
Answer: C. Sun — The Sun is a star that produces its own light and heat through nuclear reactions, which are vital for all life and processes on Earth.
MCQ 6. Which planet is often referred to as the 'Red Planet' due to its distinct color?
- A. Venus
- B. Mars
- C. Jupiter
- D. Saturn
Answer: B. Mars — Mars gets its reddish appearance from the iron oxide (rust) present in its soil and rocks, leading to its nickname 'Red Planet'.
MCQ 7. Which is the largest planet in our Solar System?
- A. Earth
- B. Saturn
- C. Jupiter
- D. Uranus
Answer: C. Jupiter — Jupiter is a gas giant and is the most massive and largest planet in our Solar System, with a diameter many times that of Earth.
MCQ 8. What do we call a recognizable pattern of stars in the night sky?
- A. Galaxy
- B. Nebula
- C. Constellation
- D. Asteroid
Answer: C. Constellation — A constellation is a group of stars that, when viewed from Earth, appear to form a specific shape or pattern, often named after mythological figures.
MCQ 9. Which planet is famously known for its magnificent and prominent ring system?
- A. Mars
- B. Jupiter
- C. Saturn
- D. Neptune
Answer: C. Saturn — Saturn is renowned for its spectacular system of rings, which are primarily composed of billions of small particles of ice and rock.
MCQ 10. Our Solar System, including the Sun and all its planets, is part of which galaxy?
- A. Andromeda Galaxy
- B. Pinwheel Galaxy
- C. Milky Way Galaxy
- D. Triangulum Galaxy
Answer: C. Milky Way Galaxy — The Milky Way is the spiral galaxy to which our Solar System belongs, appearing as a hazy band of light across the night sky.
MCQ 11. If Earth stopped rotating, what would be the continuous condition on its two hemispheres?
- A. Both hemispheres would have continuous day
- B. Both hemispheres would have continuous night
- C. One hemisphere would have continuous day, the other continuous night
- D. Day and night would still alternate, but slower
Answer: C. One hemisphere would have continuous day, the other continuous night — Without rotation, one side of Earth would permanently face the Sun, experiencing endless day, while the opposite side would be in perpetual darkness.
MCQ 12. Why do stars appear as tiny points of light in the night sky, even though many are much larger than the Sun?
- A. They are actually very small compared to planets
- B. They do not produce much light of their own
- C. They are extremely far away from Earth
- D. The Earth's atmosphere makes them look smaller
Answer: C. They are extremely far away from Earth — Stars appear tiny because they are at immense distances from Earth. Despite their colossal size, their vast separation reduces them to mere points of light in our sky.
MCQ 13. What is the fundamental difference between a star and a planet?
- A. Stars are generally smaller than planets
- B. Planets produce their own light, while stars reflect it
- C. Stars produce their own light, while planets reflect light from a star
- D. Planets orbit stars, but stars do not orbit anything
Answer: C. Stars produce their own light, while planets reflect light from a star — Stars are luminous celestial bodies that generate their own light and heat through nuclear fusion, whereas planets are non-luminous bodies that reflect light received from a nearby star.
MCQ 14. What are the small, rocky, irregularly shaped bodies that orbit the Sun, mostly found between Mars and Jupiter?
- A. Comets
- B. Meteoroids
- C. Asteroids
- D. Satellites
Answer: C. Asteroids — Asteroids are rocky remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system. Most of them are concentrated in the asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter.
MCQ 15. Which of the following bodies is NOT classified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union (IAU)?
- A. Pluto
- B. Ceres
- C. Mercury
- D. Eris
Answer: C. Mercury — Pluto, Ceres, and Eris are examples of dwarf planets. Mercury is one of the eight major planets in our Solar System, not a dwarf planet.
MCQ 16. Which of these celestial bodies is at the center of our Solar System?
- A. Earth
- B. Moon
- C. Sun
- D. Mars
Answer: C. Sun — The Sun is a star and the gravitational center around which all planets, asteroids, and comets in our Solar System revolve.
MCQ 17. Which planet is known as the 'Red Planet'?
- A. Venus
- B. Mars
- C. Jupiter
- D. Saturn
Answer: B. Mars — Mars gets its reddish appearance from iron oxide, commonly known as rust, on its surface.
MCQ 18. What is the phase of the Moon when it is completely dark and not visible from Earth?
- A. Full Moon
- B. Crescent Moon
- C. New Moon
- D. Half Moon
Answer: C. New Moon — During a New Moon, the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun, and its sunlit side faces away from Earth, making it appear invisible.
MCQ 19. What are massive, hot balls of gas that produce their own light and heat called?
- A. Planets
- B. Moons
- C. Stars
- D. Asteroids
Answer: C. Stars — Stars are celestial bodies that generate their own energy through nuclear fusion, emitting light and heat.
MCQ 20. What is a group of stars that appears to form a pattern or figure in the night sky called?
- A. Galaxy
- B. Nebula
- C. Constellation
- D. Comet
Answer: C. Constellation — Constellations are arbitrary groupings of stars perceived by observers on Earth, often named after mythological figures or animals.
How to Use These Solutions
Attempt each question yourself first and only then compare with the worked answer. Marks in the CBSE board exam are awarded for the METHOD as much as the final result, so reproduce the steps rather than memorising the last line. Where a solution states a law, a formula or a definition, learn that wording — examiners look for it.
Related practice for this chapter: chapter MCQs, previous-year questions, revision notes and sample papers.