Students who want to revise the NCERT solutions at the last minute, this blog as a guide for them. These NCERT solutions for Class 11 Geography Chapter 12: Water (Oceans) will offer clear answers to all the questions from the Fundamentals of Physical Geography. This chapter discusses the concepts of the Ocean, hydrological cycles, temperature distribution and basic concepts of water. You can also download the free PDF to revise the key concepts of this chapter anytime.
Contents
- 1 NCERT Solutions Class 11 Geography Fundamentals of Physical Geography Chapter 12: Water (Oceans)
- 2 2. Answer the Following Questions in About 30 Words
- 3 3. Answer the Following Questions in About 150 Words
- 4 Download NCERT Solutions Class 11 Geography Fundamentals of Physical Geography Chapter 12: Water (Oceans)
Explore Notes of Class 11 Fundamentals of Physical Geography
NCERT Solutions Class 11 Geography Fundamentals of Physical Geography Chapter 12: Water (Oceans)
These NCERT solutions for Class 11 Geography Chapter 12 will help you to understand the questions and answers. Regular revision of these concepts will boost your preparation for the exam.
1. Multiple Choice Questions
(i) Identify the element which is not a part of the hydrological cycle
(a) Evaporation
(b) Hydration
(c) Precipitation
(d) Condensation
Answer:
(b) Hydration: Hydration is not part of the water cycle, which includes processes like evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, driving water movement between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere.
(ii) The average depth of the continental slope varies between
(a) 2–20m
(b) 200–2,000m
(c) 20–200m
(d) 2,000–20,000m
Answer:
(b) 200–2,000m: The continental slope has an average depth ranging from 200 to 2,000 meters, marking the steep descent from the continental shelf to the oceanic floor.
(iii) Which one of the following is not a minor relief feature in the oceans?
(a) Seamount
(b) Atoll
(c) Oceanic Deep
(d) Guyot
Answer:
(c) Oceanic Deep: Oceanic deeps or trenches are major relief features, not minor ones, unlike seamounts, atolls, or guyots, which are smaller-scale ocean floor structures.
(iv) Salinity is expressed as the amount of salt in grams dissolved in seawater per
(a) 10 gm
(b) 1,000 gm
(c) 100 gm
(d) 10,000 gm
Answer:
(b) 1,000 gm: Salinity is expressed as the amount of salt in grams dissolved in 1,000 grams of seawater, typically around 35 grams per 1,000 grams.
(v) Which one of the following is the smallest ocean?
(a) Indian Ocean
(b) Arctic Ocean
(c) Atlantic Ocean
(d) Pacific Ocean
Answer:
(b) Arctic Ocean: The Arctic Ocean is the smallest ocean, covering about 14 million square kilometres, compared to the larger Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
Also Read:
- NCERT Class 9 Geography Chapter 2 Physical Features of India (Free PDF)
- NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture: Notes, Solutions, Free PDF
2. Answer the Following Questions in About 30 Words
(i) Why do we call the earth a Blue Planet?
Solutions: Earth is called the Blue Planet because about 71% of its surface is covered by water, primarily oceans, giving it a blue appearance from space.
(ii) What is a continental margin?
Solutions: The continental margin is the transition zone between continental crust and oceanic crust, comprising the continental shelf, slope, and rise, extending from the coast to the deep ocean floor.
(iii) List out the deepest trenches of various oceans.
Solutions: The deepest trenches include the Mariana Trench (Pacific), the Puerto Rico Trench (Atlantic), the Sunda Trench (Indian), and the Tonga Trench (Pacific), reaching depths over 7,000 meters.
(iv) What is a thermocline?
Solutions: A thermocline is a layer in the ocean where temperature changes rapidly with depth, separating warmer surface water from colder deep water.
(v) When you move into the ocean what thermal layers would you encounter? Why the temperature varies with depth?
Solutions: You encounter the mixed layer, thermocline, and deep layer. Temperature decreases with depth due to reduced solar penetration and mixing, with cold water sinking below warmer layers.
(vi) What is salinity of sea water?
Solutions: Salinity of seawater is the concentration of dissolved salts, averaging 35 grams per 1,000 grams, influenced by evaporation, precipitation, and river inflows.
3. Answer the Following Questions in About 150 Words
(i) How are various elements of the hydrological cycle interrelated?
Solutions: The hydrological cycle’s elements, evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, and infiltration, are interconnected in a continuous water movement process. Evaporation from oceans and land surfaces forms water vapour, which condenses in the atmosphere to form clouds. Precipitation, such as rain or snow, returns water to the Earth’s surface. Runoff channels water into rivers, lakes, and oceans, while infiltration replenishes groundwater. Oceans, holding 97% of Earth’s water, are the primary source of evaporation, driving the cycle. Precipitation over land supports rivers and lakes, which flow back to oceans, completing the loop. This cycle maintains water balance, supports ecosystems, and influences climate by distributing heat and moisture globally, with each element dependent on the others for continuity.
(ii) Examine the factors that influence the temperature distribution of the oceans.
Solutions: Ocean temperature distribution is influenced by several factors. Latitude plays a key role, with warmer waters near the equator due to intense solar radiation and cooler waters at the poles. Ocean currents, like the Gulf Stream, redistribute heat, warming some regions and cooling others. Depth affects temperature, as solar energy heats only the surface, creating a thermocline where temperature drops sharply. Seasonal changes cause surface temperature variations, especially in mid-latitudes. Salinity and water density influence vertical mixing, with denser, saltier water sinking, affecting heat distribution. Coastal upwelling brings cold, deep water to the surface, cooling coastal areas. These factors collectively create complex temperature patterns, impacting marine ecosystems, climate, and global heat transfer.
Also Read:
- NCERT Class 8 Geography: Chapter 5 Human Resources Class (Free PDF)
- NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 3 Agriculture: Notes, Solutions, Free PDF
Download NCERT Solutions Class 11 Geography Fundamentals of Physical Geography Chapter 12: Water (Oceans)
Download the free PDF of these solutions to study key concepts in simple language and prepare effectively for your exams.
Download NCERT Solutions of Class 11 Fundamentals of Physical Geography here:
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