Heating & Cooling Of Atmosphere PYQs — 10 UPSC CSE Previous Year Questions

Question 1

Consider the following statements : Without the atmosphere, temperature would be well below freezing point everywhere on the Earth's surface. Heat absorbed and trapped by the atmosphere maintains our planet's average temperature. Atmosphere's gases, like carbon dioxide, are particularly good at absorbing and trapping radiation. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

C. I, II and III

Question 2

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation. Statement-II : Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

Accepted Answer

D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Question 3

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : The temperature contrast between continents and oceans is greater during summer than in winter. Statement-II : The specific heat of water is more than that of land surface. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Accepted Answer

D. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Question 4

With reference to the Earth's atmosphere, which one of the following statements is correct?

Accepted Answer

C. Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.

Question 5

Consider the following statements : High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause warming effect. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Accepted Answer

D. Neither 1 nor 2

Question 6

The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the air is slowly raising the temperature of the atmosphere, because it absorbs

Accepted Answer

D. the infrared part of the solar radiation

Question 7

Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth's surface, because the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth's surface there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere the air is less dense in the upper atmosphere Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Accepted Answer

C. 1 and 3 only

Question 8

Which one of the following reflects more sunlight as compared to the other three?

Accepted Answer

C. Land covered with fresh snow

Question 9

Consider the following ecosystems: Taiga Tropical Evergreen Tropical Deciduous Tundra The correct sequence in decreasing order of the albedo values of these ecosystems is:

Accepted Answer

B. 4, 1, 3, 2

Question 10

Cloudy nights are warmer compared to clear cloudless nights, because clouds:

Accepted Answer

B. reflect back the heat given off by earth