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Which of the following reasons are behind the maximum thickness of the troposphere at the equator?
The centripetal force due to Earth's rotation is maximum at the Equator.
  • High insolation leads to stronger convection currents over the Equator.
  • Air is less dense at the Equator.
  • The higher gravitational pull on atmospheric gases is at the Poles.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    • a)
      1 and 2 only
    • b)
      1, 2 and 3 only
    • c)
      2, 3 and 4 only
    • d)
      1, 3 and 4 only
    Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
    Most Upvoted Answer
    Which of the following reasons are behind the maximum thickness of th...
    Reasons behind maximum thickness of troposphere at the equator:

    1. High insolation leads to stronger convection currents over the Equator.
    2. Air is less dense at the Equator.
    3. The higher gravitational pull on atmospheric gases is at the Poles.

    Explanation:
    • The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, where all the weather phenomena happen. It extends from the Earth's surface up to an altitude of about 7-20 km.
    • The thickness of the troposphere varies from place to place and also with time. It is the thickest over the equator and thins out towards the poles.
    • The maximum thickness of the troposphere at the equator is due to the following reasons:

    1. High insolation leads to stronger convection currents over the Equator:
    • The equator receives more direct sunlight than other parts of the Earth. The sunlight heats up the Earth's surface, causing the air above it to get warm and rise.
    • This rising of warm air creates a low-pressure zone at the surface, which in turn causes cool air from the surrounding regions to rush in and replace the rising warm air.
    • This process of rising warm air and sinking cool air creates convection currents that are strongest over the equator. These convection currents push the upper layers of the troposphere higher, resulting in the maximum thickness of the troposphere over the equator.

    2. Air is less dense at the Equator:
    • The air at the equator is less dense due to the high temperature and low pressure caused by the strong convection currents.
    • As the air becomes less dense, it expands and occupies more volume. This expansion causes the upper layers of the troposphere to be pushed higher, resulting in the maximum thickness of the troposphere over the equator.

    3. The higher gravitational pull on atmospheric gases is at the Poles:
    • The Earth's gravitational pull is stronger at the poles than at the equator.
    • This stronger gravitational pull causes the air molecules to be more tightly packed at the poles, resulting in a thinner troposphere.
    • In contrast, the weaker gravitational pull at the equator allows the air molecules to be more spread out, resulting in a thicker troposphere.

    Conclusion:
    • In conclusion, the maximum thickness of the troposphere at the equator is due to the combination of high insolation, less dense air, and weaker gravitational pull.
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    Community Answer
    Which of the following reasons are behind the maximum thickness of th...
    • Charles' law, one of the laws of Ideal gases, says that in an ideal gas, when pressure is constant, the density decreases with increasing temperature. Heat differential on the planet's surface causes convection currents to flow from the equator to the poles. The hot air rises and the Earth is not equally heated everywhere. The troposphere is thicker over the equator than the poles because the equator is warmer. This implies that the warmer the weather, the thicker the troposphere is. So, the simple reason behind it is thermal expansion of the atmosphere at the equator and thermal contraction near the poles. So, statement (2) is correct.
    • The surface is being heated strongly throughout the year and air warmed by contact with it is expanding and rising. The air all the way up to the tropopJuse is less dense than air to the north and south over equatorial regions. Due to this, the density of the air is maximum at the equator. The almost same amount of atmospheric mass exists at both equator and poles, but only the air density is less at the equator and greater at poles. So, statement (3) is correct.
    • Gravity is lowest at the equator and highest at poles as the earth is spherical. Thus, the atmosphere is pulled with more force near the poles and leads to contraction of the atmosphere. So, statement (4) is correct.
    • Due to the rotation speed to the Earth is greatest at the equator, the atmosphere tends to bulge out due to friction and Carioles force. So, statement (1) is not correct.
    Therefore, the correct answer is c.
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    Which of the following reasons are behind the maximum thickness of the troposphere at the equator? The centripetal force due to Earth's rotation is maximum at the Equator. High insolation leads to stronger convection currents over the Equator. Air is less dense at the Equator. The higher gravitational pull on atmospheric gases is at the Poles. Select the correct answer using the code given below:a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 2 and 3 onlyc)2, 3 and 4 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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    Which of the following reasons are behind the maximum thickness of the troposphere at the equator? The centripetal force due to Earth's rotation is maximum at the Equator. High insolation leads to stronger convection currents over the Equator. Air is less dense at the Equator. The higher gravitational pull on atmospheric gases is at the Poles. Select the correct answer using the code given below:a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 2 and 3 onlyc)2, 3 and 4 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Which of the following reasons are behind the maximum thickness of the troposphere at the equator? The centripetal force due to Earth's rotation is maximum at the Equator. High insolation leads to stronger convection currents over the Equator. Air is less dense at the Equator. The higher gravitational pull on atmospheric gases is at the Poles. Select the correct answer using the code given below:a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 2 and 3 onlyc)2, 3 and 4 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Which of the following reasons are behind the maximum thickness of the troposphere at the equator? The centripetal force due to Earth's rotation is maximum at the Equator. High insolation leads to stronger convection currents over the Equator. Air is less dense at the Equator. The higher gravitational pull on atmospheric gases is at the Poles. Select the correct answer using the code given below:a)1 and 2 onlyb)1, 2 and 3 onlyc)2, 3 and 4 onlyd)1, 3 and 4 onlyCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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