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With reference to the general characteristics of the isotherms, which of the following statements is not correct?
  • a)
    Narrow spacing of isotherms are observed over middle and higher latitudes.
  • b)
    While passing through an area with warm ocean currents, the isotherms show a poleward shift.
  • c)
    In the month of July, over the northern continents, a equator-ward bend of the isotherms indicates that the landmasses are over-heated.
  • d)
    Isotherms are widely spaced over the eastern margins of the continents.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
With reference to the general characteristics of the isotherms, which ...
  • Isotherms, lines connecting points of equal air temperature are used to map the geographic pattern of temperature across the earth's surface. The spacing of isotherms depicts the temperature gradient across a portion of the Earth's surface. Widely spaced isotherms indicate a small change in temperature over distance and closely spaced isotherms indicate large changes in temperature.
  • The shape of isotherms as they appear on a map are influenced by the distribution of large land masses and water bodies and the time of the year. The temperature gradient is generally more widely spaced over tropics and closely spaced over middle and higher latitudes.
  • Temperature gradients are usually low (isotherms are widely spaced) over the eastern margins of continents because of warm ocean currents.
  • While passing through an area with warm ocean currents, the isotherms show a poleward shift. E.g. North Atlantic Drift and Gulf Stream in Northern Atlantic; Kurishino Current and North Pacific Current combined in Northern Pacific.
  • Temperature gradients are usually high (isotherms are closely spaced) over the western margins of continents because of cold ocean currents.
  • Isotherms bend much more between seasons in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere is more uniformly water than the Northern Hemisphere. Large landmasses in the Northern Hemisphere cause isotherms to bend toward the equator in winter and poles in summer as they change their temperature much more than the water. Air temperatures over land fluctuate more because land changes its temperature much more rapidly than ocean water does. Thus they shift north and south much more over land through the year than they do over water.
  • Comparing the difference in the values of the isotherms between seasons, the smallest temperature ranges are found near the equator while the largest are found over high latitude continental interiors, Siberia for example.
  • During January, it is winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern hemisphere. An equatorward bend of the isotherms over the northern continents shows that the landmasses are overcooled and that polar cold winds are able to penetrate southwards, even in the interiors. The isotherms over the northern oceans show a poleward shift indicating that the oceans are warmer and are able to carry high temperatures poleward.
  • During July, the isothermal behaviour is the opposite of what it is in January. Over the northern continents, a poleward bend of the isotherms indicates that the landmasses are overheated and the hot tropical winds are able to go far into the northern interiors. The isotherms over the northern oceans show an equator-ward shift indicating that the oceans are cooler and are able to carry the moderating effect into tropical interiors. Hence option (c) is the correct answer.
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Most Upvoted Answer
With reference to the general characteristics of the isotherms, which ...
Incorrect Statement Explanation:
Isotherms are lines on a map connecting points with the same temperature. They provide valuable information about temperature distribution across a region. Let's analyze the incorrect statement:

Equator-ward bend of isotherms in July:
- During the month of July, the northern continents experience summer, which leads to high temperatures.
- The landmasses heat up more quickly than the oceans, causing the air above them to warm up and expand.
- This warm air creates a low-pressure area over the landmasses, resulting in an equator-ward bend of the isotherms.
- Therefore, a equator-ward bend of the isotherms in July over the northern continents indicates that the landmasses are overheated, not that they are cooled down.
Hence, option C stating that a equator-ward bend of the isotherms in July over the northern continents indicates that the landmasses are over-cooled is not correct.
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With reference to the general characteristics of the isotherms, which of the following statements is not correct?a)Narrow spacing of isotherms are observed over middle and higher latitudes.b)While passing through an area with warm ocean currents, the isotherms show a poleward shift.c)In the month of July, over the northern continents, a equator-ward bend of the isotherms indicates that the landmasses are over-heated.d)Isotherms are widely spaced over the eastern margins of the continents.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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With reference to the general characteristics of the isotherms, which of the following statements is not correct?a)Narrow spacing of isotherms are observed over middle and higher latitudes.b)While passing through an area with warm ocean currents, the isotherms show a poleward shift.c)In the month of July, over the northern continents, a equator-ward bend of the isotherms indicates that the landmasses are over-heated.d)Isotherms are widely spaced over the eastern margins of the continents.Correct 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 With reference to the general characteristics of the isotherms, which of the following statements is not correct?a)Narrow spacing of isotherms are observed over middle and higher latitudes.b)While passing through an area with warm ocean currents, the isotherms show a poleward shift.c)In the month of July, over the northern continents, a equator-ward bend of the isotherms indicates that the landmasses are over-heated.d)Isotherms are widely spaced over the eastern margins of the continents.Correct 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 With reference to the general characteristics of the isotherms, which of the following statements is not correct?a)Narrow spacing of isotherms are observed over middle and higher latitudes.b)While passing through an area with warm ocean currents, the isotherms show a poleward shift.c)In the month of July, over the northern continents, a equator-ward bend of the isotherms indicates that the landmasses are over-heated.d)Isotherms are widely spaced over the eastern margins of the continents.Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?.
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