Climatology MCQs for UPPSC (UP) Exam

Both options are correct The organic compounds are the amino acids, nucleic acids, proteins, vitamins and pigments.Generally, nitrogen is usable only after it is fixed. 90% of fixed nitrogen is biological.Only a few types of organisms like certain species of soil bacteria and blue-green algae are capable of utilising it directly in its gaseous form.

All statements are correct; hence answer is (d). There are six major controls of the climate of any place. They are latitude, altitude, pressure and wind system, distance from the sea (continentality), ocean currents and relief features.

Explanation:

Absolute Humidity:
Absolute humidity refers to the actual amount of moisture present in the air, regardless of temperature. It is a measure of the total water vapor content in a given volume of air and is usually expressed in grams per cubic meter (g/m3) or grams per kilogram (g/kg).

Relative Humidity:
Relative humidity is the ratio of the actual amount of moisture present in the air to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at a particular temperature. It is expressed as a percentage and provides a measure of how close the air is to saturation. Relative humidity is dependent on both the temperature and the absolute humidity.

Specific Humidity:
Specific humidity is a measure of the actual amount of moisture present in the air on a mass basis. It is the ratio of the mass of water vapor to the total mass of the air parcel. Specific humidity is expressed in grams per kilogram (g/kg) and is not dependent on temperature.

Analysis of the Statements:
1. Absolute humidity is the water content of the air.
This statement is correct. Absolute humidity refers to the actual amount of moisture present in the air.

2. Relative humidity, expressed as a per cent, measures the current absolute humidity relative to the maximum for that temperature.
This statement is correct. Relative humidity is a measure of the current absolute humidity relative to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at a particular temperature.

3. Specific humidity is a ratio of the water vapor content of the mixture to the total air content on a mass basis.
This statement is incorrect. Specific humidity is a ratio of the water vapor content of the mixture to the total mass of the air parcel, not the total air content. It is not dependent on temperature.

Conclusion:
Based on the analysis, statement 3 is incorrect, while statements 1 and 2 are correct. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'D' - None of the above.

Explanation:
Cirrus clouds are formed at high altitudes, typically between 8,000 and 12,000 meters. They are thin and detached clouds that have a feathery appearance. These clouds are always white in color.

Characteristics of Cirrus clouds:
- High altitude: Cirrus clouds form at high altitudes in the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere.
- Thin and detached: Cirrus clouds are thin and wispy in appearance. They are often seen as individual strands or patches rather than a continuous layer.
- Feathery appearance: Cirrus clouds have a characteristic feathery or fibrous appearance. They have a delicate and ethereal quality, resembling the tail of a horse or a mare's tail.
- White color: Cirrus clouds are always white in color. This is because they are composed of ice crystals, which scatter and reflect sunlight, giving them a bright and white appearance.

Other types of clouds:
a) Cumulus clouds: Cumulus clouds are large, puffy clouds that have a flat base and a rounded top. They are often associated with fair weather, but can also develop into cumulonimbus clouds, which are associated with thunderstorms.
c) Cumulonimbus clouds: Cumulonimbus clouds are large and vertically developed clouds that can reach high altitudes. They are associated with thunderstorms, heavy rain, lightning, and sometimes hail.
d) Stratus clouds: Stratus clouds are low-lying clouds that form in a uniform layer. They often cover the entire sky and can be gray or white in color. Stratus clouds are typically associated with overcast weather and light precipitation.

In conclusion, the description provided in the question matches the characteristics of Cirrus clouds, which are thin, detached, feathery clouds that form at high altitudes and are always white in color. Hence, the correct answer is option 'B' - Cirrus.

Dew point, the temperature at which the atmosphere is saturated with water vapour when it is cooled without changing its pressure or vapour content. A given volume of air containing much water vapour has a higher dew point than the same volume of drier air; thus, the dew point indicates the humidity. In meteorology, the dew point is applied, for example, in predicting the height of the base of certain types of clouds. A higher dew point means there will be more moisture in the air.

The troposphere is thicker at the equator than at the poles because the equator is warmer. The convection currents of air expand the thickness of the troposphere (atmosphere) at poles. Thus, the simple reason is thermal expansion of the atmosphere at the equator and thermal contraction near the poles.

Tyndall effect can be observed when sunlight passes through the canopy of a dense forest. In the forest, mist contains tiny droplets of water, which act as particles of colloid dispersed in the air.

The concept of albedo refers to the ability of a surface to reflect sunlight back into space. The higher the albedo of a surface, the more sunlight it reflects, resulting in less absorption and less warming of the atmosphere. Conversely, a lower albedo means that a surface absorbs more sunlight, leading to more warming.

Lowest albedo: Moist ploughed soil

Moist ploughed soil is likely to have the lowest albedo among the given options. This is because soil is generally dark in color, which means that it absorbs more sunlight. Additionally, moist soil tends to be more reflective than dry soil, but still absorbs more sunlight than other materials like snow and clouds.

Other options and their albedo

- Thick cloud: Clouds have a high albedo, as they reflect a significant amount of sunlight back into space. Therefore, thick cloud is unlikely to have the lowest albedo.
- Fresh snow in Antarctica: Snow has a high albedo, as it reflects sunlight very effectively. Therefore, fresh snow in Antarctica is also unlikely to have the lowest albedo.
- Mirror: Mirrors have a very high albedo, as they reflect almost all of the sunlight that falls on them. Therefore, a mirror is also unlikely to have the lowest albedo.

Conclusion

In conclusion, moist ploughed soil is likely to have the lowest albedo among the given options. This means that it absorbs more sunlight, leading to more warming of the atmosphere. It is important to understand the concept of albedo in order to better understand the impact of different surfaces and materials on the Earth's climate.

The general distribution of winds throughout the lower atmosphere is known as planetary winds. Confined within some latitudinal belts, these winds blow rather regularly throughout the year and are basically controlled by the latitudinal pressure belts.

The main planetary winds are (i) the North-east and the South-east Trade winds, (ii) the Temperate Westerlies and (iii) the Polar Easterlies, which blow from the polar high-pressure area to the temperate low-. Pressure area.

All of them are affected by Coriolis force (Earth's rotation on its axis), and migration of pressure belts apart from how heat patterns vary across the Earth (creating pressure difference).

The westerly winds develop within the equatorial trough when the Intertropical Convergence Zone is well north or south of the Equator. The northeasterly or southeasterly trade winds cross the Equator and, because of the reversal of the Coriolis effect, acquire a westerly component. The term is also applied to the westerlies that arc present throughout most of the year in the eastern Indian Ocean.

Explanation:

To determine which of the given regions is more likely to receive more than 200 cm of annual rainfall, let's examine each option individually:

1. Western coasts of cool temperate zones:
The cool temperate zones are characterized by moderate temperatures and are located between the polar regions and the subtropics. The western coasts of these zones, such as the western coasts of North America and Europe, are influenced by oceanic currents, which bring moisture-laden air from the oceans. This results in higher levels of precipitation in these regions. Moreover, the presence of mountain ranges along the western coasts further enhances rainfall due to orographic lifting. Therefore, it is likely that the western coasts of cool temperate zones receive more than 200 cm of annual rainfall.

2. Coastal areas of monsoon land:
Monsoon land refers to regions that experience a monsoon climate. Monsoons are characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons, with heavy rainfall occurring during the wet season. Coastal areas are particularly susceptible to monsoon rains due to the influence of maritime air masses. The warm and moist air from the ocean converges with landmasses, leading to the formation of convective clouds and subsequent rainfall. Therefore, coastal areas of monsoon land are also likely to receive more than 200 cm of annual rainfall.

3. Central parts of tropical land:
Tropical regions are known for their high temperatures and abundant rainfall. The central parts of tropical land are often characterized by dense rainforests, which receive a significant amount of rainfall. The convergence of trade winds and the presence of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) contribute to the high levels of precipitation in these regions. Therefore, the central parts of tropical land are also likely to receive more than 200 cm of annual rainfall.

Conclusion:
Based on the analysis above, it can be concluded that options 1 and 2 are more likely to receive more than 200 cm of annual rainfall. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' - 1 and 2 only.