Test: Climate (Term II)- 1 - Class 9 MCQ

Because of the high altitudes of Himalayas the precipitation occurs in the snowfall as it falls before melting into water due to friction.

Height above mean sea level is a measure of the vertical distance (height, elevation or altitude) of a location in reference to a historic mean sea level taken as a vertical datum. The combination of unit of measurement and the physical quantity (height) is called "metres above mean sea level" in the metric system, while in United States customary and imperial units it would be called "feet above mean sea level".

False.
The Coriolis force is a result of the Earth's rotation and it does not actually deflect winds towards the right in the Eastern Hemisphere and towards the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This is a common misconception. The Coriolis force actually causes a deflection to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. The direction of the deflection is always perpendicular to the motion of the object, whether it is wind or any other moving object.
Here is a detailed explanation of the Coriolis force:
1. The Coriolis force is an apparent force that acts on objects moving in a rotating reference frame, such as the Earth.
2. It is caused by the rotation of the Earth and the fact that different parts of the Earth's surface have different velocities due to the rotation.
3. The Coriolis force affects the motion of objects, including winds, by causing them to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
4. This deflection is a result of the conservation of angular momentum. As the Earth rotates, objects on its surface are moving at different speeds depending on their latitude. Therefore, the Coriolis force acts to conserve the angular momentum of the moving objects.
5. In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force causes winds to be deflected to the right of their intended path. This means that winds blowing from the north will be deflected to the east, and winds blowing from the south will be deflected to the west.
6. In the Southern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force causes winds to be deflected to the left of their intended path. This means that winds blowing from the north will be deflected to the west, and winds blowing from the south will be deflected to the east.
7. It is important to note that the Coriolis force does not directly control the direction of winds. It only causes a deflection in their path. Other factors, such as pressure gradients and the rotation of weather systems, also play a role in determining wind direction.
In conclusion, the statement that the Coriolis force deflects winds towards the right in the Eastern Hemisphere and towards the left in the Southern Hemisphere is false. The Coriolis force actually causes a deflection to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Winter rainfall caused by them locally known as ‘Mahawat’ is of immense importance for the cultivation of Rabi crops.

(i) The part of South-West Monsoons which blows over Arabian sea is responsible for high rainfall on the Western coast of India.

(ii) These winds enter through Saurashtra and enter the Northern plains. These winds strike the Himalayas and give fairly good rainfall as they have abundant moisture.

(iii) South-West monsoons are perpendicular to the direction of Western Ghats. Thus, they give heavy rainfall on the windward side of the Western Ghats.

(iv) Central Peninsula lies on the leeward side of the Western Ghats. Thus, the Arabian Sea branch of South-West monsoon does not reach this region.

Retreating monsoon season commences with the beginning of the withdrawal of the south-west monsoon [mid-September – November] and lasts till early January. The south-west monsoons withdraw from the Coromandel coast in mid-December. In Punjab, the south-west monsoons withdraw from there in the second week of September.

Coriolis Force: An apparent force caused by the earth’s rotation. The Coriolis force is responsible for deflecting winds towards the right in the northern hemisphere and towards the left in the southern hemisphere. This is also known as ‘Ferrel’s Law’.

The western cyclonic disturbances originate in the Mid- latitude region near the Atlantic ocean and Europe. The low pressure typically forms over the Mediterranean Sea and travels over Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan before entering India loaded with moisture. In India they usually influence the weather of the north and north-western regions.

Mango showers are those experienced prior to the arrival of the monsoon. They are common in the states of Kerala, Karnataka and also some parts of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.