Physics · Geography

Atmospheric Physics and Humidity

935 Questions

Study the principles of atmospheric physics and humidity through these practice questions. Key subjects include the rate of evaporation, temperature inversions, and relative humidity measurements. These concepts are vital for geography and physics exams.

Evaporation and condensationRelative humidity conceptsAtmospheric pressure effectsTemperature inversion

Atmospheric Physics and Humidity Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct answer for the following question on the basis of the given passage:

This passage principally intends to ________________.

RC Passage 2:

Disequilibrium at the interface of water and air is a factor on which the transfer of heat and water vapor from the ocean to the air depends. The air within about a millimeter of the water is almost saturated with water vapor and the temperature of the air is close to that of the surface water. Irrespective of how small these differences might be, they are crucial, and the disequilibrium is maintained by air near the surface mixing with air higher up, which is typically appreciably cooler and lower in water vapor content. The turbulence, which takes its energy from the wind mixes the air. As the speed of wind increases, so does the turbulence, and consequently the rate of heat and moisture transfer. We can arrive at a detailed understanding of this phenomenon after further study. The transfer of momentum from wind to water, which occurs when waves are formed is an interacting and complicated phenomenon. When waves are made by the wind, it transfers important amounts of energy, which is consequently not available for the production of turbulence.

  1. resolve a controversy

  2. attempt a description of a phenomenon

  3. sketch a theory

  4. reinforce certain research findings

  5. tabulate various observations
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 There are no findings,theory  or tabulation of observations in the passage.The passage basically wants to describe the fact that the very countries manufacturing deadly weapons strive not to use it. The passage describes this phenomenon.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the correct answer for the following question on the basis of the given passage:

According to the given passage, in case the wind was to decrease until there was no wind at all, which of the following would occur?

RC Passage 2:

Disequilibrium at the interface of water and air is a factor on which the transfer of heat and water vapor from the ocean to the air depends. The air within about a millimeter of the water is almost saturated with water vapor and the temperature of the air is close to that of the surface water. Irrespective of how small these differences might be, they are crucial, and the disequilibrium is maintained by air near the surface mixing with air higher up, which is typically appreciably cooler and lower in water vapor content. The turbulence, which takes its energy from the wind mixes the air. As the speed of wind increases, so does the turbulence, and consequently the rate of heat and moisture transfer. We can arrive at a detailed understanding of this phenomenon after further study. The transfer of momentum from wind to water, which occurs when waves are formed is an interacting and complicated phenomenon. When waves are made by the wind, it transfers important amounts of energy, which is consequently not available for the production of turbulence.

  1. The air, which is closest to the ocean surface would get saturated with water vapor.

  2. The water would be cooler than the air closest to the ocean surface.

  3. There would be a decrease in the amount of moisture in the air closest to the ocean surface.

  4. There would be an increase in the rate of heat and moisture transfer.

  5. The temperature of the air closest to the ocean and that of the air higher up would be the same.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

As the speed of wind increases, so does the turbulence, and consequently the rate of heat and moisture transfer.

Multiple choice

Low atmospheric pressure is a sign of

  1. rain

  2. earthquake

  3. high temperature

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Low atmospheric pressure is associated with rising air currents that lead to cloud formation and precipitation. When warm, moist air rises due to low pressure, it cools and condenses, forming clouds and eventually rain. This is why barometric pressure drops before stormy weather. High temperature and earthquakes are not directly caused by low atmospheric pressure.

Multiple choice

You feel hot and sultry on a rainy day because of

  1. high temperature

  2. low temperature

  3. high humidity

  4. low humidity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

High humidity prevents sweat from evaporating effectively, which is our body's primary cooling mechanism. On rainy days, the air is saturated with moisture (high humidity), so sweat stays on your skin and you feel hot and sultry despite the temperature possibly being lower.

Multiple choice

Vapour is the gaseous form of

  1. air

  2. water

  3. solid

  4. All the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Vapor refers to the gaseous phase of substances normally liquid at room temperature. Water vapor is invisible but forms clouds or fog when it condenses. Air itself is a mixture of gases, while solids have fixed shapes and volumes.

Multiple choice

The rate of fall of pressure horizontally is known as

  1. pressure rate

  2. pressure pattern

  3. pressure gradient

  4. pressure trend
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Pressure gradient is the rate of change of pressure over horizontal distance. It's the force that drives wind from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas, making it fundamental to understanding atmospheric circulation and weather patterns.

Multiple choice

Air density doesn't depend on which of the following factors?

  1. Wind

  2. Temperature

  3. Altitude

  4. Pressure
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Air density is determined by temperature, pressure, and altitude through the gas law. Wind is simply horizontal air movement and does not affect the intrinsic density of air molecules - it's about motion, not molecular spacing.

Multiple choice

During fog, the visibility usually drops down to below

  1. 5 Km

  2. 3 Km

  3. 2 Km

  4. 1 Km
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Fog is defined by visibility reduction below 1 kilometer. During fog conditions, water droplets in the air significantly restrict horizontal visibility, often reducing it to less than 1000 meters and creating hazardous conditions for aviation and transportation.

Multiple choice

Tailwinds during a flight usually result in which of the following situations?

  1. Decreased TAS

  2. Decreased CAS

  3. Decreased GS

  4. Increased GS
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A tailwind blows from behind the aircraft, pushing it forward and increasing the ground speed (GS) - the speed at which the aircraft moves over the ground. TAS (True Airspeed) and CAS (Calibrated Airspeed) are aerodynamic speeds that actually increase with a tailwind, not decrease.

Multiple choice

Which of the following factors has no effect on performance of an airplane in flight?

  1. Wind

  2. Humidity

  3. Temperature

  4. Visibility
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Visibility affects the pilot's ability to see and navigate, but does not change the aircraft's actual performance parameters. Wind, humidity, and temperature all directly affect aerodynamic performance: wind impacts ground speed and takeoff distance, humidity affects air density, and temperature affects air density and engine performance.

Multiple choice

Higher temperature results in which of the following requirements, in relation to take-off and landing?

  1. Longer runways

  2. Wider runways

  3. Harder runways

  4. Steep runways
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Higher temperatures reduce air density, which reduces lift generation and engine performance. This requires longer takeoff and landing distances to achieve safe flight operations. Width, hardness, and steepness of runways are not affected by temperature.

Multiple choice

Experiencing a headwind while take-off and landing is

  1. dangerous

  2. favourable

  3. not significant

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Headwinds during takeoff and landing are favorable because they increase airflow over the wings, creating more lift at lower ground speeds. This reduces takeoff distance and landing roll, making operations safer. Headwinds are advantageous, not dangerous or insignificant.

Multiple choice

With an increase in altitude, the atmospheric pressure

  1. increases

  2. decreases

  3. stays constant

  4. fluctuates in either direction
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing altitude due to the decreasing weight of the air column above. This is why aircraft cabins must be pressurized at high altitudes and why performance decreases with altitude. The relationship is governed by the International Standard Atmosphere model.

Multiple choice

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer: List I A. Evaporation B. Condensation C. Precipitation D. Isolation List II

  1. Release of moisture
  2. Cold air moves into warm air
  3. Transformation of water vapour into water
  4. Gain of heat
  5. Incoming solar radiation

  1. A 5 B 3 C 1 D 2

  2. A 4 B 1 C 5 D 3

  3. A 2 B 4 C 3 D 5

  4. A 4 B 3 C 1 D 5
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Evaporation involves gain of heat (absorbing latent heat) as water changes from liquid to vapor. Condensation is the transformation of water vapor into water (releasing latent heat). Precipitation is the release of moisture from clouds. Isolation refers to incoming solar radiation reaching Earth's surface. The correct matching is A-4 (Evaporation gains heat), B-3 (Condensation transforms vapor to water), C-1 (Precipitation releases moisture), D-5 (Isolation is incoming solar radiation).