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

Which of the following causes the air at the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) to rise?

  1. It rises because of convection caused by high insolation and a low pressure is created.

  2. It rises because of polar highs and the oscillation of the high created.

  3. It rises because of low pressure due to gradient forces.

  4. It rises because of the general circulation of air.

  5. It rises because of anti cyclonic circulation and high pressure created.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct. The air at the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) rises because of convection caused by high insolation and a low pressure is created. The winds from the tropics converge at this low pressure zone and rise along with the convective cell.

Multiple choice

Humidity means

  1. amount of water vapour present in a unit volume of air

  2. amount of water vapour present in a unit volume of water

  3. amount of water vapour present in earth

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

Humidity specifically measures the concentration of water vapor present in the air. It is not about water in liquid form or in earth's crust. Relative humidity and absolute humidity are both measures of atmospheric moisture content. Options B and C are incorrect because they refer to water vapor in other contexts, not air.

Multiple choice

Which of the following factors does not increases the rate of evaporation?

  1. Decrease in temperature

  2. Larger area of exposed surface

  3. Decrease in external pressure

  4. Increased movement of air

  5. Increased intensity of light
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Decrease in temperature does not help in increasing evaporation, rather it reduces it. Higher the air temperature, more is the evaporation. Rates increase when temperatures are higher; an increase of 10ºC will approximately double the rate of evaporation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. The vertical pressure gradient force is much larger than that of the horizontal pressure gradient. b. The vertical pressure gradient force is balanced by a nearly equal, but opposite gravitational force. c. The air at the surface is denser and hence, has higher pressure due to gravity.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a and b

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer option as all the statements given above are correct. The vertical pressure gradient force is much larger than that of the horizontal pressure gradient. The vertical pressure gradient force is balanced by a nearly equal, but opposite gravitational force. The air at the surface is denser and hence, has higher pressure due to gravity.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the correct reason for the absence of strong upward winds on the Earth's surface?

  1. Because the vertical pressure gradient force is much larger than that of the horizontal pressure gradient

  2. Because the vertical pressure gradient force is similar to that of the horizontal pressure gradient

  3. Because the vertical pressure gradient force is balanced by a nearly equal but opposite gravitational force

  4. Because the vertical gradient force is lesser than that of the horizontal pressure gradient

  5. Because there is no vertical gradient force in the lower atmosphere and the air remains heavy and follows the horizontal pressure gradient
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. The vertical pressure gradient force is much larger than that of the horizontal pressuregradient. But, it is generally balanced by a nearly equal, but opposite gravitational force. Hence, we do not experience strong upward winds.

Multiple choice

What is the affect of a high pressure gradient force?

  1. There are low velocity winds.

  2. There are higher velocity winds.

  3. Tropical cyclones are formed.

  4. Low pressure areas are formed.

  5. There is absence of deflection in the direction of wind.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. The higher the pressure gradient force, the more is the velocity of the wind.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. The pressure gradient is weak where the isobars are close to each other and is strong where the isobars are apart. b. The rate of change of pressure with respect to distance is the pressure gradient. c. The differences in atmospheric pressure affect the speed of wind.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a and c

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct statement. The rate of change of pressure with respect to distance is the pressure gradient.

Multiple choice

Carbon dioxide as compared to air is

  1. heavier

  2. lighter

  3. as heavy as air

  4. as light as air
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Carbon dioxide has a molar mass of 44 g/mol compared to air's average of 29 g/mol, making it about 1.5 times heavier than air. This is why CO2 settles in low-lying areas and can displace oxygen.

Multiple choice

Increase in atmospheric temperature due to CO2 is called

  1. pasteur effect

  2. green-house effect

  3. blackman effect

  4. emerson effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The greenhouse effect occurs when certain gases (including CO2, methane, and water vapor) trap heat in Earth's atmosphere, similar to how glass traps heat in a greenhouse. This effect raises global temperatures and drives climate change.

Multiple choice

Mist is caused by

  1. dry ice

  2. ice at low temperature

  3. water vapour at low temperature

  4. carbon monoxide in solid form
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Mist forms when water vapor in the air cools and condenses into tiny droplets near the ground. Dry ice creates fog, not mist, and solid carbon monoxide doesn't exist in atmospheric conditions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is true?

  1. Water vapour is present in the atmosphere only during the monsoon.

  2. Water evaporates into the atmosphere from the oceans, rivers and lakes, but not from the soil.

  3. The process of water changing into its vapour is called evaporation.

  4. The evaporation of water takes place only in sunlight.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The process of water changing into its vapour is called evaporation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true?

  1. Salt is not carried by the water vapour of seawater during evaporation.
  2. Heat is an essential condition for vapourisation.
  3. Fog appearing on a cold winter morning is due to condensation.

  1. Only 1

  2. 1 and 3

  3. Only 2

  4. 1, 2 and 3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Salt is not carried by the water vapour of seawater during evaporation. Heat is an essential condition for vapourisation. Fog appearing on a cold winter morning is due to condensation.