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

At high altitudes the boiling point of water decreases because

  1. the atmospheric pressure is high

  2. the temperature is low

  3. the atmospheric pressure is low

  4. the temperature is high
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

At higher altitudes, atmospheric pressure is lower because there's less air above pushing down. Lower pressure means water molecules need less energy to escape into the gas phase, so boiling occurs at a lower temperature.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false?

a. Air is a bad conductor of heat. b. The atmosphere keeps the average temperature of the Earth fairly steady during the day and even during the course of whole year. c. In coastal areas, during daytime, there is a regular flow of cool air from the land towards the sea.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option as this statement is false. In coastal areas, during daytime, there is a regular flow of cool air from the sea towards the land and not from the land towards the sea.

Multiple choice

Atmospheric pressure at sea level is

  1. 1039 grams / cm2

  2. 2068 grams / cm2

  3. 1034 grams / cm2

  4. 1134 grams / cm2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately 1013.25 millibars, which equals 1034 grams per square centimeter. This is the baseline pressure reference used in meteorology. Options A, B, and D are incorrect values.

Multiple choice

The boiling point of water

  1. Is always 100°C

  2. Depends on atmospheric pressure

  3. Depends on the material of the container

  4. Depends on relative humidity
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The boiling point of water is 100°C only at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm or 101.3 kPa). At higher altitudes or lower pressure, water boils at a lower temperature because less energy is needed for water molecules to escape into the gas phase.

Multiple choice

Mist is caused by

  1. Dry ice

  2. Ice at low temperature

  3. Water vapours at low temperature

  4. Carbon-monoxide in solid form

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

Mist forms when warm, moist air is cooled near the ground surface, causing water vapor to condense into tiny suspended water droplets. This occurs when temperature drops below the dew point. Dry ice, ice, and solid carbon monoxide are unrelated to mist formation.

Multiple choice

The temperature at which air holds all the water vapours is called as

  1. inversion point

  2. saturation point

  3. dew point

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

Dew point temperature is defined as the temperature to which the air would have to cool (at constant pressure and constant water vapor content) in order to reach saturation. A state of saturation exists when the air is holding the maximum amount of water vapor possible at the existing temperature and pressure.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false? a. When warm air of a region rises up, the atmospheric pressure of that region falls. b. A hurricane dies out when it moves over warm tropical seas. c. Hot air rises upwards and cold air sinks down.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and c

  3. Only b

  4. Only a and b

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. A hurricane dies out when it moves over warm tropical seas, is a false statement. A Hurricanes dies out when it moves over a land mass because the supply of energy is cut off. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following examples prove that moving air exerts pressure?

  1. While riding a bicycle, it is difficult to drive if the wind is blowing in the opposite direction.

  2. While flying a kite, the kite always flows in the direction of the wind.

  3. It is easier to row a sail boat in the direction of the wind.

  4. Leaves fall from trees when strong wind is blowing.

  5. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option, as all of the above are example to prove that moving air exerts pressure.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false? a. Smoke goes up in the air because it is lighter than the surrounding air. b. Fast moving wind is accompanied by a fall in air pressure. c. The regions near the poles get maximum heat from the Sun.

  1. Only a

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only b

  4. Only a and c

  5. Only c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The regions near the poles get maximum heat from the Sun, is a wrong statement. Thus, this is the correct option. The regions near the equator and  not the poles, get maximum heat from the Sun.

Multiple choice

When air expands on heating, its ___________ .

  1. mass remains the same, but volume increases

  2. volume remains the same, but mass increases

  3. temperature remains the same, but volume increases

  4. mass remains the same, but temperature increases

  5. volume remains the same, but temperature increases
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. When air expands on heating, its mass remains the same, but volume increases.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are false? a. The difference between the temperatures of two regions sets the convection in air. b. In winters the wind flows from the ocean to the land. c. At sea level, air exerts a pressure of 1.033 kg/cm2.

  1. Only b

  2. Only a and b

  3. Only c

  4. Only b and c

  5. Only a
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option, as this statement is false. In winters the wind flows from the ocean to the land, is a false statement. In winters the winds flow from the land to the ocean.

Multiple choice

The Meteorological Department measures and keeps the record of

  1. temperature

  2. wind speed

  3. humidity

  4. rainfall

  5. all of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is the correct answer. The Meteorological Department measures the elements of weather. The various elements of weather are temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind-speed, etc.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements regarding lapse rate is correct?

  1. An unsaturated air mass cools at dry adiabatic lapse rate when it rises in the atmosphere.

  2. The dry adiabatic lapse rate amounts to 1oC per 100 meters.

  3. The wet adiabatic lapse rate may vary between 4oC and 0.9oC per 100 meters.

  4. Dry adiabatic lapse rate is higher because of the release of latent heat of condensation.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Unsaturated air cools at the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate (DALR) as it rises and expands. The Wet Adiabatic Lapse Rate is lower than the DALR because the condensation of water vapor releases latent heat, which partially offsets the cooling process.