Physics · Geography

Atmospheric Physics and Humidity

878 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

The atmosphere exerts enormous pressure on us. But we do not feel it because

  1. we are used to it

  2. the bones area of our body is very small

  3. the surface area of our head is very small

  4. our blood exerts pressure slightly more than that of the atmosphere
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The human body maintains internal pressure through blood and other fluids. This internal pressure is roughly equal to or slightly higher than the external atmospheric pressure, which prevents us from being crushed.

Multiple choice

One gets the feeling of uneasiness when the air

  1. is perfectly dry

  2. contains little amount of water vapours

  3. is saturated with moisture

  4. is of high density
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

High humidity levels, especially when air is saturated, prevent sweat from evaporating efficiently. This lack of cooling leads to a feeling of discomfort and uneasiness.

Multiple choice

In a sprayer the liquid rises in the tube due to

  1. capillarity

  2. evaporation

  3. lower pressure at the upper hand

  4. unknown reasons

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

A sprayer works on Bernoulli's principle, where a high-velocity stream of air creates a region of lower pressure, causing the liquid to rise up the tube.

Multiple choice

Hygroscopic material absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. Which among the following zinc compounds is hygroscopic in nature?

  1. Zinc oxide

  2. Zinc iodide

  3. Zinc fluoride

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

Zinc bromide (ZnBr2) is a chemical compound of zinc and bromine. Its shares many properties with zinc chloride, ZnCl2, namely a high solubility in water forming acidic solutions, and solubility in organic solvents. It is hygroscopic and forms a hydrate ZnBr2.2H2O. It is used in oil and natural gas wells to displacing drilling mud when transistioning from the drilling phase to the completion phase or in well workover operations.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is true about evaporation?

  1. Evaporation increases with increase in surface area.

  2. Evaporation is not related to surface area.

  3. Evaporation decreases with increase in surface area.

  4. Evaporation increases with decrease in temperature.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Evaporation is the phenomenon of change of liquid into vapours at any temperature below its boiling point. Evaporation is a surface phenomenon, i.e. only the particles on the surface of the liquid get converted into vapours. Thus, greater is the surface area; more is the rate of evaporation. For example, we often spread wet clothes in order to dry them in air. By doing so, the surface area available for evaporation of water increases and hence, the clothes get dried up soon. However, with the decrease in surface area, the rate of evaporation also decreases. Also, the rate of evaporation increases with increase in temperature. This is due to the reason that as the temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the particles of liquid also increases. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is true?

  1. Air is transparent.

  2. Air does not occupy space.

  3. Air is not so essential for life on earth.

  4. Air is not present in the soil.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Air is transparent, air occupies space and air is essential for life on earth. Air is present in soil and water also.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are true?

  1. Air helps in the movements of sailing yachts.

  2. Air helps in the movements of a kite.

  3. Air helps in the movements of aeroplanes and gliders.

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

Air helps in the movements of sailing yachts, gliders, aeroplanes and kites.

Multiple choice

Which of the following facts justifies the given characteristics of air? “The components retain their original properties”

  1. Amount of water vapours in air is higher in monsoon than that in the summer.

  2. Oxygen elements support burning. Oxygen present in the air supports burning too.

  3. There is no release or absorption of energy if a sample of air is prepared.

  4. Nitrogen and oxygen can be separated by boiling and condensing the liquid air.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

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Multiple choice

A teacher tells her class that there is an invisible layer of air above us, which is called atmosphere. On learning more about the atmosphere, a student asks a doubt, ‘Why do we not experience the tremendous pressure of the air layer above us on our bodies? ’ The correct answer given by the teacher was _____.

  1. air is light

  2. the pressure inside our bodies is equal to atmospheric pressure

  3. sunlight makes the air warm and then warm air rises up

  4. winds reduce the air pressure

  5. we are very strong
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The pressure inside our bodies is equal to atmospheric pressure and thus, cancels out the pressure from outside.

Multiple choice

The jet aircrafts fly very easily and smoothly in the lower stratosphere. What could be the appropriate explanation?

  1. There are no clouds or water vapour in the lower stratosphere.
  2. There are no vertical winds in the lower stratosphere.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct in this context?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Commercial airliners typically cruise in the lower reaches of the stratosphere. Because the temperature in the tropopause and lower stratosphere remains constant (or slightly increases) with increasing altitude, there is very little convective turbulence or vertical wind at these altitudes. There is no dust particles and water vapour in the lower stratosphere. Hence, weather phenomenon doesn't take place in lower stratosphere. Stratosphere contains ozone layer, which absorbs ultra-violet radiation.