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

Consider the following statements regarding the atmosphere of the earth:

  1. It is enveloping the earth because of gravity
  2. Its density decreases with increasing height form the surface of the earth
  3. Its characteristic composition is same throughout its height
  4. Amount of pressure it exerts earth's surface at sea level is called one atmosphere Which of these statements are correct?

  1. 1 and 4

  2. 2 and 4

  3. 2, 3 and 4

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

Statement 1 is correct because Earth's gravity holds the atmosphere in place. Statement 2 is correct because atmospheric density decreases with altitude as gravity pulls more air molecules closer to the surface. Statement 3 is incorrect because atmospheric composition changes with altitude - while nitrogen and oxygen dominate near the surface, the upper atmosphere has different composition. Statement 4 is correct - standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is defined as one atmosphere.

Multiple choice

A biogas plant works to its maximum capacity when

  1. conditions are aerobic and temperature 40°C

  2. conditions are aerobic and sewage is supplied

  3. conditions are anaerobic and temperature 40°C

  4. conditions are anaerobic and sewage is supplied
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Biogas production requires anaerobic conditions where bacteria break down organic matter without oxygen, with optimal efficiency around 40°C.

Multiple choice

With reference to atmospheric pressure, consider the following statements-

  1. Atmospheric pressure decreases towards poles.
  2. Atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude.
  3. High pressure is experienced over continents during winter.
  4. All deserts experience low pressure throughout the year Which of these statements are correct?

  1. 1 and 3

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 1 and 4

  4. 2 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 2 is correct because atmospheric pressure decreases with altitude as the air column becomes shorter. Statement 3 is correct because continents cool faster than oceans in winter, creating high pressure zones. Statements 1 and 4 are incorrect.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the appropriate answer from the options given below:

Which of the following factors is mainly responsible for the rise in temperature of atmosphere?

  1. Increase in the atmospheric density

  2. Increase in the usage of renewable energy

  3. Increase in the amount of carbon dioxide

  4. Decrease in the atmospheric humidity

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

The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is the primary factor responsible for rising global temperatures due to the enhanced greenhouse effect. CO2 traps heat in the atmosphere that would otherwise escape to space. The other options are incorrect: renewable energy reduces warming, atmospheric density changes are not the main driver, and humidity is not decreasing.

Multiple choice

Select the correct statement.

  1. Moving air does not help clothes to dry.

  2. Air does not help in reducing the temperature on earth.

  3. Noon is not the hottest time of the day.

  4. Breezes can cause lots of damage.

  5. Wet clothes get dry in the sun as water changes to water vapour.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, wet clothes get dry in the sun as water changes to water vapour. This is the true statement.

Multiple choice

Rahul is feeling very hot as the outside temperature is too high. He is waiting for the rain. What will happen right before the rain falls?

  1. Water flows to the ocean

  2. Water rises in to the air

  3. Water vapour forms clouds

  4. Sun heats water

  5. Clouds absorb water from atmosphere
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, before raining water vapour forms clouds. When the air cools, its molecules come closer together. Thus, molecules of water vapour in the air come closer and the molecules of water vapour condense on tiny solid particles in the atmosphere. The tiny droplets of water resulting from condensation form the clouds that we see in the sky.

Multiple choice

Relative humidity of a room is 50% at temperature 30°C. What will happen to it if the temperature increases to 400C?

  1. It will increase.

  2. It will decrease.

  3. It will remain unchanged.

  4. It may increase or decrease depending upon the volume of the room.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Relative humidity is the ratio of actual water vapor to the maximum vapor the air can hold at that temperature. When temperature increases, the air's capacity to hold water vapor increases significantly. If moisture content stays the same, the ratio (relative humidity) decreases.

Multiple choice

When a balloon rises to a higher altitude, it bursts because _____.

  1. its inside pressure increases

  2. its outer surface gets heated

  3. outside pressure decreases

  4. it is a natural fact
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases significantly. The helium/hydrogen inside the balloon remains at initial pressure, creating large pressure difference between inside and outside that exceeds the balloon's elastic limit.

Multiple choice

Ink of a pen leaks in an aeroplane because ________.

  1. atmospheric pressure increases at heights

  2. pressure of ink inside the pen is more than the ambient pressure

  3. of higher speed of aeroplane

  4. of temperature difference
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

At high altitudes, cabin pressure is lower than ground level. The ink inside the pen was at equilibrium with ground pressure, so at reduced ambient pressure, the internal pressure exceeds external pressure, forcing ink out.

Multiple choice

Isotherms are:

  1. Contour lines showing equal amount of sunshine

  2. Lines of a map joining places which have the same mean temperature

  3. Contour lines of equal rainfall

  4. Contour lines of equal air pressure

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

Isotherms are lines on a map connecting points that have the same mean temperature. They help visualize temperature distribution across geographical regions. Isohyets show equal rainfall, isobars show equal pressure, and isohels show equal sunshine - making isotherms the correct answer for temperature.

Multiple choice

When a rain drop falls through the atmosphere with uniform velocity, ______.

  1. its potential energy remains the same

  2. its mechanical energy is conserved

  3. its mechanical energy is transferred to the atmosphere

  4. the total energy of the rain drop and air decays
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

When a raindrop falls at terminal velocity (uniform velocity), the net force is zero (gravity = air resistance). The raindrop's mechanical energy (KE + PE) decreases continuously because work is done against air resistance (friction). This energy is transferred to the air as heat and turbulence. The total energy of the system (raindrop + air) is conserved, but the raindrop's mechanical energy alone is not - it dissipates into the atmosphere.

Multiple choice

The value of g at higher altitudes _____.

  1. decreases

  2. increases

  3. remains the same

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

According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, gravitational force (and thus g) decreases with the square of the distance from Earth's center. As altitude increases, distance from Earth's center increases, so g decreases. Option B is the opposite of what happens. Option C would mean g is constant regardless of height, which contradicts gravitational law.

Multiple choice

The clouds float in the atmosphere because of their low

  1. Temperature

  2. Velocity

  3. Pressure

  4. Density

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

Clouds float in the atmosphere primarily because they have very low density compared to the surrounding air. The tiny water droplets or ice crystals that compose clouds are so light that updrafts and air currents can keep them suspended against gravity.

Multiple choice

Isobars are lines joining places of

  1. Equal depth

  2. Equal atmospheric pressure

  3. Equal sunshine

  4. None of the above

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

Isobars are lines on weather maps connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure. They help meteorologists identify pressure systems and predict wind patterns - wind flows from high to low pressure areas.

Multiple choice

Amount of water vapour in air is called

  1. Dew

  2. Rain

  3. Humidity

  4. Showers

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

Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. It affects weather patterns, human comfort, and various natural processes. It can be measured as absolute, relative, or specific humidity.