Effect of high and low clouds on solar and infrared radiation
Question
Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1.
High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.
- 2.
Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause warming effect.
Options
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Both statements are completely inverted. High clouds are thin; they let solar radiation pass through but strongly absorb outgoing infrared radiation, causing a warming effect. Conversely, thick low clouds primarily reflect incoming solar radiation back into space, causing a cooling effect.
Answer: (d).
Question details
Year
2022
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q81
Subject
Geography
Sub-topic
Climatology & Atmosphere
Type
Statement-based
Difficulty
Medium
Nature
Static
Source hint
NCERT Geography Cl.11 Ch.9
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