Rare Earth Elements - Properties
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 incorrect due to a reversal of facts.
High clouds (like cirrus) are thin; they let solar radiation pass through but efficiently trap outgoing infrared radiation, causing a net warming effect. Low clouds (like stratus) are thick and reflect a massive amount of incoming solar radiation back to space, thus causing a net cooling effect.
Answer: (d).
Question details
Year
2025
Paper
GS Paper 1
Question
Q81
Subject
Science & Technology
Sub-topic
Materials & Nanotechnology
Type
Assertion-Reason
Difficulty
Medium
Nature
Static
Source hint
NCERT Geography Cl.11 Ch.9
Same sub-topic — other years
Materials & Nanotechnology has appeared in multiple papers:
See all questions on Materials & Nanotechnology
Browse every tagged question across all years