Consider the following statements : 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. Which of t

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Q: 81 (IAS/2022)
Consider the following statements :
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.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

question_subject: 

Ecology

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,86,173,29,26,116,88

keywords: 

{'low clouds': [0, 0, 1, 1], 'high clouds': [0, 0, 1, 2], 'solar radiation': [1, 0, 0, 0], 'infrared radiation emanating': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'high absorption': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'earth': [0, 1, 1, 1]}

The answer provided denotes that both statement 1 and 2 are incorrect.

Statement 1 says, "High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth." This statement is not entirely correct because while high clouds do reflect some of the Sun`s radiation back to space, they also trap some of the Earth`s heat, leading to a warming effect, not a cooling effect.

Statement 2 states, "Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth`s surface and thus cause a warming effect." This statement is also incorrect. While low clouds do absorb some infrared radiation, they predominantly reflect more of it back to the Earth`s surface, leading to a cooling effect, rather than a warming effect.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4, "Neither 1 nor 2". Each cloud type, depending on its altitude, density, and size, affects the Earth`s radiation budget in complex ways. Not all high clouds cause cooling, and not all low clouds cause warming, therefore both statements are not accurate.

 

Preparing for Future Exams: Learning from the Analysis of Past Questions

Sources:

  • NCERT Book: Class 11 Geography: Fundamentals of Physical Geography, Chapter 6: Climate
  • NCERT Book: Class 12 Geography: Human Geography: Nature and Scope, Chapter 12: Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems
  • Indian Geography by Khullar

Reference Book Chapters:

  • Climate Change: Causes, Effects, and Solutions by S. George Philander
  • Climate Change Biology edited by Jonathan A. Newman

Related Concepts:

  • Earth's radiation budget
  • Greenhouse gases and their effect on climate
  • Atmospheric circulation and weather patterns
  • Climate feedback mechanisms
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies