Question map
Consider the following statements : 1. Jet streams occur in the Northern Hemisphere only. 2. Only some cyclones develop an eye. 3. The temperature inside the eye of a cyclone is nearly 10℃ lesser than that of the surroundings. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 3 based on the following analysis of the statements:
- Statement 1 is incorrect: Jet streams are high-altitude westerly winds that occur in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. They are driven by atmospheric heating and the Coriolis effect, which are global phenomena.
- Statement 2 is correct: The "eye" is a characteristic feature of mature tropical cyclones (typhoons or hurricanes). Extra-tropical cyclones and weaker tropical disturbances do not develop this distinct central feature. Therefore, only some specific, intense cyclones possess an eye.
- Statement 3 is incorrect: The eye of a cyclone is a zone of subsiding air, which warms adiabatically. Consequently, the temperature inside the eye is actually higher (often 10°C or more) than the surrounding environment, not lesser. It is a warm-core phenomenon.
Since only Statement 2 is scientifically accurate, Option 3 is the right choice.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a 'Concept Clarity' check disguised as a factual question. It punishes surface-level reading (knowing cyclones have eyes) while rewarding depth (knowing *which* cyclones have eyes and the thermodynamic 'warm core' structure). It is 90% solvable via standard Physical Geography texts (NCERT/GC Leong/PMF IAS) without needing niche current affairs.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Do atmospheric jet streams occur only in the Northern Hemisphere, or do jet streams exist in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
- Statement 2: Do only some cyclones (tropical cyclones/hurricanes/typhoons) develop an eye, or do all cyclones develop an eye?
- Statement 3: Is the temperature inside the eye of a tropical cyclone approximately 10°C lower than the temperature of the surrounding eyewall and environment?
- Explicitly states both the Northern and Southern hemispheres have jet streams.
- Explains jet-stream origin as upper-tropospheric winds from tropics toward poles, a global process applicable in both hemispheres.
- Notes hemispheric difference in strength (north stronger due to larger temperature gradients), implying presence in both.
- Describes the subtropical jet (STJ) as nearly continuous in both hemispheres during winter.
- Specifies the STJ exists year-round in the Southern Hemisphere but is intermittent in the Northern Hemisphere, directly comparing both hemispheres.
- Defines jet streams as circumpolar bands that circle the Earth with the poles as centres, implying jets around both poles.
- Characterises jet streams as upper-tropospheric westerly flows, a global attribute consistent for both hemispheres.
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