Atmosphere and Climate — Practice

Question 1

Which two gases make up most of the atmosphere, and in what rough proportion?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: nitrogen (~78%) and oxygen (~21%).

Question 2

In which layer of the atmosphere does all weather occur?

Accepted Answer

✦ Answer: the troposphere (the lowest layer).

Question 3

Define climate.

Accepted Answer

Climate is the average weather condition of a large area measured over a long period of time (usually 30 years or more).

✦ Answer: the long-term average weather of a region.

Question 4

Differentiate between weather and climate with an example.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Weather is the state of the atmosphere at a place at a particular time; it changes daily (e.g. 'it is hot and sunny today in Jaipur').

Step 2 — Climate is the average weather of a large area over many years (e.g. 'Rajasthan has a hot, dry climate').

✦ Answer: weather = short-term, one place; climate = long-term average of a region.

Question 5

Why is a hill station like Mount Abu cooler than the surrounding plains?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Temperature decreases as altitude (height above sea level) increases.

Step 2 — Being at a higher altitude, Mount Abu is cooler than the low-lying plains around it.

✦ Answer: because of its higher altitude — temperature falls with height.

Question 6

Name any four elements of weather and climate.

Accepted Answer

Any four of: temperature, air (atmospheric) pressure, wind, humidity, precipitation (rainfall).

✦ Answer: any four valid elements as above.

Question 7

Explain the mechanism of the Indian summer (south-west) monsoon.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — In summer, the land heats up faster than the sea, forming a low-pressure area over the land.

Step 2 — Air moves from the high-pressure area over the sea towards this land low, so moist winds blow from the sea onto the land — the south-west monsoon.

Step 3 — These moist winds rise, cool and bring heavy rainfall (June–September) on which Indian agriculture depends.

✦ Answer: land heats up → low pressure → moist sea winds blow inland → rain (SW monsoon, June–Sept).

Question 8

Explain how latitude and distance from the sea affect the climate of a place.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Latitude: places near the Equator receive nearly vertical (direct) sun rays and are hot; places near the poles receive slanting rays and are cold.

Step 2 — Distance from the sea: the sea moderates temperature, so coastal areas have mild, even climates, while inland areas (far from the sea, like much of Rajasthan) have extreme hot summers and cold winters.

✦ Answer: latitude sets how direct the sunlight is (hot near Equator); the sea moderates coastal climate, so interiors are more extreme.

Question 9

How are human activities affecting the atmosphere, and what can be done about it?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Burning fossil fuels and industry release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that trap extra heat, causing global warming and climate change.

Step 2 — Pollutants cause air pollution and acid rain, and some chemicals have thinned the protective ozone layer.

Step 3 — Remedies: shift to cleaner/renewable energy, reduce and control pollution, plant more trees, and cooperate globally to cut emissions.

✦ Answer: greenhouse gases and pollution warm and damage the atmosphere; remedies include clean energy, less pollution, afforestation and global action.

Practice — Atmosphere and Climate

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