Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth’s surface, because 1. the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth’s surface 2. there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere 3. the air is less dense in the upper atmosphere Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

QUESTION

Medium

Physical Geography

Prelims 2012

Normally, the temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth’s surface, because

the atmosphere can be heated upwards only from the Earth’s surface
there is more moisture in the upper atmosphere
the air is less dense in the upper atmosphere

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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Explanation

The temperature decreases with the increase in height from the Earth's surface due to several reasons.

The Earth's surface absorbs heat from the Sun and then radiates it back into the atmosphere. The lower layers of the atmosphere are thus warmer because they are closer to the heated surface of the Earth. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

There is less moisture in the upper atmosphere. The amount of water vapour decreases with altitude. The majority of the Earth's atmospheric moisture is in the lower atmosphere. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

As we move higher from the Earth's surface, the air becomes less dense. This is because the gravitational pull, which pulls everything towards the Earth, decreases with height. Therefore, the air molecules are more spread out and less dense in the upper atmosphere. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

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