Consider the following statements about the atmosphere's interaction with solar radiation: 1. Small suspended particles absorb the entire visible spectrum. 2. Water vapour and ozone absorb near infrared radiation. 3. The atmosphere is opaque to all forms of solar radiation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 only Explanation As solar radiation passes through the Earth's atmosphere, it interacts with atmospheric gases, water vapour, and suspended particles. These interactions involve absorption, scattering, and reflection, which vary based on the wavelength of the radiation and the nature of the atmospheric constituents. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect: Within the troposphere, water vapour, ozone, and other gases absorb a significant amount of near-infrared radiation. While ozone is primarily responsible for absorbing ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere, it also contributes to absorption in other bands within the troposphere alongside water vapour. - Statement 2 is Correct: Small suspended particles in the atmosphere do not absorb the entire visible spectrum. Instead, they are primarily responsible for the scattering of visible light. This scattering (specifically Rayleigh scattering) is the phenomenon responsible for the blue colour of the sky and the reddish appearance of the sun at sunrise and sunset. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: The atmosphere is largely transparent to incoming shortwave solar radiation (visible light). It is not opaque to all forms of radiation; it allows the majority of visible light to pass through to the Earth's surface while selectively absorbing specific wavelengths like ultraviolet and infrared. Key Takeaway: The atmosphere is largely transparent to shortwave solar radiation but selectively absorbs specific wavelengths (such as UV by ozone and near-infrared by water vapour) and scatters visible light via suspended particles.

NCERT Class 11 Geography — Chapter 2: Solar radiation, heat balance and temperature

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements about the atmosphere's interaction with solar radiation:

Small suspended particles absorb the entire visible spectrum.
Water vapour and ozone absorb near infrared radiation.
The atmosphere is opaque to all forms of solar radiation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A2 only
B1, 2 and 3
C1 only
D1 and 3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

As solar radiation passes through the Earth's atmosphere, it interacts with atmospheric gases, water vapour, and suspended particles. These interactions involve absorption, scattering, and reflection, which vary based on the wavelength of the radiation and the nature of the atmospheric constituents.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Within the troposphere, water vapour, ozone, and other gases absorb a significant amount of near-infrared radiation. While ozone is primarily responsible for absorbing ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere, it also contributes to absorption in other bands within the troposphere alongside water vapour.
Statement 2 is Correct: Small suspended particles in the atmosphere do not absorb the entire visible spectrum. Instead, they are primarily responsible for the scattering of visible light. This scattering (specifically Rayleigh scattering) is the phenomenon responsible for the blue colour of the sky and the reddish appearance of the sun at sunrise and sunset.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The atmosphere is largely transparent to incoming shortwave solar radiation (visible light). It is not opaque to all forms of radiation; it allows the majority of visible light to pass through to the Earth's surface while selectively absorbing specific wavelengths like ultraviolet and infrared.

Key Takeaway:
The atmosphere is largely transparent to shortwave solar radiation but selectively absorbs specific wavelengths (such as UV by ozone and near-infrared by water vapour) and scatters visible light via suspended particles.

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Solar radiation, heat balance and temperature

Which of the following best explains why the annual insolation received on 3rd January is slightly more than on 4th July?

easy

Consider the following data regarding the Heat Budget of the Earth: 1. 35 units are reflected back from the top of the clouds. 2. 14 units are absorbed within the atmosphere. 3. 51 units are absorbed by the earth’s surface. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

hard

With reference to the heating of the atmosphere, consider the following statements: 1. Conduction is the process where heat is transferred through horizontal movement of air. 2. Convection is the process of vertical heating of the atmosphere. 3. Advection has no role in the diurnal variation of daily weather in middle latitudes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the variability of insolation at the surface of the Earth, consider the following statements: 1. The Earth receives slightly more annual insolation on 3rd January than on 4th July. 2. The variation in solar output due to the Earth's distance from the Sun has a drastic effect on daily weather changes. 3. The rotation of the Earth on its axis is one of the factors causing variations in insolation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following factors is/are responsible for the variations in insolation received at the surface of the Earth? 1. The angle of inclination of the sun’s rays 2. The transparency of the atmosphere 3. The configuration of land in terms of its aspect 4. The revolution of the Earth around the Sun has no influence on insolation variations Select the correct answer using the code given below:

easy

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The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Within the troposphere, water vapour, ozone, and other gases absorb a significant amount of near-infrared radiation. While ozone is primarily responsible for absorbing ultraviolet radiation in the stratosphere, it also contributes to absorption in other bands within the troposphere alongside water vapour.
Statement 2 is Correct: Small suspended particles in the atmosphere do not absorb the entire visible spectrum. Instead, they are primarily responsible for the scattering of visible light. This scattering (specifically Rayleigh scattering) is the phenomenon responsible for the blue colour of the sky and the reddish appearance of the sun at sunrise and sunset.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: The atmosphere is largely transparent to incoming shortwave solar radiation (visible light). It is not opaque to all forms of radiation; it allows the majority of visible light to pass through to the Earth's surface while selectively absorbing specific wavelengths like ultraviolet and infrared.