With reference to temperature inversion, consider the following statements: 1. It is usually of long duration and permanent in nature in the tropics. 2. It is a phenomenon where temperature increases with elevation. 3. Over polar areas, temperature inversion is a rare phenomenon. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 2 only Explanation Normally, temperature decreases with an increase in elevation in the troposphere, a phenomenon known as the normal lapse rate. Temperature inversion, or thermal inversion, is a reversal of this normal behavior, where a layer of warm air lies over a layer of cold air near the ground. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect: Temperature inversion is defined as the condition in which temperature increases with altitude rather than decreasing. In this scenario, the warm air layer acts as a lid, trapping the cooler air and pollutants near the surface. - Statement 2 is Correct: Temperature inversion is typically a short-duration phenomenon, often occurring during long winter nights with clear skies and still air. It is not permanent in nature in the tropics; usually, the heat of the day breaks the inversion as the earth's surface warms up. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: Over polar areas, temperature inversion is a normal and common phenomenon throughout the year. The surface remains snow-covered (high albedo) and loses heat rapidly through radiation, keeping the surface air much colder than the air aloft. Key Takeaway Temperature Inversion requires long nights, clear skies, and stable air to allow significant radiative cooling of the earth's surface, causing the air immediately above the ground to become colder than the air at higher altitudes.

With reference to temperature inversion,… - NCERT Class 11 Geography MCQ

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

mcqmedium

With reference to temperature inversion, consider the following statements:

It is usually of long duration and permanent in nature in the tropics.
It is a phenomenon where temperature increases with elevation.
Over polar areas, temperature inversion is a rare phenomenon.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Fundamentals of Physical Geography · Page 7

Options

A1 and 3 only
B2 only
C1, 2 and 3
D1 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

2 only

Explanation

Normally, temperature decreases with an increase in elevation in the troposphere, a phenomenon known as the normal lapse rate. Temperature inversion, or thermal inversion, is a reversal of this normal behavior, where a layer of warm air lies over a layer of cold air near the ground.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect: Temperature inversion is defined as the condition in which temperature increases with altitude rather than decreasing. In this scenario, the warm air layer acts as a lid, trapping the cooler air and pollutants near the surface.
Statement 2 is Correct: Temperature inversion is typically a short-duration phenomenon, often occurring during long winter nights with clear skies and still air. It is not permanent in nature in the tropics; usually, the heat of the day breaks the inversion as the earth's surface warms up.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Over polar areas, temperature inversion is a normal and common phenomenon throughout the year. The surface remains snow-covered (high albedo) and loses heat rapidly through radiation, keeping the surface air much colder than the air aloft.

Key Takeaway

Temperature Inversion requires long nights, clear skies, and stable air to allow significant radiative cooling of the earth's surface, causing the air immediately above the ground to become colder than the air at higher altitudes.

Your note

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

Consider the following statements regarding the insolation received at the Earth's surface: 1. Generally, at the same latitude, insolation is more over the continent than over the oceans. 2. In winter, the middle and higher latitudes receive more radiation than in summer. 3. The subtropical deserts receive more insolation than the equator. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Which of the following is a characteristic of the isotherms in the Southern Hemisphere?

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With reference to the specific heat of land and water, consider the following statements: 1. The variation in temperature over the sea is much greater compared to land. 2. Land heats up and cools down more quickly than the sea. 3. Places near the sea experience extreme temperature variations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

Which of the following is defined as "the energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of substance by one Celsius"?

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In the context of the heat budget, what percentage of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space before reaching the earth's surface?

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Keep practising Chapter 2: Solar radiation, heat balance and temperature

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