UPSC Prelims 2022 · Question 81 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2022 question on Clouds Earths Energy Balance
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2022
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectGeography
- TopicClimatology
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
Consider the following statements:
1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.
2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause warming effect.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: D. Neither 1 nor 2
Verdict
Neither statement is correct → Option (d) Neither 1 nor 2.
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – INCORRECT: Low, thick clouds (not high clouds) primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth. High, thin clouds primarily transmit incoming solar radiation.
Statement 2 – INCORRECT: High, thin clouds primarily transmit incoming solar radiation; at the same time, they trap some of the outgoing infrared radiation emitted by the Earth and radiate it back downward, thereby warming the surface of the Earth. It is high clouds (not low clouds) that cause a warming effect through absorption of infrared radiation.