PYQ Climatology

Question 1

Temp of high clouds (cold or warm)
Radiation of solar energy?

Answer 1

Colder
Radiate less energy into space
trap more energy than low clouds
not good at reflecting shortwaves

Question 2

Ideal conditions for dew formation

Answer 2

1.clear sky-no clouds
more evaporation, cooler
if clouds are present, clouds send heat back to the ground and ground doesn’t get cool enough for dew formation

calm air
high relative humidity
cold and long night

dew point should be above freezing point

Question 3

Change in planet’s magnetic field

Answer 3

Geomagnetic reversal- magnetic north and south are interchanged

Question 4

Evolution of earth’s atmosphere

first phase
second
third

Answer 4

1. composed mostly of H and He
   solar wind and Earth’s heat would have drive off this atmosphere
2. Impact degassing: water vapor, CO2, N2 and smaller amounts of other gases where released from the earth’s interior
3. Evolution of life –> photosynthesis –> O2