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Question

In a cloud free weather, there is an atmospheric window, which is transparent to terrestrial radiation in the wavelength band :

The correct answer is
7000 nm - 13500 nm

The question pertains to the atmospheric window which is crucial in understanding how specific wavelengths of radiation pass through the Earth's atmosphere. Atmospheric windows are regions of the electromagnetic spectrum that are not absorbed by atmospheric gases, allowing them to transmit through the Earth's atmosphere. In this context, the atmospheric window relevant to terrestrial radiation is being queried.

The correct answer is: 7000 nm - 13500 nm. This range corresponds to the infrared region of the spectrum, which is crucial for the greenhouse effect and Earth's energy balance.

Here's a detailed explanation for the atmospheric transparency:

  • 1618 nm - 23400 nm: This range is quite broad and includes significant absorption bands of atmospheric gases, hence it's not considered a transparent atmospheric window.
  • 2168 nm - 4610 nm: This range falls within the absorption bands of water vapor and carbon dioxide which are common in the atmosphere, hence not completely transparent.
  • 12500 nm - 17000 nm: While parts of this range might have less absorption, it also includes significant absorption by gases like carbon dioxide and water vapor.
  • 7000 nm - 13500 nm: In this spectrum, the atmosphere is relatively transparent to terrestrial infrared radiation, making it an effective atmospheric window. This allows energy to exit from the Earth to space, playing a crucial role in Earth's radiation budget.

Conclusion: The atmospheric window at 7000 nm to 13500 nm allows terrestrial infrared radiation to escape into space without significant absorption by atmospheric gases, which is why it is recognized as a key transparent window in climate and environmental studies.

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Important Questions from Atmosphere

  1. Which of the following statements with reference to Surface inversion of temperature is/are correct? 1. It causes instability in the lower layers of the atmosphere. 2. This inversion commonly lasts for a few hours until the Sun comes up.

  2. Identify the cloud on the basis of the following characteristics: I. They look like cotton wool. II. They exist in patches and have flat base. III. They are generally formed at a height of 4 to 7 km.

  3. Which of the following statements with reference to Surface inversion of temperature is/are correct? 
    1. It causes instability in the lower layers of the atmosphere. 
    2. This inversion commonly lasts for a few hours until the Sun comes up.

  4. Identify the cloud on the basis of the following characteristics: 
    I. They look like cotton wool. 
    II. They exist in patches and have flat base. 
    III. They are generally formed at a height of 4 to 7 km.

  5. Given below are two statements :

    Statement (I): Atmospheric stability is important because it determines the ability of pollutants to disperse vertically in the atmosphere.

    Statement (II): In summer season in India. the atmosphere is generally stable.

    In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given 

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