Statement 1: The temperature in Troposphere decreases at the rate of \(1^{\circ}C\) for every 165 meters of height.
Statement 2: The temperature in mesosphere starts to decrease with the increase in altitude and reaches up to \(-100^{\circ}C\) at around 80 km.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
Statement 1: Troposphere Temperature Gradient Analysis
Statement 1 discusses the rate at which temperature changes with altitude in the Troposphere. The Troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where weather occurs and temperature generally decreases with increasing height.
The standard rate of temperature decrease in the Troposphere with altitude is known as the environmental lapse rate. Typically, this rate is about \(6.5^{\circ}C\) per 1000 meters ($1$ km) of ascent. This translates to a decrease of approximately \(1^{\circ}C\) for every 154 meters of altitude (\(1000 \div 6.5 \approx 154\)).
Statement 1 claims the temperature decreases at a rate of \(1^{\circ}C\) for every 165 meters of height. Since this value ($165$ meters) differs from the standard environmental lapse rate (approx. $154$ meters per \(1^{\circ}C\)), Statement 1 is considered incorrect based on standard meteorological definitions.
Statement 2: Mesosphere Temperature Profile Analysis
Statement 2 describes the temperature changes within the Mesosphere. The Mesosphere is situated above the Stratosphere and below the Thermosphere.
In the Mesosphere, the temperature trend reverses compared to the layers below. Temperature indeed decreases as altitude increases. This cooling trend progresses significantly, reaching the coldest temperatures found naturally in Earth's atmosphere at the top of this layer, the mesopause.
The statement notes that the temperature reaches up to \(-100^{\circ}C\) at around $80$ km altitude. This is consistent with scientific observations, as temperatures in the upper mesosphere often fall between \(-90^{\circ}C\) and \(-100^{\circ}C\). Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.
Conclusion on Statements
Based on the analysis:
- Statement 1 is incorrect because the specified rate of temperature decrease (\(1^{\circ}C\) per 165 meters) does not match the standard environmental lapse rate in the Troposphere.
- Statement 2 is correct as it accurately describes the decreasing temperature trend in the Mesosphere and approximates the minimum temperature reached at high altitudes within this layer.
Consequently, only Statement 2 is correct.
Similar Questions
- Which the following of statements is/are correct? 1) The Peninsular region of India does not have any well-defined cold weather season. 2) By the end of December (that is, by 22 December), the Sun shines vertically over the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere.
- How does the Faint Young Sun paradox challenge our understanding of early Earth's climate?
- Which of the following is NOT a primary factor affecting the variation of insolation on Earth?
- Which layer of the Earth's atmosphere is primarily responsible for absorbing ultraviolet radiation from the Sun?
- Tropical cyclones originate over which of the following regions?
- Read the following statements:
Statement 1: The process of vertical heating of the atmosphere is known as advection.
Statement 2: The transfer of heat through horizontal movement of air is called convection.
Statement 3: 'Loo' winds in northern India during summer are caused by advection.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Important Questions from Climatology
In which of the following atmospheric layers ozone gas is concentrated?
Ozone layer depletion is a major phenomenon in :
Starting from Earth's surface, the right sequence is-
I. Stratosphere
II. Troposphere
III. Ionosphere
IV. Mesosphere
By which layer of the atmosphere the ultra-violet rays are absorbed ?
______ is the uppermost layer of the atmosphere.
