Q1 · UPSC Prelims 2024 · Set A · Geography

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Consider the following statements :Statement-I :The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.Statement-II :Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation.Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

A Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II explains Statement-I
B Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
C Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
D Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Correct answer: (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Explanation

  1. A

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement- II explains Statement-I

    Both correct and II explains I. The atmosphere is heated more by terrestrial long-wave radiation, not by incoming solar.

  2. B

    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

    Both correct but II does not explain I. Statement-I is false.

  3. C

    Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

    I correct, II incorrect. I is the false limb; greenhouse gases do absorb long-wave.

  4. D

    Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

    I incorrect, II correct. Earth heats the air; CO2 and other GHGs absorb outgoing long-wave.

Summary. Official key is (d). Incoming solar radiation is mostly short-wave; the air is relatively transparent to it. The surface absorbs sunlight and radiates long-wave infrared, which greenhouse gases absorb — that is how the troposphere is heated. Statement-I reverses the mechanism. Statement-II is true and does not rescue I.

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