Question

UPSC Prelims 2023 Question:

With reference to the Earth's atmosphere, which one of the following statements is correct?

1. The total amount of insolation received at the equator is roughly about 10 times of that received at the poles.
2. Infrared rays constitute roughly two-thirds of insolation.
3. Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.
4. Infrared waves are a part of visible spectrum of electromagnetic waves of solar radiation.

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3: Infrared waves are largely absorbed by water vapour that is concentrated in the lower atmosphere.

Detailed Solution

Explanation:

The Earth’s surface receives most of its energy in short wavelengths. The energy received by the earth is known as incoming solar radiation, which in short, is termed insolation.
The atmosphere is largely transparent to short wave solar radiation. The incoming solar radiation passes through the atmosphere before striking the earth’s surface. Within the troposphere water vapour, ozone and other gases absorb much of the near infrared radiation.

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

Subject: Geography | Climate Weather and Atmosphere

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