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Latitude, distance from the sea, altitude, ocean currents.

• The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. 
• Weather is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time and climate is how the atmosphere “behaves” over relatively long period of time. 
• Weather is basically the way the atmosphere is behaving, mainly with respect to its effects upon life and human activities. 
• Whereas climate is the description of the long-term pattern of weather in a particular area.
• In most places weather can change from minute to minute, hour to hour, day-to-day and season-to-season. Whereas the climate is the average of weather overtime and space. 
• In short, climate is what we expect whether a hot summer or a cool winter and weather is what you get or experience at present.

Latitude, distance from the sea, altitude, ocean currents.

(C) Homosphere

On the basis of origin, rainfall may be classified into three main types.

They are:

1. Convectional rainfall

2. Orographic rainfall and

3. Cyclonic rainfall

Average annual rainfall of the states of India

On the basis of origin, rainfall may be classified into three main types. 

1. Convectional Rainfall 

2. Orographic Rainfall 

3. Cyclonic Rainfall.

Convectional Rainfall : This type of rainfall occurs when moist air over the heated ground becomes warmer than the surrounding air and is forced to rise, expand, cool and yield some of its moisture. 

It is common in low latitudes and on summer days in interior part of the continents, and usually come in the form of short heavy showers just after the hottest part of the day, some times accompanied by thunder and lightning.

Climate is the average condition of the atmosphere over an area over long period of time. The changes in the atmospheric conditions or weather elements are caused by several factors of climate. The most important factors of climate are: 

a. Latitude: The Latitudinal location is of prime importance as the temperature and humidity decrease from equator to the poles. But the distribution of pressure is contrasting as it decrease from polar regions to equator. Even the amount of rainfall generally decreases from equator to the poles. It indicates the relationship between latitude and climate, Son the isobars, Isotherms and Isohyets run east to west parallel to latitudes. It is clear that the climatic condition is normally almost similar and identical over the places on the same latitude.

b. Distance from the sea: The physical characteristics of land and water are quite different as they are in solid and liquid states. The land masses absorb temperature and loose it quickly than the water bodies. So the distribution of temperature and pressure conditions in different seasons of a year is contrasting. The interior land masses experience hot summers and cold winters.

Thus extremities prevail in the climatic condition. On the other hand in the coastal regions temperature condition is modified by the oceans to a large extent and thus experiences warm summers and mild winters. The amount of the interior. Similarly the range of temperature is maximum in the interior regions making it a continental climate. The coastal regions on the other hand, being much influenced by the oceans are described as Maritime climate or Oceanic climate.

c. Altitude: Climate is influenced by attitude in many ways. Attitude has a great effect on the distribution of heat, pressure, winds and precipitation. Temperature and pressure decreases with attitude. The wind is forced to rise, when they are obstructed by mountain ranges, and they give rainfall to the windward side. Mountain can obstruct the passage of cold or hot winds. In this way, attitude causes c changes in the atmospheric conditions.

d. Ocean currents: The warm ocean currents keep the coastal regions warm, while cold currents lessen the temperature of the costal areas. For instance: North West Europe coast and Western coast of America are washed by the warm Gulf stream and cold Labrador currents respectively. The moisture laden winds blowing over the warm currents also caused changes in the atmospheric conditions.

e. Slope of the land: The slope of the land also causes changes in atmospheric conditions. The slope that faces the ocean is warm. But the slope that does not face the sun is cold. For instance, the southern slopes of the Himalayas are warmer than the northern slopes.

f. Soil: Soil caused changes in atmospheric conditions. Rocky and sandy soil, which is dry, heats and cools faster. The soil which is wet and can retain moisture heats and cools slowly. Dark- colored soil absorbs heat faster than the light coloured soil.

g. Volcanic Activity: At the time of volcanic explosion, carbon dioxide, dust particles and ash are thrown out into the atmosphere, the carbon dioxide layer absorbs both solar and terrestrial energy, it affects the temperature and pressure of a regions.

• Stratosphere is ideal for flying jet aircrafts. 
• Because this layer is almost free from clouds and associated weather phenomenon. 
• These conditions are most ideal for flying jet aircrafts in this layer.

• We breathe in oxygen which is one of the components of atmosphere. 
• We breathe out carbon dioxide, which in turn is taken in by plants in their respiration. 
• The atmosphere prevents harmful rays of the sun from reaching us. 
• The green plants take in carbon dioxide, use sunlight and water to photo synthesise and we get delicious fruits, vegetables, and grains from them. 
• These give us proteins, carbohydrates, sugars, fats, minerals and other nutrients that we need.
• The atmospheric winds transport water from the oceans deep into the continents in the form of rain. 
• Atmospheric winds erode rocks and are responsible for the formation of many kinds of soils with whose fertility we grow many kinds of crops. 
• Atmosphere helps in cooling monsoon rains.
•  Atmosphere helps in diffusion of perfumes and helps in the travelling of sound waves. 
• Thus we can say atmosphere is important for us.

On the basis of chemical composition, the atmosphere is divided into two broad layers. They are

1) Homosphere

2) Heterosphere

The atmosphere is a mechanical mixture of several gases. It also contains a number of solid and liquid particles called‘Aerosols’. Some of the gases may be permanent. They remain in fixed proportion but others may vary in quantity from one place to another and from time to time. The different constituents of the atmosphere are gases, water vapor and dust particles.

Gases: The dry air that is around us is a mixture of various gases. The main component gases of dry air are listed in the table. Both nitrogen and oxygen together account for about 99% of the atmosphere. The remaining 1% to make up of other gases. Nitrogen is most plentiful of all the gases in the atmosphere. It is an important constituent of many organic compounds. It is needed to dilute the air and regulated combustion by diluting oxygen. All living organism need oxygen. For respiration. Life is not possible without it. It is essential for combustion. About 21% of the gases in the atmosphere consist of oxygen. 

Carbon dioxide is found in small percentage in dry air. It used by green plants for photosynthesis. It absorbs solar energy and earth radiation and then emits a part of it towards the earth. The amount of carbon dioxide is increasing every year which can agent temperature. Another important gas is ozone, which is similar to oxygen molecule. It absorbs most of the ultra-violet rays from the sun and protects us from excessive heat.

Water vapour: This is the gaseous form of water. It is largely formed from the evaporation of water from the water bodies on the earth and transpiration from plants and soils.

Water vapor is one of the most variable gases of the atmosphere, which is representing in the lower layers of the atmosphere. It is capable of absorbing solar energy as the well as energy radiated form the earth. The condensation of water vapour is responsible for several forms of the precipitation. Eg: rain, snow, etc. The amount of water vapor mainly depends on temperature. So it. varies from place to place and from time to time. It decreases from the equator to the poles.

Dust particles: The atmosphere is capable of holding solid particles, suspended in the lower layers of the atmosphere. They consist of dust, salt particles, pollen, smoke and soot, volcanic ash etc. These dust particles are very important form the absorption and scattering of some of the solar energy.

Water vapor is one of the most variable gases of the atmosphere, which is representing in the lower layers of the atmosphere. It is capable of absorbing solar energy as the well as energy radiated form the earth. The condensation of water vapour is responsible for several forms of the precipitation. Eg: rain, snow, etc. The amount of water vapor mainly depends on temperature. So it.varies from place to place and from time to time. It decreases from the equator to the poles.

Dust particles: The atmosphere is capable of holding solid particles, suspended in the lower layers of the atmosphere. They consist of dust, salt particles, pollen, smoke and soot, volcanic ash etc. These dust particles are very important form the absorption and scattering of some of the solar energy. 

There are various factors affecting the rainfall. They are as follows:

Latitude: Rainfall is influenced by the latitude. If the latitude is low, temperature will be high. Water vapour in the air depends upon the temperature. Rainfall depends upon the amount of water vapour in the air. Evaporating is highest in the equator and least at the poles. Therefore rainfall is more in the equator and less or nil at the poles.

Distance from the sea: Winds blowing from the sea bring rainfall over the coastal lands. But as these winds go further, they become drier. Therefore they do not bring much rainfall in the continents.

Mountains: There is heavy rainfall in the windward side of the mountains because the mountains obstruct the winds carrying moisture. But there is little rainfall on the leeward side of the mountains. This is because, by the time the winds cross the mountains, they lose much of their moisture and become dry.

Type and direction of winds: Winds blowing from the sea contain moisture, and therefore bring rain to the land over which they blow. But winds blowing from the land is dry, and therefore, they do not cause rains. Similarly winds blowing from the cold regions to hot regions cause little rainfall, while the winds blowing from hot regions to cold regions cause more rainfall.

Vegetation: Rainfall is more in a region where there is thick vegetation, i.e., forests, because the forests make the air cool. That is why, Assam and mainland areas get more rainfall than the desert and the malnad areas.

• Between the latitudes 10° and 30° N and S of the equator, due to the trade winds, rainfall is heavier on the eastern coasts, and decreases towards the West. 
• Between the latitudes 40° and 60° N and S of the equator due to the westerlies, the rainfall is heavy on the west coast, and goes decreases towards the East. 
• Low pressure areas, especially around the equator receiver high rainfall than high pressure areas. 
• The rainfall is more over the oceans than on the continent.

The monsoons winds are typical example of seasonal are period winds. They are extensive and also well developed among the seasonal winds. The word ‘Monsoon’ is derived from an Arabic word ‘Mousim’ means seasonal. The Arabs have noticed the character of periodical reversal of winds on the Arabian sea and called them monsoons. 

Atmosphere has certain characteristics features. They are

• Atmosphere is the second layer of the earth. 
• Like lithosphere and hydrosphere, the atmosphere also is an integral part of the planet. 
• Atmosphere is a gaseous layer extending upto a height of about 960 kms., but it has no distinct outer limit. 
• It is attached to the earth’s surface by gravitational force. 
• The atmosphere is denser near the earth’s surface, and becomes thinner away from the earth’s surface.

The solar radiation is in the form of short waves. These waves strike the outer surface of the atmosphere. About 53% of the energy is lost through scattering by gas molecules, reflection by clouds and absorption by water vapor and other particles. Only about 47 percent of the energy reaches the surface.

Controlling factors: Insolation is not uniform on all parts of the earth’s surface. It differs from one region to another and also from one season to another. The important factors determining the amount of solar radiation are:

a. The angle of incidence of the sun’s rays: The sun rays do not strike the earth surface at an. equal angle. They are almost perpendicular as well as concentrated near the equator and slanting as well as spread over a large area at the poles. 

b. Atmosphere: The amount of insolation also depends on the atmosphere through which it passes. The amount of cloud cover, its thickness,, dust, water vapour absorbs temperature.

c. Duration of Day: The duration of sunshine or day varies with the seasons and latitudes. Longer the duration of sunshine, more will be the insulation and vise versa, d. Distance between the earth and the sun: The earth revolves around the sun on its orbit. It is nearest to the sun on January 3 and far away on July Thence the solar radiation is more in January than in the month of July.

The distribution of temperature on the surface of the earth is not uniform. It varies from. region to region due to various factors. The various factors affecting the distribution of atmospheric temperature are:

a. Latitude or distance from the equator: Places close to the equator have higher temperature and are warmer than places away form the equator This is because the Sun rays reach the Earth after passing rays reach the Earth after passing through the layers of the atmosphere. In the low latitudes the Sun rays are direct and have to travel a lesser extent through the atmosphere. Hence, the heat of these rays is more intense. But in high latitudes the Sun rays are slanting and have to passes through a greater extent of atmosphere.

b. Altitude: Temperature decreases with altitude. This is because the heat absorbing elements are found in lower altitude. So the places near the Earth’s surface are warmer than places higher up. This is because air near the surface is denser and contains gases like carbon dioxide, water vapour and other gases. Temperature decreases with increase in height at an average rate of 1°C/165 m or 6.4°C/1000 m.

c. Distance from the sea: this factor also influence on the distribution of temperature and differential heating of land and water. Land gets heated faster compared to water. Water takes longer time to get heated and to cool than land. Hence during the day when the land gets heated quickly, water takes longer time and remains cool. Therefore, during the day time a land gets more heat than the surrounding water bodies.

d. Ocean currents: It increase or decrease the temperature of the Earth’s surface. Warm ocean currents along the coast make the coastal areas warmer and cold currents reduce the temperature and cool the coastal areas.’ Warm currents can be noticed on the eastern margins of the continents in the middle latitude, while .it is the con currents flow at the western margins of the continents. Gulf stream a warm currents increases the temperature in the eastern coast of U.S.A and California bold current decreases the temperature of the western coast of U.S.A.

e. Winds: Winds that blow from the lower latitudes are warm and make the places warmer. On the other hand, winds that blow from the higher latitudes are cold and make the places cooler. Winds that blow from the sea bring plenty of rain especially if they are warm winds. While off shore winds hardly bring any rain.

f. Clouds: During the day clouds prevent Insolation from reaching the Earth’s surface. Clouds also prevent three escape of terrestrial’s radiation during the night. Clear sky Permits insolation readily during the day time and allow the rapid escape of terrestrial radiation during the night.

Correct Answer is: (b) Nitrogen

Water vapour is a gas

Human life is influenced by the conditions of temperature, humidity, and air circulation in the atmosphere.

(c) Carbon dioxide

According to Monk – house , “The atmosphere is a thin layer of gas which is associated with the earth due to gravity.”

Nitrogen gas impacts the air pressure, wind power and reflection of light.

Nitrogen is found in the highest amount in the atmosphere (78.8%) and the lowest proportion is of hydrogen (0.00005%).

Correct Answer is: (d) Height

(d) About 99 %

According to Finch and Trewartha, “The atmosphere is a cover of gases that extends from the ground up to a height of hundreds of miles and is an integral part of the Earth”.

(d) Carbon dioxide

The process by which plants make food in the presence of sunlight using carbon dioxide gas and water, is called photosynthesis.

In the atmosphere, there are five layers, known as the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the ionosphere and the exosphere.

Precipitation derived from ‘Praecipitatio’ of Latin

(b) Water vapor

The atmosphere is the basis of life on Earth because life is possible on earth due to atmospheric conditions. Due to these atmospheric conditions, the earth is considered to be a unique planet as compared to other planets. 

The atmospheric significance found in the context of the Earth and for the existence of life is explained by the following points:

1. The existence of a variety of organisms on the surface of the Earth has only been possible due to the atmosphere. 

2. There are many useful gases present in the atmosphere. 

3. Gases of the atmosphere are used to make possible various human activities. 

4. A component of the atmosphere, the water vapor, plays an important role in determining the climate. 

5. Various types of weather phenomena, such as condensation, precipitation, cloud formation, rainfall, frost, snow, dew, hailstone, etc. are the result of atmospheric conditions. 

6. Organic dust particles of the atmosphere are most important because they cause many events. 

7. The colour of the sky as blue, the appearance of the sky as red in colour during sunrise and sunset, the scattering of the sun’s rays and the reflection of the atmosphere is due to the presence of dust particles. 

8. Salt and smoke particles attract water vapor, due to which, the process of condensation takes place. 

9. The events visible in the form of fog, mist and haze are also the result of the water vapor and dust particle presence of the atmosphere. 

10.The atmosphere protects us by absorbing the ultraviolet rays coming from the sun. 

11.Replacement of radio waves is possible due to the layer of ionic particles found in the atmosphere.

All the points mentioned above are the evidence of the fact that the atmosphere and its various layers prove to be the basis of the biological world. If the atmospheric conditions on earth did not exist, then the Earth would also be a deserted planet, just like other planets. From the human perspective, its highest importance is because the direct and indirect influence of atmospheric conditions is the greatest controller of all human activities.

Due to the worsening conditions of environmental pollution and pollution of the entire world, the earth’s temperature is on a continuous rise. This is called global warming.

The rainfall caused with the rising of air upwards due to high temperature is known as convectional rainfall. 

(B) revolving

Water vapor absorbs some part of sunlight coming from the sun and stores the heat radiated out by the earth. In this way, it acts like a blanket.

Due to the scattering of sunlight by atmospheric gases and dust particles, the colour of the sky appears to be blue.

A) high latitudes

Water vapor and dust particles are highly important in the atmosphere. 

Their importance has been described as follows:

1. The importance of water vapor: 

1. Water vapor absorbs some part of the Sun rays coming from the sun. 

2. It stores the heat radiated out by the earth. 

3. Water Vapor acts like a blanket for the earth, causing the earth to be neither too hot nor too cold. 

4. Condensation of water vapor results in precipitation. 

2. The importance of Dust particles: 

1. Due to dust particles, the sky appears blue in colour. 

2. At sunrise and sunset, the colour of the sky appears to be red due to dust particles. 

3. Dust particles work as a nucleus in the formation of fog, mist and haze. Water vapor is found around them.

Dust particles are significant I the atmosphere from meteorological standpoint. It acts as a “hygroscopic nuclei” around which water vapor condenses to produce clouds. They also reflect ' insolation and besides this smoke and fog are caused due to presence of dust particles.

Dust is mainly produced from erosion of rocks, oceanic salt, volcanic ash, meteorite implosions and soil.

Micro particles suspended in the atmosphere due to the movement of the air. These particles are often those of fine soil, dust, sea salt, volcanic ash, meteorites. These are jointly called dust particles.

(A) particulates

The Equatorial low pressure belt is a zone of high temperature and low pressure. It lies between 0° to 5° North and South of the equator. This region gets direct rays of the Sun almost throughout the year. Hence air is always very warm and hot. This is calm region with very little wind so it is called as “Doldrum” means ‘belt of clam’. This region is also called Inter- Tropical convergence zone where the trade Winds coverage.

B) It protects living organisms from ultraviolet – B radiation from the Sun.

Ozone layer is the most important gas which absorbs ‘ultraviolet rays’ of the sun and protect all forms of life on the earth. This layer is free from clouds and other important weather phenomenon and provides ideal flying conditions for jet aircrafts.

B) Stratosphere

Answer is (D) Chinook