QUES . Consider the following statements: UPSC 2024
Statement-I:
Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to poles.
Statement-II:
At the equator, heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents.
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.
Ans (a)
Must read: STRUCTURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE
EXPLANATION:
Troposphere
The troposphere is the lowermost layer of the atmosphere.
Its average height is 13 km and extends roughly to a height of 8 km near the poles and about 18 km at the equator.
Thickness of the troposphere is greatest at the equator because heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents.
This layer contains dust particles and water vapour.
All changes in climate and weather take place in this layer.
The temperature in this layer decreases at the rate of 1°C for every 165m of height.
This is the most important layer for all biological activity.
The zone separating the tropsophere from stratosphere is known as the tropopause.
The air temperature at the tropopause is about minus 800 C over the equator and about minus
450 C over the poles.
The temperature here is nearly constant, and hence, it is called the tropopause.
