Question
UPSC Prelims 2022 Question:
Consider the following statements:
- High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.
- Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth’s surface and thus cause warming effect.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 4: Neither 1 nor 2
Detailed Solution
Explanation:
- Clouds high up in the atmosphere tend to warm Earth more than they cool. High, thin clouds trap some of the Sun’s heat. This warms Earth’s surface. So, statement 1 is not correct.
- Low clouds within a mile or so of Earth’s surface tend to cool more than they warm. These low, thicker clouds mostly reflect the Sun’s heat. This cools Earth’s surface. So, statement 2 is not correct.
Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.
Subject: Geography|Climate Weather and Atmosphere
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Last updated on Sep, 2026
