8.4. EXERCISES

1. Multiple choice questions. (i) The sun is directly overhead at noon on 21st June at: (a) The equator (b) 23.5° S (c) 23.5° N (d) 66.5° N (ii) In which one of the following cities, are the days the longest? (a) Tiruvanantpuram (b) Chandigarh (c) Hyderabad (d) Nagpur (iii) The atmosphere is mainly heated by the: (a) Short wave solar radiation (b) Reflected solar radiation (c) Long wave terrestrial radiation (d) Scattered solar radiation (iv) Make correct pairs from the following two columns. (i) Insolation (a) The difference between the mean temperature of the warmest and the coldest months (ii) Albedo (b) The lines joining the places of equal temperature (iii) Isotherm (c) The incoming solar radiation (iv) Annual range (d) The percentage of visible light reflected by an object (v) The main reason that the earth experiences highest temperatures in the subtropics in the northern hemisphere rather than at the equator is : (a) Subtropical areas tend to have less cloud cover than equatorial areas. (b) Subtropical areas have longer day hours in the summer than the equatorial. (c) Subtropical areas have an enhanced “green house effect” compared to equatorial areas. (d) Subtropical areas are nearer to the oceanic areas than the equatorial locations.

This section consists of multiple-choice questions that test the understanding of key concepts about solar radiation and temperature distribution. Each question asks students to select the correct answer from the given options. The first question pertains to the position of the sun during the summer solstice, while subsequent questions cover topics related to atmospheric heating, albedo, insolation, and temperature variations.

Think of answering multiple choice questions like playing a game of trivia. You have a set of clues and answers to choose from. Picking the correct answer requires knowledge, just like knowing facts about history or geography helps you succeed in a quiz game.

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words. (i) How does the unequal distribution of heat over the planet earth in space and time cause variations in weather and climate? (ii) What are the factors that control temperature distribution on the surface of the earth? (iii) In India, why is the day temperature maximum in May and why not after the summer solstice? (iv) Why is the annual range of temperature high in the Siberian plains?

These questions require concise, focused answers, encouraging students to summarize key concepts related to temperature distribution and climate patterns in a minimal number of words. Students need to engage with their understanding of factors like heat distribution, climatic variations, seasonal changes, and geographical influences.

Answering short questions is like summarizing a story. If someone asks you about your favorite movie, you give a brief overview of the plot, focusing on the most important points without going into every detail.

3. Answer the following questions in about 150 words. (i) How do the latitude and the tilt in the axis of rotation of the earth affect the amount of radiation received at the earth’s surface? (ii) Discuss the processes through which the earth-atmosphere system maintains heat balance. (iii) Compare the global distribution of temperature in January over the northern and the southern hemisphere of the earth.

These long-answer questions require a more comprehensive understanding of how latitude and Earth's axial tilt influence solar radiation, the heat balance mechanisms within the Earth-atmosphere system, and the comparative analysis of temperature distributions in different hemispheres. Each topic challenges students to articulate complex geographical concepts in their own words while supported by scientific insights.

Writing long answers is much like explaining how to ride a bike to someone who has never done it before. You need to cover everything from the basics of balancing to the specifics of how to pedal, providing a thorough understanding of the entire process.

Project Work Select a meteorological observatory located in your city or near your town. T abulate the temperature data as given in the climatological table of observatories: (i) Note the altitude, latitude of the observatory and the period for which the mean is calculated. (ii) Define the terms related to temperature as given in the table. (iii) Calculate the daily mean monthly temperature. (iv) Draw a graph to show the daily mean maximum, the daily mean minimum, and the mean temperature. (v) Calculate the annual range of temperature. (vi) Find out in which months the daily range of temperature is the highest and the lowest. (vii) List out the factors that determine the temperature of the place and explain the possible causes for temperature variation in the months of January, May, July and October.

The project work involves hands-on activities where students will gather temperature data from a local meteorological observatory. Tasks include recording specific data, defining terminology, performing calculations, creating visuals (graphs), and analyzing temperature variations throughout the year, which deepens their understanding of climatic dynamics.

Think of this project like conducting a science experiment. You start with a question, gather data, analyze it, and then present your findings. Just like experiments help you learn about scientific principles, this project helps you understand meteorology and climate better.

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