Consider the following statements 1 High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the...........

Geography (CDS) Others

Consider the following statements:

1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.

2. 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?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

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Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect : High clouds are often thin and do not reflect very much. They let lots of Insolation in. Whereas low clouds are often too thick and reflects lots of sunlight back into space.

The main difference between high and low clouds is that the high clouds are colder. This means that they radiate less energy into space than the lower, warmer clouds. Therefore, high clouds work to trap more energy than low clouds.

High clouds are not good at reflecting short waves. But they are good at blocking long wavs. This also traps heat thus giving warming effect.

Statement 2 is incorrect : Low clouds are excellent reflectors. But, they don't stop the long-wave energy from escaping to space. Therefore, low clouds gives cooling effect.