Consider the following statements : Statement-I : Thickness of the t

Consider the following statements :

  • 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 ?

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2024
Statement-I is correct. The thickness of the troposphere varies with latitude and season, being greatest at the equator (around 16-18 km) and thinnest at the poles (around 8-10 km).
Statement-II is correct. At the equator, high solar insolation leads to intense heating of the surface and lower atmosphere, resulting in strong convectional currents. These rising air currents transport heat and moisture upwards to great heights, pushing the boundary of the troposphere (tropopause) higher. At the poles, there is less heating and weaker convection, resulting in a lower tropopause.
Statement-II provides the physical mechanism (strong convection due to heat transport) that explains why the troposphere is thicker at the equator compared to the poles. Therefore, both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
The thickness of the troposphere is primarily controlled by temperature and convection. Warmer temperatures and stronger convection lead to a higher tropopause.
The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere where most weather occurs. The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere.
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