With reference to "water vapour", which of the following statements is

With reference to “water vapour”, which of the following statements is/are correct?

It is a gas, the amount of which decreases with altitude.
Its percentage is maximum at the poles.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

Answer is Right!

Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2024

Download PDF Attempt Online

Statement 1: Water vapour is the gaseous state of water and is a greenhouse gas. Its concentration in the atmosphere varies greatly but is generally highest near the Earth’s surface due to evaporation from water bodies and plants. As altitude increases, temperature and pressure decrease, limiting the amount of water vapour the air can hold (dew point decreases). Therefore, the amount of water vapour typically decreases significantly with altitude. This statement is correct.
Statement 2: The amount of water vapour the air can hold is strongly dependent on temperature. Warmer air can hold much more water vapour than cold air. The poles are very cold regions. Consequently, the absolute amount and percentage of water vapour in the atmosphere are generally lowest at the poles and highest in warm, humid tropical and equatorial regions. This statement is incorrect.

Water vapour concentration is inversely related to altitude and directly related to temperature; it is highest near the surface and in warm regions.

Although its percentage is low at the poles, water vapour still plays a role in the polar climate, and changes in Arctic water vapour are being studied in the context of Arctic amplification (warming). Globally, water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas.

Join Our Telegram Channel

More similar MCQ questions for Exam preparation:-