Water in the Atmosphere Short and Long Important Question Class 11 Geography Chapter-10 Book-Fundamental of Physical Geography

 

1. In how many forms is water found in the atmosphere?

Answer: 

Water is found in the atmosphere in three forms:

• Gas (water vapor)

• Fluid (water)

• Solid (ice)

2. What is humidity?

Answer: 

The amount of water vapor present in the air is called humidity.

3. How many types of humidity are there?

Answer:

• Absolute Humidity: It is the actual amount of water vapour present per cubic metre of air.

• Relative Humidity: This compares the amount of water vapor present in the air at a given temperature to its maximum capacity as a percentage.

4. What is Dew Point?

Answer: 

The temperature at which the water vapour present in the air becomes saturated and turns into water droplets is called Dew Point.

5. What is the difference between evaporation and condensation?

Answer:

• Evaporation: The change of water from a liquid to water vapor.

• Condensation: The cooling of water vapor into liquid.

6. What are the factors affecting evaporation?

Answer:

• Temperature – Evaporation is more at higher temperatures.

• Wind speed – Strong winds increase evaporation.

• Atmospheric pressure: Evaporation is more at low pressure.

• Relative humidity: Evaporation is faster at low humidity.

7. Under what conditions does condensation occur?

Answer:

• When the air temperature drops to the dew point.

• When the water vapor present in the air comes in contact with condensation nuclei.

• When the volume of air decreases.

8. What are the main types of condensation?

Answer:

• Dew: The transformation of water vapour into liquid droplets on cool surfaces.

• Frost: When dew turns into ice.

• Fog: Condensed water vapor near the surface that reduces visibility.

• Clouds: Condensed water vapor in the air that floats at high altitudes.

9. What is the difference between dew and frost?

Answer:

10. What is the difference between fog and mist?

Answer:

• Fog: Visibility is less than 1 km.

• Fog: Visibility is more than 1 km.

11. How many types of clouds are there?

Answer:

• Cirrus: Thin, white clouds at high altitudes.

• Cumulus: Thick, white clouds like cotton wool.

• Stratus: Layered clouds that cover most of the sky.

• Nimbus: Dark grey clouds that bring heavy rain.

12. What is precipitation?

Answer: 

When condensed water vapor falls on the earth in any form, it is called precipitation.

13. What are the types of precipitation?

Answer:

• Rain: Falling in the form of water droplets.

• Snowfall: Precipitation in the form of snow.

• Sleet: Frozen water droplets.

• Hail: Falling of spherical pieces of ice.

14. How many types of rain are there?

Answer:

• Convectional Rainfall: Warm air rises, cools and causes rain.

• Orographic Rainfall: The air hits the mountain and rises up and it rains.

• Cyclonic Rainfall: Rainfall caused by cyclones.

15. Where does the highest and lowest rainfall occur in the world?

Answer:

• Highest rainfall in: Meghalaya (Mawsynram, Cherrapunji).

• Least rainfall: Sahara Desert and Antarctica.

16. Where does convectional rainfall occur?

Answer: 

In tropical regions, especially near the equator.

17. Why does Orographic Rainfall occur?

Answer: 

When the moist air hits the mountain, rises, cools and condenses, it rains.

18. What is rain shadow area?

Answer: 

The part of the mountain where there is less rainfall because the air becomes dry after crossing the mountain is called so. Example: Leeward side of Western Ghats.

19. Why does monsoon rain occur?

Answer: 

This is due to the moist winds blowing from the sea towards the land areas in summer, which condense and cause rain.

20. Why is rain water balance important?

Answer:

It helps in maintaining agriculture, reservoirs and groundwater levels.

Imbalance of rainfall may cause floods and droughts.

21. What is the difference between thunderstorm and tornado?

Answer:

22. Why does hailstorm occur?

Answer: 

Hail is formed when water droplets move up and down in cold air and turn into ice.

23. How does cyclonic rainfall occur?

Answer: 

When warm and cold air meet, the air rises and heavy rainfall occurs.

24. What is the importance of water vapor on earth?

Answer:

• This is a major component of the water cycle.

• It controls the weather and climate.

• This ensures rainfall and water supply.