Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature Important Questions
These Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature Important Questions cover important NCERT concepts related to insolation, heat budget, atmospheric heating, terrestrial radiation and temperature distribution.
The chapter-wise questions include MCQs, one-word questions, assertion and reason questions and analytical descriptive questions useful for UPSC, SSC, Railways, State PSC, CUET, CBSE board exams and competitive examinations.
NCERT Page Coverage: Page 69–72
Table of Contents
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
These MCQs from Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature help students revise important concepts related to atmospheric heating, heat transfer and temperature distribution.
MCQ 1
The Sun is the main source of:
- A. Rainfall only
- B. Atmospheric pressure only
- C. Energy for Earth
- D. Ocean salinity only
Page Reference: Page 69
MCQ 2
Incoming solar radiation is known as:
- A. Terrestrial radiation
- B. Insolation
- C. Conduction
- D. Reflection
Page Reference: Page 69
MCQ 3
The amount of insolation received on Earth depends mainly on:
- A. Latitude
- B. Angle of Sun’s rays
- C. Duration of daylight
- D. All of these
Page Reference: Page 69
MCQ 4
The maximum insolation is received at:
- A. Poles
- B. Equator
- C. Temperate regions
- D. Mountain regions only
Page Reference: Page 69
MCQ 5
The reflection of solar radiation by Earth’s surface is called:
- A. Insolation
- B. Radiation
- C. Albedo
- D. Conduction
Page Reference: Page 70
MCQ 6
Fresh snow has:
- A. Low albedo
- B. High albedo
- C. No albedo
- D. Negative albedo
Page Reference: Page 70
MCQ 7
The atmosphere is heated mainly by:
- A. Direct solar radiation
- B. Terrestrial radiation
- C. Ocean currents only
- D. Volcanic heat only
Page Reference: Page 70
MCQ 8
The Earth radiates energy back to atmosphere in the form of:
- A. Short waves
- B. Long waves
- C. Gamma rays
- D. Radio waves
Page Reference: Page 70
MCQ 9
The process of heat transfer through direct contact is called:
- A. Radiation
- B. Convection
- C. Conduction
- D. Reflection
Page Reference: Page 71
MCQ 10
The vertical transfer of heat in atmosphere is known as:
- A. Radiation
- B. Convection
- C. Reflection
- D. Advection
Page Reference: Page 71
MCQ 11
Horizontal movement of air transferring heat is called:
- A. Convection
- B. Radiation
- C. Advection
- D. Conduction
Page Reference: Page 71
MCQ 12
Which process is mainly responsible for heating lower atmosphere?
- A. Reflection
- B. Terrestrial radiation
- C. Ocean currents only
- D. Solar eclipses
Page Reference: Page 70
MCQ 13
The difference between maximum and minimum temperature is called:
- A. Insolation
- B. Heat budget
- C. Temperature range
- D. Lapse rate
Page Reference: Page 72
MCQ 14
The normal lapse rate is approximately:
- A. 1°C per 100 m
- B. 6.5°C per 1000 m
- C. 10°C per 1000 m
- D. 2°C per 100 m
Page Reference: Page 72
MCQ 15
Temperature generally decreases with increasing:
- A. Latitude only
- B. Altitude
- C. Longitude only
- D. Pressure only
Page Reference: Page 72
MCQ 16
Which factor strongly influences temperature near coasts?
- A. Continentality
- B. Distance from sea
- C. Soil type only
- D. Vegetation only
Page Reference: Page 72
MCQ 17
Places near seas experience:
- A. Extreme temperatures
- B. Moderate temperatures
- C. No rainfall
- D. High pressure only
Page Reference: Page 72
MCQ 18
The unequal heating of Earth is mainly due to:
- A. Uniform insolation
- B. Spherical shape of Earth
- C. Constant daylight everywhere
- D. Ocean depth only
Page Reference: Page 69
MCQ 19
Which surface absorbs maximum solar radiation?
- A. Snow-covered surface
- B. Dark-coloured surface
- C. Ice sheets
- D. Clouds only
Page Reference: Page 70
MCQ 20
The balance between incoming and outgoing heat is called:
- A. Heat budget
- B. Insolation
- C. Advection
- D. Convection
Page Reference: Page 70
One-Word / Very Short Answer Questions
| Question | Answer | Page Reference |
|---|---|---|
| What is incoming solar radiation called? | Insolation | Page 69 |
| What is reflection coefficient of Earth called? | Albedo | Page 70 |
| Which process transfers heat through direct contact? | Conduction | Page 71 |
| Which process transfers heat vertically in atmosphere? | Convection | Page 71 |
| Which process transfers heat horizontally? | Advection | Page 71 |
| What is outgoing heat from Earth called? | Terrestrial radiation | Page 70 |
| Which surface has highest albedo? | Fresh snow | Page 70 |
| What maintains Earth’s heat balance? | Heat budget | Page 70 |
| What is difference between maximum and minimum temperature called? | Temperature range | Page 72 |
| What is normal lapse rate? | 6.5°C per 1000 m | Page 72 |
| Which region receives maximum insolation? | Equator | Page 69 |
| Which atmospheric layer is mainly heated from below? | Troposphere | Page 71 |
| Which process transfers energy through electromagnetic waves? | Radiation | Page 71 |
| Which factor moderates coastal temperatures? | Distance from sea | Page 72 |
| Which regions generally experience extreme temperature ranges? | Deserts | Page 72 |
| Which colour absorbs maximum heat? | Dark colour | Page 70 |
| Why do higher latitudes receive less heat? | Slanting rays | Page 69 |
| Which air rises upward during convection? | Warm air | Page 71 |
| Which factor causes decrease of temperature with height? | Altitude | Page 72 |
| Which regions experience lowest annual temperature range? | Oceanic regions | Page 72 |
Assertion and Reason Questions
Question 1
Assertion (A): The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth.
Reason (R): Most atmospheric processes are driven by solar energy.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 69
Question 2
Assertion (A): Equatorial regions receive maximum insolation.
Reason (R): Sun’s rays fall almost vertically near equator.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 69
Question 3
Assertion (A): Earth’s atmosphere is mainly heated from below.
Reason (R): Earth reradiates absorbed heat as terrestrial radiation.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 70
Question 4
Assertion (A): Fresh snow reflects large amount of solar radiation.
Reason (R): Fresh snow has high albedo.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 70
Question 5
Assertion (A): Conduction transfers heat slowly in atmosphere.
Reason (R): Air is a poor conductor of heat.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 71
Question 6
Assertion (A): Warm air rises upward in atmosphere.
Reason (R): Warm air becomes lighter after expansion.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 71
Question 7
Assertion (A): Coastal regions experience moderate temperatures.
Reason (R): Water heats and cools more slowly than land.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 72
Question 8
Assertion (A): Temperature decreases with increasing altitude.
Reason (R): Atmosphere is mainly heated from Earth’s surface.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 72
Question 9
Assertion (A): Deserts have high daily temperature range.
Reason (R): Desert atmosphere contains little moisture and cloud cover.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 72
Question 10
Assertion (A): Heat budget maintains Earth’s average temperature balance.
Reason (R): Incoming solar radiation equals outgoing terrestrial radiation over long periods.
Options:
- A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
- B. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
- C. A is true but R is false
- D. A is false but R is true
Page Reference: Page 70
Important Exam-Based Concept Questions
Question 1
Explain the meaning and importance of insolation.
Page Reference: Page 69
Question 2
Discuss the factors affecting distribution of insolation.
Page Reference: Page 69
Question 3
Explain why equatorial regions receive maximum insolation.
Page Reference: Page 69
Question 4
Describe the concept of albedo and its significance.
Page Reference: Page 70
Question 5
Explain the process of terrestrial radiation.
Page Reference: Page 70
Question 6
Discuss the concept of Earth’s heat budget.
Page Reference: Page 70
Question 7
Explain how atmosphere is heated.
Page Reference: Page 70–71
Question 8
Differentiate between conduction, convection and advection.
Page Reference: Page 71
Question 9
Explain why atmosphere is heated from below.
Page Reference: Page 70–71
Question 10
Discuss the importance of convectional currents in atmosphere.
Page Reference: Page 71
Question 11
Explain the concept of normal lapse rate.
Page Reference: Page 72
Question 12
Discuss the factors controlling temperature distribution.
Page Reference: Page 72
Question 13
Explain why coastal regions experience moderate climate.
Page Reference: Page 72
Question 14
Discuss the causes of high temperature range in deserts.
Page Reference: Page 72
Question 15
Explain the role of latitude in temperature distribution.
Page Reference: Page 69–72
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