Category 6 · Geography
Atmosphere and Temperature
6 micro topics in Geography for UPSC Prelims, in book order: Evolution and Composition of the Atmosphere; Structure of the Atmosphere; and 4 more.
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6.1
Evolution and Composition of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the envelope of gases held around the Earth by gravity. It evolved in three stages: the loss of the primordial hydrogen and helium, the outgassing of water vapour and gases from the hot…
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6.2
Structure of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is divided into five layers by temperature: the troposphere, where weather occurs and temperature falls with height, the stratosphere with the ozone layer where temperature rises, the mesosphere, the coldest layer, the thermosphere, which…
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6.3
Heat Transfer and Heat Budget of the Earth
The Earth receives energy from the Sun as short-wave insolation and loses an equal amount as long-wave terrestrial radiation, so its average temperature stays steady. Heat moves by radiation, conduction, convection and advection. Of 100 units…
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6.4
Factors Affecting Temperature Distribution
The temperature at a place depends mainly on latitude, which decides the angle of the Sun's rays and the length of day, and on altitude, distance from the sea, ocean currents, prevailing winds, cloud cover, the…
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6.5
Horizontal Distribution of Temperature and Latitudinal Heat Balance
The horizontal distribution of temperature is shown on maps by isotherms, which generally run east-west and show a fall from the equator towards the poles, but bend where land meets sea. The thermal equator lies north…
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6.6
Vertical Distribution of Temperature and Temperature Inversion
In the troposphere, temperature normally falls with height at the normal lapse rate of about 6.5 degrees Celsius per km, because the air is heated from below. Temperature inversion is the reverse, when a layer of…
Frequently asked questions
Which topics are in Atmosphere and Temperature?
Atmosphere and Temperature has 6 micro topics in Geography: Evolution and Composition of the Atmosphere; Structure of the Atmosphere; Heat Transfer and Heat Budget of the Earth; Factors Affecting Temperature Distribution; Horizontal Distribution of Temperature and Latitudinal Heat Balance; Vertical Distribution of Temperature and Temperature Inversion.
Is Atmosphere and Temperature important for UPSC Prelims?
Atmosphere and Temperature is a part of the UPSC Prelims Geography syllabus map on MaargX UPSC. Each of its 6 published topics has key terms, a Mains angle and practice questions.