Environmental Science Multiple Choice Questions on “Air Pollution – Meteorology”.
1. What does the word ‘meteorology’ define?
a) Study of meteors and asteroids
b) Study of measurements and instruments
c) Study of chemical properties of metals
d) Study of the weather and atmospheric changes
Answer: d
Clarification: Meteorological information is necessary predict and plan the control of air pollution.
2. What is a “tetroon” in the field of meteorology?
a) A tool used to study wind patterns
b) A tool used to study pressure variations
c) A tool used to study temperature deviations
d) A tool used to study humidity
Answer: a
Clarification: Tetroon – Tetrahedral Balloon drifts horizontally along with the wind and is tracked by radar. It is used to analyse local wind patterns.
3. What does the Richardson number indicate in wind analysis?
a) Mechanical turbulence
b) Convective heat production
c) Mechanical turbulence & Convective heat production
d) None of the mentioned
Answer: c
Clarification: Richardson number (-Ri) gives a relative rate of production of mechanical and convective energy.
4. Above which Richardson number does vertical mixing in winds disappear?
a) 1
b) 0.25
c) 0.5
d) 0.75
Answer: b
Clarification: Beyond Richardson number of 0.25, the vertical mixing comes to a standstill and weak horizontal eddies alone remain.
5. When Richardson number is equal to zero, what is the wind turbulence characteristic?
a) No vertical mixing
b) Weak mechanical turbulence due to stratification
c) Convective mixing is greater than mechanical turbulence
d) Only mechanical turbulence
Answer: d
Clarification: When Richardson number is zero, there is mechanical turbulence alone.
6. Below what Richardson number does convective mixing start dominating mechanical turbulence?
a) 0
b) -0.04
c) -0.03
d) -0.1
Answer: b
Clarification: Between 0 and -0.03, both mechanical turbulence and convective mixing are present, but mechanical turbulence is greater. Below -0.04, convective mixing starts dominating.
7. What is high pressure area with sinking air also known as?
a) Cyclone
b) Anti-cyclone
c) Eddy zone
d) Richardson zone
Answer: b
Clarification: Anticyclones are high pressure regions with low ventilation where air is sinking, and is warmed by compression.
8. What does the term “turbidity” indicate in atmospheric quality?
a) Indicates density of clouds
b) Reduction of light due to dust particles
c) Indicates the humidity
d) Turbulence of winds
Answer: b
Clarification: Turbidity is the term used to describe reduction in light/visibility due to smoke and other dust particles. Due to air pollution, about 15-20% reduction in sunshine is observed in cities.
9. Which of the following gases vary significantly over time and place at the atmospheric boundary level?
a) Carbon dioxide
b) Ozone
c) Water vapour
d) Oxygen
Answer: c
Clarification: Water vapour varies based on time and place at the atmospheric boundary level due to the continuous action of evaporation and condensation near water bodies.
10. How does atmospheric pressure vary with increase in altitude?
a) It decreases linearly
b) It decreases exponentially
c) It increases linearly
d) It increases till stratosphere and then starts decreasing exponentially