UPSC Physical Geography – Chapter 12: Atmospheric Pressure and Winds (21 MCQs)

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UPSC Physical Geography – Chapter 12: Atmospheric Pressure and Winds (21 MCQs) – 20 questions, subject: Geography. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The average atmospheric pressure at mean sea level is about:

Correct Answer: B [1,013.2 mb]

Explanation:

NCERT gives the average pressure at mean sea level as about 1,013.2 mb.

2.  

Lines joining places of equal atmospheric pressure are called:

Correct Answer: A [isobars]

Explanation:

Isobars are lines joining places of equal atmospheric pressure, drawn on weather maps.

3.  

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Coriolis force deflects winds to the:

Correct Answer: C [right]

Explanation:

The Earth's rotation makes the Coriolis force deflect moving air to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.

4.  

The "horse latitudes" refer to the:

Correct Answer: D [subtropical high-pressure belts]

Explanation:

The calm, sinking-air subtropical high-pressure belts near 30° N and S are called the horse latitudes.

5.  

The doldrums are:

Correct Answer: C [the calm equatorial low-pressure belt]

Explanation:

The doldrums are the calm belt of rising air in the equatorial low, where the trade winds converge.

6.  

A wind in the upper atmosphere that blows parallel to straight isobars is called a:

Correct Answer: D [geostrophic wind]

Explanation:

Aloft, free of friction, the pressure gradient force is balanced by the Coriolis force, so the wind blows parallel to straight isobars.

7.  

Around a low-pressure centre in the Northern Hemisphere, winds blow:

Correct Answer: B [anticlockwise and inward]

Explanation:

In a Northern Hemisphere low, air converges towards the centre and is deflected right, giving an anticlockwise inflow.

8.  

The Chinook is a:

Correct Answer: A [warm, dry wind on the eastern slopes of the Rockies]

Explanation:

The Chinook descends the eastern (leeward) slopes of the Rockies as a warm, dry wind that melts snow quickly.

9.  

The Mistral is:

Correct Answer: C [a cold wind blowing down the Rhône valley of France]

Explanation:

The Mistral is a cold, dry northerly wind funnelled down the Rhône valley of southern France.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Atmospheric pressure decreases with height.
2. Pressure belts shift northwards in the northern summer.
3. The subpolar low-pressure belt lies at about 30° latitude.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Pressure falls with height and belts shift north in northern summer; statement 3 is wrong as the subpolar low lies near 60°.

11.  

Assertion (A): Tropical cyclones do not form very close to the equator.

Reason (R): The Coriolis force is absent at the equator.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

A cyclone needs the Coriolis force to spin; as it is zero at the equator, cyclones do not form within about 5° of it.

12.  

The Harmattan, sometimes called the "doctor", blows over:

Correct Answer: C [West Africa]

Explanation:

The Harmattan is the dry, dusty wind of West Africa, called the doctor because it relieves the humid heat.

13.  

A katabatic (mountain) wind is:

Correct Answer: D [cold, dense air flowing down slopes into valleys at night]

Explanation:

At night slopes cool, and the cold, dense air drains downslope into the valley as the katabatic or mountain wind.

14.  

The "Roaring Forties" are:

Correct Answer: B [strong westerlies of the Southern Hemisphere]

Explanation:

Over the open southern oceans near 40° S the westerlies blow strongly with little friction, earning the name Roaring Forties.

15.  

The atmospheric cell between about 30° and 60° latitudes is the:

Correct Answer: A [Ferrel cell]

Explanation:

In the three-cell model the Ferrel cell lies between the Hadley cell (0–30°) and the polar cell (60–90°).

16.  

A sea breeze blows:

Correct Answer: D [by day from sea to land]

Explanation:

By day the land heats faster, forming low pressure over it, so cooler air blows in from the sea.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Coriolis describes the deflecting force of rotation
2. Torricelli invents the mercury barometer
3. Ferrel explains the mid-latitude cell
4. Hadley explains the trade winds

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-4-1-3]

Explanation:

1643, 1735, 1835, 1856.

18.  

The Sirocco is a:

Correct Answer: D [hot, dusty wind blowing from the Sahara to southern Europe]

Explanation:

The Sirocco is a hot, dusty wind blowing from the Sahara across the Mediterranean to southern Europe, especially Italy.

19.  

The trade winds blow from the:

Correct Answer: A [subtropical highs towards the equatorial low]

Explanation:

Trade winds blow from the subtropical highs near 30° towards the equatorial low, deflected into NE and SE trades.

20.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

With reference to "Coriolis force", which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It increases with increase in wind velocity.
2. It is maximum at the poles and is absent at the equator.

Select the answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]

Explanation:

the deflection grows with wind speed and with latitude.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U08 · Physical Geography (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-physical-geography

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