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The Atmospheric Pressure

📆 March 31, 2025

Total Questions: 4

1. Assertion (A): 60°-65° latitudes in both the hemispheres have a low-pressure belt instead of high pressure. [I.A.S. (Pre) 2002]

Reason (R): The low-pressure areas are stable over oceans rather than on land.

Code:

Correct Answer: (b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Solution:The sub-polar low-pressure belt lies between 60°-65° latitude in both the hemisphere throughout the year as there is low temperature and low atmospheric pressure. Although this belt has nothing to do with temperature. Hence, assertion (A) is correct.

The continuity of sub-Polar low pressure belt discontinue in north hemisphere due to large landmass along 60°N latitude and in southern hemisphere this low pressure belt is more pronounced and stable due to the vast ocean presence and lack of landmass.

2. Which of the following latitudes (north or south) would you associate with 'Horse Latitudes'? [U.P. Lower (Spl) (Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (a) 30°
Solution:The horse latitudes are located at about 30° to 35° north and south of the Equator. In the northern hemisphere it is called as the north sub-tropical high-pressure belt and in the southern hemisphere, it is known as the south sub-tropical high-pressure belt. The existence of these pressure belts is due to the fact that the rising air of the equatorial region is deflected towards poles due to the earth's rotation. After becoming cold and heavy, it descends in these regions due to earth rotation and get piled up. This results in high pressure. Calm conditions with feeble and variable winds are found here. In ancient times vessels with a cargo of horses passing through these belts found difficulty in sailing under these calm conditions. They used to throw a few horses in the sea in order to make the vessels lighter. Thus, these belts or latitudes came to be known as 'horse latitudes'.

3. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2007]

1. Either of the two belts over the oceans at about 30° to 35° N and S latitudes is known as Horse Latitudes.

2. Horse Latitudes are low pressure belts.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only
Solution:The horse latitudes are located at about 30° to 35° north and south of the Equator. In the northern hemisphere it is called as the north sub-tropical high-pressure belt and in the southern hemisphere, it is known as the south sub-tropical high-pressure belt. The existence of these pressure belts is due to the fact that the rising air of the equatorial region is deflected towards poles due to the earth's rotation. After becoming cold and heavy, it descends in these regions due to earth rotation and get piled up. This results in high pressure. Calm conditions with feeble and variable winds are found here. In ancient times vessels with a cargo of horses passing through these belts found difficulty in sailing under these calm conditions. They used to throw a few horses in the sea in order to make the vessels lighter. Thus, these belts or latitudes came to be known as 'horse latitudes'.

4. Air pressure is lowest in : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (d) Summer season
Solution:Air pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by the weight of air per unit surface area on the earth's surface. The distribution of air pressure is influenced by temperature of air at a given place. Temperature is reversely related with pressure. Due to highest temperature in summer, pressure is lowest on earth. But as altitude increases the temperature and air pressure decreases. Distribution of air pressure is influenced by temperature and other kinetic factor (i.e. earth rotation, water vapor, altitude) etc.
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