Assertion (A): The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere is higher over equatorial regions than over polar regions.

Reason (R): The rate of evaporation is higher in equatorial regions due to higher temperatures and intense solar radiation.

Which one of the following is correct?

The correct answer is option 1.

Key Points

• Assertion (A) – Correct – Water vapour concentration is highest near the equator because of intense heating and continuous evaporation from oceans and tropical forests.
• Reason (R) – Correct – The equator receives the most solar radiation, leading to higher evaporation rates, which increases atmospheric moisture.
• R correctly explains A because higher evaporation in the equatorial region leads to more water vapour in the atmosphere there.
• Correct Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.