Consider the following statements regarding insolation variation:

Statement 1: The amount of insolation received at a location varies with latitude.

Statement 2: The angle of incidence of solar radiation changes with latitude, affecting the concentration of solar energy per unit area.

Statement 3: The thickness of the atmosphere through which sunlight passes increases at higher latitudes, leading to greater scattering and absorption of solar radiation.

Which one of the following is correct?

Question

Question

Statement 1 is explained only by Statement 3, while Statement 2 is unrelated to insolation variation.
Statement 1 is independent of Statements 2 and 3, as local factors like altitude and cloud cover have a greater impact.
Statement 1 is explained by both Statements 2 and 3, with Statement 2 being more significant in tropical regions.
Statement 1 is primarily explained by Statement 2, while Statement 3 plays a secondary role in higher latitudes.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option 4.

Key Points

Statement 1 (Correct) – Insolation varies with latitude; equatorial regions receive more insolation than polar regions.
Statement 2 (Correct & Explanation) – Angle of incidence changes with latitude, affecting the intensity of solar radiation received per unit area. At higher latitudes, the Sun’s rays are more oblique, spreading energy over a larger surface area.
Statement 3 (Correct & Explanation) – Atmospheric thickness increases at higher latitudes, causing more scattering and absorption, reducing the total insolation received.
- Both Statements 2 and 3 explain Statement 1, but Statement 2 is more relevant in tropical regions, where the Sun’s angle of incidence has a greater impact on heating patterns.
- Correct Answer: (c) Statement 1 is explained by both Statements 2 and 3, with Statement 2 being more significant in tropical regions.