KERALA PSC / PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY / THE ATMOSPHERE / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

 

KERALA PSC / PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY / THE ATMOSPHERE / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

KERALA PSC / PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY / THE ATMOSPHERE / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

·      Atmosphere is defined as an envelope of gaseous mixtures covering the earth held to it by gravitational forces. Atmosphere is essential for the life on earth.

·      The principal constituents of the lower atmosphere are

Ø Nitrogen (78.08% by volume)

Ø Oxygen (20.94%)

Ø Argon (0.93%)

Ø Carbon dioxide (0.033%)

·      Oxygen is the most important component among atmospheric gases

·      Nitrogen which is an important constituent of all organic compounds is relatively inert.

·      The main function of nitrogen is to control combustion by diluting oxygen, thus it acts as a dilutant

·      The amount of carbon dioxide varies from place to place, being greatest around the cities and smallest in the countryside. Green plants during photosynthesis absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it to manufacture food and keep other bio-physical processes going.

·      Water vapour is one of the most variable gaseous substances present in the atmosphere, constituting between 0.02% and 4% of the total volume in cold dry and humid tropical climate respectively. 90% of moisture content in the atmosphere exists within 6km on the surface of earth.

·      Atmosphere also contains huge numbers of solid and liquid particles called aerosols. In addition, negligible quantities of other gases such as argon, neon, helium, hydrogen, xenon, krypton, methane etc.. are present in the atmosphere.

KERALA PSC / PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY / THE ATMOSPHERE / NOTES / OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS / STUDY MATERIALS / GENERAL KNOWLEDGE