Consider the following statements: 1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of…
Consider the following statements: 1. High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth. 2. Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth's surface and thus cause warming effect. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
Solution
1 incorrect: High clouds (cirrus) primarily trap outgoing infrared radiation (warming effect) rather than reflect solar radiation. 2 incorrect: Low clouds (stratus) mainly reflect incoming solar radiation, causing a net cooling effect.