CDS 2026 (I) General Knowledge, question 71

Topic: Geography

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Q71

Consider the following statements about the causes of ground surface inversion of temperature :

  1. Ground surface inversion is also termed as radiation inversion.

  2. The existence of negative lapse rate results in surface inversion.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. (a) 1 only
  2. (b) 2 only
  3. (c) Both 1 and 2Correct answer
  4. (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

  1. Both statements are correct.
  2. Nocturnal radiation loss can cool the ground and the air immediately above it, producing a surface inversion.
  3. With lapse rate defined as the rate of temperature decrease with height, temperature increasing upward gives a negative lapse rate.