With reference to "water vapour", which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a gas, the amount of which decreases with altitude.

2. Its percentage is maximum at the poles.

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Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CSE Prelims 2024: General Studies Official Paper

Answer 1

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

Water vapor is a gas, and its amount decreases with altitude. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The amount of water vapor generally decreases with altitude. This is because most of the water vapor originates from evaporation at the Earth's surface, especially from oceans, seas, lakes, and other water bodies.
As you move higher in the atmosphere, the temperature decreases, and the capacity of air to hold water vapor also decreases.
The percentage of water vapor is not maximum at the poles; it is minimum there. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
- Water Vapor Concentration: The concentration of water vapor is typically higher in warmer regions near the equator, where evaporation rates are highest due to higher temperatures. Conversely, polar regions, which are much colder, have lower evaporation rates and thus lower concentrations of water vapor.
- Maximum Percentage: The percentage of water vapor is not maximum at the poles; it is actually minimum due to the cold temperatures and limited evaporation.