Q. With reference to the troposphere, consider the following statements:

1. Temperature generally decreases with increase in height within the troposphere.
2. The thickness of the troposphere is greater at the equator than at the poles.

Which of the above statements is / are correct?
Answer: Both 1 and 2
Notes: Both statements are correct. The temperature in the troposphere decreases with increasing height primarily because the Earth's surface heats the air from below, and heat decreases away from the surface. Additionally, the troposphere is thickest over the equator, due to more direct solar heating, and thinnest at the poles, resulting in greater thickness at the equator.