Question

What is the reason for extreme difference in temperatures at day and night in deserts?

(a) Carbon dioxide concentrations are low in desert regions, therefore heat escapes easily

(b) Sand has high heat conduction properties

(c) Lack of moisture leads to escape of heat

(d) All of the mentioned

I got this question in class test.

The question is from Greenhouse Gases in portion Atmosphere & Greenhouse Gases of Environmental Engineering

Answer 1

The correct answer is (c) Lack of moisture leads to escape of heat

Explanation: Lack of moisture, i.e. water vapour, prevents re-radiation of the IR rays from the surface, thereby not trapping heat. Hence desert has high temperatures during the day and extremely low temperatures in the night.