To solve this question, let's analyze how sunlight affects a patch of ground compared to a patch of ground shaded by clouds.
1. Effect of Sunlight on Ground Temperature:
- When a patch of ground is in direct sunlight, the ground absorbs more heat energy from the sun. This results in the ground heating up more compared to a patch of ground that is shaded by clouds.
2. Effect of Ground Temperature on Air Temperature:
- As the ground heats up, it subsequently heats the air directly above it. The air in contact with the warmer ground becomes warmer as well.
3. Effect of Air Temperature on Air Pressure:
- When air warms up, it expands and becomes less dense. This causes the warm air to rise. As a result, the column of air above the ground becomes lighter and exerts less pressure on the ground surface.
4. Comparison with a Shaded Patch:
- Conversely, a patch of ground shaded by clouds does not receive as much heat from the sun. Therefore, it remains cooler.
- As a result, the air above the cooler ground does not warm up as much, maintaining a higher density and exerting higher pressure on the surface.
Given these points, we can conclude that a patch of ground in direct sunlight will:
- Have raised temperatures due to receiving direct heat from the sun.
- Lead to the air above it becoming less dense and exerting lower pressure as it heats up and rises.
Thus, the correct answer is:
D. a lower air pressure than
A patch of ground in direct sunlight will have a lower air pressure than a patch of ground shaded by clouds.
