📚 Part of: Delhi Sultanate And Colonial History Mcqs

Which of these Cities will have the highest range of temperature?

Category: Delhi Gk

Correct Answer: C) Delhi.

Exam Relevance: Delhi GK, UPSC, State PSC, Civil Services Exam

Difficulty: Moderate

Concept notes:

The range of temperature in a city is the difference between the highest temperature during the day and the lowest temperature at night. This range is influenced by the city's geographical location, climate zone, and seasonal variations. Delhi, being located in the northern part of India, experiences a significant temperature range due to its semi-arid climate and the influence of the Himalayas.

Common Mistakes:
  • Assuming that coastal cities like Mumbai and Chennai would have the highest temperature range due to their proximity to the sea.
  • Overlooking the impact of the Himalayas on Delhi's climate, which can lead to significant temperature fluctuations.
  • Not considering the semi-arid climate of Delhi, which contributes to higher temperature ranges compared to more humid climates.
Explanation:

The range of temperature in a city is a measure of the difference between the highest temperature during the day and the lowest temperature at night. This range is influenced by several factors, including the city's geographical location, climate zone, and seasonal variations.

Delhi, the capital of India, is located in the northern part of the country and has a semi-arid climate. This climate type is characterized by hot summers and cool winters, with significant temperature variations between day and night. The city's location in the Indo-Gangetic plain, combined with the influence of the Himalayas to the north, contributes to these large temperature fluctuations. During the summer months, Delhi can experience extremely high temperatures, while the nights can be relatively cooler. In the winter, the temperature can drop significantly at night, leading to a large temperature range.

In contrast, coastal cities like Mumbai and Chennai have tropical climates, which are influenced by the sea. The sea has a moderating effect on temperature, leading to smaller day-night temperature differences. Mumbai, located on the western coast of India, and Chennai, on the eastern coast, both experience relatively stable temperatures throughout the day and night due to the proximity to the sea.

Kolkata, located in the eastern part of India, has a humid subtropical climate. While it is not a coastal city, the humidity and the influence of the Bay of Bengal contribute to smaller temperature ranges compared to the semi-arid climate of Delhi.

Therefore, among the given options, Delhi has the highest range of temperature due to its geographical location and climate type, which results in significant day-night temperature differences. This makes Delhi the correct answer for the city with the highest temperature range.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Mumbai is incorrect because it is a coastal city with a tropical climate, which generally results in smaller temperature ranges due to the moderating effect of the sea. The temperature in Mumbai does not fluctuate as much as in Delhi.
  • Option B: Chennai is incorrect because, like Mumbai, it is a coastal city with a tropical climate. The sea moderates the temperature, leading to smaller day-night temperature differences compared to Delhi.
  • Option C: Delhi is correct because it is located in the northern part of India and has a semi-arid climate. The city experiences significant temperature variations due to its geographical location and the influence of the Himalayas, which can lead to large day-night temperature differences.
  • Option D: Kolkata is incorrect because, although it is not a coastal city like Mumbai and Chennai, it has a more humid subtropical climate. This climate type generally results in smaller temperature ranges compared to the semi-arid climate of Delhi.

Mnemonic: D for Delhi, D for Day-Night temperature difference

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