Consider the following:

1. The warm air masses form near or over the equator in all the desert areas where the solar radiation is minimum.

2. The cold air masses form near the poles where the solar radiation is maximum.

Which of the above-given statements is/are correct?

The correct answer is Neither 1 nor 2.

Key Points

• An air mass is a large volume of air in the atmosphere uniform in temperature and moisture. 
• The warm air masses form near or over the equator or desert areas where the solar radiation is maximum. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
• The heat is reflected back to the atmosphere in clear and cloudless days and hence the air mass becomes lighter and spreads. 
• On the other hand, cold air masses form near the poles where solar radiation is minimum. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
• During cloudless days snow-covered poles reflect sunlight away preventing the earth to warm up.
• When the air remains over a homogenous area for a sufficiently long time, it acquires the characteristics of the area. 
• An air mass acquires attributes through heat and moisture exchanges with the surface
• Air masses help to ascertain the climate of that region which further decides the type of flora and fauna related to the region.
• Air masses are a major factor in precipitation, drought, temperature, cyclone, anticyclone, etc.