Westerlies in southern hemisphere are stronger and persistent than in northern hemisphere. Why? 1) Southern hemisphere has less landmass as compared to northern hemisphere. 2) Coriolis force is higher in southern hemisphere as compared to northern hemisphere. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is A (1 only). The westerlies are stronger and more persistent in the Southern Hemisphere because the surface is mostly ocean, with very little landmass to break them up.

Statement 1 is correct. Land creates friction and mountain barriers that slow and deflect the wind. Across the Southern Hemisphere's mid-latitudes (roughly 40 to 60 degrees south) there is an almost unbroken expanse of ocean, so the westerlies there are strong and steady. This is why sailors call these zones the Roaring Forties and Furious Fifties.

Statement 2 is wrong. The Coriolis force depends on latitude, through the factor sin(latitude), and not on which hemisphere you are in. At equal latitudes in the two hemispheres it has the same magnitude, and only its direction is reversed. The Southern Hemisphere is not 'more Coriolis'.

Core concept: the planetary wind belts and the role of friction and land-ocean distribution. This links to Mains GS-I on jet streams and the monsoon, where the same ideas explain Indian monsoon variability.

Trap: Students pick option C because the Coriolis force is a familiar 'deflecting' concept. Remember that it is a function of latitude, not of hemisphere size.