1995 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies

Question 71: Geography

The clouds float in the atmosphere because of their low

atemperature
bvelocity
cpressure
ddensity

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Clouds are made of tiny water droplets or ice crystals, so small and light that the cloud as a whole has a low density, and rising air currents easily keep it aloft. As droplets merge and grow heavy, they fall as rain or snow. Remember: clouds float because of their low density, not because of low temperature.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Low temperature is not what keeps clouds up.
  • (b) Low velocity is not the reason; the reason is low density.
  • (c) Low pressure is not what makes clouds float.
  • (d) Right: low density.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.