1997 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1997 · General Studies
Question 61: Science and Technology
The group of small pieces of rock revolving round the sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter are called
ameteors
bcomets
cmeteorites
dasteroids
AnswerThe answer is (d).
The asteroid belt lies between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter and holds countless small rocky bodies orbiting the Sun; the largest is Ceres, now classed as a dwarf planet. Meteors are the streaks of light made when small bodies burn up in the atmosphere, meteorites are pieces that reach the ground, and comets are icy bodies with tails.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Meteors are the streaks of light made when small bodies burn up in Earth's atmosphere.
- (b) Comets are icy bodies that grow tails near the Sun.
- (c) Meteorites are meteoroids that survive the fall and land on Earth.
- (d) Right: asteroids make up the belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1997, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.