2003 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies

Question 107: Science and Technology

Assertion (A): The weight of a body decreases with the increase of latitude on earth. Reason (R): The earth is not a perfect sphere.

aBoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
bBoth A and R are individually true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
cA is true but R is false
dA is false but R is true

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Weight is greater at the poles than at the equator, so it increases with latitude, and A is false. R is true: the earth is flattened at the poles (an oblate spheroid), so a body at a pole is nearer the centre and gravity is stronger there; the earth's rotation, which reduces apparent weight at the equator, adds to the effect.

  • A. Weight increases, not decreases, from the equator towards the poles.
  • R. The earth is flattened at the poles, not a perfect sphere.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, only (d) is left: every other option says it is correct.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) A is false (weight increases with latitude), so 'both true' fails.
  • (b) A is false, so 'both true, R not the explanation' fails.
  • (c) A is false, so 'A true, R false' fails.
  • (d) Correct: A is false and R is true.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.