UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies

Question 140: Science and Technology

In the year 2008, which one of the following conducted a complex scientific experiment in which sub-atomic particles were accelerated to nearly the speed of light ?

aEuropean Space Agency

bEuropean Organization for Nuclear Research

cInternational Atomic Energy Agency

dNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

AnswerThe answer is (b).

In 2008 the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) switched on the Large Hadron Collider, a 27-km ring near Geneva, in which beams of protons are accelerated to nearly the speed of light to be smashed together. First beams circulated on 10 September 2008. ESA, the IAEA and NASA did not run this experiment.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) ESA runs space missions, not this experiment.
(b) Right: CERN runs the Large Hadron Collider.
(c) The IAEA promotes safe nuclear energy and does not run this experiment.
(d) NASA is a space agency and did not run this experiment.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2009, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.