2009 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2009 · General Studies

Question 35: Geography

In the structure of planet Earth, below the mantle, the core is mainly made up of which one of the following ?

aAluminium
bChromium
cIron
dSilicon

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Below the mantle lies the core, which is made mainly of iron with some nickel (hence the old name NiFe). The outer core is liquid and the inner core solid because of the immense pressure. Aluminium, chromium and silicon are minor or crustal elements; silicon and aluminium dominate the crust.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Aluminium is a major element of the crust, not the core.
  • (b) Chromium is a minor element and not the main constituent of the core.
  • (c) Right: the core is mainly iron (with nickel).
  • (d) Silicon is abundant in the crust and mantle, not the core.

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.