UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I

Question 44: Science and Technology

The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of

aObservation and understanding of the Universe

bStudy of the solar and the lunar eclipses

cPlacing satellites in the orbit of the Earth

dOrigin and evolution of living organisms on the Earth

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).

Event horizon (the boundary around a black hole), singularity (the point of infinite density at a black hole's centre), string theory (a candidate theory of fundamental physics) and the Standard Model (the theory of known fundamental particles and forces) are all concepts in cosmology and particle physics. They belong to the observation and understanding of the Universe. They have nothing to do with eclipses, launching satellites or the origin of life on Earth.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: these are concepts in cosmology and physics about the Universe.
(b) Wrong: eclipses involve the Sun, Moon and Earth, not these terms.
(c) Wrong: placing satellites is a matter of rocket science, not these terms.
(d) Wrong: origin of life is biology, not these physics terms.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.