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Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?

(a)

Higgs boson particles’ were detected.

(b)

Gravitational waves’ were detected.

(c)

Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through ‘wormhole’ was confirmed.

(d)

It enabled the scientists to understand ‘singularity’.

Correct Answer

(b)

Explanation

Gravitational waves are formed as ripples in the space time fabric and were observed to be formed on the merger of two blackholes.

Microtheme: SpaceXTheory —
10 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

  1. [2024] Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: Giant stars live much longer than dwarf stars.
    Statement-II: Compared to dwarf stars, giant stars have a greater rate of nuclear reactions.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    • (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
    • (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
    • (c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
    • (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct*
    Correct Answer: (D) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct*
  2. [2023] Consider the following pairs:
    Objects in space Description
    1. Cepheids : Giant clouds of dust and gas in sapce
    2. Nebulae : Stars which brighten and dim periodically
    3. Pulsars : Neutron stars that are formed when massive stars run out of fuel and collapse
    How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    • (a) (a)Only one
    • (b) (b)Only two
    • (c) (c)All three
    • (d) (d)None
    Correct Answer: (A) (a)Only one
  3. [2022] If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ?
    1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
    2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
    3. Power grids could be damaged.
    4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
    5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
    6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
    7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    • (a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
    • (b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
    • (c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
    • (d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
    Correct Answer: (C) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
  4. [2021] Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?

    • (a) Distances among stellar bodies do not change.
    • (b) Gravity of stellar bodies does not change.
    • (c) Light always travels in straight line.
    • (d) Speed of light is always same.
    Correct Answer: (D) Speed of light is always same.
  5. [2019] Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of light-years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observation?

    • (a) Higgs boson particles' were detected.
    • (b) Gravitational waves' were detected.
    • (c) Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through 'wormhole' was confirmed.
    • (d) It enabled the scientists to understand 'singularity'.
    Correct Answer: (B) Gravitational waves' were detected.
  6. [2015] The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of

    • (a) the limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth
    • (b) regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available
    • (c) searh for the Earth-like planets in outer space
    • (d) search for meteorites containing precious metals
    Correct Answer: (C) searh for the Earth-like planets in outer space
  7. [2012] A person stood alone in a desert on a dark night and wanted to reach his village which was situated 5 km east of the point where he was standing. He had no instruments to find the direction, but he located the polestar. The most convenient way now to reach his village is to walk in the:

    • (a) direction facing the polestar
    • (b) direction opposite to the polestar
    • (c) direction keeping the polestar to his left
    • (d) direction keeping the polestar to his right
    Correct Answer: (C) direction keeping the polestar to his left
  8. [2011] What is the difference between asteroids and comets?
    1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material.
    2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and mercury.
    3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 1 and 3 only
    • (c) 3 only
    • (d) 1, 2 and 3
    Correct Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
  9. [2009] Who of the following scientists proved that the stars with mass less than 1.44 times the mass of the Sun end up as White Dwarfs when they die?

    • (a) Edwin Hubble
    • (b) S. Chandrashekhar
    • (c) Stephen Hawking
    • (d) Steven Weinberg
    Correct Answer: (B) S. Chandrashekhar
  10. [2009] Which one of the following planets has largest number of natural satellites or moons ?

    • (a) Jupiter
    • (b) Mars
    • (c) Saturn
    • (d) Venus
    Correct Answer: (C) Saturn