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Civil Services Prelims Examination General Science (Physics) - GS Paper I

Civil Services Examination 2019


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

  1. ‘Higgs boson particles’ were detected.
  2. ‘Gravitational waves’ were detected.
  3. Possibility of inter-galactic space travel through ‘wormhole’ was confirmed.
  4. It enabled the scientists to understand ‘singularity’.


Civil Services Examination 2018


1. Consider the following phenomena:

  1. Light is affected by gravity.
  2. The Universe is constantly expanding.
  3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time.

Which of the above is / are the prediction/predictions of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, often discussed in media?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Civil Services Examination 2017


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

  1. Observation and understanding of the Universe
  2. Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses
  3. Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth
  4. Origin and evolution of living organisms on the Earth


Civil Services Examination 2015


1. With reference to ‘fuel cells’ in which hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen are used to generate electricity, consider the following statements:

  1. If pure hydrogen is used as a fuel, the fuel cell emits heat and water as by products.
  2. Fuel cells can be used for powering buildings and not for small devices like laptop computers.
  3. Fuel cells produce electricity in the form of Alternating Current (AC).

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Civil Services Examination 2014


1. With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements:

  1. 'Photovoltaics' is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while 'Solar Thermal' is a technology that utilizes the Sun's rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process.
  2. Photovoltaics generate Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC).
  3. India has manufacturing base for solar Thermal technology, but not for photovoltaics.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1, 2 and 3
  4. None


Civil Services Examination 2013


1. The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz, gravity, electro-magnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not correct?

  1. Gravity is the strongest of the four
  2. Electromagnetism act only on particles with an electric charge
  3. Weak nuclear force causes radioactivity
  4. Strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons inside the nuclear of an atom.


2. Consider the following:

  1. Electromagnetic Radiation
  2. Geothermal Energy
  3. Gravitational Force
  4. Plate Movements
  5. Rotation of The Earth
  6. Revolution of the Earth

Which of the above are responsible for bringing dynamic changes on the surface of the Earth?

  1. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
  2. 1, 3, 5 and 6 only
  3. 2, 4, 5 and 6 only
  4. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

Civil Services Examination 2012


1. A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory including those from India created the heavies anti-matter (anti-helium nucleus) what is/are the implications of the creation anti-matter?

  1. It will make mineral prospecting and oil exploration easier and cheaper.
  2. It will help probe the possible of the existence of stars a galaxies made of anti-matter.
  3. It will help understand evolution of the universe.

Select the correct answer using codes given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


2. To meet its rapidly growing energy demand, some opine that India should pursue research and development on thorium as the future fuel of nuclear energy. In this context, what advantage does thorium hold over uranium?

  1. Thorium is far more abundant in nature than uranium.
  2. On the basis of per unit mass of mined mineral, thorium can generate more energy compared to natural uranium.
  3. Thorium produces less harmful waste compared to uranium.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3


3. Which of the following is/are cited by the scientists as evidences for the continued expansion of universe?

  1. Detection of microwave space
  2. Observation of redshift phenomenon in space
  3. Movement of asteroids in space
  4. Occurrence of sup explosions in space

Select the correct answer use codes given below:

  1. 1 and 2
  2. 2 only
  3. 1, 3 and 4
  4. None of the above


4. Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds several hundred km/sec can severely harm living beings if they reach the surface of the Earth. What prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth?

  1. The Earth’s magnetic field diverts them towards its poles
  2. Ozone layer around the Earth reflects them back to outer space
  3. Moisture in the upper layers of atmosphere prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth
  4. None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct

Civil Services Examination 2011


1. Microbial fuel cells are considered a source of sustainable energy. Why?

  1. They use living organisms as catalysts to generate electricity from certain substrates.
  2. They use a variety of inorganic materials as substrates.
  3. They can be installed in waste water treatment plants to cleanse water and produce electricity.

Which of the Statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3