Universe And Solar System (World Geography) (Part-2)

Total Questions: 50

31. Which of the following planets has a highly inclined orbit? [S.S.C. Online C.PO.S.I. (T-I) 1.07.2017 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (b) Uranus
Solution:The axis of rotation of the planet Uranus is highly inclined. Due to the extreme axial tilt, this planet is called 'recumbent planet'.

Uranus – The "Lying Down" or "Recumbent" Planet

FeatureDescription
Axial TiltAbout 98 degrees – it spins almost horizontally
EffectAppears to "roll" around the Sun on its side
SeasonsEach pole gets 42 years of continuous sunlight and 42 years of darkness

Why it's called "recumbent" informally:

Because Uranus’s extreme tilt makes it look like it's lying down, some people poetically refer to it as the "recumbent planet".

32. Name the hottest planet. [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 9.01.2017(Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (b) Venus
Solution:

Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system.

Why is Venus the hottest?
  • Even though Mercury is closest to the Sun, Venus has a thick atmosphere full of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
  • This creates an extreme greenhouse effect, trapping heat.
  • Average surface temperature on Venus: about 465°C (869°F) – hotter than Mercury!

33. Which of the following planets is the hottest? [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 31.01.2017(Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (b) Venus
Solution:

Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system.

Why is Venus the hottest?
  • Even though Mercury is closest to the Sun, Venus has a thick atmosphere full of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
  • This creates an extreme greenhouse effect, trapping heat.
  • Average surface temperature on Venus: about 465°C (869°F) – hotter than Mercury!

34. Which of the following is an alternative theory to the Big Bang theory developed in 1948, stating that the universe does not change even though it is expanding over time? [C.P.O. S.I. 6.06.2016 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (b) Steady State Universe
Solution:

The Steady State theory (also known as the Infinite Universe theory or continuous creation) was developed in 1948 by Fred Hoyle, Thomas Gold, Hermann Bondi and others as an alternative to the Big Bang theory.

Steady State Theory – Key Points:
  • Proposed by Fred Hoyle, Hermann Bondi, and Thomas Gold in 1948.
  • States that the universe is always expanding, but looks the same at all times and places.
  • New matter is continuously created to keep the density of the universe constant.
  • Rejects the idea of a "beginning" like the Big Bang.

35. What is the position of the Earth when it is at the greatest distance from the sun? [S.S.C. Online C.G.L.(T-I) 28.08.2016 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (a) Aphelion
Solution:Earth's closest distance from the Sun is on January 3. This position is called perihelion. In contrast, on July 4, the Earth is at the farthest distance from the Sun. This condition is called Aphelion.

36. What is the approximate circumference of earth? [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 22.01.2017(Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (a) 40,000 Km
Solution:Earth Circumference refers to the distance around the earth. The approximate circumference of the earth is 40,000 km.

Additional Info:

TypeCircumference
Equatorial (widest)40,075 km
Polar (shorter)40,008 km

The Earth is not a perfect sphere—it's slightly flattened at the poles and bulged at the equator (called an oblate spheroid).

37. The core of the earth is also known as ____ . [S.S.C. Online C.G.L.(T-I) 7.09.2016 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (c) Barysphere
Solution:The central part (core) of the Earth's structure is known as the Barysphere.
Layers of the Earth (from outside to inside):
  1. Crust – Outer rocky layer
  2. Mantle – Semi-solid layer beneath the crust
  3. Core (also called Barysphere)
The Core (Barysphere) is Divided Into:
PartDescription
Outer CoreLiquid, made mostly of iron & nickel
Inner CoreSolid, extremely hot and dense

38. World's largest land border is shared by which of the following country? [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 18.01.2017(Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (d) Canada and USA
Solution:Canada and the United States of America (USA) have the longest land border with a length of 8893 km (5525 mi).

39. _______is the time taken by the earth to return to a given point in its orbit with reference to a fixed star. [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 24.01.2017(Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (b) Sidereal year
Solution:

A sidereal year is:

  • The time Earth takes to complete one full orbit around the Sun relative to distant (fixed) stars.
  • Duration: About 365.25636 days

A tropical year is the time the Earth takes to complete one full orbit around the Sun, measured from one vernal equinox to the next.

A lunar year is the time it takes for the Moon to complete 12 full cycles of its phases (from new moon to new moon). A solar year is the time Earth takes to complete one full orbit around the Sun.

40. Earth is also known as [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 16.01.2017(Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (c) Blue planet
Solution:Earth is also known as the Blue Planet because of the abundance of water on the surface of the Earth. About 70 percent of the Earth's area is covered by water, while 30 percent is land area.