UPSC preliminary MCQ'S 2019 Part 12

With reference to the 'Magnetars' which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is a type of neutron star.

2. The active life of a magnetar is greater than the Sun.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) Neither 1 nor 2

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) 1 only

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

Magnetars:

*A magnetar is a type of neutron star, with an incredibly powerful magnetic field that powers

the emission of highly energetic X-rays and gamma rays.

*Neutron stars are formed when the largest stars in the universe reach the end of their lives.

*When these stars run out of fuel, their core collapses causing outer layers to come crashing in

towards the centre.

*Magnetars are differentiated from other neutron stars by having even stronger magnetic fields

and rotating comparatively slowly.

*The active life of a magnetar is short.

Which of the following are the stakeholders of the 'Internet Saathi' Programme, recently seen in the news?

1. Google Inc

2. Tata Trusts

3. Union Government of India.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1, 2 and 3

d) 1 and 3

Correct Answer: A

Exam Title : Email :

Civilsdaily

Explanation

Google Inc and Tata Trusts have jointly launched an ‘Internet Saathi’ programme in order to

create awareness about the benefits of Internet among women in rural India.

*The initiative has been launched as part of Google’s ‘Helping Women Get Online’ campaign.

*It will focus on training women and larger communities to learn and explore various uses and

benefits of the Internet.

*Tata Trusts will assist in training women master trainers called “saathis” identified from Self

Help Groups (SHGs) and Women’s federations.

*Google will provide the tablet and mobile devices along with training material. It will also train

the master trainers.

*‘Internet Saathi’ program was launched in July 2015. So far it has trained and benefitted over

2 lakh women across villages in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya

Pradesh.

Which of the following statements regarding the 'Leap Second' is incorrect?

a) In 2016 an extra leap second was added at the end of the year.

b) One of the reasons behind the origin of the Leap Second is moon’s gravitational force.

c) One of the reasons behind the origin of the Leap Second is that the Earth’s rotation around

its own axis is not regular.

d) All are correct

Correct Answer: D

Explanation

*A leap second is a one-second adjustment that is occasionally applied to Coordinated Universal

Time (UTC) in order to keep its time of day close to the mean solar time, or UT1.

*In 2016 an extra leap second was added at the end of the year, making it slightly longer than

2015.

Why is it added?

*The Earth’s rotation around its own axis is not regular, as sometimes it speeds up and

sometimes it slows down, due to various factors including the moon’s gravitational forces.