Physics: Space Physics: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
1 previous year UPSC Prelims question on Physics: Space Physics (Science and Technology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–1 of 1 question
UPSC 1997Science and Technology · Physics: Space Physics
Q1. The tail of a comet is directed away from the sun because:
Explanation
A comet is a small celestial body composed of ice, dust, and rocky material that orbits the Sun in an elliptical path. When it gets close to the Sun, the heat causes its icy nucleus to vaporize, forming a glowing coma.
Option (c) is correct: The tail of a comet is directed away from the Sun due to the solar wind and radiation pressure exerted by the Sun. The Sun emits charged particles (mainly electrons and protons) that interact with the comet’s nucleus and coma, pushing gas and dust away. This creates a glowing tail that always points opposite the Sun, regardless of the comet’s orientation. The tail’s direction can change as the comet moves, influenced by factors like solar wind intensity, the coma’s shape, and the Sun’s magnetic field.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1997
(c) the radiation emitted by the sun exerts a radial pressure on the comet throwing its tail away from the sun
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Physics: Space Physics?
This page covers 1 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Physics: Space Physics (Science and Technology), asked from 1996 to 2008. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Physics: Space Physics?
Questions on Physics: Space Physics (Science and Technology) are available for 5 years, from 1996 to 2008. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
