Space and Space Technology: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)

Explanation

An optical illusion is characterized by visually perceived images that differ from object than reality. The information that is gathered by the eye is processed in the brain that gives a perception that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source.

Statement 1 is correct: There are no known objects of a similar size as the sun (or moon) when it is high in the sky. The sun, however, appears even larger when it is low in the sky because we can see distant objects near the horizon that we know to be large. Thus, the size of the sun at dusk is a visual illusion.

Statement 2 is correct: There are many different colours in light. Red is the colour that moves the farthest out of all of those others. As the sun sets, crimson (deep, rich red colour) is the final hue to be seen. Red is the last colour to appear when the other colours begin to fade. Therefore, the colour of the sun at dawn is due to optical illusion.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Moon being visible at dawn is not an optical illusion as the moon is visible somewhere in the sky at dawn during the entire half of the cycle of phases from Full Moon to just before New Moon.

Statement 4 is correct: Light is constantly emitted by stars. Before reaching our sight, this light passes through a number of layers of the earth’s atmosphere. Because different layers of atmosphere have different refractive indices, stars appear to be blinking/twinkling.

Statement 5 is incorrect: The Polestar (Pole Star or North Star) is visible because of its alignment with Earth’s rotational axis, not due to any optical effect.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Also known as " God Particle" is associated with the Higgs field, which permeates the universe. Elementary particles acquire mass through their interaction with this field. Without the Higgs mechanism, particles would remain massless, preventing the formation of atoms and, consequently, the existence of matter as we know it. This discovery confirms the Standard Model’s explanation of mass acquisition.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Part of Invisible energy field, if Higgs field doesn’t ok provide mass to particles then there will be no gravity and no life. is not a key item that will open the way for teleportation but it will certainly help to understand mass, time and travel in time and space.

Statement 3 is incorrect: In the near or far future, the Higgs Boson may help us to create an unbelievable energy source which can pave the way for better fuels for our Nuclear missions but at present, direct connection between detection of Higgs Bosons and creation of better fuels for nuclear missions is not established.