496: Laterite Soil is found in India in:
(a) Western Ghats
(b) Eastern Ghats
(c) Deccan Plateau
(d) Satpura region in Madhya Pradesh
497: Electrically charged particles from space travelling at speeds of 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?
(a) The Earth's magnetic field diverts them towards its poles
(b) Ozone layer around the Earth reflects them back to outer space
(c) Moisture in the upper layers of atmosphere prevents them from reaching the surface of the Earth
(d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
Explanation:
The Sun continually emits a flux of electrically charged particles into space. This is termed the solar wind. The Earth's magnetic field prevents these charged particles from reaching the Earth's surface, although in the Earth's polar regions, these particles can reach the upper part of the atmosphere, causing auroras. The Moon is outside the Earth's magnetic field for most of each month and has a negligible atmosphere, so solar wind particles can reach the Moon's surface.
498: Which one of the following scholars suggests the earth's origin from gases and dust particles ?
(a) James Jeans
(b) H. Alfven
(c) F. Hoyle
(d) O. Schmidt
Explanation:
The Scholar, suggested the earth's origin from gases and dust particles is O. Schmidt. He propounded "Inter Stellar dust hypothesis".
James Jeans - Tidal hypothesis
H. Alfven - Intestellar cloud hypothesis
F. Hoyle - Super nova hypothesis.
499: In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?
(a) Creating the artificial rains in some regions
(b) Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
(c) Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth
(d) Reducing the global warming
Explanation:
Geo-engineering approach to reversing global warming - The intentional reduction of the coverage and optical thickness of high-level cirrus cloud could potentially reduce global warming by modifying the longwave radiative effect of cirrus clouds.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/a-cocktail-geo-engineering-approach-to-reversing-global-warming-4805937/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6364967/Could-thinning-clouds-combat-climate-change-Scientists-propose-radical-plan.html
500: The winter rain in Madras is caused by:
(a) South-West Monsoons
(b) North-East Monsoons
(c) Intense land and sea breezes
(d) Cyclonic winds in the Bay of Bengal