Geography · Physics

Geodesy and Celestial Mechanics

1,049 Questions

Geodesy and celestial mechanics questions explore Earth measurements, great circles, and planetary motions. These concepts form a crucial part of physical geography and astronomy in competitive exams. Practice these questions to grasp longitudinal and latitudinal calculations.

Longitude and latitude calculationsGreat circle conceptEarths axial precessionLagrangian pointsAtmosphere boundary

Geodesy and Celestial Mechanics Questions

Multiple choice

The approximate radius of Earth is

  1. 3452 km

  2. 1290 km

  3. 6371 km

  4. 5400 km

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Earth's mean radius is approximately 6,371 kilometers (about 3,959 miles). This value represents the average distance from Earth's center to its surface. The other options are either too small (like 1,290 km, which is closer to the Moon's radius) or don't match the accepted scientific value.

Multiple choice

The distance between two consecutive meridians near the equator is

  1. 106 km

  2. 111 km

  3. 120 km

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Earth's circumference at the equator is approximately 40,075 km. With 360 degrees of longitude, each degree spans about 111.3 km at the equator (40,075 / 360 = 111.3 km). This is a standard geographical fact and an important value for understanding the scale of Earth's coordinate system. The distance between meridians decreases as you move toward the poles due to the convergence of longitude lines.

Multiple choice

What is the approximate distance of Proxima Centauri from Earth?

  1. 5.23 light years

  2. 5 light years

  3. 4.24 light years

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Proxima Centauri is the closest known star to the Sun and part of the Alpha Centauri star system. It is located approximately 4.24 light-years away from Earth, making it the nearest stellar neighbor to our solar system.

Multiple choice

The Standard Meridian of India is

  1. 82° 30' E longitude

  2. 82° 50' E longitude

  3. 82° E longitude

  4. 83° 30' E longitude

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

India's Standard Meridian is 82° 30' E, passing through Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh). This longitude was chosen to balance the time difference between eastern and western India, giving a single time zone (IST) for the entire country.

Multiple choice

What can we see about the earth from space?

  1. We can see lines on the earth.

  2. We can see the curved shape of the earth.

  3. We can see people roaming here and there.

  4. We can see large objects like huge trees only.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

We can see the curved shape of the earth. We cannot recognise lines on the earth like in the map.

Multiple choice

what is the circumference of the fourth orbit ?

  1. 5λ .

  2. 2λ .

  3. 4λ .

  4. 3λ .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This option is correct because;  , λ = h / mv . and from conservation of angular momentum we have = mvr = nh / 2π . => 2πr = nλ . in this case value of n is 4 . hence, this option is correct.

Multiple choice

Directions: The given question carries four options. You are to mark the correct option after checking the punctuation of each option.

The teacher said if the inspector asks you what shape the earth is and you cannot remember look at me I shall show you my snuff box to remind you that it is round.

  1. The teacher said, “If the inspector asks you what shape the earth is and you cannot remember, look at me. I shall show you my snuff box to remind you that it is round.”

  2. The teacher said, “If the inspector asks you what shape the earth is and you cannot remember look at me. I shall show you my snuff box, to remind you that it is round.”

  3. Neither (1) nor (2)

  4. Both (1) and (2)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The reported speech needs to be kept in quotation marks and is to be separated from the reporting verb by a comma. There is a short pause (comma) before 'look at me'. There is none before 'to remind you'.  

Multiple choice

The equatorial radius of the earth is approximately

  1. 7000 km

  2. 6000 km

  3. 5000 km

  4. 4000 km
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Earth's equatorial radius is approximately 6,378 km, which is roughly 6,000 km. This is the distance from Earth's center to the equator. The polar radius is slightly smaller at about 6,357 km, giving Earth its slightly flattened shape.

Multiple choice

The speed of rotation of the earth is the highest

  1. along the Equator

  2. along the Tropic of Cancer

  3. along the Arctic Circle

  4. at the North Pole
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Earth's rotational speed is highest at the Equator because the circumference is greatest there (approximately 40,075 km). Since Earth completes one full rotation in 24 hours everywhere, points on the Equator must travel the longest distance in the same time, resulting in the highest linear speed (about 1,670 km/h). At the poles, rotational speed approaches zero.