Geography · Physics

Geodesy and Celestial Mechanics

984 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

What is the shape of earth?

  1. Oblate spheroid

  2. True sphere

  3. Oval

  4. Round
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Earth is not a perfect sphere; due to its rotation, it bulges at the equator and is flattened at the poles, making its shape an oblate spheroid.

Multiple choice

The mean distance from the earth to the sun is

  1. 450 million km

  2. 250 million km

  3. 150 million km

  4. 14 million km
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The average distance from the Earth to the Sun is approximately 149.6 million kilometers, which is commonly rounded to 150 million km.

Multiple choice

What is the correct sequence of the following zonal pressure belts?

  1. Subpolar low
  2. Equatorial low
  3. Polar high
  4. Subtropical high

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. 2-3-1-4

  2. 1-4-2-3

  3. 2-4-1-3

  4. 1-3-2-4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

 In the idealized tricellular circulations, the sequence of pressure conditions from equator to poles is (i) Equatorial low, (ii) Subtropical high, (iii) Subpolar low, (iv) Polar high. The equatorial low pressure belt is located on either side of the geographical equator in a zone extending between 5°N and 5°S latitudes but this zone is not stationary because there is seasonal shift of belt. Subtropical high pressure belt extends between the latitude of 25°-35° in both the hemisphere. It is important to note that this high pressure belt is not thermally induced because this zone besides two to three winter months receives fairly high temperature throughout the year. Each polar low pressure belt is located between 60°- 65° latitudes in both the hemisphere. Polar high pressure belt persists at the poles throughout the year because of prevalence of very low temperature below freezing point all the year round.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. Axis of Earth’s magnetic field is inclined at 23 and a half degree to the geographic axis of Earth.
  2. Earth’s magnetic pole in the northern hemisphere is located on a peninsula in Northern Canada.
  3. Earth's magnetic equator passes through Thumba in South India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 2 only

  4. 3 only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Earth's magnetic field is inclined between —90o to 90o. In the northern hemisphere, it points downwards and upwards in the southern hemisphere.

Multiple choice

Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the given continents in the decreasing order of their percentage of Earth’s land?

  1. North America – Africa – South America – Europe

  2. Africa – North America – South America – Europe

  3. North America – Africa – Europe – South America

  4. Africa – North America – Europe – South America
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The decreasing order of arrangement of continent according to the percentage of Earth’s land is Africa (29800000 sq km), North America (21510000 sq kin) South America (17598000 sq km) and Europe (9699550 sqkm).

Multiple choice

What is the shape of the earth?

  1. oblate spheroidq

  2. true sphere

  3. oval

  4. round
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Earth is an oblate spheroid, meaning it is approximately spherical but flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. This shape results from Earth's rotation causing centrifugal force that pushes material outward at the equator, making the equatorial diameter about 43 kilometers larger than the polar diameter.