UPSC Geoscientist

1. The malfuzat literature is:

The malfuzat literature is:

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discourses by Sufi leaders.
treatises written by Sufis on the theory and practices of Sufism.
biographical dictionaries of the Sufi orders.
letters written by the Sufis.
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The term ‘malfuzat’ refers to the recorded discourses, conversations, and sayings of Sufi saints or leaders. These are essentially oral teachings and discussions preserved in written form by their disciples or attendees.
Malfuzat literature is a key source for understanding the thoughts, practices, and lives of individual Sufis and their interactions with their followers and society. They often contain anecdotes, interpretations of religious texts, ethical advice, and details about the daily life of the Sufi master and his khanqah (hospice).
Other forms of Sufi literature include ‘maktubat’ (letters written by Sufis), ‘tazkiras’ (biographical dictionaries of Sufi saints), and formal treatises on Sufi theory and practice. Malfuzat represent a distinct genre focused on the spoken word of the master. Prominent examples include ‘Fawa’id al-Fu’ad’ (conversations of Nizamuddin Auliya, compiled by Amir Hasan Sijzi) and ‘Khair ul Majalis’ (conversations of Nasiruddin Chiragh Dehlavi, compiled by Hamid Qalandar).

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2. Tamilakam, the name of the ancient Tamil country, included besides Tam

Tamilakam, the name of the ancient Tamil country, included besides Tamil Nadu parts of present day:

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Andhra Pradesh and Kerala
Karnataka and Kerala
Kerala and Odisha
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
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Tamilakam, as described in ancient Tamil literature (especially the Sangam literature period), broadly encompassed the geographical region inhabited by the ancient Tamil people. This region included not only present-day Tamil Nadu but also significant parts of present-day Kerala, and bordering regions of southern Karnataka and southern Andhra Pradesh. Option B, including Karnataka and Kerala, represents two major areas outside of modern Tamil Nadu that were considered part of ancient Tamilakam.
The historical region of Tamilakam was home to the three major Tamil kingdoms of the Sangam Age: the Cheras (primarily in modern Kerala), the Cholas (in the Kaveri delta and surrounding regions), and the Pandyas (in the southern parts). Its boundaries were dynamic but generally extended beyond the political boundaries of present-day Tamil Nadu.
The ancient Tamilakam was bordered by the Venkata hill (Tirupati hills) in the north, the Arabian Sea in the west, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Bay of Bengal in the east. While parts of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka were included, Kerala was a central component of Tamilakam, housing the Chera kingdom, one of the major Tamil dynasties.

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3. James Prinsep is given credit for deciphering the script used in:

James Prinsep is given credit for deciphering the script used in:

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Ashokan Brahmi
Kharoshthi
Tamil Brahmi
Harappan Seals
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James Prinsep, a British antiquarian and official of the East India Company, is credited with the breakthrough decipherment of the Brahmi script in 1837. This decipherment was crucial for understanding the Ashokan inscriptions found on pillars and rocks across the Indian subcontinent.
Prinsep’s decipherment of Brahmi unlocked a vast amount of historical information about the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka and his reign, providing insights into early Indian history, administration, and the spread of Buddhism.
Prinsep also made significant contributions to the decipherment of the Kharoshthi script, another ancient Indian script often found alongside Brahmi in northwestern India. The script used on Harappan seals (Indus script) remains largely undeciphered to this day. Tamil Brahmi is a southern variant of the Brahmi script.

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4. Which one of the following is NOT a unit of ‘Pressure’?

Which one of the following is NOT a unit of ‘Pressure’?

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Bar
Atmosphere
N/m²
N/m
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Pressure is defined as Force per unit Area (P = F/A). The unit of force is Newton (N) and the unit of area is square meter (m²), so the SI unit of pressure is N/m², also known as Pascal (Pa).
Looking at the options:
A) Bar is a unit of pressure (1 bar = 10⁵ Pa).
B) Atmosphere (atm) is a unit of pressure (1 atm ≈ 1.013 × 10⁵ Pa).
C) N/m² is the SI unit of pressure (Pascal).
D) N/m is a unit of force per unit length, which can represent surface tension or linear force density, but NOT pressure.
Pressure is force distributed over an area. Its units reflect this (Force/Area). Common units include Pascal (Pa), N/m², Bar, Atmosphere, psi (pounds per square inch), mmHg (millimeters of mercury), etc.
N/m is the unit of surface tension, which is the force acting per unit length along the surface of a liquid.

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5. A stone of mass 1 kg and initially at rest is dropped from a tower of

A stone of mass 1 kg and initially at rest is dropped from a tower of height 40 m. When it reaches a height of 10 m from the ground level, what will be the values of its potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE)? (Acceleration due to gravity is 10 m/s²)

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PE = 300 J, KE = 100 J
PE = 200 J, KE = 200 J
PE = 100 J, KE = 300 J
PE = 100 J, KE = 200 J
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The total mechanical energy (Potential Energy + Kinetic Energy) of the stone is conserved, assuming no air resistance.
Initial state (at height 40 m, at rest):
Initial PE = mgh₁ = 1 kg * 10 m/s² * 40 m = 400 J
Initial KE = ½ mv₁² = ½ * 1 kg * (0 m/s)² = 0 J
Total Energy = Initial PE + Initial KE = 400 J + 0 J = 400 J.
Final state (at height 10 m):
Final PE = mgh₂ = 1 kg * 10 m/s² * 10 m = 100 J.
Since Total Energy is conserved:
Total Energy = Final PE + Final KE
400 J = 100 J + Final KE
Final KE = 400 J – 100 J = 300 J.
So, at a height of 10 m, PE = 100 J and KE = 300 J.
In the absence of non-conservative forces (like air resistance), the total mechanical energy of a system remains constant. Energy is transformed between potential and kinetic forms.
The velocity of the stone at 10 m height can also be calculated from KE = ½ mv², giving 300 J = ½ * 1 kg * v², so v² = 600 m²/s², and v = √600 ≈ 24.5 m/s. Alternatively, one could use kinematic equations (v² = u² + 2as) to find the velocity and then calculate KE. The energy conservation method is often simpler for problems involving height and speed changes.

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6. Consider a copper wire of length 1m and area of cross-section 1mm². Gi

Consider a copper wire of length 1m and area of cross-section 1mm². Given the resistivity of the copper is 1.7 × 10⁻⁶ Ω cm. What is the resistance of this wire?

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17 milli-ohm
1.7 milli-ohm
0.17 milli-ohm
0.17 ohm
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The resistance of a wire is given by the formula R = ρ * (L/A), where ρ is the resistivity, L is the length, and A is the area of cross-section.
Given:
ρ = 1.7 × 10⁻⁶ Ω cm
L = 1 m = 100 cm
A = 1 mm² = (0.1 cm)² = 0.01 cm²
R = (1.7 × 10⁻⁶ Ω cm) * (100 cm / 0.01 cm²)
R = (1.7 × 10⁻⁶) * (100 / 10⁻²) Ω
R = (1.7 × 10⁻⁶) * (10⁴) Ω
R = 1.7 × 10⁻² Ω
To convert Ohms to milli-Ohms, multiply by 1000:
R = 1.7 × 10⁻² Ω * 1000 milli-ohm/Ω
R = 1.7 × 10¹ milli-ohm
R = 17 milli-ohm
Resistance depends on the material’s resistivity and the dimensions (length and cross-sectional area) of the conductor. Ensure all units are consistent (e.g., meters and m², or centimeters and cm²) before calculation.
Resistivity is an intrinsic property of the material, while resistance is a property of a specific object made of that material with given dimensions.

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7. Which one of the following waves has the longest wavelength?

Which one of the following waves has the longest wavelength?

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Visible light
Ultraviolet radiation
Infra-red radiation
X-rays
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Electromagnetic waves are ordered by their frequency and wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum. From longest wavelength to shortest (and lowest frequency to highest), the order is typically: Radio waves, Microwaves, Infra-red radiation, Visible light, Ultra-violet radiation, X-rays, Gamma rays. Among the given options, Infra-red radiation has the longest wavelength.
Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional for electromagnetic waves traveling at the speed of light (c = fλ). Longer wavelength corresponds to lower frequency, and shorter wavelength corresponds to higher frequency.
Visible light occupies a narrow band in the spectrum. Infra-red radiation is just below visible light in frequency (longer wavelength), while Ultra-violet radiation and X-rays are above visible light in frequency (shorter wavelengths).

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8. The process that is responsible for the generation of energy within th

The process that is responsible for the generation of energy within the core of the sun is:

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Nuclear fission
Nuclear fusion
Atomic collision
Atomic excitation
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The primary process responsible for generating the immense energy within the core of the sun is nuclear fusion. Specifically, it is the fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium nuclei under extremely high temperatures and pressures.
Nuclear fusion is a process where light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy. In the Sun, this process is primarily the proton-proton chain, where four hydrogen nuclei (protons) ultimately fuse to form one helium nucleus.
Nuclear fission is the splitting of heavy atomic nuclei, typically used in nuclear power plants. Atomic collision and excitation are processes involving electrons changing energy levels, which can release energy but are not the main source of power for stars.

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9. Which one of the following statements with regard to ultrasonic waves

Which one of the following statements with regard to ultrasonic waves is NOT correct?

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Ultrasonic waves have frequency above 20 kHz
Ultrasonic waves are longitudinal waves
Ultrasonic waves can travel through water
Ultrasonic waves can travel through vacuum
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Ultrasonic waves are sound waves with frequencies above the upper audible limit of human hearing (typically above 20 kHz). Like all sound waves, they are mechanical waves, meaning they require a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to propagate. They cannot travel through a vacuum.
Mechanical waves transport energy through the vibration of particles in a medium. In a vacuum, there are essentially no particles to vibrate, so mechanical waves cannot propagate.
Ultrasonic waves are longitudinal waves, meaning the particle displacement is parallel to the direction of wave propagation, similar to how sound travels in air. They are used in various applications, including medical imaging (ultrasound), sonar, and industrial cleaning.

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10. A ray of light strikes a glass slab (from air). Which one of the follo

A ray of light strikes a glass slab (from air). Which one of the following is NOT correct?

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The speed of light in glass is less than that in air
The frequency of light in glass is same as that in air
The wavelength of light in glass is less than that in air
The frequency of light in glass is less than that in air
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When light passes from one medium (air) to another medium (glass), its speed decreases, and its wavelength decreases. However, the frequency of the light wave is determined by the source and remains constant as it passes from one medium to another. Therefore, the statement “The frequency of light in glass is less than that in air” is incorrect.
The speed of light (v), frequency (f), and wavelength (λ) are related by the equation v = fλ. When light enters a denser medium like glass from air, its speed (v) decreases, and since the frequency (f) remains constant, the wavelength (λ) must decrease proportionally (λ = v/f).
The change in speed and wavelength causes the bending of light, known as refraction. The refractive index of a medium is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in the medium.

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