General Knowledge MCQs
Topic Notes: General Knowledge
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
1
What is the 'Solar Constant' roughly equal to?
Answer:
1361 Watts/m²
The Solar Constant is the average solar electromagnetic radiation per unit area measured at the outer atmosphere, approximately 1.361 kilowatts per square meter.
2
Evapotranspiration refers to the sum of:
Answer:
Evaporation from land/water and Transpiration from plants
Evapotranspiration is the total movement of water to the air from sources such as the soil, canopy interception, and water bodies, plus transpiration from vegetation.
3
Geostrophic wind is a theoretical wind that results from the balance between:
Answer:
Coriolis Force and Pressure Gradient Force
Geostrophic wind blows parallel to isobars when the Pressure Gradient Force (pushing air to low pressure) is balanced by the Coriolis Force.
4
Precipitation that evaporates before it hits the ground is called:
Answer:
Virga
Virga is an observable streak or shaft of precipitation falling from a cloud that evaporates or sublimates before reaching the ground.
5
A standard 'Station Model' on a weather map displays data for:
Answer:
Multiple weather variables at a specific location
A station model is a symbolic illustration showing the weather occurring at a given reporting station, including temp, dew point, wind, pressure, and cloud cover.
6
When air holds the maximum amount of water vapor possible at its temperature, it is said to be:
Answer:
Saturated
Saturation occurs when the rate of evaporation equals the rate of condensation, meaning relative humidity is 100%.
7
Meteorologically, the difference between Mist and Fog is defined by:
Answer:
Visibility
By international definition, fog restricts visibility to less than 1 kilometer, whereas mist restricts visibility to between 1 km and 2 km.
8
The primary mechanism of the Greenhouse Effect is:
Answer:
Absorption of outgoing infrared radiation by atmospheric gases
Greenhouse gases (like CO2 and H2O) allow sunlight in but absorb and re-radiate the heat (infrared) emitted by Earth, trapping it in the atmosphere.
9
An 'Occluded Front' forms when:
Answer:
A cold front overtakes a warm front
An occluded front happens when a fast-moving cold front catches up to a warm front, lifting the warm air mass completely off the ground.
10
Air is considered 'unstable' if:
Answer:
It continues to rise because it is warmer than the surrounding air
Instability occurs when a parcel of air is warmer (and less dense) than its surroundings, causing it to rise buoyantly, often leading to clouds and storms.