Change set

Pick exam & year, then Go.

Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q41 (CDS-II/2008) Geography › World Physical Geography › Earth rotation and time Answer Verified

Assertion (A): The Equatorial regions bulge outwards by about 21 kilometre compared to Poles.

Reason (R): Earth’s slow rotation reduces the effect of gravity around the Equator.

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: C

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: The Earth is an oblate spheroid. Its equatorial radius is approximately 6,378 km, while its polar radius is roughly 6,357 km. This results in a difference of about 21 km, meaning the equatorial region bulges outwards by this amount.

Reason (R) is false: The statement incorrectly describes Earth's rotation at the equator as "slow". In reality, the linear velocity of Earth's rotation is at its maximum at the equator (approximately 1,670 km/h) and gradually decreases to zero at the poles. It is this fast rotational speed that generates a strong outward centrifugal force. This force partially opposes the inward pull of gravity, reducing the effective gravity at the equator and causing the 21 km equatorial bulge. Because it explicitly uses the word "slow", Reason (R) is a false statement.

How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
40%
got it right
✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-I · 2006 · Q52 Relevance score: 1.56

Assertion (A): The salinity of oceans is relatively higher near the equator than at other regions. Reason (R): Equator region has heavy rainfall, high relative humidity and calm air.

NDA-I · 2009 · Q25 Relevance score: 1.26

Assertion (A) : The Equator is a great circle. Reason (R) : The Equator encircles the whole Earth and its plane divides the Earth into two equal halves.

NDA-II · 2016 · Q28 Relevance score: 1.22

The free fall acceleration g increases as one proceeds, at sea level, from the equator toward either pole. The reason is

IAS · 2002 · Q146 Relevance score: 0.60

Assertion (A) : 60°-65° latitudes in both the hemispheres have a low pressure belt instead of high pressure. Reason (R) : The low pressure areas are permanent over oceans rather than on land.

IAS · 2003 · Q113 Relevance score: 0.38

Assertion (A) : Areas lying within five to eight degrees latitude on either side of the equator receive rainfall throughout the year. Reason (R) : High temperatures and high humidity cause convectional rain to fall mostly in the afternoons near the equator.