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Q44 (IAS/2017) Science & Technology › Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) › Astronomy and astrophysics Official Key

The terms 'Event Horizon', 'Singularity', 'String Theory' and 'Standard Model' are sometimes seen in the news in the context of

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is option A because all four terms—Event Horizon, Singularity, String Theory, and Standard Model—are fundamental concepts in cosmology and theoretical physics used to observe and understand the Universe. A singularity is a condition where gravity is so intense that spacetime ceases to exist and our laws of physics become invalid, first predicted as a result of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, which resulted in the theoretical existence of black holes.[1] A black hole is separated from the rest of spacetime by an event horizon, a point of no return, with a singularity existing deep inside the black hole.[2] String theories naturally live in higher-dimensions, while the physics seen in experiment is resolutely in three-plus-one dimensions, representing a tension with the standard model.[3] These concepts are central to understanding cosmic phenomena like black holes, the Big Bang, and fundamental particle physics, making them relevant to observational cosmology and theoretical physics rather than eclipses, satellite mechanics, or biological evolution.

Sources
  1. [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 1: The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Galaxies & Stellar Evolution > Explanation: > p. 7
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PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Q. The terms 'Event Horizon', 'Singularity', 'String Theory' and 'Standard Model' are sometimes seen in the news in the context of [A] Obse…
At a glance
Origin: Mostly Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 0/10 · 7.5/10
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Statement 1
Do news reports use the terms "Event Horizon", "Singularity", "String Theory", and "Standard Model" in the context of observation and understanding of the Universe (cosmology and theoretical physics)?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"particles of the standard model ... This process—of the inflaton decaying to a hot gas of standard-model particles—is called reheating by inflationary theorists. ... Even inflationary cosmologies have a cosmic singularity in the distant past, before the time when inflation started."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly links the Standard Model to early-universe processes (reheating) and particles, showing usage of 'standard model' in cosmology context.
  • Mentions 'cosmic singularity' and 'initial singularity', tying the term 'singularity' to cosmological discussion of the universe's origin.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"dimensions has reverberated in studies of theoretical particle physics and early-universe cosmology. ... the physics of the standard model occurs so far beneath the Planck scale of gravity"
Why this source?
  • Describes how ideas from string theory (extra dimensions) have influenced theoretical particle physics and 'early-universe cosmology', showing 'string theory' used in cosmology.
  • Directly discusses the 'standard model' in the context of particle physics problems relevant to cosmology (the hierarchy problem).
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"His research focuses on string theory and quantum field theory as well as their application to particle physics, cosmology, and condensed matter physics."
Why this source?
  • States the research focus explicitly: 'string theory' and its application to 'particle physics, cosmology', confirming string theory's use in cosmological/theoretical-physics contexts.
  • Presents an academic source connecting string-theory terminology to cosmology, the same domain as news discussions of the universe.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 1: The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Galaxies & Stellar Evolution > UPSC Prelims 2019] Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant 'blackholes' billions of light-years away from the earth. What is the significance of this observation? > p. 6
Strength: 5/5
“[UPSC Prelims 2019] Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant 'blackholes' billions of light-years away from the earth. What is the significance of this observation? • a) 'Higgs boson particles' were detected.• b) 'Gravitational waves' were detected.• c) Possibility of intergalactic space travel through 'wormhole' was confirmed.• d) It enabled the scientists to understand 'singularity'.”
Why relevant

This snippet frames a contemporary observation (black‑hole merger) and gives answer choices that include 'gravitational waves' and 'singularity', showing such technical terms appear in question/summary form about real observations.

How to extend

A student could check major news coverage of gravitational‑wave events to see whether journalists use the same technical terms when reporting discoveries.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 1: The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Galaxies & Stellar Evolution > 1.3. Evidence for Big Bang Theory > p. 3
Strength: 4/5
“• Physical phenomena such as cosmological redshift, and the discovery of cosmic microwave background radiation and gravitational waves, have added weight to the Big Bang Theory.”
Why relevant

Mentions discovery of cosmic microwave background and gravitational waves as observational evidence supporting cosmology — indicating that observational discoveries are described with technical terms.

How to extend

Compare news stories about CMB and LIGO detections to see if they employ scientific terms like 'gravitational waves' and related theoretical language.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 1: The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Galaxies & Stellar Evolution > Explanation: > p. 7
Strength: 4/5
“• A singularity (gravitational singularity or (spacetime singularity) is a condition in which gravity is so intense that spacetime ceases to exist and our laws of physics become invalid. Singularities were first predicated as a result of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, which resulted in the theoretical existence of black holes. • In essence, the theory also predicted that any star reaching beyond a certain point in its mass (aka. the Schwarzschild Radius) would exert a gravitational force so intense that it would collapse. At this point, nothing would be capable of escaping its surface, including light. This phenomenon is known as the Chandrasekhar Limit, named after the Indian astrophysicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, who proposed it in 1930.”
Why relevant

Provides a clear definition of 'singularity' tied to general relativity and black holes — showing the term is part of standard explanatory vocabulary.

How to extend

Use this textbook definition as a baseline to spot the same word in explanatory news articles about black holes or cosmology.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 1: The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Galaxies & Stellar Evolution > Einstein's Theory of General Relativity > p. 5
Strength: 4/5
“• In 1905, Albert Einstein determined that the laws of physics are the same for all non-accelerating observers and that the speed of light in a vacuum was independent of the motion of all observers. As a result, he found that space and time were interwoven into a single continuum known as spacetime.• Events that occur at the same time for one observer could occur at different times for another. This was the theory of special relativity. In 1915, Einstein published his theory of general relativity. In it, he determined that massive objects distort spacetime, which is felt as gravity.”
Why relevant

Explains general relativity as the theoretical origin of concepts like distorted spacetime and black holes — linking theoretical terms to observable phenomena.

How to extend

A student could look at news coverage of tests of general relativity (e.g., black‑hole images, gravitational waves) to see if journalists reference the theory and its technical vocabulary (e.g., 'event horizon').

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 1: The Universe, The Big Bang Theory, Galaxies & Stellar Evolution > Cosmic Microwave Background (CMD) > p. 4
Strength: 3/5
“• With a traditional optical telescope, the space between stars and galaxies is completely dark. However, a sensitive radio telescope shows a faint background glow. This glow is strongest in the microwave region of the radio spectrum, and hence it is called a Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB).• CMD, also known as relic radiation (thermal radiation left over from the "Big Bang"), is fundamental to observational cosmology because it is the oldest light in the Universe and can be found in all directions. Its discovery is considered a landmark proof for the concept of "accelerating expansion of the universe" and the Big Bang Theory.”
Why relevant

Describes the Cosmic Microwave Background as 'fundamental to observational cosmology' and names it explicitly, showing that specialized terms for observational evidence are used in explanatory material.

How to extend

Check popular science news on CMB findings to verify use of specialized terms; by analogy, see whether news uses other specialized theoretical terms like 'Standard Model' or 'String Theory' when discussing related topics.

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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