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Q70 (IAS/2022) Science & Technology › Space & Defence Technology › Space weather effects Official Key

If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ? 1. GPS and navigation systems could fail. 2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions. 3. Power grids could be damaged. 4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth. 5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet. 6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed. 7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 3 (1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only) because solar flares primarily impact the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere through electromagnetic radiation and charged particles.

  • Statements 1, 3, 6, and 7: Solar storms cause geomagnetic disturbances that interfere with satellite electronics, disrupt GPS and shortwave radio communications (especially at poles), damage power grids via induced currents, and increase atmospheric drag, which disturbs satellite orbits.
  • Statement 4: The interaction of solar particles with the atmosphere creates intense auroras, often visible at lower latitudes during major events.

Why 2 and 5 are incorrect: Tsunamis are seismic events caused by underwater earthquakes or landslides, not solar activity. While solar flares increase radiation, they do not directly trigger widespread forest fires, as the Earth's atmosphere protects the surface from such thermal ignition. Excluding 2 and 5 leads directly to Option 3.

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Q. If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth ? 1. GPS and naviga…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 5.7/10 · 2.9/10
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This question is a classic 'Science vs. Sci-Fi' filter. It tests if you can distinguish between electromagnetic/atmospheric effects (Solar Storms) and tectonic/mechanical effects (Tsunamis). While standard Geography books cover Auroras and Radio disruption, the specific impacts on Power Grids and Satellite Drag are often found in Science & Tech current affairs (e.g., Solar Cycle 25 or Aditya-L1 coverage).

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Can major solar storms (solar flares or coronal mass ejections) disrupt or disable GPS and satellite navigation systems?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 5: Earths Magnetic Field (Geomagnetic Field) > Effects of Geomagnetic Storms > p. 68
Presence: 5/5
“• The ionosphere gets heated & distorted, which means that long-range radio communication that is dependent upon sub-ionospheric reflection can be difficult.• Ionospheric expansion can increase satellite drag, and it may become difficult to control their orbits.• Geomagnetic storms disrupt satellite communication systems like GPS.• Astronauts would face high radiation levels.• Electric power grids would see a high increase in voltage that would cause blackouts.”
Why this source?
  • Directly asserts that geomagnetic storms disrupt satellite communication systems such as GPS.
  • Describes related effects (ionospheric heating/distortion and increased satellite drag) that can impair satellite navigation and orbit control.
Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 2: The Solar System > Solar Wind > p. 24
Presence: 4/5
“• The solar wind is made of plasma (ionised atoms), a stream of energised, charged particles, primarily electrons and protons, flowing outward from the Sun at speeds as high as 900 km/s and at a temperature of 1 million °C.”
Why this source?
  • Defines the solar wind as a stream of energetic charged particles (electrons and protons) that drive space weather.
  • Identifies the physical agent capable of disturbing Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere, the pathways for navigation disruption.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 12: Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India > Biotic: Living > p. 122
Presence: 3/5
“Solar energy: Energy derived from the Sun. Solar wind: Clouds of ionised (charged) gases emitted by the Sun and travelling in all directions from the Sun's surface. Efects on Earth include auroras, disturbance of radio signals, and possible infuences on weather. Solifuction: Gentle down-slope movement of a saturated surface material (soil and regolith), in various climatic regimes, where temperatures are above freezing. Solum: A true soil profle in the pedon, ideally, a combination of A and B horizons. Solution: Te dissolved load of a stream. Specifc humidity: Te mass of water vapour (in grams) per unit mass of air (in kilograms) at any specifed temperature.”
Why this source?
  • Notes that solar wind effects include disturbance of radio signals, which are essential to satellite navigation.
  • Links solar emissions to observable impacts (auroras, signal disturbance) relevant to communications and navigation.
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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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