UPSC Exam  >  UPSC Questions  >  A mean solar day isa)The average time taken f... Start Learning for Free
A mean solar day is

  • a)
    The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hours

  • b)
    The time taken for the moon to go once around the Sun

  • c)
    A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particles

  • d)
    The time taken for the Earth to go once around the Sun

Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its...
we mean the time when the Sun passes the celestial meridian, reaching its maximum height in the sky. As the Earth turns on its rotation axis, it also moves along its orbit around the Sun. ... The speed chosen is the average speed of the Sun's ecliptic motion, leading to a mean solar day of 24 hours.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its...
Mean solar day is the average time taken by the Earth to rotate on its axis. It is an important concept in astronomy and timekeeping. Here's a detailed explanation:

Mean Solar Day: Definition and Explanation

The mean solar day is the time interval between two successive transits of the mean sun over the same meridian. In other words, it is the average time taken by the Earth to complete one rotation on its axis relative to the Sun. The mean solar day is the basis for the standard time used by most countries around the world.

Factors Affecting the Length of a Mean Solar Day

The length of a mean solar day is not exactly 24 hours. It varies due to several factors, such as:

- The elliptical shape of the Earth's orbit around the Sun: This causes the Earth to move at different speeds at different times of the year, which affects the length of a solar day.
- The tilt of the Earth's axis: This causes the Sun to appear at different heights in the sky at different times of the year, which also affects the length of a solar day.
- The gravitational effects of the Moon and other celestial bodies: These can cause small variations in the Earth's rotation speed, which can add up over time and affect the length of a solar day.

To account for these variations, scientists use a concept called the "mean solar day", which is the average length of a solar day over a year.

How is the Mean Solar Day Measured?

The mean solar day is measured using a device called a sundial. A sundial consists of a flat plate with a raised pointer (called a gnomon) that casts a shadow on the plate. The position of the shadow changes throughout the day as the Sun moves across the sky. By marking the position of the shadow at different times, one can determine the length of a solar day.

Conclusion

In summary, the mean solar day is the average time taken by the Earth to complete one rotation on its axis relative to the Sun. It is an important concept in timekeeping and astronomy, and is used as the basis for the standard time used by most countries around the world.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hoursb)The time taken for the moonto go once around the Sunc)A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particlesd)The time taken for the Earth to go once around the SunCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hoursb)The time taken for the moonto go once around the Sunc)A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particlesd)The time taken for the Earth to go once around the SunCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2024 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hoursb)The time taken for the moonto go once around the Sunc)A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particlesd)The time taken for the Earth to go once around the SunCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hoursb)The time taken for the moonto go once around the Sunc)A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particlesd)The time taken for the Earth to go once around the SunCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hoursb)The time taken for the moonto go once around the Sunc)A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particlesd)The time taken for the Earth to go once around the SunCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hoursb)The time taken for the moonto go once around the Sunc)A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particlesd)The time taken for the Earth to go once around the SunCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hoursb)The time taken for the moonto go once around the Sunc)A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particlesd)The time taken for the Earth to go once around the SunCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hoursb)The time taken for the moonto go once around the Sunc)A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particlesd)The time taken for the Earth to go once around the SunCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hoursb)The time taken for the moonto go once around the Sunc)A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particlesd)The time taken for the Earth to go once around the SunCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice A mean solar day isa)The average time taken for Earth to rotate on its axis: 24 hoursb)The time taken for the moonto go once around the Sunc)A day when the sun emits a lot of dangerous particlesd)The time taken for the Earth to go once around the SunCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
Explore Courses for UPSC exam

Top Courses for UPSC

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev