Q144 / 180 · AIIMS 2003 · Physics

Assertion : The stars twinkle while the planets do not. Reason : The stars are much bigger in size than the planets.

  • A
    if both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion
  • Correct answer
    B
    if both assertion and reason are true and the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion
  • C
    if assertion is true but reason is false
  • D
    if both assertion and reason are false statements.

Solution

This is true that the stars are much bigger in size than the planets. But this is not the reason why the stars twinkle but the planets do not. Actually the planets do not have their own light to twinkle. As the stars have their own light, and as they are very much for away from us, the light coming from the stars has to travel a very long distance and for a very long time to arrive us. And so the light coming from the stars is found to change their intensities continuously and hence the stars are seen to be twinkling.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'B'.

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