UPSC Prelims 2025 · Question 65 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2025 question on Cloud Seeding Pollution

Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of

  1. silver iodide and potassium iodide
  2. silver nitrate and potassium iodide
  3. silver iodide and potassium nitrate
  4. silver nitrate and potassium chloride
Show answer

Answer: A. silver iodide and potassium iodide

Verdict

Correct answer: Option (a) — silver iodide and potassium iodide.

Analysis

Artificial rain (cloud seeding) is commonly done using silver iodide (AgI) and sometimes potassium iodide (KI). These substances act as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, helping water droplets form and precipitate. Silver iodide has a crystal structure similar to that of ice, making it an effective ice-nucleating agent. Potassium iodide can also serve a similar function. They are seeded into clouds to promote rainfall.

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