UPSC Prelims 2025·GS1·science-and-technology·science and technology

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

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Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. Asilver iodide and potassium iodideCorrect
  2. Bsilver nitrate and potassium iodide
  3. Csilver iodide and potassium nitrate
  4. Dsilver nitrate and potassium chloride

Explanation

Artificial rainfall (cloud seeding) to reduce air pollution uses silver iodide and potassium iodide as seeding agents. Silver iodide: The primary cloud seeding agent that acts as ice nuclei, helping water droplets in clouds to freeze and form precipitation. Its crystal structure is similar to ice, making it highly effective for inducing rainfall. Potassium iodide: Used as a supplementary seeding agent that enhances the cloud seeding process and helps in the formation of precipitation. This technique is used to wash out pollutants from the atmosphere, particularly during severe air pollution episodes. The induced rainfall helps bring down suspended particulate matter and other air pollutants, providing temporary relief from poor air quality conditions.
science-and-technology: Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of

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