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Science & Technology Mixed Quiz: Set 35

  • 20 questions
  • 20 minutes
  • Difficulty: Medium
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About this quiz

Set 35 of the Science & Technology mixed quiz has 20 multiple-choice questions from 15 different topics of the subject: Space Agencies and Missions of the World, Nuclear Programme of India, Mega Science Projects: ITER, CERN, LIGO-India and the Neutrino Observatory and more. 12 of them were asked in real previous-year papers. A topic quiz checks one chapter; this set revises the whole subject at once, the way an exam paper does, where the next question can come from any chapter. Every question carries an explanation of why the correct option is right and why the others are wrong. Keep to the timer, read the explanations at the end, and go back to the notes of any topic where you slipped.

Questions in this quiz

20 questions with answers and explanations

Q1.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IMedium

"The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft." The experiment in question refers to

  1. A.Voyager-2
  2. B.New Horizons
  3. C.LISA Pathfinder
  4. D.Evolved LISA
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Evolved LISA

eLISA is the planned space observatory of three spacecraft, linked by lasers in a giant triangle, that will detect gravitational waves.

Q2.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

With reference to 'LiFi', recently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It uses light as the medium for high-speed data transmission.

2. It is a wireless technology and is several times faster than 'WiFi'.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Both 1 and 2

LiFi (Light Fidelity) sends data wirelessly by switching LED light on and off far too fast for the eye to notice, and it can be many times faster than WiFi.

Q3.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : 1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations. 2. The International Panel on Fissile Materials is an organ of International Atomic Energy Agency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Neither 1 nor 2

The Nuclear Security Summits were a United States initiative outside the UN, and the International Panel on Fissile Materials is an independent expert group, not part of the IAEA.

Q5.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IHard

With reference to Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct ?

1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780 nm.

2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless communication.

3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth.

4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A.1, 2 and 3 only
  2. B.1, 2 and 4 only
  3. C.1, 3 and 4 only
  4. D.2, 3 and 4 only
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 1, 3 and 4 only

VLC sends data with visible light, which is fast and free of radio interference, but it works only over short distances.

Q6.Science & TechnologyMedium

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 was awarded for the development of the CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing method to

  1. A.James Watson and Francis Crick
  2. B.Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna
  3. C.Kary Mullis and Michael Smith
  4. D.Werner Arber and Daniel Nathans
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna

The two scientists showed that the bacterial CRISPR-Cas9 system could be directed by a designed guide RNA to cut any chosen sequence of DNA, which turned a microbial defence mechanism into a general tool for editing genomes, and they shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.

Q8.Science & TechnologyAsked in: NDA · 23 Apr 2017Hard

If the potential difference applied to an X-ray tube is doubled while keeping the separation between the filament and the target the same, what will happen to the cutoff wavelength?

  1. A.It will remain the same
  2. B.It will be doubled
  3. C.It will be halved
  4. D.It will be four times the original wavelength
Show answer
Correct answer: C. It will be halved

The cutoff or minimum wavelength of the continuous X-ray spectrum arises when an electron gives up its entire kinetic energy in a single collision with the target.

Q9.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following activities : 1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones ?

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

Drones are already used for all three jobs: spraying crops, looking into volcanic craters and catching whale breath for study.

Q10.Science & TechnologyMedium

In battery technology, LFP refers to a cathode chemistry based on:

  1. A.Lithium ferric polymer
  2. B.Lithium iron phosphate
  3. C.Liquid fuel propulsion
  4. D.Lead free phosphate
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Lithium iron phosphate

LFP cells are prized for safety, long cycle life and the absence of cobalt, which makes them cheaper and less exposed to supply disruption; their weakness is a lower energy density, so a pack of the same range weighs more.

Q11.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following aircraft :

1. Rafale

2. MiG-29

3. Tejas MK-1

How many of the above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft ?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.All three
  4. D.None
Show answer
Correct answer: D. None

Rafale, MiG-29 and Tejas Mk-1 are all fourth or 4.5 generation fighters; none of them is a fifth-generation aircraft. A fifth-generation fighter is defined by all-aspect stealth, internal weapons bays, supercruise and advanced sensor fusion.

Q12.Science & TechnologyMedium

Who described the cascading collision scenario in low Earth orbit that is now known as the Kessler Syndrome, and in which year?

  1. A.Donald J. Kessler in 1978
  2. B.Donald J. Kessler in 1998
  3. C.Hermann Oberth in 1957
  4. D.Wernher von Braun in 1969
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Donald J. Kessler in 1978

Kessler, then working with the American space agency, published the argument that once the population of objects in low Earth orbit crosses a certain density, collisions between them will generate fragments faster than the atmosphere can drag the old debris down.

Q13.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to "Blockchain Technology", consider the following statements :

1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls.

2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only.

3. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody's permission.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.1 and 2 only
  3. C.2 only
  4. D.1 and 3 only
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 1 and 3 only

A blockchain is an open, shared ledger that no single party controls, and anyone can build on a public blockchain without asking permission.

Q14.Science & TechnologyMedium

India's first scientific expedition to Antarctica, in 1981, was led by:

  1. A.Dr. Syed Zahoor Qasim
  2. B.Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
  3. C.Dr. Satish Dhawan
  4. D.Dr. Harsh Gupta
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Dr. Syed Zahoor Qasim

A marine biologist, he led the first Indian scientific expedition to Antarctica in 1981, a voyage that established India's presence on the continent and paved the way for accession to the Antarctic Treaty and for Consultative Party status in 1983.

Q15.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following types of vehicles : I. Full battery electric vehicles II. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles III. Fuel cell-electric hybrid vehicles How many of the above are considered as alternative powertrain vehicles?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.All the three
  4. D.None
Show answer
Correct answer: C. All the three

Any vehicle that does not depend only on a petrol or diesel engine for propulsion counts as an alternative powertrain vehicle, and all three types qualify.

Q16.Science & TechnologyHard

The phrase virtual reality is generally credited to

  1. A.Morton Heilig
  2. B.Thomas Caudell
  3. C.Jaron Lanier
  4. D.S. Scott Crump
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Jaron Lanier

He popularised the phrase virtual reality in the late 1980s while building and selling some of the first commercial headsets and data gloves, and the name has stuck to the technology ever since.

Q18.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

It is possible to produce algae based biofuels, but what is/are the likely limitation(s) of developing countries in promoting this industry?

1. Production of algae based biofuels is possible in seas only and not on continents.

2. Setting up and engineering the algae based biofuel production requires high level of expertise/technology until the construction is completed.

3. Economically viable production necessitates the setting up of large scale facilities which may raise ecological and social concerns.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 and 3 only

The real hurdles are the high technology needed to build algae plants and the very large scale they need to pay off; algae can be grown on land.

Q19.Science & TechnologyMedium

LIGO-India, the third detector of the LIGO network, is being set up at which place?

  1. A.Aundha, Hingoli district, Maharashtra
  2. B.Hanle, Ladakh
  3. C.Pottipuram, Theni district, Tamil Nadu
  4. D.Khodad, Pune district, Maharashtra
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Aundha, Hingoli district, Maharashtra

The site was chosen for its flat, seismically quiet ground, the Union Cabinet approved the project in principle in 2016 and in full in April 2023, and it is being executed by the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology with IPR, RRCAT Indore and IUCAA…

Q20.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IMedium

In the context of electric vehicle batteries, consider the following elements : I. Cobalt II. Graphite III. Lithium IV. Nickel How many of the above usually make up battery cathodes?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.Only three
  4. D.All the four
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Only three

Cobalt, lithium and nickel are cathode materials, while graphite is used for the anode. A lithium-ion battery has a positive electrode (cathode), a negative electrode (anode) and an electrolyte through which lithium ions move.

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