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General ScienceEasyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2021, GK

Aluminium is manufactured from

  1. A.Copper ore
  2. B.Bauxite ore
  3. C.Mica ore
  4. D.Manganese ore

Correct answer

B. Bauxite ore

Explanation

The correct answer is B, Bauxite ore. Bauxite, a hydrated aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃·2H₂O), is the main ore from which aluminium is extracted.

Bauxite is first purified into alumina (aluminium oxide) by the Bayer process. The alumina is dissolved in molten cryolite and broken down by electrolysis in the Hall-Héroult process, which gives aluminium metal at the cathode. Because aluminium is very reactive, it cannot be extracted by heating with carbon and needs large amounts of electricity. In India, Odisha has the largest bauxite reserves and is the leading producer.

A is wrong: copper ores such as chalcopyrite (copper pyrites) yield copper, not aluminium.

C is wrong: mica is a mineral valued as an electrical insulator; it is not an ore of aluminium.

D is wrong: manganese ores such as pyrolusite yield manganese, used mainly in making steel.

Exam tip: aluminium = bauxite (Bayer process + electrolysis in cryolite); iron = haematite; copper = chalcopyrite; zinc = zinc blende.

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Q1.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2017, Paper IEasy

Bronze is an alloy of copper and

  1. A.nickel
  2. B.iron
  3. C.tin
  4. D.aluminium
Show answer
Correct answer: C. tin

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, usually about 88 parts copper to 12 parts tin. Adding tin makes copper harder, stronger and easier to cast, and bronze also resists corrosion well.

Q4.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following actions :

1. Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously

2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive

3. Detection of the tilt of the smartphone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode

In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required?

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

An accelerometer measures acceleration, including the pull of gravity, and each of the three actions depends on reading it. An accelerometer is a small sensor, today usually a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) chip, that senses changes in speed and the direction of gravity.

Q5.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. Carbon fibres are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircrafts.

2. Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.

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: A. 1 only

Carbon fibre is widely used in cars and aircraft for its strength and low weight, and it can be recovered and recycled.