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General ScienceMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2021, GK

Fertilizers are used to obtain higher yields of crops. However, all nutrients are usually not available in fertilizers. Which one of the following nutrients is usually not available in fertilizers ?

  1. A.Iron
  2. B.Potassium
  3. C.Nitrogen
  4. D.Phosphorus

Correct answer

A. Iron

Explanation

The correct answer is A, Iron. Common fertilisers supply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK); iron is a micronutrient that is usually not part of them.

Plants need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in large amounts, so these are called primary macronutrients, and fertilisers such as urea, DAP, MOP and NPK mixtures are made to supply them. Iron is needed only in tiny quantities, mainly to make chlorophyll; most soils hold enough of it, and its deficiency, which shows as yellowing between the veins of young leaves (chlorosis), is corrected with separate sprays of iron sulphate or chelates.

B is wrong: potassium is the K of NPK, supplied by muriate of potash (MOP).

C is wrong: nitrogen is the main nutrient in urea (about 46% nitrogen) and ammonium fertilisers.

D is wrong: phosphorus is supplied by DAP and single superphosphate.

Exam tip: macronutrients N, P, K (plus Ca, Mg, S); micronutrients Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl, Ni; iron deficiency = chlorosis.

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Q1.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.

Q2.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.