Which one of the following minerals is used as a fuel in nuclear power stations ?
- A.Bauxite
- B.Quartz
- C.Feldspar
- D.Pitchblende
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, Pitchblende. Pitchblende, or uraninite, is the chief ore of uranium, the fuel used in most nuclear power stations.
Pitchblende is a heavy, black mineral made mostly of uranium oxide. Uranium extracted from it is processed into fuel; in a reactor the nuclei of uranium-235 split when struck by neutrons, releasing large amounts of heat that is used to make steam and turn turbines. Pitchblende is also famous in the history of science: Marie and Pierre Curie discovered the elements polonium and radium in 1898 while studying it. In India uranium is mined chiefly at Jaduguda in Jharkhand and at Tummalapalle in Andhra Pradesh.
A is wrong: bauxite is the ore of aluminium.
B is wrong: quartz is silicon dioxide, used in glass and electronics, not as fuel.
C is wrong: feldspar is a common rock-forming mineral used in ceramics and glass.
Exam tip: pitchblende gives uranium; monazite sands give thorium; bauxite gives aluminium.
Practice Questions
View allConsider the following animals :
1. Hedgehog
2. Marmot
3. Pangolin
To reduce the chance of being captured by predators, which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protect its/their vulnerable parts?
- A.1 and 2
- B.2 only
- C.3 only
- D.1 and 3
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Hedgehogs and pangolins curl into a tight ball when threatened, covering the soft belly and face with spines or scales; marmots do not.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?
- A.Congress grass
- B.Elephant grass
- C.Lemongrass
- D.Nut grass
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Lemongrass and its close relative citronella grass yield aromatic oils that keep mosquitoes away, so they are the base of many natural repellents.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following devices is non-ohmic ?
- A.Conducting copper coil
- B.Electric heating coil
- C.Semi conductor diode
- D.Rheostat
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A diode does not obey Ohm's law: the current through it is not proportional to the voltage across it. An ohmic conductor gives a straight-line graph of current against voltage, so its resistance stays constant at a fixed temperature.
Read the full explanation →What is the formula mass of anhydrous sodium carbonate? (Given that the atomic masses of sodium, carbon and oxygen are 23 u, 12 u and 16 u respectively)
- A.286 u
- B.106 u
- C.83 u
- D.53 u
Show answer
Anhydrous sodium carbonate is Na₂CO₃, and 2 × 23 + 12 + 3 × 16 = 106 u. Formula mass is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in one formula unit of an ionic compound.
Read the full explanation →The raw materials used for the manufacture of Portland cement are
- A.Lime, silica and sulphur dioxide
- B.Lime, silica and carbon dioxide
- C.Lime, silica and alumina
- D.Lime, silica and boric acid
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Portland cement is made by heating a mix of limestone, which supplies lime, with clay, which supplies silica and alumina.
Read the full explanation →