Nuclear physics -(1)

Nuclear physics-(1)

Total Questions: 38

31. Consider the following statements : [I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]

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?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution:The Nuclear Security Summit initiative was announced in the April, 2009 speech by U.S. President Barack Obama, in which he pledged to hold a global summit on nuclear security in 2010 as part of an effort to secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the world within four years. There were four summits in total in Washington D.C. in 2010, in Seoul, South Korea in 2012, in the Hague, Netherlands in 2014. and in Washington D.C. again in 2016. The International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) was founded in January, 2006 and is an independent group of arms-control and non- proliferation experts from both Nuclear Weapon and Non- Nuclear Weapon States.

32. Assertion (A): CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) is the world's largest particle Physics Laboratory. [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]

Reason (R) : CERN is French acronym of the name of the provisional body founded 2 years before the organization came into existence.

(a) Both (A) and (R) are individually true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) are (R) are individually true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is true, but (R) is true.

Correct Answer: (b) Both (A) are (R) are individually true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Solution:The European Organization for Nuclear Research is a European research organization that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world. CERN is French acronym of the name of the provisional body was founded in 1952, just 2 years before the organization came into existence, i.e. in 1954. It was established in a north west suburb of Geneva on the Franco-Swiss border.

33. In which of the following locations in the international Thermonuclear experiment reactor (ITER) project to built ? [I.A.S. (PRE) 2008]

(a) northern Spain
(b) eastern Germany
(c) southern Italy
(b) southern France

Correct Answer: (b) southern France

Solution:ITER (The Latin word for "The Way") is a large-scale scientific experiment intended to prove the viability of fusion as an energy source. ITER is currently under construction in the France. In an unprecedented international effon, seven partners- The European Union, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States have pooled their financial and scientific resources to build a biggest fusion reactor in history. One more fact about ITER is that it will not produce electricity, but it will resolve critical scientific and technical issues in order to take fusion to the point where industrial applications can be designed.

34. India is an important member of the 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2016]

(a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation.
(b) It can attain a global role in satellite navigation.
(c) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation.
(d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation.

Correct Answer: (d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation.

Solution:ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) is an experimental fusion reactor being constructed presently at Cadarache, in the south of France. ITER is a step towards future production of electricity from fusion energy. Nuclear fusion is the process through which the sun and the stars produce energy by fusing light nuclei of hydrogen.

35. Consider the following statements: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1994]

Assertion (A): India's nuclear policy incorporates its unpreparedness to open its nuclear plants to international inspection.

Reason (R): India will not produce any nuclear bomb.

Select your answer from the code given below:

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Correct Answer: (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

Solution:India is not ready to open its nuclear plants for international inspection because of the possibility of technological privacy S. (Pre) 2008 breach. But India has kept open the option of making a nuclear bomb.

36. India has refused to sign the treaty on non-proliferation of nuclear weapon. [R.A.S/R.T.S. (Pre) 1992]

(a) It is discriminatory.
(b) It will slack India's nuclear military capability.
(c) It is against the peaceful use of nuclear power.
(d) This strength negatively affects the balance in the South Asian region.

Correct Answer: (a) It is discriminatory.

Solution:There are two types of members in the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT: Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons) Nuclear Weapon States and Non-Nuclear Weapon States. Only five countries (including China) who had fired a nuclear device before 1967 were given the status of-Nuclear Weapon States. Any other nation who wished to sign the NPT had to do so as a Non-Nuclear Weapon State. India exploded its first nuclear device in 1974. This implies that the only option by which India could sign the NPT is being a Non-Nuclear Weapons State. If India signs the NPT as a Non-Nuclear Weapon State, India cannot even keep a minimal nuclear deterrent. Hence, India finds it discriminatory.

37. Consider the following countries: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

1. China

2. France

3. India

4. Israel

5. Pakistan

Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 2, 4 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Solution:The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) recognizes as Nuclear Weapon States only those states that had manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to January 1, 1967.

Based on this definition, the Nuclear Weapon States recognized by the NPT are:

China (first test in 1964)
France (first test in 1960)
The United States (first test in 1945)
The Soviet Union (first test in 1949; its rights and obligations are now assumed by Russia)
The United Kingdom (first test in 1952)

Looking at the options provided:

India (first test in 1974)
Israel (believed to possess nuclear weapons, but has not publicly tested before 1967)
Pakistan (first tests in 1998)

These three countries conducted their first nuclear tests after the January 1, 1967 deadline and are therefore not recognized as Nuclear Weapon States by the NPT. They are considered Non-Nuclear Weapon States under the treaty, even though they possess nuclear weapons.

Therefore, the countries among the list that are recognized as Nuclear Weapon States by the NPT are China and France only.

38. What is/are the consequences of a country becoming the member of the 'Nuclear Suppliers Group'? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2018]

1. It will have access to the latest and most efficient nuclear technologies.

2. It automatically becomes a member of "The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)".

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (a) 1 only

Solution:Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a group of nuclear supplier countries that seeks to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling export materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons. It was established in 1974. NSG consists of 48 members which s include the five recognized nuclear-weapon states US, UK, France, China and Russia. Its members have access to the latest and most efficient nuclear technologies. If a country becomes member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, it does not automatically become a member of the NPT. India is trying for the membership of NSG without signing the NPT.

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Nuclear physics -(1)