Miscellaneous Physics Part-1

Total Questions: 50

31. A quantum dot is: [R.A.S/R.T.S. (Pre) 2021]

(a) Electron microscopy image of nanostructures smaller than 1 nanometre.
(b) Nanoscale analog of radio antennas.
(c) A fictional nanorobot.
(d) A semiconductor nanostructure.

Correct Answer: (d) A semiconductor nanostructure.

Solution:Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanostructures that exhibit size and composition-dependent optical and electronic (optoelectronic) properties. QDs are ultra-small, typically falling in the size range between 1.5 and 10.0 nm.

32. Arrange the following products/examples of nanotechnology in ascending order of the four generations of nanotechnology [I — IV] and select the correct answer using the codes given below: [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 2016]

A. Aerosol
B. 3D networking
C. Molecular manufacturing
D. Targeted drugs

Code:

(a) D, A, B, C
(b) D, A, C, B
(c) A, B, C, D
(d) A, D, B, C

Correct Answer: (d) A, D, B, C

Solution:The ascending order of the products/examples of four generations of nanotechnology:

(I) Products of the first generation: Aerosols, Colloids, Polymers, Ceramics
(II) Products of the second generation: Targeted drugs, 3-D transistors, Amplifiers
(III) Products of the third generation: Robotics, 3-D Networking
(IV) Products of the fourth generation: Molecular manufacturing Ascending order of the four generations of nanotechnology: Aerosol → Targeted drugs → 3-D networking → Molecular manufacturing.
From the above description, it is clear that option (d) is the correct answer.

33. The 'Nano hummingbird' is — [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

(a) A new species of hitherto undiscovered hummingbird
(b) An extremely small electric car that can take 360° turn
(c) A pocket-sized unmanned spy plane developed in the U.S.A.
(d) A new variety of honey bee

Correct Answer: (c) A pocket-sized unmanned spy plane developed in the U.S.A.

Solution:The Nano Hummingbird or Nano Air Vehicle (NAV) is a tiny, remote-controlled aircraft built to resemble and fly like a hummingbird, developed in the United States by AeroVironment Inc.

34. The first successful attempt to tap underground heat was made in: [M.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Boise, Idaho (USA)
(b) Tel Aviv, Israel
(c) Tokyo, Japan
(d) Canberra, Australia

Correct Answer: (a) Boise, Idaho (USA)

Solution:The first successful attempt (1890) to tap underground heat was made in the city of Boise, Idaho (U.S.A.), where a hot water pipe network was built to give heat to the surrounding buildings. This plant is still working.

35. What is the location of the Enron Power Project? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1996]

(a) Kalol
(b) Ahmednagar
(c) Virar
(d) Dabhol

Correct Answer: (d) Dabhol

Solution:The Dabhol Power Company (DPC) was formed to manage Dabhol Power Plant. It was built through the combined effort of Enron, GE, and Bechtel. It is located at Dabhol Guhagar Taluka, Ratnagiri district (Maharashtra). At present, it is owned by Ratnagiri Gas and Power Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of NTPC Ltd.

36. Which of the following thermal power stations is situated at Chachai of Anuppur district? [M.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Satpura power station
(b) Amarkantak power station
(c) Bansagar power station
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: (b) Amarkantak power station

Solution:Amarkantak thermal power station is situated at Chachai of Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the coal-fired power stations of M.P. Power Generation Company Limited (MPPGCL).

37. The theme of Indian Science Congress 2001 was: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2001]

(a) "Food nutrition and environmental security"
(b) "Arrest declining interest in pure sciences"
(c) "Make India energy self-sufficient"
(d) "Make India I.T. Superpower"

Correct Answer: (a) "Food nutrition and environmental security"

Solution:The 88th Indian Science Congress (ISC) conference was held between 3 to 7 January 2001 in New Delhi. The main theme of this conference was "Food, Nutrition, and Environmental Security." In January 2023, the 108th ISC was held at R.T.M. Nagpur University with the focal theme of "Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment."

38. Which one of the following organizations won the CSIR Award for Science and Technology (S&T) Innovations for Rural Development, 2006? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2007]

(a) CLRI
(b) IARI
(c) NDDB
(d) NDRI

Correct Answer: (a) CLRI

Solution:

On September 26, 2006, the then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh gave away the CSIR award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development to Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

39. Who among the following was awarded Padma Vibhushan - 2023 in the field of Science and Engineering? [M.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023]

(a) Shri S.M. Krishna
(b) Shri Dilip Mahalanabis
(c) Shri Srinivasa Varadhan
(d) Shri Narinder Singh Kapany

Correct Answer: (c) Shri Srinivasa Varadhan

Solution:Padma Vibhushan 2023 in the field of Science and Engineering was awarded to Shri S.R. Srinivasa Varadhan of U.S.A. He is an Indian-American mathematician known for his fundamental contributions to probability theory and for creating a unified theory of large deviations. In 2007, he became the first Asian to win the Abel Prize.

40. Which one of the following organizations is not related to science and technology? [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2008]

(a) DST
(b) CSIR
(c) ICSSR
(d) DAE

Correct Answer: (c) ICSSR