Science and Technology (Part-III)

Total Questions: 28

11. In India, the term "Public context of : [2020-1]

Correct Answer: (a) Digital security infrastructure
Solution:India is among those few nations that have the Digital Signature Legislation.
Digital signatures deploy the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) technology.

A digital signature is a type of electronic signature which ensures that an electronic document is authentic. It gives the information about the creator of the document and ensures that the document has not been altered or tampered after its creation by that person. Digital signatures are used for validating the integrity and authenticity of any digital document, message or software etc.
Types of Digital Signatures: There are three types of digital signatures Class-1, Class-2 and Class-3, each of them have different security levels:

  1. Class-1 certificate: These are issued for both business personnel and private use. The class-1 certificate confirms that the information provided is authentic and it is not in conflict with the information of recognised consumer databases. These are used in places where the risks and consequences of data compromise are not of not major significance.
  2. Class-2 certificate: These are issued to both business personnel and for private use. The certificate confirms that the information provided is authentic and it is not in conflict with recognised pre-verified databases. These are used in environments where the risk of data compromise are moderate. It can include transactions having substantial monetary value, or access to important private information etc.
  3. Class-3 certificate: These are issued to individuals and organisations primarily intended for e-commerce applications, and for other important purposes. It provides the highest level of security where the person needs to be present himself/herself in front of the registration authority for proving his or her identity.

12. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? [2020-1]

1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units

2. Create meaningful short stories and songs

3. Disease diagnosis

4. Text-to-speech conversion

5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 3, and 4 only
Solution:Artificial Intelligence is an interdisciplinary science with multiple approaches.
Artificial intelligence has the possibility to cut energy waste, lower energy costs, and facilitate and speed up the use of clean renewable energy sources in power grids worldwide. Hence statement 1 is correct.

Artificial intelligence cannot hold a meaningful conversation like humans, write songs and stories. Hence statement 2 is not correct.

Google in their latest research proves that a neural network an be trained to detect signs of lung cancer earlier and faster than trained radiologists. Hence statement 3 is correct.

Google Assistant speech recognition Al uses deep neural networks to learn how to improve understand spoken commands and questions as well as for text-to-speech conversion. Hence statement 4 is correct.

Artificial Intelligence cannot effectively do wireless transmission of electrical energy. Hence statement 5 is not correct.

13. With reference to visible light communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct? [2020-1]

1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780nm

2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless communication

3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth

4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference

Select the correct answer using the code given below

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
Solution:

Visible Light Communication (VLC) is a variant of data communication that utilises visible light between the intensity of 375–780 THz. It is a type of wireless communication technology. Under this technology, fluorescent light is used to transmit signals at 10 kbit/s and LED lights are used to transmit 500 Mbit/s over a small distance. So, statement 1 is correct.
Since VLC uses visible light for data transmission, it will be able to transmit data only when there are no opaque obstacles in its way. Thus, VLC cannot be used for long-range optical wireless communication. So, statement 2 is not correct.
A Bluetooth supported device can transmit data at the maximum rate of kilobytes per second (kbps). On the other hand, VLC is a far advanced way of communication and it is able to transmit data in the range gigabytes per second (gbps). So, statement 3 is correct.
Use of Wi-Fi is prohibited inside hospitals as it can interfere with medical devices such as MRI and even treatment of patients. On the other hand, technology such as Li-Fi offers a feasible opportunity where visible light communication can enable data transfer in such EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) sensitive environments. So, statement 4 is correct.

14. With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements: [2020-1]

1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps.

2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Solution:Some solar submersible pumps use a centrifugal mechanism as a surface pump, While others use a positive displacement mechanism. So that means statement#1 is WRONG, and second#2 is partially correct.

Further internet search reveals existence of solar powered piston pump systems that can pump water from a well and delivers it to an elevated Storage tank. #2 is wrong.

So, #2 is wrong. By elimination, the answer is (c).

15. With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps? [2021-1]

1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps.

2. As street-lights, sodium lamps have longer life span than LED lamps.

3. The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer significant colour advantages in street-lighting.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Solution:Sodium lamps provide 360 degree light emitting. Whereas, LED lights tend to direct light downward, rather than a full 360 degrees. #1 is right.

HPS Lights have good lifespans around 14,000 hours though this is significantly less than LEDs. LEDs last longer than any light source commercially available on the market. #2 is wrong.

Monochromatic light means that the light has a single wavelength. The LED light is not monochromatic because it is made up of different wavelengths, therefore is polychromatic. Often, a combination of wavelengths is used to create different colors. #3 is right.

Therefore, Correct Answer is "(c)": 1 and 3.

16. Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent? [2021-1]

Correct Answer: (c) Lemon grass
Solution:Lemongrass leaves are the most commonly found plants found in India. You can use lemongrass oil or can crush the leaves and then applying the oily mixture directly to the skin. Therefore, Correct Answer is "c".

You could also apply some logic that to act as mosquito repellent the grass needs to have an aromatic smell. So Elephant grass could not be the answer and lemongrass may have been the answer.

17. Consider the following: [2022-1]

1. Aarogya Setu

2. COWIN

3. Digi Locker

4. DIKSHA

Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution:Option (d) is correct: Digi locker, Diksha, Aarogya Setu, the Covid-19 vaccination platform COWIN - built on top of open-source digital platforms so all four are correct.
• Open-source software offers several advantages over proprietary software, including:
• Democratization: Open-source software prevents the digital economy from being dominated by a few large tech companies.
• Affordability: Open-source software is typically more affordable than proprietary software.
• Acceleration innovation: Open-source software benefits from crowdsourcing, which leads to faster development and more effective troubleshooting.
• Technological advancements: Open-source software fosters innovation in areas such as 5G/6G, microprocessor technology, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.
• Cloud integration: Companies like Amazon and Google release open-source code to make it easier for other companies to integrate with their cloud services.
• Alignment with cloud, big data, and analytics technologies: Open-source software’s flexibility and modularity align well with the needs of cloud, big data, and analytics technologies.
• Reduced development costs: Open-source software eliminates the need to reinvent the wheel, allowing companies to focus on innovation.
• Increased privacy and transparency: Open-source software allows users to see what’s happening with their data, reducing privacy concerns.
• Enhanced trust among users: Users are more likely to trust open-source software, leading to wider adoption.
• IoT growth: Open-source software and hardware developers play a significant role in the growth of the Internet of Things.

18. With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statements: [2022-1]

1. Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data.

2. In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks.

3. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:

• Web 3.0 represents the next iteration or phase of the evolution of the web/internet and potentially could be as disruptive and represents as big a paradigm shift as Web 2.0 did. Web 3.0 is built upon the core concepts of decentralization, openness, and greater user utility.
Features of Web3.0
• Decentralization is a core tenet of Web 3.0. In Web 2.0, computers use HTTP in the form of unique web addresses to find information, which is stored at a fixed location, generally on a single server. With Web 3.0, because information would be found based on its content, it could be stored in multiple locations simultaneously and hence be decentralized. This would break down the massive databases currently held by internet giants like Meta and Google and would hand greater control to users. With Web 3.0, the data generated by disparate and increasingly powerful computing resources, including mobile phones, desktops, appliances, vehicles, and sensors, will be sold by users through decentralized data networks, ensuring that users retain ownership control. So, statements 1 and 3 are correct.
• In addition to decentralization and being based upon open-source software, Web 3.0 will allow participants to interact directly without going through a trusted intermediary and anyone can participate without authorization from a governing body. As a result, Web 3.0 applications will run on blockchains or decentralized peer-to-peer networks. So, statement 2 is correct.

19. With reference to "Software as a Service (SaaS)", consider the following statements: [2022-1]

1. SaaS buyers can customize the user interface and can change data fields.

2. SaaS users can access their data through their mobile devices.

3. Outlook, Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail are forms of SaaS.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Solution:
  • SaaS is a cloud-based method of delivering software where users subscribe to access applications on the Internet rather than purchasing them outright.
  • The software is located on external servers rather than on servers located in-house.
  • SaaS vendors host services and applications for customers to access on-demand.
  • These services are available to end-users over the internet, so the end-users do not need to install any software on their devices to access these services.
  • Common SaaS examples include email, calendaring, and cloud-based collaborative tools like Slack.
  • This model operates similarly to streaming services, offering flexible, subscription-based access from any compatible device.
  • By hosting the software in the cloud, SaaS provides a complete solution that enhances accessibility and convenience, allowing users to connect and use these apps on a pay-as-you-go basis.
  • The SaaS model shifts the burden of maintaining and hosting the software to the SaaS provider.
  • This shift results in substantial benefits, such as consistent maintenance, robust security, and guaranteeing that the software remains continuously accessible and current.
  • This setup allows businesses to focus on their core activities without worrying about the technical complexities of software management

20. Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the "Fractional Orbital Bombardment System" often talked about in media? [2022-1]

Correct Answer: (c) A missile is put into a stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
Solution:

The Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) was developed by the USSR in 1960s to launch nuclear missiles from space.
• Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS) possess several distinguishing characteristics that make them a formidable weapon:
• Unpredictable trajectory: FOBS can alter their course using thrusters, rendering conventional missile defense systems ineffective. This is particularly concerning for the United States, whose defense relies heavily on detecting ICBMs following a predictable arcing trajectory.
• Stealthy approach: FOBS can approach targets from any direction, making it challenging for early warning systems to detect them. This is further complicated by the fact that North American early warning systems are primarily focused on threats from the North Pole, while FOBS can target North America from the South Pole.
• Global reach: Unlike conventional missiles with limited ranges, FOBS have no range limit, allowing them to target any point on Earth. This presents a significant security threat to nations around the globe.