UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on Environment, Geography, Science and Technology to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the Economy Quiz. 🚨 The Indian Express UPSC Essentials brings to you the August edition of its monthly magazine. Click Here to read. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 QUESTION 1 With reference to the PraVaHa, consider the following statements: 1. This software has been launched to simulate external and internal flows on launch vehicles. 2. PraVaHa has been used extensively in the Chandrayaan-3 program. 3. Currently, the PraVaHa code is operational to simulate chemical reactions that occur during air dissociation upon ‘earth re-entry’. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software “Parallel RANS Solver for Aerospace Vehicle Aero-thermo-dynamic Analysis” (PraVaHa) is developed in VSSC to simulate external and internal flows on launch vehicles, winged & nonwinged re-entry vehicles. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — Any aerospace vehicle is subjected to severe aerodynamic and aerothermal loads in terms of external pressure and heat flux while moving through the earth's atmosphere during ‘launch’ or ‘reentry’. — The shape, structure and thermal protection system (TPS) are essentially designed to understand the ‘airflow’ around aircraft, rocket bodies, or Crew Module [CM] during earth re-entry — PraVaHa has been used extensively in the Gaganyaan program for aerodynamic analysis of human-rated launch vehicles, viz, HLVM3, Crew Escape System [CES], and Crew Module [CM]. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — At present, the PraVaHa code is operational to simulate airflow for Perfect Gas & Real Gas conditions. Validations of the code are underway for simulating the effect of chemical reactions that occur during air dissociation upon ‘earth re-entry’ and ‘combustion’ as in scramjet vehicles. Hence, statement 3 is not correct. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. (Source: www.isro.gov.in) QUESTION 2 With reference to the cyanobacterial engineered living material (C-ELM), consider the following statements: 1. It incorporates living cyanobacteria within translucent panels that can be mounted on the interior walls of buildings. 2. This material helps to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — An Indian student at University College London (UCL) has created a revolutionary construction biomaterial that uses live microorganisms to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, possibly transforming the building industry's carbon footprint. — The biomaterial, known as a cyanobacterial engineered living material (C-ELM), contains living cyanobacteria within translucent panels that can be put on the inner walls of buildings. As microorganisms grow through photosynthesis, they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct. — A kilogramme of C-ELM can collect up to 350g of CO2, whereas the same amount of ordinary concrete would emit around 500g. A wall covered with 150 square metres of solar panels could trap approximately one tonne of CO2. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. QUESTION 3 With reference to the orangutans in Asia, consider the following statements: 1. These are found in the rainforests of the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. 2. The population of orangutans is threatened by rapid deforestation primarily due to palm oil plantations. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Explanation — Malaysia’s Plantation and Commodities Minister Johari Ghani tweaked his earlier proposal of sending critically endangered orangutans as gifts to palm oil-purchasing countries. — According to the most recent proposal, importers of Malaysian palm oil will be offered the opportunity to "sponsor" one or more orangutans, with the proceeds going towards their conservation within Malaysia rather than transferring the chosen monkeys abroad. — Malaysia, the world's second-largest palm oil producer, has faced significant pressure to make its palm oil sector more sustainable. The industry has been related to deforestation, which results in the loss of habitat for orangutans. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — These apes live in the rainforests of the Borneo and Sumatra islands, which are shared by Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei. According to a World Wildlife Fund estimate, the orangutan population is currently around 120,000 and is under threat from fast deforestation, mostly caused by palm oil plantations. Hence, statement 1 is correct. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. QUESTION 4 Which of the following countries will be first to impose a CO2 tax on farms? (a) Australia (b) New Zealand (c) Finland (d) Denmark Explanation — Denmark, a major pork and dairy exporter, will impose a carbon price on animal emissions beginning in 2030, becoming the first country to do so and seeking to persuade others to follow suit. — In February, government-commissioned scientists proposed a tax to help Denmark meet a legally binding 2030 target of 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels. — Farmers will be entitled to a 60% income tax deduction, which means that the actual cost per tonne will begin at 120 crowns and rise to 300 crowns by 2035, while subsidies will be available to encourage changes in farm operations. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. QUESTION 5 Mount Canlaon was in the news due to cold lava eruptions. It is located in: (a) Philippines (b) Iceland (c) Japan (d) Italy Explanation — BBC footage showed chilly lava flowing out into the streets and rivers downstream following an eruption at Mount Canlaon in the Philippines. Locals recorded images of the grey lava running through the streets on their phones. — The explosion sent a plume of ash several kilometres into the sky, cancelling scores of flights and evacuating hundreds of people, according to the BBC. — Cold lava is a cooled mixture of volcanic debris and stones. This can contain smooth, glossy textures as well as harsh, jagged textures. It flows like wet concrete and can go quickly. — According to the United States Geological Survey, the cold wave can crush and bury anything in its path, perhaps proving more destructive than conventional lava flows. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. 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