UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Vermifiltration Technology, electric propulsion and more (Week 91)

1. The powdered milk is a dehydrated form of the regular milk.

2. It preserves enzymes like lipase.

3. The powdered milk does not have calcium and protein.

4. Studies show that dietary habits in early childhood can have a risk of developing conditions like Type 2 diabetes.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— Isha Lall, a holistic health coach, stated that powdered milk is simply dehydrated milk. While this process retains a lot of the good stuff, such as calcium and protein, it also removes enzymes like lipase, which help break down fats found naturally in fresh milk. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are not correct and statement 1 is correct.

— Some studies indicate that the processing may result in the creation of oxidised cholesterol, which has been related to inflammation and increased risk of heart disease later in life.

— Lall stated that several studies have found that eating patterns in early childhood can have long-term consequences, including an increased chance of acquiring illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

— Powdered milk can also induce a faster surge in blood sugar than fresh milk, which might strain a child’s growing pancreas if consumed regularly. Powdered milk can not cause diabetes, although it might contribute to an unhealthy diet if consumed in excess.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

With reference to the Vermifiltration Technology, consider the following statements:

1. Vermifiltration is a wastewater filtration process in which epigeic earthworms interact with microorganisms for the removal of wastewater pollution.

2. It does not treat sand and silt.

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

Explanation

— Aandhi, a tiny town in the district of Jaipur, around 43 kilometres from Rajasthan’s capital city of Jaipur, is transforming itself into a zero-waste model thanks to green technological initiatives.

— The package of technology interventions, which includes an Organic Waste Bio-Methanation Plant, Vermifiltration Technology, Constructed Wetlands, and a resource recovery centre, is a unique and socially relevant effort that aims to create a zero-waste paradigm by integrating modern technologies.

— Vermifiltration is a wastewater filtration technology in which epigeic earthworms interact with microorganisms to remove wastewater pollutants. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

It combines all types of treatment in one unit, including primary (sand and silt removal), secondary (biological degradation), and tertiary (pathogen removal). Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The vermifilter (VF) is a wastewater treatment technology used for vermifiltration purposes. It has an active zone where earthworms reside and a filter bed where microorganisms thrive.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Source: dst.gov.in)

QUESTION 3

With reference to the use of slag in road construction, consider the following statements:

1. The thickness of the road with slag is 30 per cent less than normal.

2. The durability is less when slag is used in road construction.

3. India does not have used this technology in the construction of roads.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

— Slag is produced by a steel furnace burning at temperatures ranging from 1,500 to 1,600 degrees Celsius, with molten flux material as an impurity. The molten material is dumped into the slag pits for cooling according to the customised procedure and then further processed to generate stable steel slag aggregates with “better material properties in place of the natural aggregate commonly used in road constructions”.

— According to CRRI lead scientist Satish Pandey, the processed steel slag road costs 30% less to build than natural aggregate roads. “The thickness of the road is also 30 per cent lesser than normal ones, while the durability is much longer due to the utilisation of steel slag.” Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

— Surat is the first city in the country to have a processed steel slag (industrial waste) road built as part of a joint venture project between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Union Ministry of Steel, government think-tank NITI Ayog, and ArcelorMittal-Nippon Steel (AM/NS) at Hazira. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Electric Propulsion (EP), consider the following statements:

1. It is a class of space propulsion which makes use of electrical power to accelerate a propellant by different possible electrical and/or magnetic means.

2. Electric propulsion requires more mass to accelerate a spacecraft than chemical systems.

3. India and the USA have signed an agreement to develop an electric propulsion system in India to power domestic warships.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

— India and the UK government are examining the potential of reaching an agreement to create an electric propulsion system in India for indigenous warships. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— Indian warships are now powered by diesel engines, gas turbines and steam turbines. The electric propulsion capability is intended to power larger warships with displacements exceeding 6,000 tonnes.

— Electric Propulsion (EP) is a type of space propulsion that uses electrical power to accelerate a propellant through various electrical and/or magnetic means. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The usage of electrical power improves the propulsion performance of EP thrusters as compared to conventional chemical thrusters. Unlike chemical technologies, electric propulsion uses extremely little mass to accelerate a spaceship. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The propellant is ejected up to twenty times quicker than in a traditional chemical thruster, making the total system much more mass efficient.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.esa.int)

QUESTION 5

With reference to the Parker Solar Probe, consider the following statements:

1. It has successfully made the closest-ever approach to the Sun.

2. It was launched in 2018 by the European Space Agency (ESA).

3. The Parker Solar Probe uses gravity-assist flybys of Mercury to inch closer to the Sun with each orbit.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— According to Reuters, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe successfully made the closest visit to the Sun ever, getting within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million km) of its surface on December 24. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

— As it entered the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona, the probe was subjected to temperatures as high as 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (982 degrees Celsius). It achieved speeds of up to 430,000 mph (692,000 kph), making it the fastest human-made object.

— After receiving an all-clear transmission, NASA confirmed that the probe is safe and operational. The operations team at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland received the signal, known as a beacon tone, late Thursday, which indicated the status of the spacecraft.

— The spacecraft, which was launched in 2018, is on a mission to study the Sun. Scientists hope that the data obtained by the probe will help them better understand why the Sun’s outer atmosphere is hundreds of times hotter than its surface.

— The Parker Solar Probe uses gravity-assist flybys of Venus to inch closer to the Sun with each orbit. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 91)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 90)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 90)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 90)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 90)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 90)

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