UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on Saturn’s rings, Bedmap3 and more (Week 103)

QUESTION 1

With reference to the Euclid Mission, consider the following statements:

1. It is designed to explore the composition and evolution of the dark Universe.

2. The mission has been led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

3. It was launched in 2020.

4. It has two scientific payloads: Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP) and Visible Imager (VIS).

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— Astronomers at the European Space Agency (ESA) have hit the jackpot after their telescope, Euclid, obtained high-resolution photos of 26 million galaxies, revealing a vast treasure trove for researching the dark cosmos.

— ESA’s Euclid mission aims to investigate the composition and evolution of the dark Universe. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The Euclid Mission, which began scientific operations in February of last year and will be launched in July 2023, is led by ESA with participation from scientists from the US-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Japan, and Canada. Hence, statements 2 and 3 are not correct.

— Euclid is a 1.2-metre telescope designed to map massive spatial structures in our universe, such as galaxies, in order to help reconstruct how the universe expanded and how galaxy formations evolved to look the way they do now.

— It carries two scientific payloads: a near-infrared spectrometer and photometer (NISP) and a visible imager. Hence, statement 4 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 2

The term “Bedmap3” was in the news. It refers to:

(a) project related to map and datasets of Antarctic ice thickness

(b) project to map Algal Blooming in the Pacific Ocean

(c) project to map luminous and distant active galaxies

(d) project to map endangered marine creatures

Explanation

— The Antarctic has long remained cloaked in mystery. The frozen surface of the world’s seventh largest continent appears to be more than just what meets the eye. Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have unveiled the most precise depiction ever of Antarctica’s hidden landscape beneath its massive sheet of ice.

— The researchers introduced Bedmap3, the most recent dataset with highly detailed representations of the icy continents’ surface elevation, ice thickness, and subglacial topography. The collection uses survey data over six decades to illustrate the continent’s geography as if its 27 million cubic kilometres of ice were removed.

— Bedmap3 is a collaborative community effort that aims to create a new map and datasets of Antarctic ice thickness and bed topography for the international glaciology and geophysical community by combining a range of data (including ice thickness, bathymetry, surface altitude, and grounding lines).

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Consider the following statements about Graphene:

1. It is a thermally non-conductive material.

2. It has potential in the medical world.

3. It is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a square lattice.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— It is the building-block of Graphite, but graphene is a remarkable substance on its own with a multitude of astonishing properties.

— It is the thinnest, most electrically and thermally conductive material in the world, while also being flexible, transparent and incredibly strong. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— Graphene is also known as a wonder material due to its vast potential in the energy and medical world. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

With reference to the Iron in the human body, consider the following statements:

1. It is essential for oxygen transport in the blood.

2. When iron levels are high, the body may experience reduced oxygen delivery.

3. Deficiency of iron in the human body can lead to increased yawning.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 2 and 3 only

Explanation

— Excessive yawning could indicate many health problems such as heart issues or even mental health issues.

— Iron is essential for oxygen transport in the blood. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— When iron levels are low, the body may experience reduced oxygen delivery, leading to increased yawning as a compensatory mechanism. The body yawns to increase oxygen intake and improve alertness. Hence, statements 2 is not correct and statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

With reference to Saturn’s rings, consider the following statements:

1. They are primarily made of ice and rocks.

2. The phenomenon “ring plane crossing” is associated with Saturn’s rings.

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

— Saturn’s rings, which are mostly composed of ice and rocks, will fade from view this weekend. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The occurrence known as “ring plane crossing” occurs approximately every 13 to 15 years, when the planet’s rings exactly coincide with Earth’s line of sight, making them practically invisible. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— When these rings dissolve, Saturn will look as a pale yellow spherical in the majority of telescopes, but the most powerful telescopes will still display a line around the planet’s middle.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 103)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 103)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 102)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 102)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 102)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 102)

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