UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : Science and Technology MCQs on LiDAR technology, Artemis Accords and more (Week 95)

QUESTION 1

With reference to the Artemis Accords, consider the following statements:

1. These were initially announced by NASA and the US Department of State in 2020.

2. India is not a signatory of the Artemis Accords.

3. The accords are a series of binding arrangements.

4. Norway is the recent country to join the Artemis Accords and became the 53rd member.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— The Artemis Accords, launched by NASA and the US Department of State in 2020, now have 53 signatories, including India and Japan. Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is not correct.

— It implements fundamental commitments from the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and emphasises commitment to the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, and best practices for responsible behaviour, such as the public distribution of scientific data.

— The accords are a series of non-binding agreements that establish principles to be respected in outer space. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

— On January 21, 2025, Finland became the 53rd country to sign the accords. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.nasa.gov)

QUESTION 2

With reference to the carbon dating, consider the following statements:

1. It is a widely used method to establish the age of organic materials.

2. The dating method is based on the fact that Carbon-12 (C-12), an isotope of carbon, is radioactive and decays at a well known rate.

3. The age of things that are more than 40,000-50,000 years old can be arrived at through carbon dating.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

— Carbon dating is a frequently used method for determining the age of organic materials, which were previously alive. Carbon can exist in a variety of forms within living things. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The dating method is based on the fact that Carbon-14 (C-14), a radioactive isotope of carbon with an atomic mass of 14, decays at a predictable pace. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The most common isotope of carbon in the atmosphere is C-12. A minor quantity of C-14 is also found. The ratio of C-12 to C-14 in the atmosphere is almost constant and known.

— Plants acquire their carbon from photosynthesis, whereas animals obtain it primarily from food. Because plants and animals derive their carbon from the environment, they absorb C-12 and C-14 in nearly the same proportions as the atmosphere.

— When they die, their interaction with the atmosphere ceases. While C-12 is stable, radioactive C-14 has a ‘half-life’ of approximately 5,730 years.

— Carbon dating cannot be used in all cases. Carbon dating cannot be used to estimate the age of non-living items such as rocks, and it cannot determine the age of things older than 40,000–50,000 years. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

With reference to the Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system, consider the following statements:

1. It has been designed and developed by the DRDO.

2. It can be launched only from the coasts and not from the warships.

3. It comprises two-stage solid propulsion and precision inertial navigation.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

— The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested a next-generation torpedo release system designed to improve the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

— The DRDO designed and developed the SMART (Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo) system. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— This missile-based method for launching lightweight torpedoes can reach submarines hundreds of kilometres distant, significantly exceeding the normal range of lightweight torpedoes. It will be especially useful in the absence of other assets for fast action when an enemy submarine is discovered.

— The device, which can be launched from both coasts and warships. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The canister-based missile system consists of multiple advanced subsystems, including two-stage solid propulsion and precision inertial navigation. It carries a sophisticated lightweight torpedo missile and a parachute-based release mechanism. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Which of the following are the applications of the Lidar technology?

1. Mapping flood zones

2. Forest and tree studies

3. Mapping of the coastal zone

4. Archeology

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

— LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (or variable distances) of a sensor, usually mounted aboard an aircraft, to Earth’s surface.

— LiDAR data can be used to create high-resolution 3-D models of ground elevation with a vertical accuracy of upto 10 cm, according to the US Geological Survey.

Applications of LiDAR technology

— LiDAR is used to generate precise three-dimensional data about the Earth’s shape and surface properties. This is undoubtedly valuable information for geographers, policymakers, conservationists, and engineers. In recent years, however, LiDAR has demonstrated potential as an archaeological discovery tool.

— Mapping flood zones: The application was inspired by storms that struck North Carolina, revealing that the previous mapped flood zones were inadequate.

— Forest and Tree Studies

— Mapping the coastal zone is an application that demonstrates the usage of lidar data.

How does LiDAR work?

— A laser, a scanner, and a GPS receiver make up LiDAR apparatus. The quickly fired laser strikes the ground, hitting vegetation, buildings, and other topographic features. The LiDAR sensor detects and records reflected or scattered light.

— The system determines the distance between the terrain and the sensor by calculating the two-way travel time of the light pulses. It combines this information with Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Measurement System (IMS) data to generate an elevation map of Earth.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

The soil samples of the moon brought by Chang’e-5 mission found water molecules in lunar soil. The Chang’e-5 mission was launched by:

(a) Japan

(b) Russia

(c) United States

(d) China

Explanation

— According to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), scientists investigating lunar soil samples collected by the Chang’e-5 mission discovered water molecules.

— Based on lunar soil samples returned by the Chang’e-5 mission in 2020, Chinese scientists discovered a hydrated mineral “enriched” with molecular water, according to CAS.

— According to the Nature article, the paucity of returning lunar samples from high latitude and polar regions implies that “neither the origin nor the actual chemical form of lunar hydrogen has been determined”.

— In 2009, India’s Chandrayaan-1 mission discovered hydrated minerals in the form of oxygen and hydrogen molecules in bright lunar locations.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 95)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 94)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 94)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 94)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 94)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 94)

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