BPSC Prelims 2023 Science and Technology Questions with Solutions

Explanation

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, inaugurated the first greenfield airport in Arunachal Pradesh, named Donyi Polo Airport. This significant infrastructure project is located at Hollongi, which is near Itanagar, the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh. The inauguration took place in November 2022, marking a major boost to connectivity in the northeastern region.

Explanation

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) approved the Himalayan yak as a 'food animal' in November 2022. This decision was made to help prevent the decline in the animal's population by making yak rearing more economically viable for farmers living in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayan range. Recognizing it as a food animal aims to integrate it into the mainstream food system and promote its conservation.

Explanation

India's first floating solar power plant in the state of Bihar was established and inaugurated in Kadirabad, which is located in the Darbhanga district. The 2 MW floating solar power plant was unveiled in November 2022. This initiative is part of Bihar's efforts to enhance its renewable energy capacity and contribute to sustainable development.

Explanation

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the state-of-the-art 'PARAM KAMRUPA' Supercomputer facility at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati. This inauguration occurred in October 2022 as part of the National Supercomputing Mission. The facility aims to boost research and development in various scientific and engineering disciplines.

Explanation

The 90th Indian Air Force Day parade and air display were held on October 8, 2022, in Chandigarh. The spectacular hour-long air show, featuring eighty aircraft, was specifically carried out over Sukhna Lake, a prominent landmark in Chandigarh. This marked a historic occasion as it was the first time the annual celebration was hosted outside the Hindon Airbase in Ghaziabad.

Explanation

China launched its third and final module for the Tiangong space station, named Mengtian, on October 31, 2022. Mengtian, which translates to "dreaming of the heavens," is a laboratory module designed for scientific experiments and completing the T-shaped structure of the space station. Tianhe was the core module, and Wentian was the first laboratory module.

Explanation

The theme for World Space Week in 2022 was "Space and Sustainability." This theme highlighted the importance of space activities for achieving sustainability on Earth, including observing climate change and managing natural resources, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices in outer space itself to ensure its long-term use. The annual event celebrates the contributions of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.

Explanation

In December 2022, scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California, USA, announced a historic breakthrough in nuclear fusion research. For the first time, their National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved net energy gain from a fusion reaction, meaning the fusion experiment produced more energy than was delivered to the target. This milestone is a significant step towards developing fusion as a clean energy source.

Explanation

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully utilized a water propulsion system, named "AQUARIUS," on its EQUULEUS (EQUilibriUm Lunar-Earth point 6U Spacecraft) probe. EQUULEUS was launched as a secondary payload on NASA's Artemis 1 mission in November 2022. JAXA announced the successful operation of the steam propulsion system for orbital maneuvers in late 2022, marking a significant achievement in space propulsion technology.

Explanation

Tesla unveiled a prototype of its humanoid robot, named Optimus, during its AI Day event held on September 30, 2022. The company showcased the robot's capabilities, including walking independently and performing various tasks. This public debut marked a significant step in Tesla's ambitions for developing autonomous humanoid robots for general-purpose work.

Explanation

Bihar's first floating solar power plant was established in Kadirabad, located in the Darbhanga district. This 2 MW capacity plant was inaugurated in July 2022. It was constructed on a pond owned by the Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL) at the Kadirabad power station, marking a significant stride in the state's renewable energy initiatives.

Explanation

When thin strips of black paint are applied to a convex lens, it reduces the effective area of the lens available for light transmission. While this reduction in aperture decreases the total amount of light rays reaching the image plane, each unobstructed part of the lens is still capable of forming a complete image. Therefore, a complete image of the white horse will still be formed, but because less light passes through the lens, the image will appear less bright or have reduced intensity. The strips do not alter the shape or color of the image.

Explanation

The shrillness of a sound, also known as its pitch, is directly determined by its frequency. A higher frequency corresponds to a shriller sound, while a lower frequency results in a flatter sound. In a given medium, the velocity of sound is constant, and frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength (frequency = velocity / wavelength). Therefore, a shorter wavelength corresponds to a higher frequency, which in turn means a shriller sound. Hence, wavelength indirectly but definitively determines shrillness.

Explanation

Photodiodes are highly suitable for digital applications due to their fast response time, sensitivity to light, and ease of integration into electronic circuits to detect light pulses or changes in intensity, providing a clear digital signal. Photoemitters, typically used in photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), are also highly suitable for digital applications requiring extremely high sensitivity and speed, such as photon counting. Given that both photodiodes are widely used and photoemitters are suitable for specialized digital applications, "More than one of the above" is the correct choice.

Explanation

Ball bearings are designed to minimize friction in rotating machinery. They achieve this by converting sliding friction, which occurs between two surfaces rubbing against each other, into rolling friction. Rolling friction is significantly less than static or sliding friction, allowing for smoother movement and reducing energy loss in mechanical systems. This conversion makes it much easier to move heavy loads with less effort.

Explanation

When a goalkeeper pulls their hands backwards after catching a fast-moving ball, they increase the time duration over which the ball's momentum changes. According to Newton's second law of motion (F = Δp/Δt, where F is force, Δp is change in momentum, and Δt is time), increasing the time (Δt) for a given change in momentum (Δp) results in a decrease in the average force (F) exerted on the goalkeeper's hands. This decreases the rate of change of momentum, reducing the impact and preventing injury.

Explanation

Alpha rays are streams of alpha particles, which are essentially helium nuclei. Each alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons. Since protons carry a positive charge and neutrons are neutral, an alpha particle has a net positive charge of +2 elementary charges. Beta rays are typically negatively charged electrons (beta-minus particles) or positively charged positrons (beta-plus particles), while cathode rays are streams of negatively charged electrons.

Explanation

Centripetal force is a force that acts on a body moving in a circular path and is directed towards the center of the circle. Its primary function is to continuously change the direction of the body's velocity, thereby keeping it moving along the circular path. Without a centripetal force, a body in motion would continue in a straight line according to Newton's first law of motion, moving tangentially to the circular path.

Explanation

Frictional force opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. When an object moves against friction, work is done against this resistive force. This work is not stored but is dissipated, primarily converted into heat energy. For example, when brakes are applied, the kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted into heat due to friction between the brake pads and rotors. This is a common phenomenon observed in daily life, such as rubbing hands together to generate warmth.

Explanation

When a bus takes a sharp turn to the right, the passengers' bodies tend to continue moving in their original straight path due to inertia. This resistance to the change in direction relative to the bus causes them to be pushed or feel a bend towards the left side. This phenomenon is an everyday example of Newton's First Law of Motion.

Explanation

By adjusting the tension and plucking the string of a sitar, the sitarist is primarily altering the string's frequency. The frequency of a vibrating string determines the pitch of the sound produced. To play in harmony with other instruments in an orchestra, it is essential to adjust the sitar's string frequency to match or be in specific harmonic relationships with the frequencies of the other musical instruments. This process is known as tuning.

Explanation

The description "no fixed shape but it has a fixed volume" accurately defines the properties of a liquid. Liquids take the shape of their container but maintain a constant volume. Among the given options, kerosene is a liquid. Krypton is a gas, which has neither a fixed shape nor a fixed volume, while carbon steel is a solid, possessing both a fixed shape and a fixed volume.

Explanation

Amphoteric oxides are metal oxides that exhibit both acidic and basic properties, meaning they can react with both acids and bases to produce salt and water. Among the given options, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are well-known examples of amphoteric oxides. Copper oxide (CuO), on the other hand, is a basic oxide and primarily reacts with acids, not bases.

Explanation

When an acid reacts with a metal carbonate, the products are typically a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas. This is a common characteristic reaction of acids with carbonates. For example, the reaction of hydrochloric acid (HCl) with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) produces calcium chloride (CaCl₂), water (H₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas.

Explanation

The chemical formula HOOCCOOH represents oxalic acid. It is the simplest dicarboxylic acid, consisting of two carboxyl (-COOH) groups directly bonded to each other. Acetic acid has the formula CH₃COOH, and carbonic acid is H₂CO₃.

Explanation

Red litmus paper is an indicator used to identify basic solutions. Basic solutions turn red litmus paper blue. Acidic solutions, on the other hand, turn blue litmus paper red, while distilled water is neutral and does not cause a color change in either red or blue litmus paper.

Explanation

Acetic acid is the primary component that gives vinegar its distinctive sour taste and pungent smell. Vinegar typically contains about 4-8% acetic acid by volume. Therefore, the characteristic odour of acetic acid is essentially the same as that of vinegar.

Explanation

For an acid to show its acidic properties, it must ionize in the presence of water to produce hydrogen ions (H⁺). These H⁺ ions then combine with water molecules to form hydronium ions (H₃O⁺). Litmus paper changes color in response to the presence of these H₃O⁺ ions. Dry HCl gas, without water, does not produce H⁺ or H₃O⁺ ions and therefore does not exhibit acidic behavior or change the color of dry litmus paper.

Explanation

The setting of cement is primarily a hydration reaction, where cement compounds react with water to form a hardened mass. In contrast, the burning of coal is a combustion reaction, which is an oxidation process requiring oxygen from the air. Similarly, the ripening of fruit involves complex enzymatic processes, many of which are oxidative and dependent on oxygen for aerobic respiration. Therefore, setting of cement is distinct as its primary chemical change is hydration, while the other two are heavily reliant on atmospheric oxygen for their main chemical transformations.

Explanation

Diamond and graphite are allotropes of carbon but possess vastly different properties due to their distinct atomic structures. Diamond has a tetrahedral crystal structure with strong covalent bonds in all directions, making it exceptionally hard and an electrical insulator. Graphite, on the other hand, has a layered hexagonal structure with weak forces between layers, making it soft and a good electrical conductor due to delocalized electrons within its layers. Therefore, they do not have the same crystal structure, hardness, or electrical conductivity, rendering options A, B, and C false.

Explanation

The opening and closing of stomata are primarily regulated by the turgor pressure within the guard cells surrounding the stomatal pore. When guard cells absorb water, their turgor pressure increases, causing them to swell and buckle, which opens the stomata. Conversely, when guard cells lose water, their turgor pressure decreases, they become flaccid, and the stomata close. Thus, the amount of water in the guard cells directly dictates stomatal movement.

Explanation

Chlorophyll, the primary photosynthetic pigment in plants, absorbs specific wavelengths of sunlight for energy conversion. It strongly absorbs light in the blue-violet region (approximately 400-500 nm) and the red region (approximately 600-700 nm) of the visible spectrum. The green wavelengths (around 500-600 nm) are largely reflected, which is why plants typically appear green to our eyes.

Explanation

The statement "Thick, hard stem with branching near base" is not a correct description for a tree. Trees are typically characterized by a single, prominent woody stem or trunk that usually branches significantly higher above the ground. Plants that have multiple woody stems branching out from the base are generally classified as shrubs. Options B and C are correct descriptions: a creeper indeed has a weak stem that cannot stand upright, and the petiole is the stalk that attaches a leaf to the stem.

Explanation

Transpiration is the process where water vapor exits plant leaves, creating a negative pressure in the xylem vessels. This negative pressure generates a powerful suction force, known as the transpiration pull, which draws water upwards from the roots through the stem and into the leaves. This continuous column of water, maintained by cohesion and adhesion, allows water to reach even the tallest parts of trees against gravity.

Explanation

Chloroplasts are semi-autonomous organelles capable of self-replication because they possess their own genetic material. This includes both circular DNA and all the necessary RNA molecules (rRNA, tRNA, mRNA) required for transcription and translation. The presence of this independent genetic and protein-synthesizing machinery enables chloroplasts to divide and produce new chloroplasts within the plant cell, contributing to their ability to multiply.

Explanation

Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that is not as rigid or hard as bone due to its lower mineral content. It provides flexible support and cushioning in various parts of the body, such as the nose, ears, and joints. Its elastic nature allows it to be bent and deformed, distinguishing it from the more inflexible bone tissue.

Explanation

Lichens represent a symbiotic association between two different organisms: a fungus and a photosynthetic partner. The chlorophyll-containing partner is typically an alga (either green alga or blue-green alga, also known as cyanobacterium), which produces food through photosynthesis. The fungus provides protection and absorbs water and minerals, making this a mutualistic relationship where both partners benefit.

Explanation

Female Anopheles mosquitoes can be visually distinguished from female Culex mosquitoes by their resting posture. Anopheles typically rests with its body held at a distinct angle to the surface it is sitting on, giving it a characteristic "head-standing" appearance. In contrast, Culex mosquitoes usually rest with their body parallel to the resting surface.

Explanation

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that are fundamental to the adaptive immune system. They include B cells and T cells, which are responsible for recognizing specific pathogens, producing antibodies, and directly killing infected cells. These specialized functions make lymphocytes the most important cell type associated with the body's specific immunity, distinguishing them from other blood components like platelets (clotting) and red blood cells (oxygen transport).

Explanation

Muscles in the human body are designed to pull bones, not push them. When a muscle contracts, it shortens and exerts a pulling force on the tendons, which are attached to bones, thereby causing movement at a joint. To move a bone in the opposite direction, a different muscle (an antagonistic muscle) must contract and pull it back. This fundamental principle of muscle action makes the statement that muscles can only push the bone incorrect.

Explanation

The coding language follows a pattern based on the alphabetical position of letters (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26) and their position within the word. For letters at odd positions (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) in the word, the code is derived by taking the reverse alphabetical position (26 - alphabetical position + 1) and adding 1 to it. For letters at even positions (2nd, 4th, etc.) in the word, the code is simply the alphabetical position of the letter plus 1.

Applying this rule to GUIDE: G (1st, odd position): (26 - 7 + 1) + 1 = 20 + 1 = 21 U (2nd, even position): 21 + 1 = 22 I (3rd, odd position): (26 - 9 + 1) + 1 = 18 + 1 = 19 D (4th, even position): 4 + 1 = 5 E (5th, odd position): (26 - 5 + 1) + 1 = 22 + 1 = 23 Concatenating these codes gives 212219523.

Explanation

The most logical and meaningful order for these words, starting from an existing base and moving towards refinement and new application, can be interpreted as follows: Technology (2) often forms the existing framework or set of tools. Understanding or advancing this requires delving into its underlying Science (1). This scientific inquiry then leads to focused Research (4). The outcomes of this research can spark Innovation (3), introducing new ideas or methods. Finally, these innovations are implemented and brought to fruition through Development (5). Thus, the sequence is 2, 1, 4, 3, 5.

Explanation

The word 'DIARY' consists of 5 distinct letters: D, I, A, R, Y. The question asks for the number of different "words" (permutations) that can be formed using all these letters, regardless of meaning. The number of permutations of n distinct items is given by n!. In this case, n = 5, so the number of words is 5! = 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 120. Since 120 is not listed as options A, B, or C, the correct answer is E) None of the above.

Explanation

The pattern in the given alternatives relates the first and third numbers in each row to the middle number. The rule is (First Number - Third Number) 7 = Middle Number. For the first row, (44 - 37) = 7, and 7 7 = 49. For the third row, (58 - 53) = 5, and 5 7 = 35. Applying this same pattern to the second row, we calculate the difference between the first and third numbers: (52 - 41) = 11. Multiplying this difference by 7 yields the missing number: 11 7 = 77.

Explanation

The given series is 128, 140, 152, 164, ?. To identify the pattern, we find the difference between consecutive terms. The difference between 140 and 128 is 12. Similarly, the difference between 152 and 140 is 12, and the difference between 164 and 152 is also 12. This establishes that the series is an arithmetic progression with a constant common difference of 12. To find the next term, we add 12 to the last number in the series: 164 + 12 = 176. As 176 is not listed in options A, B, or C, the correct answer is E) None of the above.

Explanation

5G mobile communication networks are designed to be foundational for several advanced technologies due to their high bandwidth, low latency, and massive connectivity capabilities. The Internet of Things (IoT) will be profoundly enabled by 5G, allowing countless devices to communicate efficiently. Edge Computing, which brings computation closer to the data source, is critical for 5G to achieve ultra-low latency and support real-time applications. Network Slicing, a core 5G feature, permits the creation of customized virtual networks on a shared infrastructure, catering to diverse service requirements. Therefore, all three technologies—Internet of Things, Edge Computing, and Network Slicing—are integral to and enabled by 5G networks.

Explanation

The correct matches between the space missions in List-I and their explorations in List-II are as follows: a. Cassini-Huygens was a mission primarily to explore Saturn and its rings (2). b. Juno is a current mission specifically designed to orbit and study Jupiter (1). c. Artemis is NASA's program focused on human space-flight to return to the Moon and eventually Mars (4). d. VERITAS is a planned NASA mission to investigate the surface and geological history of Venus (3). Thus, the correct combination is a-2, b-1, c-4, d-3.

Explanation

Taeniasis is an intestinal infection caused by specific species of tapeworms, namely Taenia solium, Taenia saginata, and Taenia asiatica. When the larvae of Taenia solium, commonly known as the pork tapeworm, form cysts in various tissues including the brain, the resulting condition is known as neurocysticercosis (NCC). Both statements accurately describe these medical conditions.

Explanation

All options listed are recognized computer programming languages. Cobra is an object-oriented programming language. Python is a widely used high-level, general-purpose programming language. Squirrel is a high-level imperative programming language often used in video game development and embedded systems. Java is a popular, class-based, object-oriented programming language used for a wide range of applications.

Explanation

In the context of ChatGPT, GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer. ChatGPT is a large language model developed by OpenAI, and the 'GPT' component refers to the underlying architecture and training methodology of these advanced AI models, which are designed to generate human-like text after being pre-trained on vast amounts of data.