Q1. What is the Goldilocks zone, also known as the habitable zone, in the context of astronomy?
(a) The Goldilocks zone is the region of space where aliens, like Goldilocks, are most likely to visit Earth.
(b) It refers to a region in a galaxy where planets made of solid gold are most likely to be found.
(c) The Goldilocks zone is the region around a star where conditions are just right for the existence of liquid water and potentially life as we know it.
(d) It is the region of a galaxy where the temperature is too extreme for any form of life to exist.
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- Context: Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered methane and carbon dioxide on the exoplanet K2-18 b.
- The Goldilocks zone, also known as the habitable zone, is the region around a star where the conditions are not too hot or too cold but just right for liquid water to exist on the surface of a planet. Liquid water is considered a crucial ingredient for the development of life as we know it, so the Goldilocks zone is often seen as the region where the conditions for life are optimal.
Q2. Which of the following statements about the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is correct?
(a) JWST is a ground-based observatory located on Earth’s surface.
(b) It is primarily designed to study the Earth’s atmosphere.
(c) JWST is the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, designed for observations in the visible and ultraviolet wavelengths.
(d) The primary objective of JWST is to study the Sun.
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- Context: Scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered methane and carbon dioxide on the exoplanet K2-18 b.
- JWST is indeed the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, but it is designed to observe the universe in the infrared spectrum, which allows it to see through dust clouds and study objects that emit primarily in the infrared, such as early galaxies and protoplanetary disks.
Q3. Consider the following statements about Mercury:
- Mercury is the largest planet in our solar system.
- It has a thick, breathable atmosphere.
- Mercury experiences extreme temperature variations between day and night.
- Mercury is the only planet in the solar system without any moons.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Ans: (a)
Explanation:
- S1: This statement is incorrect. Mercury is not the largest planet in our solar system. It is actually the smallest of the eight planets.
- S2: This statement is also incorrect. Mercury has a very thin and almost negligible atmosphere, so it does not have a thick, breathable atmosphere like Earth.
- S3: This statement is correct. Mercury experiences some of the most extreme temperature variations in our solar system. During the day, its surface can get extremely hot, reaching temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit (430 degrees Celsius) due to its proximity to the Sun. At night, it can become extremely cold, dropping to as low as -290 degrees Fahrenheit (-180 degrees Celsius) because it lacks a significant atmosphere to retain heat.
- S4: This statement is correct. Mercury is the only one of the eight major planets in our solar system that does not have any natural moons or satellites.
Q4. Which of the following statements about the “One Health Approach” is correct?
(a) One Health focuses solely on human health and ignores the well-being of animals and the environment.
(b) The One Health Approach emphasizes the separation of human, animal, and environmental health concerns.
(c) One Health recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
(d) One Health is primarily concerned with promoting economic growth in the healthcare sector.
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- The One Health Approach is based on the understanding that human health is intimately linked to the health of animals and the health of the environment. It emphasizes the need for collaboration among multiple disciplines, including medicine, veterinary science, environmental science, and others, to address health challenges effectively.
Q5. With reference to the “Visible Light Communication” technology, Which of the following statements are correct?
- VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780 nm.
- VLC is known as long range optical wireless communication.
- VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than bluetooth.
- VLC has no electromagnetic interference.
Select the correct answer using the given code below-
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Ans: (c)
Explanation:
- S1 and S2: Visible light communication (VLC) is a data communications variant which uses visible light between 400 and 800 THz (780–375 nm). VLC is a subset of optical wireless communications technologies. But, it is short-range communication. So, S2 is wrong.
- S3: The technology uses fluorescent lamps to transmit signals at 10 kbit/s, or LEDs for up to 500 Mbit/s over short distances. But, types of VLC such as Li-Fi can transmit signals at several MBps, much faster than Bluetooth which can transfer only upto 25 Mbit/s, so 3 is correct.
- Also, aside from the size of the visible light spectrum, light travels 186,000 miles per second, which is way faster than the 344 meters per second traveled by radio waves in air (used by Bluetooth). See this piece as well which claims VLC is a fast way of transmitting the internet https://www.ee.ucl.ac.uk/pilab/research-1/visible-light-communications
- S4: Visible Light Communication (VLC) is a preferred communication technique because of its high bandwidth and immunity to interference from electromagnetic sources. So, 4 is correct.
