15 June 2023

MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS

Q1. Throw light on the major objectives and significant achievements of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). (250 Words)

Paper & Topic: GS III – Science and Technology

Model Answer:

• The Large Hadron Collider is a giant, complex machine built to study particles that are the smallest known building blocks of all things. Structurally, it is a 27-km-long track loop buried 100 metres underground. In its operational state, it fires two beams of protons almost at the speed of light in opposite directions inside a ring of superconducting electromagnets. Built by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) it is on the energy frontier of physics research, conducting experiments with highly energised particles.

Major objectives of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC):

• Many physicists hope that the Large Hadron Collider will help answer some of the fundamental open questions in physics, such as:
• The basic laws governing the interactions and forces among the elementary objects.
• The deep structure of space and time, and
• The interrelation between quantum mechanics and general relativity.
• Data is also needed from high-energy particle experiments to suggest which versions of current scientific models are more likely to be correct. In particular, to choose between the Standard Model and Higgs Less model to validate their predictions and allow for further theoretical development.
• The LHC’s goal is to allow physicists to test the predictions of different theories of particle physics, including measuring the properties of the Higgs boson, searching for the large family of new particles predicted by super-symmetric theories, and other unresolved questions in particle physics.

Significant Achievements/Findings of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC):

• Finding of quark-gluon plasma: In 2011, it was reported that quark-gluon plasma (the densest matter thought to exist besides black holes) had been created in the LHC.
• Discovery of Higgs boson: In 2012, scientists at CERN announced to the world the discovery of the Higgs boson or the ‘God Particle’ during the LHC’s first run. The discovery concluded the decades-long quest for the ‘force-carrying’ subatomic particle and proved the existence of the Higgs mechanism, a theory put forth in the mid-sixties.
• Pentaquarks and tetraquarks: Quarks are fundamental building blocks of matter. They are most commonly found inside protons and neutrons, the particles that make up the core of each atom in the universe. Using data generated from collision, physicists have observed exotic particles like pentaquarks and tetraquarks.
• Signs of new physics: After the discovery of the Higgs boson, scientists have started using the data collected as a tool to look beyond the Standard Model, which is currently the best theory of the elementary building blocks of the universe and their interactions. Scientists at CERN hope to use the collisions to further the understanding of so-called “dark matter”. This hard-to-detect, hoped-for particle is believed to make up most of the universe but is completely invisible as it does not absorb, reflect, or emit light.
• The Large Hadron Collider is an extraordinary scientific accomplishment. However, its operations require extensive cooperation from many individuals and organizations. Addressing the challenges linked to the LHC is key to improving our understanding of the universe.

Q2. Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) project is a step in the right direction for providing ‘the right to the Internet’ as a basic right to the citizens. In this light, discuss the importance of this project. (250 words)

Paper & Topic: GS II – Government Policies and Interventions

Model Answer:

• Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) is one of the flagship projects of the Kerala government, aimed at providing internet connections to 20 lakh below-poverty-line (BPL) households in the state and ensuring universal internet access. Kerala is the only state in India that has declared ‘the right to the Internet’ as a basic right of its citizens. Through KFON, the state aims to reduce the digital divide by ensuring high-speed broadband internet access to all houses and government offices.

Salient features of the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) project:

• KFON will act as an infrastructure provider. It is an optical fibre cable network of 30,000 km, with 375 Points-of-Presence across Kerala. The KFON infrastructure will be shared with all service providers, including cable operators.
• The KFON infrastructure will also benefit private service providers as they can use its cable network. Internet connectivity to the households would be provided by local (Internet service provider) ISP/cable TV providers.
• In the first stage of KFON, the government wants to provide connectivity to 30,000 government offices and 14,000 BPL families in the state.
• KFON promises an internet speed from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps. The quality of mobile phone calls is also expected to improve. Once KFON is connected to mobile towers in Kerala, it will speed up the transition to 4G and 5G.

Importance of the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) project:

• Addressing the digital divide: It refers to unequal access to digital technology, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and the internet. The digital divide creates a division and inequality in access to information and resources. KFON programme aims to address the digital divide in the state and accelerate Kerala’s journey towards being a knowledge-based economy.
• Affordable Internet services: KFON would make Internet access more affordable as the state government is effectively subsidising the infrastructure cost for ISPs and cable operators who can provide last-mile Internet connectivity, thus facilitating competition. Further, the extensive fibre optic network is also expected to greatly improve Internet speed, especially in rural areas.
• Development of Fibre infrastructure: The fibre infrastructure of telcos is quite limited in the state given the need for high investments. The project will allow telecom players to set up towers on government premises and utilise the KFON network available on such premises to fiberize them.
• Ensuring social justice: A major highlight of the KFON is that the government wants to ensure internet connection for 20 lakh families below the poverty line. Providing internet services to the poor would help in reducing inequality and ensure social justice.
• Boost to E-governance: The project aims to ensure a reliable, secure and scalable intranet connecting all government offices and educational institutions. The project will give a fillip to e-governance and would also give a push to the digitisation of government services for the people such as e-health programmes.
• Transition to 5G: The initiative also aims to augment the launch of 5G services in the state. At present, 80% of the towers are not fiberized, an issue for the 4G to 5G transition. High-speed wireless connectivity (3G/4G) is limited in rural areas, as more telecom towers need to be set up to provide such services. KFON is expected to solve this issue by connecting the nearly 8,000+ mobile towers in Kerala and significantly enhancing the mobile call quality and accelerating the transition to 5G.
• Therefore, the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) project recognises the right to the internet and allows citizens greater access to information for the creation of better life opportunities. Programmes like this can be replicated at the national level to bolster the digital economy and good governance.