UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India commits over 7 million Euros as co-partner in Elettra 2.0 in Italy for development of next-generation synchrotron beamlines: Dr. Jitendra Singh

Q1. With reference to the radiation produced at synchrotron light sources, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is emitted when charged particles moving at nearly the speed of light have their paths bent by magnetic fields.
  2. Like the glow of a heated filament, its intensity is governed mainly by the temperature of the emitting source.
  3. It spans a broad continuous range of wavelengths, from which a particular wavelength can be selected for an experiment.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Electrons circulating in a synchrotron storage ring keep emitting radiation even though their speed stays nearly constant.
  2. A change in the direction of motion of a charged particle is an acceleration, and accelerated charges radiate electromagnetic energy.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. With reference to X-ray diffraction by crystals, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Crystals diffract X-rays because the regular spacing between their atoms is comparable to X-ray wavelengths.
  2. Waves reflected from neighbouring planes of atoms reinforce one another only when their path difference is a whole number of wavelengths.
  3. The pattern of diffracted beams can be used to work back to the arrangement of atoms inside the crystal.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q4. A synchrotron offers both a beamline for macromolecular crystallography and a beamline for high-pressure diffraction. Consider the following research problems: Which of the above problems are best addressed by high-pressure diffraction rather than by macromolecular crystallography?

  1. Mapping where an antiviral compound attaches on a viral protein
  2. Determining how the crystal structure of a silicate mineral changes under conditions found in Earth's mantle
  3. Determining the folded three-dimensional shape of an antibody
  4. Testing whether a hydrogen-rich compound turns into a new superconducting phase on compression
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q5. With reference to the diamond-anvil cell used in high-pressure research, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Squeezing a sample between the small flat tips of two diamonds turns a modest applied force into a very high pressure.
  2. Because diamond is transparent to X-rays and visible light, the sample can be examined while it is held under pressure.
  3. Because the anvils are tiny, these cells reach far lower pressures than large-volume hydraulic presses.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1 only

Q6. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. As an Associate Member State of CERN, India votes in CERN Council decisions on the same footing as full Member States.
  2. India's associate membership of CERN enhances the participation of young Indian scientists and engineers in CERN projects.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct