66 practice questions on Energy Technology from the Science & Technology section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus.
66 come with a written explanation and 20 are actual previous year questions.
Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.
15 Easy42 Medium9 Hard20 from past papers
Sample questions
Q1
Previous year questionhard
Consider the following substances :
I. Ethanol
II. Nitroglycerine
III. Urea
Coal gasification technology can be used in the production of how many of them?
AOnly one
BOnly two
CAll the three
DNone
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - Only two
Coal gasification produces synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, which can be converted into ethanol and, via ammonia synthesis, into urea fertilizer. Nitroglycerine is produced by nitrating glycerol with acids and is not a product of coal gasification. Hence coal gasification can be used to make only two of the listed substances.
Q2
Previous year questionmedium
In the context of which one of the following are the terms 'pyrolysis and plasma gasification' mentioned?
AExtraction of rare earth elements
BNatural gas extraction technologies
CHydrogen fuel-based automobiles
DWaste-to-energy technologies
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - Waste-to-energy technologies
Pyrolysis and plasma gasification are thermal treatment routes for municipal and industrial solid waste. Pyrolysis decomposes organic waste at high temperature in the absence of oxygen to yield fuel gas, oil and char, while plasma gasification uses extremely high temperature plasma arcs to convert waste into syngas and inert slag, so both are waste-to-energy technologies. Rare earth extraction relies on mining and chemical separation processes, not these techniques. Natural gas is extracted through drilling and hydraulic fracturing, and hydrogen vehicles run on fuel cells; neither context uses these two terms as a pair.
Q3
Previous year questionmedium
With reference to solar water pumps, consider the following statements:
1. Solar power can be used for running surface pumps and not for submersible pumps.
2. Solar power can be used for running centrifugal pumps and not the ones with piston.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - Neither 1 nor 2
Statement 1 is wrong because solar power can run both surface pumps and submersible pumps; solar submersible pumps are commonly deployed for deep borewells. Statement 2 is wrong because solar energy can drive both centrifugal pumps and positive-displacement piston pumps, the choice depending on head and flow requirements rather than the energy source. Since solar power is not restricted to any one of these pump types, both statements are incorrect. Hence neither 1 nor 2 is correct.
Q4
Previous year questionmedium
In India, cluster bean (Guar) is traditionally used as a vegetable or animal feed, but recently the cultivation of this has assumed significance. Which one of the following statements is correct in this context?
AThe oil extracted from seeds is used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics
BThe gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas
CThe leaf extract of this plant has the properties of antihistamines.
DIt is a source of high quality biodiesel
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - The gum made from its seeds is used in the extraction of shale gas
The gum made from cluster bean (guar) seeds is used in hydraulic fracturing to help extract shale gas, which drove a surge in guar cultivation and exports. Option (a) is wrong as guar is not a feedstock for biodegradable plastics, option (c) is wrong as it is not noted for antihistamine leaf extracts, and option (d) is wrong as guar is not a biodiesel source. Hence the gum is used in shale gas extraction.
Q5
Previous year questioneasy
Consider the following types of vehicles :
I. Full battery electric vehicles
II. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
III. Fuel cell-electric hybrid vehicles
How many of the above are considered as alternative powertrain vehicles?
AOnly one
BOnly two
CAll the three
DNone
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C - All the three
Alternative powertrain vehicles are those that do not rely on conventional internal combustion engines. Full battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and fuel cell-electric hybrids all use electric or fuel-cell drivetrains instead of petrol or diesel engines, so all three qualify. Hence all the three are alternative powertrain vehicles.
Q6
Previous year questionmedium
With reference to street-lighting, how do sodium lamps differ from LED lamps?
1. Sodium lamps produce light in 360 degrees but it is not so in the case of LED lamps.
2. As street-lights, sodium lamps have longer life span than LED lamps.
3. The spectrum of visible light from sodium lamps is almost monochromatic while LED lamps offer significant colour advantages in street-lighting.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A3 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C - 1 and 3 only
A sodium lamp's bare bulb radiates light in all directions (about 360 degrees) whereas an LED is directional, so statement 1 is correct. Statement 3 is also correct: low-pressure sodium light is nearly monochromatic yellow, while LEDs can be tuned for far better colour rendering in street lighting. Statement 2 is false because LEDs actually have a much longer service life than sodium lamps, not shorter. Therefore only 1 and 3 are correct, option (c).
Q7
Previous year questionmedium
With reference to solar power production in India, consider the following statements:
1. India is the third largest in the world in the manufacture of silicon wafers used in photovoltaic units.
2. The solar power tariffs are determined by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - Neither 1 nor 2
Neither statement is correct. Statement 1 is wrong because India is not the third largest manufacturer of silicon wafers; it actually depends heavily on imports, mainly from China, for solar cells and wafers, with very limited domestic wafer manufacturing. Statement 2 is wrong because solar power tariffs are discovered through competitive bidding and auctions, and regulatory determination of tariffs rests with the Central and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, not with the Solar Energy Corporation of India, which acts as an implementing and trading agency. Since both statements are incorrect, the answer is neither 1 nor 2.
Q8
Previous year questionmedium
With reference to technologies for solar power production, consider the following statements: 1. ‘Photovoltaics’ is a technology that generates electricity by direct conversion of light into electricity, while ‘Solar Thermal’ is a technology that utilizes the Sun’s rays to generate heat which is further used in electricity generation process. 2. Photovoltaics generates Alternating Current (AC), while Solar Thermal generates Direct Current (DC). 3. India has manufacturing base for Solar Thermal technology, but not for Photovoltaics. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1, 2 and 3
DNone
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A - 1 only
Statement 1 correctly distinguishes photovoltaics, which converts light directly into electricity, from solar thermal, which uses the Sun's heat to drive electricity generation, so it is correct. Statement 2 is wrong because photovoltaic cells generate Direct Current, not Alternating Current. Statement 3 is wrong because India has a manufacturing base for photovoltaic cells and modules. Hence 1 only.
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