Topics / Sci & Tech
Physics Heat Optics
Asked 19 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2021
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All 19 questions
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In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following? 1. Area of the hole in the lid 2. Temperature of the flame 3. Weight of the lid
2021Sci & Tech
In a pressure cooker, the temperature at which the food is cooked depends mainly upon which of the following? 1. Area of the hole in the lid 2. Temperature of the flame 3. Weight of the lid
Explanation
The temperature at which food is cooked in a pressure cooker depends mainly on the area of the hole in the lid, the temperature of the flame, and the weight of the lid. These factors collectively affect the pressure inside the cooker, which in turn influences the boiling point of water and the cooking temperature.
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.
2021Sci & Tech
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.
Explanation
Sodium lamps emit light in a 360-degree pattern, while LED lamps emit light directionally. Sodium lamps produce almost monochromatic light, whereas LED lamps offer a wider spectrum of visible light, providing significant color advantages in street-lighting.
With reference to visible light communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct? 1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780nm 2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless communication 3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth 4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference. Select the correct answer using the code given below
2020Sci & Tech
With reference to visible light communication (VLC) technology, which of the following statements are correct? 1. VLC uses electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths 375 to 780nm 2. VLC is known as long-range optical wireless communication 3. VLC can transmit large amounts of data faster than Bluetooth 4. VLC has no electromagnetic interference. Select the correct answer using the code given below
Explanation
Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology utilizes wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum from 375 to 780nm. VLC is a form of optical wireless communication that can transmit large amounts of data quickly, outperforming Bluetooth in speed. Unlike some other wireless technologies, VLC is not affected by electromagnetic interference. Therefore, the correct statements are 1, 3, and 4, making the answer option (c).
Consider the following phenomena: 1) Size of the sun at dusk 2) Colour of the sun at dawn 3) Moon being visible at dawn 4) Twinkle of stars in the sky 5) Polestar being visible in the sky. Which of the above are optical illusions?
2013Sci & Tech
Consider the following phenomena: 1) Size of the sun at dusk 2) Colour of the sun at dawn 3) Moon being visible at dawn 4) Twinkle of stars in the sky 5) Polestar being visible in the sky. Which of the above are optical illusions?
Explanation
In the given list of phenomena, the size of the sun at dusk, the color of the sun at dawn, and the twinkle of stars in the sky are all optical illusions. The size of the sun at dusk appears larger due to atmospheric refraction, the color of the sun at dawn looks yellow because of scattering, and the twinkling of stars is also an optical illusion.
Which one of the following types of waves are used in a night vision apparatus?
2009Sci & Tech
Which one of the following types of waves are used in a night vision apparatus?
Explanation
In a night vision apparatus, infra-red waves are utilized to enable vision in complete darkness and improve visibility in low-light conditions.
Which one of the following types of glass can cut off ultraviolet rays?
2007Sci & Tech
Which one of the following types of glass can cut off ultraviolet rays?
Explanation
Crookes glass is the type of glass that can block ultraviolet rays because it is made with cerium and rare earth elements that absorb this type of radiation.
Consider the following statements: 1) Steam at 100°C and boiling water at 100°C contain same amount of heat. 2) Latent heat of fusion of ice is equal to the latent heat of vaporization of water. 3) In an air-conditioner, heat is extracted from the room air at the evaporator coils and is rejected out at the condenser coils. Which of these statements is/are correct?
2003Sci & Tech
Consider the following statements: 1) Steam at 100°C and boiling water at 100°C contain same amount of heat. 2) Latent heat of fusion of ice is equal to the latent heat of vaporization of water. 3) In an air-conditioner, heat is extracted from the room air at the evaporator coils and is rejected out at the condenser coils. Which of these statements is/are correct?
Explanation
In an air-conditioner, heat is taken out from the room air at the evaporator coils and released outside at the condenser coils. This process helps in cooling the room and removing humidity. So, the correct statement is only statement 3.
Assertion (A): With the increase of temperature, the viscosity of glycerine increases. Reason (R): Rise of temperature increases kinetic energy of molecules.
2002Sci & Tech
Assertion (A): With the increase of temperature, the viscosity of glycerine increases. Reason (R): Rise of temperature increases kinetic energy of molecules.
Explanation
Explanation: The statement made in Assertion is incorrect. When the temperature of a liquid like glycerine increases, its viscosity actually decreases rather than increases. This is due to the fact that as temperature rises, the kinetic energy of the molecules in the liquid also increases, leading to a decrease in viscosity and an increase in fluidity.
A hollow sphere of radius R, a hollow cube of side R and a thin circular plate of radius R, made up of the same material, are all heated to 20°C above room temperature. When left to cool in the room, which of them will reach the room temperature first?
2002Sci & Tech
A hollow sphere of radius R, a hollow cube of side R and a thin circular plate of radius R, made up of the same material, are all heated to 20°C above room temperature. When left to cool in the room, which of them will reach the room temperature first?
Explanation
In this scenario, the hollow sphere, hollow cube, and thin circular plate, all made of the same material and heated to 20°C above room temperature, are left to cool in the room. The sphere will reach room temperature first due to its maximum surface area, as heat loss is directly related to surface area.
Consider the following natural phenomena: 1) Terrestrial heating 2) Reflection of light 3) Refraction of light 4) Diffraction of light. Due to which of these phenomena is a mirage formed?
2002Sci & Tech
Consider the following natural phenomena: 1) Terrestrial heating 2) Reflection of light 3) Refraction of light 4) Diffraction of light. Due to which of these phenomena is a mirage formed?
Explanation
In the natural world, various phenomena like terrestrial heating, reflection of light, refraction of light, and diffraction of light occur. A mirage is formed due to the combination of terrestrial heating and refraction of light. When the ground heats up, it causes the air above it to become warmer and less dense, leading to the refraction of light rays and the creation of a mirage.
Assertion (A): A piece of copper and a piece of glass are heated to the same temperature. When touched, thereafter, the copper piece appears hotter than the glass piece. Reason (R): The density of copper is more than that of glass.
2001Sci & Tech
Assertion (A): A piece of copper and a piece of glass are heated to the same temperature. When touched, thereafter, the copper piece appears hotter than the glass piece. Reason (R): The density of copper is more than that of glass.
Explanation
Both Assertion and Reason are correct. When both a piece of copper and a piece of glass are heated to the same temperature, the copper piece feels hotter to touch than the glass piece. This is because copper, being a metal, is a better conductor of heat compared to glass, which is a poor conductor. The reason for the difference in perceived temperature is due to the varying thermal conductivity of the materials.
When water is heated from 0°C to 10°C. Its volume:
2001Sci & Tech
When water is heated from 0°C to 10°C. Its volume:
Explanation
When water is heated from 0°C to 10°C, its volume first decreases from 0°C to 4°C due to contraction. This initial decrease is followed by an increase in volume beyond 4°C to 10°C as the water molecules gain kinetic energy and move more randomly.
When light waves pass from air to glass, the variables affected are:
2001Sci & Tech
When light waves pass from air to glass, the variables affected are:
Explanation
When light waves transition from air to glass, the properties that change are wavelength and velocity.
Endoscopy, a technique used in medical diagnosis, is based on the phenomenon of
2000Sci & Tech
Endoscopy, a technique used in medical diagnosis, is based on the phenomenon of
Explanation
Endoscopy is a medical diagnostic technique that involves using an endoscope to look inside the body by utilizing the principle of total internal reflection of light.
When a CD (compact disc used in audio and video systems) is seen in sunlight, rainbow like colours are seen. This can be explained on the basis of the phenomenon of:
2000Sci & Tech
When a CD (compact disc used in audio and video systems) is seen in sunlight, rainbow like colours are seen. This can be explained on the basis of the phenomenon of:
Explanation
When sunlight falls on a CD, rainbow-like colors are observed due to the presence of a clear plastic coating on the surface. This phenomenon can be explained by the combined effects of refraction, diffraction, and transmission of light through the CD.
Strips of two metals A and B are firmly jointed together as shown in the figure. On heating, A expands more than B does. If this jointed strip is heated, then it will appear as:
1999Sci & Tech
Strips of two metals A and B are firmly jointed together as shown in the figure. On heating, A expands more than B does. If this jointed strip is heated, then it will appear as:
Explanation
In this situation, when strips of metals A and B are joined together and heated, metal A expands more than metal B. As a result, the jointed strip will bend downward. This is because the volume expansion of metal A is greater than that of metal B when the same amount of heat is applied.
Low temperatures (cryogenics) find application in:
1999Sci & Tech
Low temperatures (cryogenics) find application in:
Explanation
Cryogenics, a field of physics, focuses on achieving extremely low temperatures (below 150 °C, -238 °F or 123 K) and studying how materials behave at such cold temperatures.
The tendency of a liquid drop to contract and occupy minimum area is due to:
1997Sci & Tech
The tendency of a liquid drop to contract and occupy minimum area is due to:
Explanation
When a liquid drop is released from external forces, it naturally contracts and takes on a spherical shape. This behavior is caused by surface tension, a property of liquids that drives them to minimize their surface area.
Optical fibre works on the principle of:
1995Sci & Tech
Optical fibre works on the principle of:
Explanation
Optical fibre operates based on the principle of total internal reflection. It is a slender, pliable, see-through fibre that serves as a channel for light to travel between its two ends.