Q1. Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among (2013)
(a) NO2, Os and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
(b) CO, O₂ and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight
(c) CO, CO₂ and NO₂ at low temperature
(d) high concentration of NO2, O3 and CO in the evening
Ans. (a)
Exp. Photochemical smog is a resultant reaction among NO2. 03 and peroxyacetyl of the nitrate in the presence of sunlight. As the name indicates photochemical smog is a type of air pollution, which is caused by the reaction between certain pollutants in the presence of sunlight.
These pollutants are nitrogen oxides (NO and NO₂), ozone (03) volatile organic compounds and peroxyacetyl nitrates. Though, it is invisible, photochemical smog can cause irritation in the eyes and the respiratory tract.
Q2. Which of the following adds/add nitrogen to the soil? (2013)
(a) Excretion of urea by animals
(b) Burning of coal by man
(c) Death of vegetation
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of these
Ans. (c)
Exp. Excretion of urea by animals and death of vegetation add nitrogen to the soil. Waste products of animals as well as dead remains of organisms are the sources of organic nitrogen that can be converted into inorganic ammonia by the process of ammonification.
This ammonia is then converted into nitrates or nitrites by Nitrosomonas and nitro coccus bacteria respectively. Another soil bacteria Nitrobacter can also convert nitrate into nitrite. Burning of coal and other fossil fuels does not add nitrogen to the soil directly.
Q3. Acid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by (2013)
(a) carbon dioxide and nitrogen
(b) carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
(c) ozone and carbon dioxide
(d) nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide
Ans. (d)
Exp. Acid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by nitrous oxide and Sulphur dioxide. Acid rain refers to the precipitation with elevated levels of hydrogen ions or a low pH, which is in effect acidic.
solution. The pH of pure water is 7 and any solution with a pH less than 7 is called acidic. There are mainly two kinds of oxides. i.e. oxides of Sulphur and oxides of nitrogen present in acid rain. These produce sulphury acid and nitric acid. Thus, nitrous oxide and Sulphur dioxide are primarily responsible for acid rain.
Q4. Which of the following is/are the characteristic/ characteristics of Indian coal? (2013)
(a)High ash content
(b)Low Sulphur content
(c)Low ash fusion temperature
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 3
Ans. (a)
Exp. The characteristics of Indian coal are as follows
- Indian coal has very high ash content, which varies from 35 to 45% as compared to the 15% in other parts of the world.
- Indian coal has a low Sulphur content of about 0.5%.
- Indian coal also has a high ash fusion temperature (indicates the softening and melting) behavior of a fuel of 1500°C.
Q5. Which of the following are some important pollutants released by steel industry in India? (2014)
- Oxides of Sulphur
- Oxides of nitrogen
- Carbon monoxide
- Carbon dioxide
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1,3 and 4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 4
(d) All of these
Ans. (d)
Exp. Air pollutants are released from steel industries in India, which includes gaseous substances such as oxides of sulphur, oxides of nitrogen (mainly NO2 and NO), oxides of carbon (CO₂ and CO).
Q6. There is some concern regarding the nano particles of some chemical elements that are used by the Isso industry in the manufacture of various products. Why?
- They can accumulate in the environment and contaminate water and soil. (2014)
- They can enter the food chains.
- They can trigger the production of free radicals.
- Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) All of these
Ans. (d)
Exp. Nano particles of chemical elements have properties like accumulation in environment because of their small size and complex structure.
They also have the capability to enter food chains and to trigger the production of free radicals which are chemical species that affect environment (specially ozone layer) (050 adversely. They can be easily. Inhaled in the body and can cause lung inflammation and heart problems.
Q7. With reference to two non-conventional energy but sources called ‘coalbed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, ban consider the following statements. (2014)
- Coalbed methane is the pure methane gas extracted from coal seams, while shale gas is a mixture of propane and butane only that can be extracted from fine-grained sedimentary rocks.
- In India, abundant coalbed methane sources exist, but so far, no shale gas sources have been found.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(c) Both 1 and 2
(b) Only 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. (d)
Exp. Both the statements (1) and (2) are incorrect.
The information given about colbed methane is correct but, shale gas is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases mostly methane and ethane. Also shale gas is found in India, (like Cambay basin, Gondwana basin, Krishna-Godawari basin and Cauvery basin) though its utilisation is very less.
Q8. Consider the following statements. (2022)
- Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.
- Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.
- Nanoparticles of some commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 3
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Ans. (d)
Exp. Statements (2) and (3) are correct as the nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂) zinc oxide (ZnO) are substantially used since these nanoparticles are non-oily and easily absorbed. TiO₂ is essentially a UV filter (UV A and UV B filter) hence, widely used in sunscreens and moisturizers are well. Humans have evolved to cope with most naturally occurring nanoparticles. However, some nanoparticles, generated as a result of certain human activities such as tobacco, smoking and fires, account for many premature deaths as a result of lung damage.
Q9. Consider the following. (2022)
- Nitrogen oxide
- Carbon monoxide
- Ozone
- Sulphur dioxide
Excess of which of the above in the environment is/are cause(s) of acid rain?
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4 (c) Only 4 (d) 1, 3 and 4
Ans. (b)
Exp. The excess of nitrogen oxide and Sulphur dioxide in the environment are causes of acid rain. Power plants release the majority of Sulphur dioxide and much of the nitrogen oxides when they burn fossil fuels, such as coal, to produce electricity. In addition, the exhaust from cars, trucks and buses releases nitrogen oxides and Sulphur dioxide into the air.
Q10. Consider the following statements. (2022)
- High clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth.
- Low clouds have a high absorption of infrared radiation emanating from the Earth’s surface and thus cause warming effect.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2 (c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Exp. Neither statement (1) nor (2) is correct as low, thick clouds primarily reflect solar radiation and cool the surface of the Earth. High, thin clouds primarily transmit incoming solar radiation; at the same time, they trap some of the outgoing infrared radiation emitted by the Earth and radiate it back downward, thereby warming the surface of the Earth.
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