Q 1 . Excessive release of the pollutant carbon monoxide (CO) into the air may produce a condition in which oxygen supply in the human body decreases. What causes this condition?
(a) When inhaled into the human body CO is converted into CO2.
(b) The inhaled CO has much higher affinity for haemoglobin as compared to oxygen.
(c) The inhaled CO destroys the chemical structure of haemoglobin.
(d) The inhaled CO adversely affects the respiratory centre in the brain.
(b) Carbon Monoxide pollution occurs primarily from emissions produced by fossil fuel powered engines. The incomplete reaction of air with fuel produces the colourless, odourless and highly toxic gas. The main issue with Carbon Monoxide is its health effects. It is capable of binding to the chemicals in our blood, called haemoglobin. It does so far more effectively than oxygen and also stays bound to the haemoglobin for far longer than oxygen does. The effect is that the blood is starved of oxygen, which then affects the rest of the body.
Q 2 . Consider the following :
1 . Carbon dioxide
2 . Oxides of nitrogen
3 . Oxides of sulphur
Which of the above is/are the emission/emissions from coal combustion at thermal power plants ?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) By products of thermal power plant operation need to be considered in both the design and operation. Waste heat due to the finite efficiency of the power cycle must be released to the atmosphere, using a cooling tower, or river or lake water as a cooling medium. The gas from combustion of the fossil fuels is discharged to the air; this contains carbon dioxide and water vapour, as well as other substances such as nitrogen, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and (in the case of coal-fired plants) fly ash, mercury and traces of other metals.
Q 3 . What is the role of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the water purification systems?
1 . It inactivates /kills the harmful microorganisms in water.
2 . It removes all the undesirable odours from the water.
3 . It quickens the sedimentation of solid particles, removes turbidity and improves the clarity of water.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(a) Ultraviolet radiation inactivates / kills harmful micro organisms in water only.
Q 4 . Acid rain is caused by the pollution of environment by
(a) carbon dioxide and nitrogen
(b) carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
(c) ozone and carbon dioxide
(d) nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide
(d) Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide react with molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids.
Q 5 . With reference to ‘fly ash’ produced by the power plants using coal as fuel, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1 . Fly ash can be used in the production of bricks for building construction.
2 . Fly ash can be used as a replacement for some of the Portland cement concrete.
3 . Fly ash is made up of silicon dioxide and calcium oxide only, and does not contain any toxic elements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 3 only
(a) Fly ash brick (FAB) is a building material, specifically masonry units, containing class C fly ash and water. All fly ash includes substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2) , aluminum oxide (Al2O3) and calcium oxide (CaO), the main mineral compunds in coal-bearing rock strata. Fly ash can be used as a replacement for some of the Portland cement contents of concrete.
Q 6 . Brominated flame retardants are used in many household products like mattresses and upholstery. Why is there some concern about their use?
1 . They are highly resistant to degradation in the environment.
2 . They are able to accumulate in humans and animals.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Brominated flame retardants used in many household products are highly resistant to degradation in the environment and they are able to accumulate in humans and animals.
Q 7 . With reference to two non-conventional energy sources called ‘coalbed methane’ and ‘shale gas’, consider the following statements :
1 . 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 finegrained sedimentary rocks.
2 . In India, abundant coalbed methane sources exist, but so far no shale gas sources have been found.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(d) Shale gas contains methane. The source of shale gas is available in India.
Q 8 . Consider the following pairs:
Commonly used consumed materials : Unwanted or controversial chemicals likely to be found in them
1 . Lipstick : Lead
2 . Soft drinks : Brominated vegetable oils
3 . Chinese fast food : Monosodium glutamate
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer in Chinese food, but leads to obesity and liver inflation. Brominated vegetable oils are used as stabilizers in the baked goods, soft drinks, soups, jellies etc. but banned in UK after 1970.
Q 9 . In the context of which one of the following are the terms pyrolysis and plasma gasification mentioned?
(a) Extraction of earth element
(b) natural gas extractions technologies
(c) Hydrogen fuel based automobiles
(d) Waste to energy technologies
(d) Pyrolysis is a process of combustion in absence of oxygen or the material burnt under controlled atmosphere of oxygen. It is an alternative to incineration. The gas and liquid thus obtained can be used as fuels.
Q 10 . In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as
(a) pesticides in agriculture
(b) preservatives in processed foods
(c) fruit-ripening agents
(d) moisturising agents in cosmetics
(a) Benomyl, Carbaryl, Diazinon, Fenarimol, Fenthion, Linuron, MEMC, Methyl Parthion, Sodium Cyanide, Thiometon, Tridemorph, Trifluralin, Alachlor, Dichlorvos, Phorate, Phosphamidon, Triazophos , Trichlorfon , etc., are pesticides/insecticides .
