1. With reference to the First Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951, consider the following statements:
- The grounds on which the State could restrict free speech were expanded.
- Article 31A was inserted, creating the Ninth Schedule to the Constitution.
- Citizenship as eligibility criteria for certain posts was included in Part II of the Constitution.
- Article 15 of Fundamental Rights was amended.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1, 2 & 4
[C] Only 2, 3 & 4
[D] Only 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 2 & 4]
Notes:
The First Constitutional Amendment Act, 1951 expanded grounds for restricting free speech (Article 19), amended Article 15 to allow reservations for SCs and STs, and inserted Article 31A while introducing the Ninth Schedule. Citizenship as eligibility for certain posts does not pertain to Part II; this was addressed elsewhere in the amendment. Hence, statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct.
2. With reference to the Solar Dynamics Observatory, consider the following statements:
- It was launched by NASA in 2010.
- It is the first satellite in the NASA’s Living with a Star program, which studies space weather.
- It carries Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), and Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 1 & 2
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:- NASA launched Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in 2010.
- SDO is the first satellite in the NASA’s Living with a Star program, which studies space weather.
- SDO studies how solar activity happens and how that impacts the Earth’s magnetosphere.
- SDO takes observations of the Sun’s interior, surface and atmosphere.
- SDO carries three instruments: Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA), and Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE).
3. Consider the following applications regarding the uses of piezoelectric crystals:
- Electric guitars
- TV remote controls
- Audio transducers
- Cigarette lighters
Which of the above are known to utilize piezoelectric crystals?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1, 3 and 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:
Piezoelectric crystals generate an electric charge under mechanical stress, a property used in devices like electric guitars (for pickups), TV remote controls (as sensors), audio transducers (for converting sound), and cigarette lighters (to create a spark). They are integral in these diverse applications, demonstrating the versatility of the piezoelectric effect.
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