HomeDaily QuizUPSC Daily Quiz | 13 August 2024 UPSC Daily Quiz | 13 August 2024August, Daily Quiz | By admin /5 Daily Quiz - 13 August Tarun IAS offers a variety of courses and resources for UPSC aspirants, including a section for daily current affairs and quizzes. The institute was established with the goal of providing high-quality education and preparing students for the IAS exams. They aim to offer education that is up to date, challenging, and accessible regardless of the student's location or the time of dayTarun IAS emphasizes the importance of Current Affairs in both the prelims and mains of the UPSC exams, offering extensive materials and notes on the subject. Her For the most current and specific daily MCQs related to current affairs or any other subject, please click on the link below. 1 / 5 Q1. The melting of polar ice caps and glaciers due to climate change can lead to:1) A decrease in Earth's oblateness2) An increase in Earth's rotational speed3) A shift of mass from the poles to the equator4) A reduction in the length of a dayHow many of the above statements are correct? Only one Only two Only three All four Explanation:Relevance: The melting of polar ice due to climate change is making days longer.Scientists are attributing a slowing in the earth’s rotation to climate change. Researchers have discovered that the melting polar ice caps have caused the earth to spin slower. This can lead to minuscule changes in the actual duration of a day which though does not affect our daily lives as much but could affect the technology we rely on. As polar ice continues to melt rapidly in a warming world, the globe isn’t affected very differently from the spinning ice-skater.A basic physics phenomenon called the conservation of angular momentum is key to what is happening to the earth right now. When an ice skater rotates, if their arms are held in tightly, their moment of inertia decreases, and they spin faster. If they stretched their arms out wide, their moment of inertia would increase, making them spin slower. Water from the melt flows towards the equator, making the earth bulge out slightly, slowing its rotation and increasing the time taken to complete one rotation, lengthening our day. (Hence, statements 2 and 4 are not correct)When polar ice sheets and global glaciers melt, then this would go to the equatorial regions — we call this pole-to-equator mass flux. (Hence, statement 3 is correct)As the ice sheets melt, the earth’s oblateness increases, and the region around the equator elongates slightly. The moment of inertia increases, and the rotation rate gets smaller. (Hence, statement 1 is not correct)The rotating Earth is oblate, that is, it is slightly 'flat' in the North Pole–South Pole direction, compared to the slightly 'bulging' Equator.Hence, only one of the statements given above is correct.Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.Subject: Current Affairs | EnvironmentLevel of Difficulty: Moderate | FactualSources:https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/melting-polar-ice-due-to-climate-change-is-making-earths-days-longer/article68519525.ece#:~:text=Scientists%20found%20that%20in%20the,around%201.3%20ms%20per%20century&text=In%20yet%20another%20unprecedented%20effect,the%20earth%20to%20spin%20slower. 2 / 5 Q2. Mytella strigata was recently in the news in which of the following contexts? It is a newly discovered species of medicinal plant with potential to cure cancer. It is a type of invasive alien species affecting the aquatic ecosystem. It is a new breed of high-yielding rice variety developed by Indian scientists. It is a newly discovered dinosaur fossil with feathers. Explanation:Relevance: The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has sought ₹160 crore from the Kamarajar Port to facilitate the removal of invasive mussels Mytella strigata, or charru mussel.The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has informed the National Green Tribunal that it has sought ₹160 crore from the Kamarajar Port in Ennore, Tamil Nadu, to facilitate the removing of invasive mussels on the coast near the port in connection with an ongoing case on the proliferation of Mytella strigata, or charru mussel that harms marine ecosystems and hinders fisher boat movements, affecting their livelihood. The WRD has charged that Kamarajar Port is the main reason for the spread of the invasive species by not regulating the ballast water from ships.In the Pulicat lake in Tamil Nadu, as in Ashtamudi lake in Kerala, this mussel has replaced almost all other species, he says. Its survival rate and egg production is very high. Though of marine origin, it can survive even in freshwater.Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.Value AdditionWhat is ballast water?Ships need to have a certain level of immersion into the sea to be stable. When a ship discharges cargo, it rises up in the water and therefore, to keep a minimum level of immersion, ship staff take in sea water called ballast water inside tanks in the ship. And when the ship loads cargo, leading to more immersion, the ballast water is pumped out of the ship. Since ballast water carries invasive species into other countries that destroy ecosystems, global shipping has sought to regulate ballast water discharge.What are global regulations?The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) came into force in 2017 to help prevent the spread of potentially harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in ships’ ballast water. From September 8, 2017, ships must manage their ballast water so that aquatic organisms and pathogens are removed or rendered harmless before the ballast water is released in a new location.As of July 2, 97 countries have signed on to the BWM as contracting states. India is not on the list of countries. This means that there is no obligation on the part of ships calling on Indian ports to enforce the BWM convention. Subject: Current Affairs | EnvironmentLevel of Difficulty: Easy | FactualSources:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/does-india-have-laws-against-invasive-species-from-ballast-water/article68522092.ece#:~:text=%E2%80%9CNo%20restriction%20is%20seen%20regarding,held%20liable%20in%20such%20cases. 3 / 5 Q3. The Lithium Triangle, which was recently in the news, involves which of the following countries? Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina Chile, Bolivia, and Peru Chile, Peru, and Ecuador Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina Explanation:Latin America is the region of the world with the largest amount of lithium. The Lithium Triangle is a lithium-rich region spanning the borders of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile and forming a geographic triangle of lithium resources underneath their salt flats. Approximately 58 percent of the world’s lithium resources are found in these three countries.Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.Subject: Current Affairs | EconomyLevel of Difficulty: Easy | FactualSources:The Hindu 4 / 5 Q4. With reference to ‘forever chemicals’, consider the following statements:1) The strong molecular bonds of forever chemicals make them resistant to degradation in the environment, contributing to their persistence.2) Researchers have developed a technique using magnetic fields and radio waves to effectively trace the origin and destination of forever chemicals.3) Conventional chemical fingerprinting methods, like mass spectrometry, are highly efficient in identifying the specific composition of forever chemicals.Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Explanation:Relevance: American researchers have found a method to be able to trace the origin and the destination of forever chemicals. In a major breakthrough aimed at managing the long-term environmental impact of anthropogenic activity, American researchers have found a method to be able to trace the origin and the destination of forever chemicals. These chemicals that are scientifically known as per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are generally useful in applications such as water-proofing, heat resistance, detergents, food packaging and non-stick technologies. They are known to stay in the environment virtually forever and contribute to environmental degradation which adversely impacts the health of all organisms including human beings.Researchers have used a technique which involves magnetic fields and radio waves to track the spread of these chemicals in the ecosystems across the globe. The technique involves passing samples through a strong magnetic field then reading the burst of radio waves their atoms emit. This reveals the composition of carbon isotopes in the molecule and gives the chemical its fingerprint. (Hence, statement 2 is correct)Difficulties in tracking forever chemicals The super strong molecular bonds that give forever chemicals their handy characteristics — which are put to use in everything from fire retardants to non-stick surfaces and slow-release drugs — also keep them from breaking down in the environment. This causes them to build up as pollution in soil and organic material to which they readily stick. (Hence, statement 1 is correct)However, the molecular bonds of the chemicals also make them difficult to trace. That’s because conventional chemical fingerprinting involves breaking molecules apart in a mass spectrometer which doesn’t work well with the tough molecular bonds of forever chemicals.The breakthroughOwing to the strength of the intermolecular forces in the composition of these forever chemicals, the researchers opted for a technology known as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. (Hence, statement 3 is not correct)The technology is used to measure a molecule’s structure and identify its isotopes without breaking it apart.Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.Subject: Current Affairs | S&TLevel of Difficulty: Moderate | FactualSources:https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/remnants-of-the-present-forever-chemicals-can-now-be-tracked-and-managed-from-source-to-destination 5 / 5 Q5. With reference to Monkeypox, consider the following statements:1) Monkeypox is a DNA virus, unlike RNA viruses like Coronavirus, making it more stable and less prone to mutations.2) The mode of transmission of Monkeypox is primarily through airborne droplets, similar to the COVID-19 virus.3) Monkeypox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox and shares similar symptoms, though generally milder.Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 1 and 2 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only None of the above Explanation:Relevance: Ahead of an emergency meeting to be held on August 14, 2024 to discuss the spread of mpox (earlier called monkeypox) within and outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for vaccine candidates for fast approval and distribution. Statement 1 is correct. Monkeypox is a DNA virus, unlike RNA viruses, which contributes to its stability.Statement 2 is not correct. Monkeypox is transmitted through close contact with infected persons or animals, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials, but it does not specify airborne transmission as the primary mode.Statement 3 is correct. Monkeypox belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox and shares similar, but milder, symptoms.Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.Subject: Current Affairs | S&TLevel of Difficulty: Moderate | FactualSources:https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/mpox-update-who-calls-for-vaccine-candidates-as-dangerous-clade-targeting-children-spreads-widely Your score is 0% Restart quiz
