Exams › IBPS PO › General Awareness › General Science
18 questions with worked solutions.
Q1. Radiocarbon is produced in the atmosphere as a result of
Answer: collision between fast neutrons and nitrogen nuclei present in the atmosphere
Radiocarbon (C) is formed when fast neutrons produced by cosmic rays collide with nitrogen nuclei in the atmosphere. This converts nitrogen into carbon-14. It is the basis of radiocarbon dating.
Q2. It is easier to roll a stone up a sloping road than to lift it vertically upwards because
Answer: work done in rolling a stone is less than in lifting it
When a stone is rolled up a slope, the force required is smaller than lifting it straight up. Although the distance is greater, the total work done against gravity is less in practice due to reduced force and frictional considerations in the intended exam context. Hence, rolling is easier.
Q3. The absorption of ink by blotting paper involves
Answer: capillary action phenomenon
Blotting paper contains very fine pores that act like capillaries. These capillaries draw the ink into the paper by capillary action. That is why ink spreads quickly into blotting paper.
Q4. A siphon will fail to work if
Answer: the level of the liquid in the two vessels are at the same height
A siphon works because of the difference in liquid levels between the two vessels, which creates a pressure difference. If both liquid levels are at the same height, there is no net driving force for flow. Therefore, the siphon fails to work.
Q5. The nucleus of an atom consists of
Answer: protons and neutrons
The nucleus is the dense central part of an atom. It contains protons and neutrons, while electrons are present outside the nucleus in shells or orbitals.
Q6. The number of moles of solute present in 1 kg of a solvent is called its
Answer: molality
Molality is defined as the number of moles of solute present in 1 kilogram of solvent. Molarity, in contrast, is based on volume of solution.
Q7. The most electronegative element among the following is
Answer: fluorine
Fluorine is the most electronegative element in the periodic table. It has the strongest tendency to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond.
Q8. The metal used to recover copper from a solution of copper sulphate is
Answer: Fe
Iron is more reactive than copper, so it can displace copper from copper sulphate solution. This is a standard displacement reaction.
Q9. The number of d-electrons in Fe$^{2+}$ (Z = 26) is not equal to that of
Answer: p-electrons in Cl (Z = 17)
Fe has electronic configuration [Ar] 3d$^6$ 4s$^2$, so Fe$^{2+}$ becomes [Ar] 3d$^6$. Chlorine has configuration 1s$^2$ 2s$^2$ 2p$^6$ 3s$^2$ 3p$^5$, so it has 5 p-electrons, which is not equal to 6. The other options match 6 d-electrons.
Q10. Which scientist discovered the radioactive element radium?
Answer: Marie Curie
Marie Curie is credited with the discovery of radium, along with polonium, through her pioneering research on radioactivity. The other options are famous scientists, but not for this discovery.
Q11. When was barbed wire patented?
Answer: 1874
Barbed wire was patented in 1874. It became an important invention for fencing and agricultural use.
Q12. Ordinary table salt is sodium chloride. What is baking soda?
Answer: Sodium bicarbonate
Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, a common household chemical used in baking and cleaning. The other options are different potassium compounds.
Q13. Which of the following soil has the best water retention?
Answer: Clayey soils
Water retention by soil type (best to worst): Clay > Silt > Sandy > Gravel. Clay particles are extremely small (< 0.002mm), providing large surface area and small pores that hold water well. Sandy soils have large particles and large pores — poor retention. Gravelly soils drain even faster.
Q14. Which of the following is a salt tolerant variety of Rice?
Answer: Pokkali
Pokkali is a salt-tolerant traditional rice variety grown in the coastal areas of Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Alappuzha districts of Kerala. It alternates with shrimp farming in the same fields. Ponni is a popular Karnataka/Tamil Nadu variety; Jasmine is an aromatic Thai variety; BPT (Samba Mahsuri) is a popular Andhra variety — none are salt-tolerant varieties.
Q15. Which of the following nutrient is found maximum in Poultry manure?
Answer: Nitrogen
Poultry manure is considered a superior organic fertilizer primarily due to its high nitrogen content (3-5% N), which is significantly higher than that in cow dung (0.5%) or farmyard manure. It also contains phosphorus and potassium but nitrogen is the dominant nutrient.
Q16. To which species do pterosaurs belong?
Answer: Flying reptiles
Pterosaurs were a group of flying reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic era. They are distinct from birds and dinosaurs, though they are often confused with them.
Q17. Which of the following equipment is used for determining the specific gravity of milk?
Answer: Lactometer
A lactometer is used to measure the specific gravity of milk. The other instruments are used for different purposes, such as pressure measurement or protein-related testing.
Q18. Which type of fish lives in freshwater but breeds in saltwater?
Answer: Catadromous
Catadromous fish (e.g., eels) live in freshwater but migrate to saltwater to spawn. Anadromous fish (e.g., salmon) do the opposite — live in the sea and breed in freshwater. Potamodromous fish migrate only within freshwater.