Daily Static Quiz (Science and Tech) December 8, 2025

Daily Static Quiz (Science and Tech) December 8, 2025

1. Consider the following statements regarding a thermochemical process used to convert fossil fuels into multiple products:

I. The process converts coal into a mixture primarily composed of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane at temperatures above 1000°C.

II. The resulting synthesis gas can be used to produce ethanol but cannot be used for urea synthesis.

III. The process significantly reduces ash waste compared to direct combustion.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

2. Which of the following correctly describes topological qubits in a recently developed quantum computing architecture?

I. They store information in the arrangement and braiding of specially engineered particles called anyons.

II. They are based on hypothetical particles called Majorana fermions, which are their own antiparticles.

III. They require more error correction compared to traditional superconducting qubits.

Select the correct answer using the code below:

(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II, and III

3. In the Standard Model of Particle Physics, which of the following statements about fundamental particles is/are correct?

I. Leptons do not interact with the strong nuclear force but can combine to form composite particles.

II. Bosons mediate fundamental forces and can occupy the same quantum state due to Bose-Einstein statistics.

III. Both quarks and leptons are classified as fermions but differ in their interaction with nuclear forces.

Select the correct answer:

(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) II and III only
(d) I and III only

4. Consider the following statements about a weather modification technique:

I. It increases rainfall by 10-30% annually by introducing condensation nuclei into cloud formations.

II. Silver iodide and potassium iodide are commonly used because they have an ice-like crystal structure that stimulates raindrop formation.

III. The technique cannot work without existing cloud formations with adequate moisture content.

Which of the statements above are correct?

(a) I and II only
(b) I and III only
(c) All three
(d) II and III only

5. A massive celestial body causes the path of light passing nearby to bend, creating a magnification effect. This phenomenon is best explained by which of the following concepts?

I. The curvature of spacetime around massive objects as predicted by Einstein’s general relativity.

II. Refraction of light through denser materials acting as natural cosmic lenses.

III. The gravitational attraction that bends light rays proportional to the mass of the object.

Select the correct answer:

(a) I only
(b) I and III only
(c) II and III only
(d) I, II, and III

6. In the context of biological vector control for mosquito-borne diseases, consider the following:

I. A naturally occurring bacterium infects Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and blocks the growth of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses within their bodies.

II. The method involves genetic modification of mosquito chromosomes.

III. The bacterium is found naturally in approximately 50% of insect species.

Which statement(s) is/are correct?

(a) I and III only
(b) II only
(c) I only
(d) I, II, and III

7. Consider the following about the life cycle of stars:

I. A star begins its lifecycle as a protostar formed from the gravitational collapse of a nebula containing hydrogen and helium gases.

II. During the main sequence phase, a star fuses hydrogen into helium and spends approximately 90% of its lifetime in this phase.

III. When hydrogen in the core is depleted, a star of solar mass contracts and becomes a blue giant before eventually becoming a white dwarf.

Which statement(s) is/are correct?

(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II, and III

8. What is the primary physiological mechanism by which blood vessels widen to increase blood flow to tissues?

I. Relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the blood vessel walls due to dephosphorylation of myosin light chains.

II. Decrease in intracellular calcium concentration through removal of contractile stimuli.

III. Removal of sympathetic nervous system activity that maintains vessels in a semi-constricted state.

Select the correct answer:

(a) I only
(b) III only
(c) I and II only
(d) I, II, and III

9. Microsatellites are polymorphic DNA loci with short tandem repeats that vary between individuals. Which of the following applications utilize this characteristic?

I. Forensic identification and paternity testing.

II. Genetic mapping to identify disease-associated genes through linkage analysis.

III. Chromosomal aberration detection.

Select the correct answer:

(a) I and II only
(b) II and III only
(c) I and III only
(d) I, II, and III

10. In a microgravity environment found in orbital spacecraft, objects appear to float. Which of the following best explains this phenomenon?

I. The absence of gravitational force around the spacecraft.

II. Objects and the spacecraft are in a continuous state of free fall around Earth, falling at the same rate.

III. The gravitational force is reduced but still present, creating a state of apparent weightlessness.

Select the correct answer:

(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) II and III only
(d) I, II, and III

Answer Key & Explanations

Question 1: Answer – (b) Only two

Explanation:

Statement I is correct. This describes coal gasification, a process that converts coal through controlled oxidation at temperatures above 1000°C to produce syngas (synthesis gas), primarily composed of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H₂), and methane (CH₄).

Statement II is incorrect. Syngas from coal gasification CAN be used for urea synthesis. Urea production requires ammonia and CO₂. Ammonia is synthesized from hydrogen (obtained from syngas) and nitrogen (from air), and syngas itself contains the necessary carbon dioxide. Therefore, coal gasification is indeed a starting point for urea production.

Statement III is correct. Coal gasification operates at very high temperatures where mineral matter in the coal (which becomes ash) melts and forms slag. This process significantly reduces the ash production compared to traditional coal burning, resulting in less waste.

Therefore, Statements I and III are correct. The answer is (b) Only two.

Question 2: Answer – (a) I and II only

Explanation:

Statement I is correct. Topological qubits, as used in Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip, store information in the way specially engineered particles called anyons are arranged and braided. This differs fundamentally from traditional qubits, which store information in the quantum state of the particle itself.

Statement II is correct. Majorana fermions are hypothetical particles that are their own antiparticles—a concept theorized by Ettore Majorana over 80 years ago. Majorana zero modes (MZMs) are special quantum states that appear at the ends of certain topological superconductors and are characterized by being their own antiparticle. These are the basis for topological qubits.

Statement III is incorrect. Topological qubits are DESIGNED to require LESS error correction than traditional superconducting qubits. The topological approach makes them more stable and robust against local perturbations, which is one of their key advantages over conventional qubits used by competitors like Google and IBM.

Therefore, the answer is (a) I and II only.

Question 3: Answer – (c) II and III only

Explanation:

Statement I is incorrect. Leptons do NOT combine to form composite particles. Unlike quarks (which combine to form hadrons like protons and neutrons), leptons remain as individual particles. Leptons do not interact with the strong nuclear force because they lack color charge, and they cannot undergo the same type of interactions that allow quarks to bind together.

Statement II is correct. Bosons are indeed force-carrying particles that mediate fundamental forces (photons for electromagnetic, gluons for strong force, W and Z bosons for weak force). Additionally, bosons obey Bose-Einstein statistics, which allows multiple identical bosons to occupy the same quantum state—a property forbidden for fermions by the Pauli Exclusion Principle.

Statement III is correct. Both quarks and leptons are fermions (based on their spin properties). However, they differ fundamentally in their interaction with nuclear forces: quarks interact with the strong nuclear force via gluons and possess color charge, while leptons do not interact with the strong nuclear force as they lack color charge.

Therefore, Statements II and III are correct. The answer is (c) II and III only.

Question 4: Answer – (c) All three

Explanation:

Statement I is correct. Cloud seeding has been documented to increase rainfall rates by approximately 10-30% per year. The process works by introducing seeding agents (condensation nuclei) into clouds, which accelerate the natural process of raindrop and snowflake formation.

Statement II is correct. Silver iodide (AgI) and potassium iodide are the primary seeding agents used in cloud seeding. These chemicals have an ice-like crystal structure that closely matches natural ice crystals, making them highly effective nucleation sites. Water vapor readily condenses and freezes onto these particles, stimulating raindrop formation.

Statement III is correct. Cloud seeding cannot create rain from clear skies. The process ENHANCES rainfall from existing clouds by making them more efficient at producing precipitation. The technique requires pre-existing cloud formations with adequate moisture content. Without suitable atmospheric conditions and existing clouds, cloud seeding is ineffective.

Therefore, all three statements are correct. The answer is (c) All three.

Question 5: Answer – (b) I and III only

Explanation:

Statement I is correct. Gravitational lensing is fundamentally explained by Einstein’s theory of general relativity, which describes how massive objects curve spacetime around them. Light follows the curvature of this spacetime, causing its path to bend as it passes near massive objects like galaxy clusters.

Statement II is incorrect (though partially misleading). While the optical metaphor of “lensing” is accurate, gravitational lensing is NOT due to simple refraction through denser materials. Refraction occurs when light passes through media of different densities, which is NOT the mechanism here. Gravitational lensing is due to spacetime curvature, not material density variations.

Statement III is correct. The degree of light bending is indeed proportional to the mass of the object causing the lensing. The gravitational field strength increases with mass, resulting in greater curvature of spacetime and consequently greater bending of light rays passing nearby.

Therefore, Statements I and III are correct. The answer is (b) I and III only.

Question 6: Answer – (a) I and III only

Explanation:

Statement I is correct. This describes the Wolbachia method. The bacterium Wolbachia infects Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and blocks the growth of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses within the mosquito’s body. This dramatically reduces the mosquitoes’ ability to transmit these viruses to humans. Studies show that dengue transmission has been significantly reduced in areas where Wolbachia is established in the mosquito population.

Statement II is incorrect. The Wolbachia method does NOT involve genetic modification of mosquitoes. The genetic material of the mosquito is NOT altered. Wolbachia is a naturally occurring symbiotic bacterium that is simply introduced into the mosquito population. This is a key advantage of the method as it is natural, self-sustaining, and does not pose risks associated with genetic modification.

Statement III is correct. Wolbachia is one of the world’s most common bacteria, naturally infecting approximately 50% of all insect species, including bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, fruit flies, and many other arthropods. This natural abundance makes the Wolbachia method both feasible and environmentally compatible.

Therefore, Statements I and III are correct. The answer is (a) I and III only.

Question 7: Answer – (a) I and II only

Explanation:

Statement I is correct. A star’s lifecycle begins with the formation of a protostar, which forms when gravity causes a nebula (a large cloud of gas and dust containing primarily hydrogen and helium) to collapse into a dense, heated region. This is the birth phase of a star.

Statement II is correct. During the main sequence phase, stars fuse hydrogen into helium in their cores through nuclear fusion. This is the longest and most stable phase of a star’s life. Stars spend approximately 90% of their total lifetime in this phase. For example, our Sun is roughly halfway through its main sequence phase, having already spent about 5 billion years in this phase with approximately another 5 billion years remaining.

Statement III is incorrect. The evolutionary path described is incorrect. When a low to medium-mass star (like our Sun) exhausts its core hydrogen, it does NOT become a blue giant. Instead:

• First, it becomes a red giant (expands and cools as outer hydrogen fusion occurs)

• Then it may become a white dwarf (a small, hot, dense remnant)

A blue giant is NOT a standard stage in the evolution of sun-like stars. Blue giants are typically massive stars that are hotter and appear blue, but this is not the normal evolutionary path for low-mass stars.

Therefore, Statements I and II are correct. The answer is (a) I and II only.

Question 8: Answer – (d) I, II, and III

Explanation:

Statement I is correct. Vasodilation occurs when myosin light-chain phosphatase dephosphorylates the myosin light chains in smooth muscle cells. This dephosphorylation removes the phosphate groups from the myosin light chains, causing the smooth muscle to relax. The relaxation of smooth muscle leads to widening (dilation) of blood vessels.

Statement II is correct. Vasodilation is also achieved by decreasing intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) concentration. This reduction occurs through two mechanisms:

• Calcium reuptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum via Ca,Mg-ATPases

• Removal of extracellular calcium via Na/Ca antiporters in the plasma membrane

Lower intracellular calcium reduces the contraction signal (calcium binds with calmodulin to activate muscle contraction), allowing smooth muscle to relax.

Statement III is correct. Blood vessels are maintained in a partially contracted or semi-constricted state by continuous sympathetic nervous system activity. When this sympathetic stimulation is removed or reduced, the absence of contractile stimulus allows smooth muscle to relax, causing vasodilation. This is why parasympathetic stimulation or reduced sympathetic tone promotes vasodilation.

Therefore, all three statements are correct. The answer is (d) I, II, and III.

Question 9: Answer – (a) I and II only

Explanation:

Microsatellites are short tandem repeats (STRs) of 1-6 base pairs that vary significantly in the number of repeats between individuals, making them highly polymorphic genetic markers.

Statement I is correct. Microsatellites are extensively used in DNA fingerprinting, which has widespread applications in:

• Forensic investigations (identifying suspects from crime scenes)

• Paternity testing and relationship verification

• Individual identification in legal and medical contexts

Statement II is correct. Microsatellites are powerful tools for genetic mapping because they are highly variable and distributed throughout the genome. They can be used as genetic markers to:

• Map the location of genes in the genome

• Perform linkage analysis to identify genes associated with diseases

• Track inheritance patterns of traits through families

Statement III is incorrect. Microsatellites are NOT specifically used for detecting chromosomal aberrations. Chromosomal aberrations (such as deletions, duplications, inversions, or translocations) involve large-scale structural changes in chromosomes. These are detected using techniques like:

• Karyotyping

• FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization)

• Array CGH (Comparative Genomic Hybridization)

While microsatellites might show unusual patterns if they span aberration breakpoints, they are not the primary tool for chromosomal aberration detection.

Therefore, Statements I and II are correct. The answer is (a) I and II only.

Question 10: Answer – (b) II only

Explanation:

Statement I is incorrect. Gravitational force is NOT absent in space. Objects in orbit still experience gravitational force from Earth; in fact, the gravitational force is what keeps them in orbit. Astronauts on the International Space Station experience approximately 90% of Earth’s gravitational force.

Statement II is correct. Objects appear to float in a spacecraft because everything—the spacecraft, the astronauts, and all objects inside—are in a continuous state of free fall around Earth. They all fall toward Earth at the same rate, and since they’re falling together, there is no relative motion between them. This is why objects appear weightless or “float.” The spacecraft and its contents don’t fall into Earth because they are also moving forward (horizontally) at high velocity, following a curved orbital path around Earth.

Statement III is incorrect. While technically true that gravitational force is still present (as explained in Statement I), the phenomenon of apparent weightlessness is NOT primarily explained as “reduced gravity.” The gravitational force is actually quite strong (about 90% of surface gravity at the ISS altitude). The appearance of weightlessness comes from the free-fall condition, not from reduced gravity. If gravity were merely reduced but the spacecraft were stationary, objects would not float—they would fall to the floor.

Therefore, only Statement II is correct. The answer is (b) II only.

Daily Static Quiz