RAS question
Tokamak is associated with:
Correct answer: (A) Nuclear fusion research.
A tokamak is associated with nuclear fusion research because it uses magnetic fields to confine and control extremely hot plasma in a toroidal vessel.
Explanation
A tokamak is a magnetic-confinement machine used in nuclear fusion research. Its core job is holding extremely hot plasma in a doughnut-shaped, or toroidal, configuration with magnetic fields. The International Atomic Energy Agency, Fusion Technologies describes a tokamak as a machine that uses magnetic fields to confine and control plasma, and explains that its magnetic confinement system combines poloidal and toroidal magnetic fields. Those fields together form a helical magnetic structure that stabilises and confines superheated plasma inside the toroidal vessel. This is why the term belongs to fusion technology, not to a general technology label such as nanotechnology, rocket propulsion or quantum computing.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Nanotechnology deals with nanoscale materials and devices, while a tokamak belongs to plasma confinement for fusion research.
- (C) Rocket propulsion concerns producing thrust, whereas a tokamak confines superheated plasma inside a toroidal vessel using magnetic fields.
- (D) Quantum computing is a computing technology, but a tokamak is a fusion machine for magnetic confinement and control of plasma.
Concept
This tests the Science and Technology concept of nuclear fusion and plasma confinement devices. RAS repeatedly uses such terms to check whether aspirants can link a scientific instrument with its correct application area.