MCQ
upsc-p1-science-tech-nuclear MCQ - Practice Questions with Answers
Solve 9 upsc-p1-science-tech-nuclear questions for RAS/RPSC preparation.
Practice questions
Q1Consider the following two statements: Statement 1: In reactor physics, criticality denotes a self-sustaining chain reaction and is not by itself an accident signal. Statement 2: After shutdown stops the chain reaction, decay heat disappears immediately and further cooling is unnecessary. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct: a critical reactor sustains its chain reaction under control. Statement 2 is incorrect because fission products continue to generate decay heat after shutdown. Cooling must therefore continue even after control rods have stopped the chain reaction.
Q2Consider the following two statements: Statement 1: Heavy water absorbs fewer neutrons than ordinary water, helping a pressurised heavy water reactor use natural uranium. Statement 2: A pressurised water reactor uses ordinary water as coolant and moderator and generally requires enriched uranium. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Both statements are correct. Heavy water's lower neutron absorption improves neutron economy sufficiently for natural uranium in pressurised heavy water reactors. Pressurised water reactors use ordinary water under pressure and generally depend on enriched uranium.
Q3Consider the following statements about institutions in India's nuclear sector: 1. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board regulates the safety of nuclear and radiation facilities. 2. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited operates most commercial nuclear power plants in India. 3. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre works on reactor research, the fuel cycle and radioisotopes. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
All three statements are correct. The safety regulator, the principal commercial power operator and the research establishment perform different roles. Treating regulation, operation and research as functions of a single institution would therefore be incorrect.
Q4Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below. List I (Institution or body) 1. Department of Atomic Energy 2. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre 3. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited 4. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board List II (Primary role) a. Safety review and regulation of nuclear and radiation facilities b. Operation of most commercial nuclear power plants in India c. Policy leadership and oversight of major research and production organisations d. Research on reactors, fuel cycle, radioisotopes and radiation technologies
The Department of Atomic Energy provides policy leadership; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is the research backbone; Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited operates most commercial plants; and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board performs safety review and regulation. The four roles must not be collapsed into one institution.
Q5Consider the following statements about radiation behaviour: 1. Alpha particles have low penetration but may be dangerous inside the body. 2. A short half-life necessarily means that a radioactive material poses little hazard. 3. Neutrons require special shielding because they are uncharged. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Alpha radiation is weakly penetrating externally but can be harmful after internal uptake, while uncharged neutrons need specialised shielding. Statement 2 is incorrect because hazard also depends on dose, radiation type, exposure pathway and biological uptake; half-life alone is insufficient.
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More questions
6Arrange the following stages in the conversion of nuclear fission energy into electricity: 1. Steam turns a turbine. 2. Fission releases heat in the reactor. 3. The turbine drives a generator. 4. Reactor heat produces steam. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
7Consider the following statements about the functions of reactor components: 1. A moderator slows fast neutrons in a thermal reactor. 2. A coolant carries heat away from the reactor core. 3. Control rods absorb neutrons to regulate reactor power. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
8Consider the following statements about peaceful applications of nuclear technology: 1. Food irradiation can reduce microbial load without making the food radioactive. 2. Radiation-induced mutation breeding is not the same as inserting a foreign gene through transgenic modification. 3. Isotope hydrology can help trace groundwater recharge and contamination pathways. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
9Arrange the following steps of India's three-stage nuclear programme in their intended sequence: 1. Plutonium recovered from the first stage serves as driver fuel in fast breeder reactors. 2. Natural uranium is used in pressurised heavy water reactors. 3. Thorium-232 is converted through neutron absorption towards uranium-233. 4. The thorium-uranium-233 fuel cycle forms the third stage. Select the correct answer using the code given below.