Basics of Everyday Science MCQ — 96 Practice Questions with Answers

Explanation

Geminids originate from asteroid 3200 Phaethon, making them unique as most meteor showers are associated with comets.

Explanation

Evapotranspiration (ET) is the combined process of water evaporation from soil/water surfaces and transpiration from plants. It accounts for ~60% of precipitation that falls on land. ET is a crucial component of the water cycle and is affected by temperature, humidity, wind, and vegetation type.

Explanation

A Geiger-Müller counter detects ionizing radiation (alpha, beta, gamma rays). It works by detecting ions produced when radiation passes through a gas-filled tube. It is widely used in nuclear facilities, hospitals, and environmental radiation monitoring.

Explanation

Ozone (O3) is a triatomic molecule of oxygen. It forms a protective layer in the stratosphere (15-35 km altitude) that absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation from the Sun. Ground-level ozone is a pollutant.

Explanation

India has vast thorium-bearing monazite resources in beach and inland sands. Official AMD/DAE figures list major monazite resources in Andhra Pradesh (3.72 million tonnes), Tamil Nadu (2.46), Odisha (2.41), and Kerala (1.90). Monazite contains thorium phosphate, and thorium-232 is important for Stage III of India's nuclear programme.