11. Fertilizers are used to obtain higher yields of crops. However, all nu

Fertilizers are used to obtain higher yields of crops. However, all nutrients are usually not available in fertilizers. Which one of the following nutrients is usually not available in fertilizers?

Iron
Potassium
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021

Fertilizers are primarily used to supply essential nutrients to plants, most commonly Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), known as macronutrients. While plants also require micronutrients like Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), and Chlorine (Cl), standard or general-purpose fertilizers usually focus on NPK. Iron is a micronutrient and is not always available in all standard fertilizer formulations, though it may be included in specific micronutrient mixtures or specialized fertilizers.

Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium are the primary nutrients universally found in common fertilizers. Iron is a micronutrient whose availability varies depending on the fertilizer type and the specific needs of the soil and crop.

Macronutrients (N, P, K) are required by plants in larger quantities, while micronutrients (like Fe) are needed in smaller amounts. While important for plant health, the question asks which one is *usually not available* in fertilizers, implying it’s not a guaranteed component unlike N, P, or K in most standard products.

12. Which one of the following materials is present in a guard tube (dryin

Which one of the following materials is present in a guard tube (drying tube) that is used for preparation of HCl gas?

Calcium chloride
Calcium bromide
Calcium iodide
Calcium fluoride
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021

Calcium chloride is commonly used as a drying agent in guard tubes (drying tubes) during the preparation of dry HCl gas.

Hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas is acidic and reacts with basic drying agents like quicklime (CaO) or NaOH. Therefore, an acidic or neutral drying agent is required. Anhydrous calcium chloride (CaCl2) is a neutral salt and a highly efficient drying agent that does not react with HCl gas.

Concentrated sulfuric acid is another common drying agent for HCl, but calcium chloride is often used in solid form in drying tubes. Other calcium halides like calcium bromide, iodide, and fluoride are less commonly used or less effective as drying agents for general laboratory purposes compared to calcium chloride.

13. Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. All the bases a

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  • 1. All the bases are alkali.
  • 2. All alkalis dissolve in water.
  • 3. Alkalis are soapy to touch, bitter in taste and corrosive in nature.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only
1 and 3 only
2 and 3 only
3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
Statement 1 is false. Bases are substances that can accept protons or donate electron pairs. Alkalis are a specific type of base – those that are soluble in water and dissociate to produce hydroxide ions (OH⁻). Therefore, all alkalis are bases, but not all bases are alkalis (because not all bases dissolve in water). Statement 2 is true by definition: Alkalis are precisely those bases that are soluble in water. Statement 3 is true: Alkalis have characteristic properties including feeling soapy/slippery to touch, having a bitter taste, and being corrosive.
An alkali is a base that is soluble in water. Thus, the set of alkalis is a subset of the set of bases. General properties of alkalis include slipperiness, bitter taste, and corrosiveness.
Examples of bases include metal oxides (like CuO), metal hydroxides (like NaOH), and ammonia (NH₃). Examples of alkalis include soluble metal hydroxides (like NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)₂, NH₄OH). CuO is a base but not an alkali as it is insoluble in water.

14. Which one of the following acids is secreted by leaves of Nettle that

Which one of the following acids is secreted by leaves of Nettle that causes painful stings?

Methanoic acid
Citric acid
Tartaric acid
Acetic acid
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
The stinging sensation caused by Nettle leaves (Urtica dioica) is primarily due to the injection of chemicals from specialized hairs (trichomes). One of the main chemicals responsible is formic acid, which is also known by its IUPAC name, methanoic acid (HCOOH).
Methanoic acid (formic acid) is a simple carboxylic acid found in natural sources like ant stings and nettle stings, causing irritation and pain.
Nettle stings also contain other irritating chemicals like histamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin, which contribute to the overall inflammatory response and sensation. Methanoic acid is the systematic name for the smallest carboxylic acid (one carbon atom).

15. Which one of the following is the correct reactivity order of metals r

Which one of the following is the correct reactivity order of metals reacting with dilute HCl?

”Mg
”Mg
”Fe
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
The reactivity of metals with dilute acids like HCl generally decreases down the reactivity series. Metals above hydrogen in the reactivity series can displace hydrogen from dilute acids. The correct order of reactivity for the given metals is Mg > Al > Zn > Fe. Magnesium is the most reactive among these, followed by Aluminum, then Zinc, and finally Iron.
The reactivity series of metals is determined by their tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions. Metals higher in the series are more reactive and can displace less reactive metals (or hydrogen from acids) from their compounds. The order of reactivity of these common metals is Mg > Al > Zn > Fe.
While this is the general order, the rate of reaction can sometimes be affected by factors like surface passivation (e.g., Aluminum forming a protective oxide layer), but the inherent reactivity order based on standard electrode potentials is Mg > Al > Zn > Fe.

16. A bus starting from a bus-stand and moving with uniform acceleration a

A bus starting from a bus-stand and moving with uniform acceleration attains a speed of 20 km/h in 10 minutes. What is its acceleration?

200 km/h<sup>2</sup>
120 km/h<sup>2</sup>
100 km/h<sup>2</sup>
240 km/h<sup>2</sup>
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
The bus starts from rest, so its initial velocity (u) is 0 km/h. Its final velocity (v) is 20 km/h, attained in time (t) = 10 minutes. To find acceleration (a) in km/h², we need to convert time to hours: 10 minutes = 10/60 hours = 1/6 hours. Using the equation of motion v = u + at, we get 20 km/h = 0 km/h + a × (1/6) hours. Solving for a: a = 20 × 6 = 120 km/h².
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity (a = (v-u)/t). Ensure that all units are consistent before performing calculations. If velocity is in km/h and time in hours, acceleration will be in km/h².
The problem specifies uniform acceleration, allowing the use of standard kinematic equations. Other equations of motion like s = ut + ½at² and v² = u² + 2as can also be used depending on the given and required variables.

17. Refraction of light, as it enters from one transparent medium to anoth

Refraction of light, as it enters from one transparent medium to another, is due to

change in temperature of the media
change in the amplitude of light
change in speed of light
internal property of light
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
Refraction of light occurs when light passes from one transparent medium to another because the speed of light changes as it enters a different medium. This change in speed causes the light ray to bend at the interface between the two media.
The change in the speed of light as it moves from one medium to another is the fundamental reason for refraction. The amount of bending is related to the refractive index of the media, which is defined based on the speed of light in the medium.
When light enters a denser medium (higher refractive index), its speed decreases, and it bends towards the normal. When it enters a rarer medium (lower refractive index), its speed increases, and it bends away from the normal. Option A is incorrect; while temperature can slightly affect the refractive index, it’s not the primary cause of the bending itself. Option B refers to amplitude, related to intensity, not direction. Option D is too vague; the speed change is the specific physical property responsible.

18. An electric bulb is connected to a 110 V generator. The current is 0.2

An electric bulb is connected to a 110 V generator. The current is 0.2 A. What is the power of the bulb ?

0.22 W
2.2 W
22 W
220 W
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
The power (P) of an electrical device is given by the product of the voltage (V) across it and the current (I) flowing through it. Given V = 110 V and I = 0.2 A, the power is P = V × I = 110 V × 0.2 A = 22 Watts.
Electrical power (P) is calculated using the formula P = VI, where V is the voltage in volts and I is the current in amperes. The unit of power is the Watt (W).
Other useful formulas relating power, voltage, current, and resistance (R) are P = I²R and P = V²/R (derived from Ohm’s Law, V=IR). In this problem, only voltage and current were given, so P=VI is the direct formula to use.

19. A sound wave has a frequency of 4 kHz and wavelength 30 cm. How long w

A sound wave has a frequency of 4 kHz and wavelength 30 cm. How long will it take to travel 2.4 km ?

2.0 s
0.6 s
1.0 s
8.0 s
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
To find the time taken, we first need to calculate the speed of the sound wave using the formula speed (v) = frequency (f) × wavelength (λ). Given f = 4 kHz = 4000 Hz and λ = 30 cm = 0.3 m, the speed is v = 4000 Hz × 0.3 m = 1200 m/s. The distance to travel is 2.4 km = 2400 m. Time (t) = distance (d) / speed (v) = 2400 m / 1200 m/s = 2 seconds.
The speed of a wave is the product of its frequency and wavelength (v = fλ). Time taken to travel a distance is distance divided by speed (t = d/v). Ensure units are consistent (e.g., meters and seconds).
Frequency is the number of waves passing a point per second (Hz), and wavelength is the distance between successive crests or troughs (m). Kilohertz (kHz) is 1000 Hz, and a kilometer (km) is 1000 meters. Centimeter (cm) is 0.01 meters. Proper unit conversion is crucial for calculations.

20. In which of the following groups of organisms, is food material broken

In which of the following groups of organisms, is food material broken down outside the body and absorbed ?

Yeast, mushroom, bread mould
Mushroom, Amoeba, green plants
Caserta, tapeworm, lice
Paramecium, Amoeba, Caserta
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
Fungi, such as yeast, mushroom, and bread mould, obtain nutrients by secreting digestive enzymes onto the food source outside their bodies and then absorbing the digested material. This is called external digestion or saprophytic nutrition.
Fungi are heterotrophic organisms that use an absorptive mode of nutrition, typically involving extracellular breakdown of organic matter.
Amoeba and Paramecium (Protozoa) typically use phagocytosis, where they engulf food particles and digest them internally. Green plants are autotrophs that produce their own food through photosynthesis. Caserta (Cuscuta) and tapeworm are parasites; they absorb digested nutrients from their host rather than breaking down complex material externally themselves like fungi.

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