Environmental Studies · Physics
Solar Radiation and Energy
876 Questions
Enhance your general science knowledge with these questions on solar radiation and energy. The topics span solar thermal power plants, photovoltaic devices, and the sun's energy output. This material is useful for environmental studies and physics.
Solar energy conversionSun luminosity and compositionAtmospheric reflectionSolar thermal technology
Solar Radiation and Energy Questions
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fission-fusion
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nuclear dissemination
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nuclear fusion
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nuclear fission
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The Sun's energy is generated through nuclear fusion, where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium in the core. This process releases enormous amounts of energy according to E=mc². Fission breaks apart nuclei, fusion combines them, and 'nuclear dissemination' is not a standard physical process.
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Nuclear Fission
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Nuclear Fusion
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Endothermic
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Adiabatic
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The Sun produces energy through nuclear fusion - specifically hydrogen nuclei fusing into helium in its core. Option B is correct. Nuclear fission (A) is splitting atoms, not what powers stars. Endothermic (C) and adiabatic (D) are thermodynamic terms, not reaction types.
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Hydrogen
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Helium
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Nucler Fusion
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Carbon
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Switch On
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Switch Off
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Waste
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none of the above
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A mini nuclear reactor
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A dynamo
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A thermopile
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Solar cells
D
Correct answer
Explanation
Artificial satellites primarily use solar cells (photovoltaic cells) that convert sunlight directly into electrical energy. This is the most practical and reliable power source for satellites as they operate in space where sunlight is continuously available. Nuclear reactors are used only in specific large-scale missions, dynamos require mechanical rotation, and thermopiles produce insufficient power for satellite operations.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Solar energy comes from the sun's radiation. It's called 'solar' because 'sol' is the Latin word for sun. Water, oil, and wind are sources of different types of renewable energy (hydropower, fossil fuel, wind energy) but not solar energy.
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Shipping
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Scientific Equipment
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Solar power
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Steel & Iron
A
Correct answer
Explanation
SCI (Shipping Corporation of India) is a government-owned shipping company. The key distractor is 'Scientific Equipment' - while SCI could suggest science, it actually refers to their core business in maritime shipping.
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At the top of the atmosphere.
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On the surface of the Earth.
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At the bottom of the ocean.
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None
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Solar radiation is strongest at the top of Earth's atmosphere (approximately 1361 W/m²) before atmospheric absorption and scattering reduce its intensity. At Earth's surface, solar energy is about 70% of this value due to atmospheric attenuation. This tests basic atmospheric physics.
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helium
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hydrogen and oxygen
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molten metal elements
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hydrogen and helium
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The Sun's composition is primarily hydrogen (about 73% by mass) and helium (about 25% by mass), with trace amounts of heavier elements. This composition reflects the primordial material from which the Sun formed and the nuclear fusion process that converts hydrogen to helium. Option A (helium alone) and B (hydrogen and oxygen) are incomplete; C (molten metal elements) is incorrect.
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Green Energy
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Yellow Energy
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Solar Energy
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Nuclear Energy
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Green Lantern power rings cannot affect anything yellow due to the 'yellow impurity' - a weakness introduced when the Guardians imprisoned the Parallax entity in the Central Power Battery on OA. Green energy powers the rings, while solar and nuclear energy are unrelated to this specific weakness.
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Infra – red
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Ultraviolet
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Visible radiation
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Both (a) & (b)
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun penetrates the skin and damages DNA, causing sunburn and increasing skin cancer risk. UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn, while UVA rays contribute to skin aging. Infrared radiation heats the skin but doesn't cause sunburn, and visible light doesn't damage skin in this way.
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72, 25, 5
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70, 24.5, 4.5
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70, 25, 5
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71, 26.5, .5
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The Sun's composition is approximately 71% hydrogen, 26.5% helium, and about 2.5% heavier elements (oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, etc.). These ratios are determined by spectroscopic analysis of the Sun's photosphere. Option D matches these accepted values.
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visible radiation
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infra-red
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red light
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ultra-violet
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Infrared radiation from sunlight is primarily responsible for the sensation of heat because it's absorbed by our skin and converted to thermal energy. Visible light provides illumination, and ultraviolet radiation causes sunburn but doesn't primarily feel hot.
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visible radiation
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infra-red
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ultra-violet
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radio waves
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is harmful because it damages DNA and causes skin cancer, sunburn, and premature aging. Visible light and infrared are not harmful at normal exposure levels, and radio waves from the sun are weak.