22 MAY CURRENT AFFAIRS (MCQ)

Q1. With reference to the plasma, consider the following statements:

1. It is the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid, and gas.

2. It is the most natural and widely observed state of matter in the entire universe.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c)

Explanation:

Scientists from Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), an autonomous institute under the DST have recently developed a theory that helps understand the complicated nature of Sun-Earth interaction’s happening in the magnetosphere– an area of space around Earth that is controlled by the Earth’s magnetic field.

• This new theory has opened up a plethora of opportunities to unlock the mysteries of the ion-hole structures (a localized plasma region where the ion density is lower than the surrounding plasma).
• They have completely ruled out the necessity of the upper limit in the temperature ratio between ions and electrons for the generation of a special kind of wave called Bernstein Green Kruskal (BGK) waves, named after the scientists who predicted this wave. They revealed that the electrons that are not part of ion hole dynamics also play a vital role.
• The new theory developed by the IIG team sheds light on the nature’s greatest mystery that causes phenomena —plasma transport and heating of plasma — the fourth state of matter after solid, liquid, and gas, which is the most natural and widely observed state of matter in the entire universe.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q2. The Paracel Islands archipelago is a collection of 130 islands and coral reefs and is located in the:

a) Red Sea

b) Arabian Sea

c) Dead Sea

d) South China Sea

Solution: d)

Explanation:

China alleged that the USS Curtis Wilbur, a US warship had illegally entered its territorial waters near the Paracel islands in the South China Sea, an assertion the United States denied.

• The Paracel Islands archipelago is a collection of 130 islands and coral reefs and is located in the South China Sea, almost equidistant from China and Vietnam.
• Since 2012, China, Taiwan and Vietnam have attempted to reinforce their claims on the territory by engaging in construction of government administrative buildings, tourism, land reclamation initiatives and by establishing and expanding military presence on the archipelago.
• Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q3. With reference to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, consider the following statements:

1. The government has warned that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transported through air as well in the form of aerosols, and infect people up to 10 metres away.

2. Aerosols are small solid particles suspended in the air.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: c)

Explanation:

In a new advisory, the government has warned that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can be transported through air as well in the form of aerosols, and infect people up to 10 metres away.

• The warning, included in an updated general advisory on Covid-19 issued by the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, is in line with the latest evidence that suggests that airborne transmission of the virus, especially in enclosed spaces, cannot be ruled out.
• It was initially suggested that the virus spreads predominantly through large droplets that come out when a person is talking, sneezing or coughing. These droplets, because of their large size, were supposed to travel only short distances before falling on the ground. A person 6 feet (2 metres) away was considered safe from infection.
• Over the months, however, scientists have been finding increasing evidence of the virus travelling through aerosols as well.
• Aerosols are small solid particles suspended in the air. Relatively light, aerosols can carry the virus to much larger distances. Also, they can remain suspended in the air for several minutes, or even hours, thereby greatly increasing the chance of the infecting a nearby person.
• Hence both statements are correct.

Q4. With reference to the Mucormycosis, consider the following statements:

1. It is a complication caused by virus infection.

2. The disease is being detected among patients who are recovering or have recovered from covid-19.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution: b)

Explanation:

The Union government has asked the States to declare mucormycosis, the fungal infection being reported in COVID-19 patients, an epidemic under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897.

• Declaring the black fungus infection seen in COVID-19 patients an epidemic would lead to health facilities screening for it and reporting all such cases to the government.
• Rajasthan, Telangana and Tamil Nadu have declared it an epidemic.
• Mucormycosis or black fungus is a complication caused by fungal infection. People catch mucormycosis by coming in contact with the fungal spores in the environment. The disease is being detected among patients who are recovering or have recovered from covid-19.

Hence only statement 2 is correct.

Q5. Recently seen in news, Majorca is an island of which of the following country?

a) Spain

b) Germany

c) France

d) Italy

Solution: a)

Explanation:

A giant slab of ice bigger than the Spanish island of Majorca has sheared off from the frozen edge of Antarctica into the Weddell Sea, becoming the largest iceberg currently afloat in the world, the European Space Agency said.

• The newly calved berg, designated A-76 by scientists, was spotted in recent satellite images captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission. Its surface area spans 4,320 square km (1,668 square miles) and measures 175 km long by 25 km wide.
• By comparison, Spain’s popular tourist island of Majorca in the Mediterranean occupies 3,640 square km (1,405 square miles). The U.S. state of Rhode Island is smaller still, with a landmass of just 2,678 square km.
• The enormity of A-76, which broke away from Antarctica’s Ronne Ice Shelf, ranks as the largest existing iceberg on the planet, surpassing the now second-place A-23A, about 3,380 square km (1,305 square miles) in size and also floating in the Weddell Sea.
• Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.