Test: General Studies Engineering Aptitude - 1 - Electrical Engineering (EE) MCQ

Both statements are correct

Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve

• TheAgasthyamala Biosphere Reserve has recently been included in UNESCO’s List of World Biosphere Reserve Network.
• The area falls in the Malabar rainforests and is one of the noted hotspot in the Western Ghats. It covers about 3500 sqkms and is part of different districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.Agastya Mala, the peak after which the reserve is named, rises up to almost 1868 metres above sea level, in Thiruvananthapuram. There are many endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna in the reserve including endangered NilgiriTahr.  It includes the Indian eco regions of moist deciduous forests, montane rainforests and Shola forests and grasslands. There are three wildlife sanctuaries within the reserve - Shendurney, Peppara, and Neyyar.

Genetic engineering approaches

Phytoremediation

• Phytoremediation is the use of plants to remove contaminants from soil and water.

Types

• Phytoextraction / phytoaccumulationis the process by which plants accumulate contaminants into the roots and aboveground shoots or leaves.
• Phytotransformation or phytodegradation refers to the uptake of organic contaminants from soil, sediments, or water and their transformation to a more stable, less toxic, less mobile form.
• Phytostabilization is a technique in which plants reduce the mobility and migration of contaminated soil. Leachable constituents are adsorbed and bound into the plant structure so that they form an unstable mass of plant from which the contaminants will not re-enter the environment.
• Phytodegradation or rhizodegradationis the breakdown of contaminants through the activity existing in the rhizosphere. This activity is due to the presence of proteins and enzymes produced by the plants or by soil organisms such as bacteria, yeast, and fungi.
• Rhizofiltration is a water remediation technique that involves the uptake of contaminants by plant roots. Rhizofiltration is used to reduce contamination in natural wetlands and estuary areas.

Ecological hotspots are regions rich in endemic plants and animals.They include-

1. The Eastern Himalayas that include Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan and Eastern Nepal
2. The Western Ghats.
3. Sundaland which includes islands of Nicobar.
4. Indo-Burma which includes Northeast India and Andaman islands.

DDT, Salts of heavy metals, Radioactive substances are some of the examples of non-biodegradable pollutants.

The Pacific Ring of Fire is a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur. This region is characterized by intense tectonic plate activity and is known for its high seismicity.

Coking coal or metallurgical coal is an essential ingredient for the production of Steel.

Khetri Nagar is a town in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan in India. It is part of the Shekhawati region. Khetri is two towns, the first “Khetri Town” was founded by Raja Khet Singhji Nirwan.

Global warming, a type of climate change, indicates a long-term rise in Earth's average temperature due to human activities, primarily fossil fuel burning and deforestation, leading to an increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. On the other hand, climate change encompasses not only rising average temperatures, but also extreme weather events, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, rising seas, and a range of other impacts. It involves alterations in global temperatures, weather patterns and precipitation. These changes can lead to destructive consequences such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves. Both these phenomena are interlinked and significantly impact our planet's environment.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process used to identify the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) outlines five key stages. The 'screening' stage determines if the project requires an EIA. The 'scoping' stage identifies which potential impacts are relevant to assess. The 'impact prediction' stage estimates the potential impacts of the project. 'Mitigation' involves identifying and implementing measures to reduce, avoid or offset the predicted impacts. The final stage is 'decision-making', where the information gathered is used to make an informed decision about the project.

Sustainable development is a multifaceted concept aiming for a balanced interplay between economic growth, social equality, and environmental protection. It is a holistic strategy that promotes long-term, inclusive development that does not deplete resources for future generations. Economic growth is pursued in a way that doesn't compromise social equity, ensuring fair distribution of resources and opportunities. Meanwhile, environmental protection is prioritized, with strategies like green procurement, sustainable construction, and ecological considerations in projects. Green buildings, for example, minimize environmental impact and reduce energy consumption. Thus, sustainable development seeks a synergistic approach, balancing and integrating all three dimensions for a sustainable future.

The correct sequence is:

A. Crashing an activity - IV. Taking special (costly) measures to reduce the duration of an activity below its normal value
Crashing an activity refers to the process of shortening the duration of an activity in a project. It involves taking special measures, which can be costly, to expedite the completion of the activity. These measures may include adding more resources, working overtime, or using specialized equipment to accelerate the work. Crashing an activity allows for a shorter overall project duration but often comes with additional costs.

B. Project Network - III. It consists of a number of nodes and a number of arcs that connect two different nodes
A project network is a graphical representation of the activities and their dependencies within a project. It consists of nodes, which represent the activities, and arcs, which connect the nodes to show the logical sequence and dependencies between the activities. The project network helps visualize the flow of work and the relationships among activities, aiding in project planning, scheduling, and monitoring.

C. Critical path - I. Length of the longest path through the project network
The critical path in a project network is the longest path from the project's start to its end. It determines the minimum amount of time required to complete the project. Any delay in activities along the critical path will directly impact the overall project timeline. Identifying the critical path is essential for project scheduling and resource allocation, as it helps in prioritizing activities that are critical for the project's timely completion.

D. Crash point - II. It shows the time and cost when the activity is fully crashed
The crash point represents the time and cost associated with fully crashing an activity in a project. Fully crashing an activity means reducing its duration to the shortest possible time by applying all available resources and measures. The crash point helps in evaluating the impact of crashing activities on project timelines and costs. It provides insights into the trade-offs between time and cost when accelerating specific activities in a project.

Hence, the correct answer is A - IV, B - III, C - I, D - II.

TQM:

• Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management approach that originated in the 1950s and has steadily become more popular since the early 1980s.
• Total quality is a description of the culture, attitude, and organization of a company that strives to provide customers with products and services that satisfy their needs.
• The culture requires quality in all aspects of the company’s operations, with processes being done right the first time and defects and waste eradicated from operations.
• The "Building blocks of TQM" were specifically proposed by Joseph Juran in his book "Juran on Quality Improvement" in the year 1989.
• According to Zaire and Simintirais (1991) TQM  is a combination of socio technical process towards doing the right things externally, every thing right (internally), the first time and all the time with economic viability at each stage of each process

To be successfully implement TQM, an organization must concentrate on the eight building blocks are:

• Ethics
• Integrity
• Trust
• Training
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Recognition
• Communication

Key Points

• Information Given in Statement:
• Number of shares = 900,000
• Required Finance = Rupees 2.25 Crores
  • i.e. 2,25,00,000
• Current M.P (Market Price) = Rupees 130 per share
• Subscription price = Rupees 75 per share

Computation:
Firstly, we have to find out the Market value of company:
= 9,00,000 * 130
= 1,17,000,000

A company needs to issue shares, for Rupees 2,25,00,000 with Subscription price of Rupees 75:
=  2,25,00,000 / 75
= 3,00,000 shares

Now, with the help of given information we can easily find out the rights that are required to purchase a new share.
= 9,00,000 / 3,00,000
= 3 Rights
So, three rights are needed to purchase a new share.
Hence, the correct answer is Three rights.    

Job – shop production

• Job – shop production is characterized by the manufacturing of a large variety of products in small quantities that are designed and produced as per specifications are given by customers
• The main feature of this production system is that it is highly flexible
• A shop – shop comprises general-purpose machines arranged in different departments
• Example – Manufacture of aeroplanes and oil field equipment, machine tools, giant hydro turbine, rolling mills, and other heavy equipment

Batch production

• Batch production is a type of production in which the job passes through the functional departments in batches and each batch may have a different routing
• Batch production is characterized by the manufacture and stocking of a limited number of products at regular intervals, awaiting sales
• Example – Machine tools, pumps, compressors, stationary IC engines, etc.

Mass production

• In mass production, the same type of product is manufactured to meet the continuous demand of the product
• Manufacturing of discrete components or assemblies in a very large volume is called mass production
• Machines are arranged in a line according to the sequence of operations on the product
• Example – Nuts, bolts, screws, washers, pencils, matches, engine blocks, bicycles, electric motors, sewing machines, tractors, etc.

The first method invented for planning projects was the bar chart method which was introduced by Henry Gantt around the year 1900 A.D.
Bar chart is therefore also referred to as Gantt Chart. A bar chart is a graphical representation of activity v/s time where the horizontal axis represents time duration and the vertical axis represents activities.
Bar chart (Gantt chart):
(i) It is a pictorial chart.
(ii) It has two coordinate axes, the horizontal line (coordinate) represents the elapsed time and the vertical coordinate represents the job or activity to be performed.
(iii) The beginning and end of each bar represent starting and finishing times of a particular activity respectively.
(iv) The length of the bar shows the time required for completion.

Planning is often called the primary management function because it establishes the basis for all the other functions.

Key Points
The management process consists of four primary functions that managers must perform:

• planning
• organizing
• leading
• controlling

Planning is often called the primary management function:

• Planning means defining performance goals for the organization and determining what actions and resources are needed to achieve the goals.
• Through planning, management defines what the future of the organization should be and how to get there.
• It establishes the basis for all the other functions.
• A strategic plan bridges the gap between what an organization is and what it will become.
• A tactical plan defines what has to be done, who will do it, and the resources needed to do it.

Matrix organization

• A matrix organization is defined as one in which there is dual or multiple managerial accountability and responsibility.
• In a matrix there are usually two chains of command, one along functional lines and the other along project, product, or client lines. 
• The matrix organizational form may vary from one in which the project manager holds a very strong managerial position to one in which he plays only a coordinating role.

Advantages of the Matrix

• Project Objectives Clear
• Project Integration
• Development of Project Managers
• Retention of Disciplinary Teams
• High Morale
• Efficient Use of Resources
• Information Flow

• A risk is the chance that an event would occur which will lead to a change in the project circumstances that were assumed while forecasting the project costs and benefits and will have an impact on project objectives
• To ensure that these events do not lead to the failure of the projects, there is a need to manage the risks associated with the projects through the adoption of an appropriate risk management framework
• Risk management is an ongoing process which continues through the life cycle of a project
• The risk management process takes place in the following stages:
  • Risk identification: The process of identifying all the risks associated with the project, whether during its development phase or its construction or operational phase
  • Risk assessment: The process of determining the likelihood of the identified risks materializing and the magnitude of their consequences if they do materialize 
  • Risk allocation: The process of allocating responsibility for dealing with the consequences of each risk to one of the project stakeholders, or agreeing to share the risks 
  • Risk mitigation: The process of attempting to reduce the likelihood of the risk occurring and the degree to its consequences for the risk-taker

Project costs can be classified

• Direct or Indirect cost
• Recurring or Nonrecurring cost
• Fixed or Variable cost
• Normal or Expedited cost

Direct cost

• It can be directly charged against the project.
• For example, the cost of personnel who are directly involved in the project, or the cost of materials directly used for project work.

Indirect cost

• It includes overhead, as well as selling and administrative expenses.
• Examples of overhead costs associated with taxes, insurance, utilities, and so forth.
• Costs associated with selling and administrative expenses stem from salaries, commissions, advertising, etc.
• Tracking and allocating indirect costs to specific projects is considerably more difficult than allocating direct costs.
• Consequently, among project organizations, there is wide variations in the approaches employed to estimate and allocate indirect costs.
• Some organizations use a percentage multiplier for overhead costs, on top of direct costs.

Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique (GERT)

• GERT allows probabilistic treatment of both the network logic and estimation of duration for completing the activity, following a randomly determined sequence of observations.
• This technique is similar to PERT, but it allows both deterministic and nondeterministic (probabilistic) branching in a network.
• GERT allows to having loops between activities in a network.
• Though GERT addresses the major limitations of other scheduling techniques like CPM and PERT, it is very rarely used in complex systems.

Advantages of GERT:

• Addresses the limitations of other scheduling techniques
• Allows non-deterministic sequences in execution.

Disadvantages of GERT:

• Complex algorithm required to model the GERT system
• GERT has not gained popularity. It is very rarely used

Free float is the portion of positive total float by which an activity can be delayed without affecting succeeding activity

It is greater than or equal to independent float and can be equal to total float.

Cost-capacity factors:
The cost-capacity factors relations corrects for capacity differences.
The functional form for this relationship is given by the following equation:

where C₁ is the cost at capacity Q₁ and C₂ is the cost at capacity Q₂.
The commonly used is a power-law function and because the exponent is often found to be close to 0.67, it is referred to as the "rule of two-thirds".
The exponent 'n' is commonly between 0 and 1.
For n < 1, economies of scale exist, while if n is greater than one, the equipment costs increase at a rate greater than the increase in capacity.

Calculation:
Given:
C₁ = Rs.10,00,000, Q₁ = 8 × 10⁶ tonne/year and Q₂ = 27 × 10⁶  tonnne/year, n = 2/3
As per the rule of two-thirds:

Concept:
Electroforming is a technique used to create replicas or reproductions of objects by electrodeposition.

It involves the following steps:

• Creation of a Master Pattern: A master pattern or template of the desired object is created using a suitable material such as wax, plastic, or metal. This pattern serves as the mold or form onto which the metal will be deposited.
• Conductive Coating: The master pattern is coated with a conductive material, often graphite or a thin layer of metal. This coating allows for the passage of electrical current during the electrodeposition process.
• Electrolyte Solution: An electrolyte solution is prepared, which contains metal ions of the desired metal to be deposited. The choice of electrolyte depends on the metal to be electroformed. For example, if you want to electroform copper, a copper sulfate solution may be used.
• Electroplating Setup: The coated master pattern is connected to the cathode (negative terminal), while a suitable metal electrode, such as copper, is connected to the anode (positive terminal). Both the master pattern and the metal electrode are immersed in the electrolyte solution.
• Electroplating Process: When an electric current is passed through the system, metal ions from the electrolyte solution are attracted to the master pattern's surface. They adhere to the conductive coating, gradually forming a metal layer. The metal layer continues to build up over time, replicating the shape and details of the master pattern.
• Thickness Control: The duration and intensity of the electric current applied during the electroforming process determine the thickness of the deposited metal layer. Careful control of these parameters ensures that the desired thickness is achieved.
• Separation of Electroformed Object: Once the desired thickness is achieved, the electroformed object is carefully separated from the master pattern. This can be done by gently peeling or dissolving the master pattern material, leaving behind the electroformed metal object.
• Finishing: The electroformed object may undergo further finishing processes such as polishing, plating with other metals, or surface treatment to enhance its appearance and durability.

Electroforming has various applications in industries such as jewelry, microelectronics, aerospace, and automotive. It allows for the creation of complex, lightweight, and high-precision metal parts with intricate details that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional manufacturing methods.

For FCC -


∴ APF = 0.74
The relation between a and R

CONCEPT:
We know that a neutral point is a point where the earth's magnetic field's horizontal component cancels the magnetic field due to the bar.

CALCULATION:
Given:

The magnetic field due to bar magnet at the neutral point N is written as;

So at N,
B_m = B_H   

⇒ M =2.880 J/T
Hence option 2) is the correct answer.

Concept:
The iron-carbon phase diagram is shown below,

The phase diagram has all four phases austenite, ferrite, pearlite, cementite but not martensite.

Superconductors are of two types:

• Type 1 superconductors: These are ideal or soft superconductors. They have a low value of the critical magnetic field and transition temperature. They exhibit complete Meissner's effect and Silsbee rule. Eg: Pb, Pd, Hg, Zn, Al, In, etc
• Type 2 superconductors: These are non-ideal or hard superconductors. They have a high value of the critical magnetic field and transition temperature. They exhibit incomplete Meissner's effect and Silsbee rule. Eg: NbTi, NbZr, etc

The current density at which the superconductivity of material disappears is called Critical current density. Critical current is given by the formula: IC = HC where R is the radius of the wire of a superconducting material having central current I and Hc is the critical magnetic field. The critical current is directly proportional to the critical magnetic field.

Alloying: A solid solution has a less regular structure than a pure metal. Consequently, the electrical conductivity of a solid solution alloy drops off rapidly with increased alloy content. In other words, the addition of small amounts of impurities leads to a considerable increase in resistivity.
Therefore, statement I is true.
With the addition of an alloy, lattice periodicity of pure metal is distorted. This distortion will lead to carrier scattering and increment in the electrical resistivity and hence there will be a drop in conductivity.
Therefore, statement II is true.

Concept:

Ferroelectric material:

• It is characterized by the presence of a remnant polarization at zero bias voltage and the ability to switch the direction of this polarization
• A ferroelectric material is normally in single-crystalline or polycrystalline form and possesses a reversible spontaneous polarization over a certain temperature range
• There is a critical temperature, called the Curie temperature, which marks the transition from the ordered to the disordered phase

Piezoelectric Effect:

• It is the ability of certain materials to generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress
• When piezoelectric material is placed under mechanical stress, a shifting of the positive and negative charge centres in the material takes place, which then results in an external electrical field
• When reversed, an outer electrical field either stretches or compresses the piezoelectric material
   

Curie - Weiss law:
According to Curie - Weiss law, the susceptibility of a ferromagnetic material decreases above a certain temperature called curie temperature and it becomes paramagnetic in nature.
The susceptibility is given by

Where,
C = Curie constant,
T_C = Curie temperature,
T = Temperature

All the ferroelectric materials are piezoelectric materials also but all the piezoelectric materials are not ferroelectric materials.
Therefore, statement I is true.

Statement II:

• Ferroelectric materials are also temperature-dependent.
• For T > T_curie, these materials converted into the paramagnetic.
• These materials undergo transformation above the critical temperature.

Concept:
Energy Band gap:
In semiconductors and insulators, the two bands are separated by a band gap, while in semimetals the bands overlap. A band gap is an energy range in a solid where no electron states can exist due to the quantization of energy.
Solution:
Bands of higher energy are splitted into more bands as outermost level splits first and inner level splits after.
The valence band is the highest range of electron energies in which electrons are normally present at absolute zero temperature, while the conduction band is the lowest range of vacant electronic states.
Partially filled band refer to free or valence electrons possessing higher energy.
Some energy bands like conduction band may be unfilled.