General Knowledge Questions

A device which is used to convert light energy directly into electrical energy is called as photovoltaic cell or a solar cell.

Heliostats convert light energy into heat energy.

A thermocouple is a device for measuring temperature.

There are 8 different types of Soils present in India. They are primarily differentiated on the basis of composition and structure. They are ::

1.  Alluvial soils, 

2.  Black soils,

3.  Red soils,

4.  Laterite and Lateritic soils,

5.  Forest and Mountain soils,

6.  Arid and Desert soils,

7.  Saline and Alkaline soils and

8.  Peaty and Marshy soils.

The resistance of metallic conductors e.g, platinum, increases with rise of  temperature . The increase in temperature results in a decrease of current which can be recorded in a galvanometer if the conductor is included in an electrical circuit. Thus the temperature can be known; platinum resistance thermometer is used generally for accurate scientific work. When two dissimilar metals are joined at the ends, and these ends are subjected to a difference of temperature, a current flows through the metals. Greater the difference of temperature , greater the current. So the curent strength can form the basis for measuring the difference in temperature. And when one of these temperatures is known, we can calculate the other.

It will stop at a height where the weight of the balloon with contents is equal to the weight of air displaced by it, i.e , when the upthrust is equal to the downthrust. The question of bursting will depend on how much difference of pressure inside and outside , the material of the balloon can withstand. It is assumed the balloon is filled with a lighter than air gas like hydrogen or helium.

True, Air is a Mixture.

Air is considered as mixture for the following reasons ;

1. Air can be separated into its components like N2, O2 , Argon and CO2 by the process of fractional distillation of liquid air.

2. Air shows the properties of all the gases present in the atmosphere.
For example : Oxygen is good Supporter of combustion. Hence air also is good supporter of combustion.

3. Air does not have a fixed formula.

4. Air has a variable composition because air at different places contains different amount of gases.

5. Heat or Light energy is neither absorbed nor released when air is prepared physical by mixing required amount of gases .

6. Mixture does have fixed boiling Point. It holds good in case of liquid air.