SSC JE General Science Questions with Detailed Solutions

Correct Answer: (D) Initial velocity

Explanation:

• In the equation s = ut + ½ at², which is one of the equations of motion in physics:
• s = displacement of the object
• u = initial velocity of the object
• t = time
• a = acceleration
• The equation shows the position of an object at time t when it starts with an initial velocity u and moves under uniform acceleration a.

Information Booster:

• Uniform acceleration (a): The rate at which velocity changes per unit time.
• Displacement (s): The distance covered by an object in a given direction.
• Applications: This equation is used in kinematics to calculate displacement when the object starts with some initial velocity and moves under constant acceleration.
• Other equations of motion include:
• v = u + at (velocity-time relation)
• v² = u² + 2as (velocity-displacement relation)

So, in the given equation, u represents the initial velocity.

Correct Answer: (A) Cobalt (Co)

Explanation:

• Cobalt (Co) is a transition metal located in Group 9 of the periodic table.
• Transition metals are elements found in the d-block of the periodic table and are characterized by partially filled d-orbitals, which give them properties like:
• Formation of colored compounds
• Multiple oxidation states
• High melting and boiling points
• Good conductivity of heat and electricity

Information Booster:

• Cobalt (Co):
• Atomic number: 27
• Common oxidation states: +2, +3
• Uses: Batteries, alloys, magnets, pigments, and catalysts.
• Other options:
• Copper (Cu): Group 11, transition metal but not in Group 9.
• Nickel (Ni): Group 10, transition metal.
• Iron (Fe): Group 8, transition metal.

So, the transition metal in Group 9 is Cobalt (Co).

Correct Answer: (B) 9.8 m/s²

Explanation:

• Acceleration due to gravity (g) is the rate at which an object accelerates when it is in free fall near the surface of the Earth.
• Its standard value on Earth is 9.8 m/s². This means that every second, the velocity of a freely falling object increases by 9.8 meters per second, ignoring air resistance.

Information Booster:

• Formula: g = (G × M) / R²
• G = Gravitational constant
• M = Mass of the Earth
• R = Radius of the Earth
• Variation: The value of g slightly varies depending on:
• Altitude: g decreases as altitude increases.
• Latitude: g is slightly higher at the poles and lower at the equator due to Earth’s rotation and shape.
• Use in Physics: g is fundamental in calculating weight (W = mass × g), motion of falling objects, and projectile motion.

So, the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the Earth is 9.8 m/s².

Correct Answer: (C) The filament inside it was broken

Explanation:

• A fused bulb occurs when the filament inside the bulb breaks due to excessive current or wear and tear.
• The filament is the thin wire inside the bulb that heats up and emits light when current passes through it.
• Once the filament is broken, the circuit inside the bulb is incomplete, so the bulb does not light up.
• Replacing the fused bulb with a new one restores the circuit, allowing the bulb to function normally.

Information Booster:

• Causes of a fused bulb:
• Excessive voltage or surge in the circuit.
• Old age of the bulb causing filament fatigue.
• Frequent switching on and off, which can stress the filament.
• Safety Tip: Always ensure the switch is off before replacing a fused bulb to avoid electric shock.
• Other possibilities (incorrect options):
• Switch not turned on → Would have affected all bulbs on the same circuit, not just one.
• Improper fitting → Usually causes flickering, not a completely fused bulb.
• No connection between holder and switch → Would affect the wiring, not just a single bulb.

So, the fused bulb failed because the filament inside it was broken.

Correct Answer: (A) Sodium chloride

Explanation:

• Brine water is water that is saturated or strongly impregnated with salt, specifically sodium chloride (NaCl).
• It is commonly produced by dissolving rock salt in water or by evaporation of seawater.
• Brine is used in various industries, including salt production, chemical manufacturing, and food preservation.

Information Booster:

• Sodium chloride (NaCl): Common table salt, an ionic compound made of sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻) ions.
• Uses of brine water:
• Salt extraction through evaporation.
• Production of chlorine and caustic soda via electrolysis.
• Food preservation (pickling and curing).
• Other options explained:
• Sodium iodide → Used in medicine and photography.
• Sodium bromide → Used in photography and chemicals.
• Sodium hydroxide → Strong base, used in soap and chemical industries, not in brine.

So, brine water is saturated with sodium chloride (NaCl).

Correct Answer: (C) Starch

Explanation:

• The predominant carbohydrate in potatoes is starch, which is a complex carbohydrate made of long chains of glucose molecules.
• Starch acts as a storage form of energy in plants, and in potatoes, it is stored in the tubers.
• When consumed, starch is broken down by enzymes (like amylase) into glucose, which the body uses for energy.

Information Booster:

• Simple carbohydrates: Sugars like glucose, fructose, and sucrose, provide quick energy.
• Complex carbohydrates (starch): Found in foods like potatoes, rice, and wheat, they provide sustained energy.
• Dietary importance: Starch is a major energy source in human diets and is also rich in fiber and essential nutrients when consumed in whole forms.

So, the main carbohydrate in potatoes is starch.

Correct Answer: (A) Saponification

Explanation:

• Saponification is the chemical reaction in which fats or oils react with a strong alkali, such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH), to produce soap and glycerol (glycerin).
• Fats and oils are triglycerides, and during saponification, the ester bonds in triglycerides are hydrolyzed by the alkali.

General Reaction:
Fat/Oil + NaOH → Soap + Glycerol

Information Booster:

• Combustion: A chemical reaction with oxygen that produces heat and light; e.g., burning wood or gasoline.
• Fermentation: A biological process where microorganisms convert sugars into alcohol or acids.
• Oxidation: A reaction involving the loss of electrons or addition of oxygen, e.g., rusting of iron.
• Importance of Saponification:
• Produces cleaning agents (soap)
• Generates glycerol, which is used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals

So, the reaction of fats or oils with a strong alkali to make soap is called saponification.

Correct Answer: (A) Cytoplasmic Inclusion

Explanation:

• Cytoplasmic inclusions are non-living components within the cytoplasm of a cell, distinct from organelles.
• They serve as storage materials and reserve substances for the cell.
• Examples include:
• Glycogen granules (energy storage in animals)
• Starch grains (energy storage in plants)
• Lipid droplets (fat storage)
• Pigments like melanin

Information Booster:

• Plasmodesmata: Channels between plant cells that allow intercellular communication, not storage inclusions.
• Tubules: Components of the cytoskeleton (microtubules), provide structural support and transport pathways.
• Microfibrils: Structural components of the cell wall or cytoskeleton, made of cellulose or proteins.
• Significance of Cytoplasmic Inclusions:
• Serve as energy reserves or metabolic by-products
• Can indicate the metabolic state of the cell

So, the non-living components within a cell are called cytoplasmic inclusions.

The correct answer is (A) Nissl bodies.

Explanation:

• Nissl bodies are basophilic (blue-staining) granules found in the cytoplasm of nerve cells (neurons). They are composed of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and ribosomes and are primarily involved in protein synthesis.
• These granules play a crucial role in the synthesis of proteins, which are essential for the function and maintenance of the neuron. Nissl bodies are often more prominent in motor neurons.

Information Booster:

• Nissl bodies are essential for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and proteins required for the structure and function of neurons.
• They are also involved in the maintenance and repair of neurons.
• The presence of Nissl bodies distinguishes neurons from other cell types, and their absence or damage can indicate neurodegenerative diseases.

Why other options are incorrect:

• B) Subunit of Parson: This term does not refer to a known structure involved in protein synthesis in nerve cells.
• C) Oxisome: Not related to the process of protein synthesis in neurons.
• D) Golgi bodies: Golgi bodies (or Golgi apparatus) are involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins, but they do not directly perform protein synthesis like Nissl bodies.

The correct answer is (C) Group 13.

Explanation:

• Boron is the only metalloid in Group 13 of the periodic table. Group 13 elements are known as the boron group and include boron (B), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), and thallium (Tl).
• While boron exhibits metalloid properties, others in the group, such as aluminum, are metals, and the rest (gallium, indium, and thallium) are also metals.

Information Booster:

• A metalloid is an element that has properties intermediate between metals and non-metals. Boron is a good example of a metalloid, as it is brittle and semi-conductive, properties typical of metalloids.
• The other elements in Group 13 are metals, and they do not display the metalloid characteristics that boron does.

Why other options are incorrect:

• (A) Group 16: The elements in Group 16 are primarily non-metals (oxygen, sulfur, etc.), with selenium and tellurium being metalloids.
• (B) Group 5: Group 5 contains metals such as vanadium and niobium, and the metalloids in this group (like arsenic) are not exclusive to this group.
• (D) Group 10: Group 10 contains metals like nickel, palladium, and platinum, but no metalloids.

The correct answer is (C) Thiamin.

Explanation:

• Vitamin B1 is commonly known as Thiamin.
• It plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism and is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system, muscles, and heart.
• Thiamin helps convert carbohydrates into energy and is important for maintaining healthy nerve function.

Information Booster:

• Thiamin is found in foods such as whole grains, meat (especially pork), fish, beans, and nuts.
• A deficiency in thiamin can lead to beriberi, a condition that affects the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
• Thiamin also aids in the synthesis of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for nerve signal transmission.

Why other options are incorrect:

• (A) Pantothenic acid: Known as Vitamin B5, it is important for energy production and synthesis of coenzyme A.
• (B) Niacin: Also called Vitamin B3, it plays a role in energy metabolism and skin health.
• (D) Riboflavin: Known as Vitamin B2, it is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

The correct answer is (B) A-1, B-2, C-3.

Explanation:

• A. Propene: Propene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon with a double bond between two of its carbon atoms. This makes it part of the alkene family, which is characterized by a carbon-carbon double bond. Therefore, Propene corresponds to 1: Unsaturated 3 carbon chains with double bond.
• B. Propyne: Propyne is also an unsaturated hydrocarbon, but it contains a triple bond between two of its carbon atoms. This places it in the alkyne category, which is characterized by a carbon-carbon triple bond. Hence, Propyne corresponds to 2: Unsaturated 3 carbon chains with triple bond.
• C. Propane: Propane is a saturated hydrocarbon, meaning it only contains single bonds between carbon atoms. It is a part of the alkane family and consists of three carbon atoms. Therefore, Propane corresponds to 3: Saturated 3 carbon bonds.

Information Booster:

• Alkanes (e.g., Propane): These are saturated hydrocarbons, meaning they have only single bonds between carbon atoms. They follow the general formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₂. Alkanes are relatively stable and are used as fuels.
• Alkenes (e.g., Propene): These are unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one double bond between carbon atoms. They follow the general formula CₙH₂ₙ. Alkenes are more reactive than alkanes due to the presence of the double bond, making them useful in chemical synthesis.
• Alkynes (e.g., Propyne): These are unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one triple bond between carbon atoms. They follow the general formula CₙH₂ₙ₋₂. Alkynes are highly reactive and are important in the production of chemicals like acetylene.

Given:

• Number of oscillations (cycles) = 100
• Time = 5 seconds

Frequency formula:

Frequency = (Number of Oscillations) / (Time in seconds)

Calculation:

Frequency = 100 oscillations / 5 seconds = 20 Hz

So, the correct frequency is 20 Hz.

Correct Answer: (C) 20 Hz

Correct Answer: (B) Maillard reaction

Explanation:

• The Maillard reaction occurs when meat is cooked at temperatures above 140°C. It is a complex chemical reaction between amino acids (from proteins) and reducing sugars, which gives browned food its characteristic color and flavor. This reaction is crucial in the cooking of meat, bread, and other foods, contributing to the development of flavor and aroma.

Information Booster:

• Caramelization (Option A) occurs when sugar is heated to high temperatures, causing it to break down and develop a rich, golden-brown color and a distinct flavor. It typically occurs above 160°C and does not involve proteins.
• Emulsification (Option C) is the process of mixing two immiscible liquids (like oil and water), often aided by an emulsifier (e.g., egg yolk in mayonnaise).
• Oxidation reactions (Option D) involve the interaction of substances with oxygen, leading to spoilage or rancidity, especially in fats, but this is not a primary reaction at cooking temperatures above 140°C.

Correct Answer: (B) 16

Explanation:

• The atomic number of an atom represents the number of protons in the nucleus. Here, the atomic number is 6, so the atom has 6 protons.
• The number of neutrons is given as 10.
• The atomic mass (mass number) of an atom is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons:

Atomic mass = Number of protons + Number of neutrons
Atomic mass = 6 + 10 = 16

Information Booster:

• Atomic Number (Z): Determines the element's identity. In this case, 6 corresponds to carbon (C).
• Mass Number (A): Total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.
• Isotopes: Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes. This atom with 6 protons and 10 neutrons is an isotope of carbon, specifically Carbon-16.