Science · X-Factor Notes
Miscellaneous revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
41 revision facts
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Pyrethrum Use | Used as a mosquito repellent (derived from Chrysanthemum flowers, a seed plant). | UPPCS (Mains) 2009; UPPCS (Pre) 2005 |
| Pungent Smell near Urinals | Caused by the presence of Ammonia (resulting from urea decomposition in urine). | I.A.S. (Pre) 2007 |
| Artificial Rain | Chemical used to induce artificial rain is Silver Iodide. | UPPCS (Mains) 2013; U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020 |
| Rodenticide | Zinc Phosphide is used as a rodenticide (rat poison). | U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2020; UPPCS (Pre) 2019 |
| Nitrocellulose | Used as a mild explosive. | UPPCS (Pre) 2019 |
| Sodium Storage | Sodium metal is stored under kerosene oil because it is extremely reactive and might react with air. | UPPCS (Pre) 2011; UPPCS (Mains) 2010; I.A.S. (Pre) 2005 |
| Boric Acid Use | Used as an antiseptic. | UPPCS (Pre) 2011 |
| Car Battery Acid | The acid used in a car battery is Sulfuric acid. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2008 |
| Chargeable Battery Electrodes | Commonly use Nickel and Cadmium as electrodes. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2008 |
| Freon (Refrigerant) | A refrigerant (Dichlorodifluoromethane). | UPPCS (Mains) 2013; U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009 |
| Anti-knocking Agent | Tetraethyl lead is used as an anti-knocking agent. | UPPCS (Mains) 2013 |
| Vermillion (Sindur) Composition | Chemically, it is Mercury (II) Sulphide (HgS). | - |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Kevlar | A type of synthetic fiber used in materials like bulletproof jackets. | UPPCS (Pre) 2019 |
| Taxol | Used as an anticancer drug. | UPPCS (Pre) 2019 |
| Silicon Carbide | Used to produce Artificial Diamond. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009 |
| German Silver | An alloy that contains Copper, Nickel, and Zinc, but no elemental silver. | UPPCS (Pre) 2011 |
| Carbon Tetrachloride Use | Used as a Fire extinguisher. | U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013; UPPCS (Mains) 2013 |
| White Phosphorus | Glows spontaneously in air and darkness (phosphorescent). | U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2016 |
| Metric System Introduction | Introduced in India on April 1, 1957. |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Noise Pollution Unit | Measured in Decibel. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015 |
| Ozone Hole Cause | Caused primarily by Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015 |
| Global Warming Cause | Related to Carbon dioxide increase. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015 |
| Skin Cancer Cause | Associated with exposure to Ultraviolet Rays. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2015 |
| Antimatter Implication | Helps understand the evolution of the universe and probe the existence of stars and galaxies made of antimatter. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2012 |
| Green Hydrogen Use | Can be used as a fuel directly in internal combustion engines, blended with natural gas, or used in hydrogen fuel cells. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2023 |
| Pyrolysis and Plasma Gasification | Thermal processes mentioned in the context of Waste-to-energy technologies. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2019 |
| Herbicide Action | Selective herbicides work because they are absorbed at different rates by weeds and crop plants, allowing control without harming useful plants. | UPPCS (Mains) 2002 |
| Biodegradable Pollutant | Insecticides are noted as non-biodegradable pollutants. | - |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Technology Day (India) | Celebrated on 11 May. | UPPCS (Mains) 2003 |
| Photography Day | Celebrated on 19 August. | UPPCS (Mains) 2003 |
| National Sports Day | Celebrated on 29 August. | UPPCS (Mains) 2003 |
| World Environment Day | Celebrated on 5 June. | UPPCS (Pre) 1992 |
| World AIDS Day | Celebrated on 1 December. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009; UPPCS (Pre) 1992 |
| World Food Day | Celebrated on 16 October. | UPPCS (Pre) 1992 |
| World T.B. Day | Celebrated on March 24. | UPPCS (Pre) 2015 |
| International Ozone Day | Celebrated on September 16. | UPPCS (Pre) 2015 |
| Anti Leprosy Day | Celebrated on January 31 (or last Sunday of January). | UPPCS (Pre) 2015 |
| Survey of India Ministry | Functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology. | I.A.S. (Pre) 2003 |
| CDRI Location | Central Drug Research Institute is located at Lucknow. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016; UPPCS (Pre) 1999; UPPCS (Pre) 1991 |
| CIMAP Location | Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants is situated at Lucknow. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2021; I.A.S. (Pre) 2001 |
| Biofertilizers Microorganisms | Lactobacillus (curd preparation), Rhizobium (nitrogen fixation), Yeast (alcohol production), Aspergillus (citric acid formation). | UPPCS (Mains) 2003 |
