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Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science – Fundamental and Sustainability Concepts
Assignment- 3
TYPE OF QUESTION: MCQ/MSQ
Number of questions: 15 Total Marks 15 x 2 = 30
1. What is the main distinction between the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics as applied
to environmental systems?
a. The First Law addresses energy quality, while the Second Law addresses energy conservation.
b. The First Law deals with energy quantity, and the Second Law concerns energy quality and
entropy.
c. Both laws focus on the conservation of energy in closed systems.
d. The Second Law invalidates the First Law in high-energy systems.
Correct Answer: - b
Detailed Solution:
The First Law ensures energy conservation, while the Second Law emphasizes entropy,
reflecting a decrease in energy quality during transformations.
2. The part of the earth and its atmosphere in which organisms live in is called _________.
a. Biosphere
b. Hydrosphere
c. Biomass
d. None of the above
Correct Answer: - a
Detailed Solution:
The biosphere, also known as the ecosphere, is the worldwide sum of all ecosystems. It can also
be termed the zone of life on Earth.
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3. How does the energy transfer efficiency from one trophic level to another typically follow the
10% rule?
a. Only 10% of energy is consumed at the primary producer level.
b. 90% of energy is lost as heat and life activities at each trophic level.
c. 10% of organisms survive between trophic levels.
d. All energy is used to produce biomass.
Correct Answer: - b
Detailed Solution:
The 10% rule states that 90% of energy is lost between trophic levels due to metabolic activities
and heat loss.
4. Consider the following food chain which occurs in an aquatic ecosystem:
Phyoto plankton Small Fish Big fish
If phytoplankton acquires 100 J of energy from solar radiation, calculate the toal energy lost in
the given food chain?
a. 10 J
b. 90 J
c. 99 J
d. 9 J
Correct Answer:- c
Detailed Solution:
Total energy lost = 0.9* 100+ 0.9 *10 = 99 J
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
5. Which of the following is logical sequence of flow of energy?
a. Producer —> Consumer —> Decomposer
b. Decomposer —> Consumer —> Producer
c. Producer —> Consumer —> Decomposer
d. Decomposer —> Consumer —> Decomposer
Correct Answer: - a
Detailed Solution:
6. What is the role of photolysis in atmospheric ozone dynamics?
a. Formation of ozone through O2 photodissociation.
b. Breakdown of O3 into O2 and O.
c. Transformation of ozone into molecular nitrogen.
d. Dissociation of nitrogen oxides into ozone precursors.
Correct Answer: - b
Detailed Solution:
Ozone photolysis involves its breakdown into O2 and O, driven by specific wavelengths of light.
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
7. Find the hydrogen ion concentration and the hydroxide ions concentration in Lemon juice
having pH of 6.1?
a. 7.94 * 10-7 mol/L & 1.26 * 10-8 mol/L
b. 7.94 * 10-8 mol/L & 1.26 * 10-7 mol/L
c. 9.4 * 10-5 mol/L & 6.5 * 10-10 mol/L
d. 7.94 * 10-2 mol/L & 1.26 * 10-11 mol/L
Correct Answer: - a
Detailed Solution:
[H+] = 10-pH = 10-6.1 = 7.9*10-7 mol/L
Similary [OH-] = 1.26 * 10-8 mol/L
8. Which principle explains why biodiversity decreases as deforestation increases?
a. Habitat destruction reduces ecological niches.
b. Invasive species thrive in disturbed environments.
c. Increased soil fertility benefits monoculture crops.
d. Loss of light penetration through deforested areas.
Correct Answer: - a
Detailed Solution:
Deforestation destroys habitats, reducing the variety of ecological niches and resulting in a
biodiversity decline.
9. Why are equilibrium constants critical in chemical reactions?
a. They predict the speed of the reaction.
b. They determine the stoichiometric coefficients.
c. They describe the concentrations at reaction completion.
d. They measure the enthalpy change during the reaction.
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Correct Answer:- c
Detailed Solution:
Equilibrium constants quantify the ratio of product and reactant concentrations at chemical equilibrium.
10. Subsurface half-lives for xylene and hexane are listed as 56, and 15 days respectively. What are
the first-order rate constants for the given chemicals?
a. 0.012/day, 0.061/day
b. 0.014/day, 0.024/day
c. 0.046/day, 0.012/day
d. 0.012/day, 0.046/day
Correct Answer: - d
Detailed Solution:
thalf = 0.693/k
k = 0.693/half life
for xylene k = 0.693/56 = 0.012/day,
for hexane k = 0.693/15 = 0.046/day
11. Calculate the quantity of CO2 released by burning the 32 gram of methane gas completely?
a. 44 g of CO2
b. 34 g of CO2
c. 88 g of CO2
d. 32 g of CO2
Correct Answer: - c
Detailed Solution:
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The balanced equation is as follows
32 g of methane is equal to 2 moles, so 2 moles of methane produces 2 moles of carbon dioxide.
Weight of CO2 = 2*44 = 88 grams
12. The following data have been noted from the census department for a city A . Find the probable
population in the year 2030 using arithmetic increase method.
Year 1980 1990 2000 2010
Population 10000 13000 18000 23000
a. 30657
b. 31667
c. 41200
d. 43333
Correct Answer: b
Detailed Solution:
Year 1980 1990 2000 2010
Population 10000 13000 18000 23000
Increase 3000 5000 5000
Incremental Average = 4333.3
Population at the end of 2030 = 23000 + 2*4333.3 = 31667.
13. which of the following is not responsible for water pH decrease in polluted enviornments ?
a. Dissolution of carbon dioxide forming carbonic acid.
b. Presence of heavy metals reducing alkalinity.
c. Accumulation of nitrogen-based acids.
d. Increase in organic waste content.
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Correct Answer: - b
Detailed Solution:
CO2 forms carbonic acid, nitrogen compounds form acids, and organic waste decomposition
lowers pH.
14. In a first order reaction, find out the relation between the time required for 99% completion and
the time required for the completion of 90% of reaction?
a. t99% = 1.5 * t90%
b. t99% = 1 * t90%
c. t99% = 3 * t90%
d. t99% = 2 * t90%
Correct Answer: d
Detailed Solution:
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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
15. Which factor will not affect the ionic strength of an aqueous solution?
a. Ion concentration.
b. Ion valence.
c. Water temperature.
d. Total dissolved solids.
Correct Answer: - c
Detailed Solution:
Ionic strength depends on ion concentration, valence, and the dissolved solids in the solution.
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