Daily Prelims Notes 31 January 2021

January 31, 2021
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Daily Prelims Notes

31 January 2021

By

Santosh Sir

All 6 CSE Prelims Qualified

4 CSE Mains qualified

If I can do it, you can too

Table Of Contents

1. SUPERNOVA and NEUTRINO

Subject : Science & tech

Context : A team from IIT Guwahati has come up with new insights into the part played by neutrinos in this dramatic death of massive stars.

Concept:

Many stars, towards the end of their lifetimes, form supernovas – massive explosions that send their outer layers shooting into the surrounding space.
Most of the energy of the supernova is carried away by neutrinos – tiny particles with no charge and which interact weakly with matter.

Supernova

All stars burn nuclear fuel in their cores to produce energy. The heat generates internal pressure which pushes outwards and prevents the star from collapsing inward due to the action of gravity on its own mass.
But when the star ages and runs out of fuel to burn, it starts to cool inside. This causes a lowering of its internal pressure and therefore the force of gravity wins; the star starts to collapse inwards.
This builds up shock waves because it happens very suddenly, and the shock wave sends the outer material of the star flying. This is what is perceived as a supernova. This happens in very massive stars.
In stars that are more than eight times as massive as the Sun, the supernova is accompanied by a collapsing of the inner material of the dying star – this is also known as core collapse supernova or Type II supernova.
The collapsing core may form a black hole or a neutron star, according as its mass.

Neutrinos

Proton, neutron, and electron are tiny particles that make up atoms
The neutrino is also a tiny elementary particle, but it is not part of the atom
They are the second most widely occurring particle in the universe, only second to photons, the particle which makes up light
Neutrino has a very tiny mass, no charge and spin half
It interacts very weakly with other matter particles

Origin of neutrino

Neutrinos come from the sun (solar neutrinos) and other stars, cosmic rays that come from beyond the solar system, and from the Big Bang from which our Universe originated
They can also be produced in the lab

Types of neutrino

Neutrinos come in three types or “flavors” – electron neutrino, tau neutrino and muon neutrino
They can change from one flavor to another as they travel.
This process is called neutrino oscillation and is an unusual quantum phenomenon

How are atmospheric neutrinos produced in nature?

Atmospheric neutrinos are produced from cosmic rays which consist of protons and heavy nuclei.
These collide with atmospheric molecules such as Nitrogen to give off pions and muons which further decay to produce neutrinos.

2. TROPICAL CYCLONES

Subject: Geography

Context: Tropical cyclones across the globe, except Atlantic hurricanes, are moving closer to land in recent decades, a new study found.

Concept:

Tropical cyclones generally have been moving westward by about 30 kilometres per decade since 1982, putting them closer to land and making them more dangerous, a study published in Science said.
Storms generally move east to west because of trade winds in the tropics, so a greater westward shift usually puts them closer to where the land is, Study said.
Storms that form just west of land, such as in the Pacific off the California and Mexican coasts, are usually moving away from land already, so this shift doesn’t spare more land.
However, it’s mysterious that, unlike other areas, the Atlantic hurricane basin didn’t show any significant westward shift, but that could be because the Atlantic hurricane zone is more closely surrounded by continents.

Tropical Cyclones

Tropical cyclones are violent storms that originate over oceans in tropical areas and move over to the coastal areas bringing about large scale destruction due to violent winds, very heavy rainfall and storm surge.
They are irregular wind movements involving closed circulation of air around a low pressure center. This closed air circulation is a result of rapid upward movement of hot air which is subjected to Coriolis force.

Conditions Favourable for Tropical Cyclone Formation

Large sea surface with temperature higher than 27°C.
Presence of the Coriolis force enough to create a cyclonic vortex.
Small variations in the vertical wind speed.
A pre-existing weak low-pressure area or low-level-cyclonic circulation.
Upper divergence above the sea level system.

Favorite Grounds for Tropical Cyclones

South-east Caribbean region where they are called hurricanes.
Philippines islands, eastern China and Japan where they are called typhoons.
Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea where they are called cyclones.
Around south-east African coast and Madagascar-Mauritius islands.
North-west Australia.

3. SATURN TILT

Subject : Science & tech

Context : The tilt of the rotation axis of the gas giant Saturn may in fact be caused by its moons, scientists from CNRS, Sorbonne University and the University of Pisa have reported.

Concept :

Recent observations have shown that Titan and the other moons are gradually moving away from Saturn much faster than astronomers had previously estimated.
The researchers concluded that this process affects the inclination of Saturn’s rotation axis: as its satellites move further away, the planet tilts more and more.
The current tilt of Saturn’s rotation axis is caused by the migration of its satellites, and especially by that of its largest moon, Titan.

Saturn

Saturn is similar to Jupiter, although about one-third the mass. It spins so fast that its diameter at the equator is 10 percent larger than its diameter from pole to pole.
Saturn has a solid core likely made of rock and ice, which is thought to be many times the mass of Earth.
Covering this core is a layer of liquid metallic hydrogen, and on top of that are layers of liquid hydrogen and helium.
These layers conduct strong electric currents that, in turn, generate Saturn’s powerful magnetic field.

Saturn’s Moons

Saturn has 62 confirmed moons, and its largest moon is Titan, which is larger than Earth’s own moon and has a thick, opaque atmosphere.
Titan is the second-largest moon in the Solar System (larger than Mercury) and it is the only satellite in the Solar System with a substantial atmosphere (nitrogen-rich).

Saturn’s Ring System

The most spectacular part of Saturn is its magnificent system of planetary rings, which stretch some 300,000 kilometers across. The ring system is divided into three main parts: the bright A and B rings and the dimmer C ring.
Saturn’s rings are probably made up of billions of particles of ice and ice-covered rocks.

Additional Information

CASSINI MISSION

The Cassini–Huygens mission, commonly called Cassini, was a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Italian Space Agency to send a probe to study the planet Saturn and its system, including its rings and natural satellites.

DRAGONFLY MISSION

Dragonfly aims to search for signs of microbial alien life on Saturn’s moon Titan, while navigating its earth-like gravity and aerodynamics in the process.
The mission will succeed NASA’s Cassini probe, which ended its 13-year mission orbiting Saturn in September 2017 by diving into Saturn’s atmosphere.
Dragonfly mission is a part of NASA’s New Frontiers program, which includes a series of space exploration missions, which are being conducted with the purpose of researching several of the Solar System bodies, including the dwarf planet Pluto.
The New Frontiers programme also includes Pluto probe New Horizons, Jupiter probe Juno and OSIRIS-Rex asteroid mission.

4. ABRAHAM ACCORDS

Subject : International Relations

Context :Mr. Sullivan described the Quad and the Abraham Accords — deals signed in 2020 to normalise relations between Israel and certain West Asian and North African countries — as examples of Trump administration’s actions that were positive and ones the Biden administration would build on.

Concept :

The Abraham Accord between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain is mediated by the USA. It is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years.
Previous Agreements: There were the only two peace deals between Israel and the Arab States in more than a quarter of a century.
Egypt was the first Arab State to sign a peace deal with Israel in 1979.
Jordan signed a peace pact in 1994.

The Agreement:

As per the agreements, the UAE and Bahrain will establish:

Embassies and exchange ambassadors.
Working together with Israel across a range of sectors, including tourism, trade, healthcare and security.
The Abraham Accords also open the door for Muslims around the world to visit the historic sites in Israel and to peacefully pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam.
In the Islamic tradition, the Kaaba in Mecca is considered the holiest site, followed by the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Reason: Bringing Israel, the UAE and Bahrain together reflects their shared concern about Iran’s rising influence in the region and development of ballistic missiles. Iran has been critical of both deals.

5. PETN EXPLOSIVES

Subject : Science & tech

Context : A day after a low intensity explosion took place near the Israeli embassy in New Delhi, Israel’s ambassador Ron Malka said Indian and Israeli agencies were working together “to find out what happened, who is standing behind this”.

Concept :

Sources in the security establishment said preliminary forensic examination of the site and the bomb have revealed that the explosive used was PETN.
A military grade explosive, PETN is not easily available and has been used in the past by groups such as Al Qaeda for making bombs.

PETN Explosives

PETN or Pentaerythritol tetranitrate is one of the most dangerous plastic explosive. The substance is available in black market, and belongs to the same family as nitroglycerin.
It is preferred by militant groups because it cannot be easily detected owing to its colourless crystals.
Majority of explosive detectors use metal detectors, but PETN can be kept hidden in a sealed container or an electrical equipment and thus can easily surpass security checks.
PETN does not go on its own. The explosive needs a secondary detonating mechanism to produce heat or a shockwave, which can detonate the explosive.

6. BEEMA BAMBOO

Subject : Environment

Context :Crash barriers made of Beema bamboo and coir are being developed as a low-cost solution as the Centre looks for innovative, newer ways to bring down fatalities and mishaps on roads.

Concept :

Beema Bamboo

Beema or Bheema bamboo is a type of bamboo engineered to be a stronger, fast-growing and tall clone of the traditional bamboo found in the Indian subcontinent, especially the North-East. This variety grows well in southern India also.
This cloned Bamboo is a superior clone, selected from Bambusabalcooa, a higher Biomass yielding Bamboo species.
It is thornless, sterile, fast growing and High yeilding superior bamboo. It can grow in the field for more than hundred years without need for replanting.
If it is managed as per the Silvicultural methods it will higher Biomass on sustainable basis. Soil, water requirement and climatic conditions are similar as sugarcane crop.
Beema Bamboo acts as a Carbon Sink and absorbs excess Carbon-di-oxide in the air three to four times than other trees.
Obviously, it is eco-friendly and absorbs 400 to 500 Kg of Carbon-di-oxide every year and grows five times faster than other spices of Bamboo

7. DUTCH TULIP BUBBLE BURST

Subject : Economics

Context : Now, almost exactly 385 years and another pandemic later, Wall Street waits to see how long it will take for history to repeat itself.

Concept :

Shares of video game retailer GameStop Corp have soared 1,625% since the start of January. Driving the rally are individual investors who have been stuck at home for the last ten months.
The value soars until one day the market runs out of buyers and freezes, causing prices to plummet and some unlucky few to lose fortunes more than ten times their annual incomes in the span of a few hours.

Dutch Tulip Bubble Burst

The Dutch tulip bulb market bubble, also known as ‘tulipmania’ was one of the most famous market bubbles and crashes of all time.
It occurred in Holland during the early to mid 1600s when speculation drove the value of tulip bulbs to extremes.
At the height of the market, the rarest tulip bulbs traded for as much as six times the average person’s annual salary.
Today, the tulipmania serves as a parable for the pitfalls that excessive greed and speculation can lead to.

8. NITI AAYOG COMPOSITION

Subject : Governance

Context : Amid Covid-19 vaccination drive, the NITI Aayog may soon call the next meeting of its governing council to discuss the issue of vaccine management in states.

Concept :

Composition of NITI Aayog:

Chairperson: Prime Minister of India as the Chairperson.
Governing Council comprising the Chief Ministers of all the States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories.
Regional Councils will be formed to address specific issues and contingencies impacting more than one state or a region. These will be formed for a specified tenure.
The Regional Councils will be convened by the Prime Minister and will comprise of the Chief Ministers of States and Lt. Governors of Union Territories in the region. These will be chaired by the Chairperson of the NITI Aayog or his nominee.
Experts, specialists and practitioners with relevant domain knowledge as special invitees nominated by the Prime Minister.

The full-time organizational framework :

Vice-Chairperson: To be appointed by the Prime Minister.
Members: Full-time.
Part-time members: Maximum of 2 from leading universities research organizations and other relevant institutions in an ex-officio capacity. Part time members will be on a rotational basis.
Ex Officio members: Maximum of 4 members of the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
Chief Executive Officer : To be appointed by the Prime Minister for a fixed tenure, in the rank of Secretary to the Government of India.

9. LINGARAJ TEMPLE

Subject : Culture

Context :The ASI came across the stone structure engraved with arts while undertaking the excavation drive being done under the EkamraKshetra heritage project for beautification of the Lingaraj temple and its surroundings.

Concept :

About Lingaraj Temple

It is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated in the city of Bhubaneswar.
The temple was built in the 7th century by the King JajatiKeshari.
Lingaraj is referred to as “Swayambhu” i.e. self-originated Shivling.
The temple marks the culmination of the temple architecture in Bhubaneswar which was the cradle of the Kalinga School of Temple Architecture.
The temple can broadly be divided into four main halls i.e.
GarbaGriha(Sanctum Sanctorum),
YajanaMandapa (the hall for prayers)’
NatyaMandapa(dance and music hall) and
BhogaMandapa (where devotees can have the Prasad (offering) of the Lord).
It signifies the syncretisation of Shaivism and Vaishnavism sects in Odisha.
Bhubaneswar is called the EkamraKshetra as the deity of Lingaraja was originally under a mango tree (Ekamra) as noted in EkamraPurana, a 13th-century Sanskrit treatise.
Bindusagar is the sacred pond near the temple which is the second most attractive place after the temple.
Bindusagar is considered as the union of drops of water from various sacred rivers of India.

Additional Information Kalinga School of Temple Architecture

An inscription in the Amrtesvara Temple at Holal in Karnataka refers to four styles of Hindu temple architecture i.e. Nagara, Kalinga, Dravida and Vesara.
Kalinga style is identified as a sub-class under the Nagara category.
Bhuvanapradipa primarily defines three kinds of Kalinga temple styles i.e. Rekha, Khakhara and Bhadra.
Rekha-deul (temple) is distinguished with its square plan topped with a curvilinear tower.
A Pidha-deul, also referred as Bhadradeul, also has a square plan topped with a pyramidal tower composed of horizontal tiers arranged in receding manner.
A Khakharadeul is surmounted with a barrel-shaped (vault-shape) tower over a rectangular plan.
Silpaprakasha is the most famous text describing the Odishan temple architecture which was authored by Ramachandra Kaulachara who belonged to the reign of king Viravarman.
A typical Kalinga (Odishan) temple consists two parts, a sanctuary where an idol or linga is placed and a hall where pilgrims can view the lord installed in the sanctuary.
The sanctuary is referred as deul while the hall is known as jagamohana. The other components under Kalinga style temple are:

Pitha is the platform over which the entire structure of the temple stands.

Bada is the vertical wall over which tower is supported.

Gandi is the lower part of the tower while mastaka is the upper part of the tower.

10. CHANDRAYAAN 3

Subject : Science & tech

Context : K Sivan, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), revealed the estimated cost for Chandrayaan-3 to be Rs 6.15 billion (about $91.2 million), a much lower figure in comparison with Chandrayaan-2, which cost Rs 9.7 billion, as per news reports.

Concept:

Chandrayaan-3

Chandrayaan-3 s a planned third lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Following Chandrayaan-2, where a snag in communication led to the failure of the lander’s soft landing attempt after a successful orbital insertion, another lunar mission for demonstrating soft landing was proposed.
Chandrayaan-3 will be a mission repeat of Chandrayaan-2 but will only include a lander and rover similar to that of Chandrayaan-2. It will not have an orbiter.

Chandrayaan-2 mission:

In September 2008, the Chandrayaan-2 mission was approved by the government for a cost of Rs 425 crore.
It is India’s second mission to the moon.
It aims to explore the Moon’s south polar region.
The mission is an important step in India’s plans for planetary exploration, a program known as Planetary Science and Exploration (PLANEX).
There are three components of the mission, an orbiter, a lander and a rover.
The mission payloads include — Terrain Mapping Camera which will generate a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the entire moon, Chandrayaan 2 Large Area Soft X-ray Spectrometer which will test the elemental composition of the Moon’s surface Solar X-Ray Monitor which will provide solar X-ray spectrum inputs for CLASS.
The orbiter will be deployed at an altitude of 100 kilometers above the surface of the Moon. The lander will then separate from the orbiter, and execute a soft landing on the surface of the Moon, unlike the previous mission which crash landed near the lunar south pole.
The lander, rover and orbiter will perform mineralogical and elemental studies of the lunar surface.
The rover is named Pragyan.
The mission’s lander is named Vikram after DrVikram A Sarabhai, the Father of the Indian Space Programme.

GSLV Mk-III:

Developed by ISRO, the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-III is a three-stage vehicle.
Primarily designed to launch communication satellites into geostationary orbit.
It has a mass of 640 tonnes that can accommodate up to 8,000 kg payload to LEO and 4000 kg payload to GTO.
GSLV Mk-III vehicle is powered by two solid motor strap-ons (S200), a liquid propellant core stage (L110) and a cryogenic stage (C25), that has been designed for carrying the four-tonne class satellites.
The C25 is powered by CE-20, India’s largest cryogenic engine, designed and developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.

Why the south polar region of the moon?

According to ISRO, the lunar south pole is an interesting surface area, which remains in shadow as compared to the north pole.
There is a possibility of the presence of water in permanently shadowed areas around it, the agency said, adding craters in the south pole region have cold traps and contain fossil records of the early solar system.