UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies
Question 127: Science and Technology
“By weaving threads of physics, chemistry and biology into a rich tapestry, this remarkable scientist provided a unifying molecular view of the world... He touted the wonderful properties of Vitamin C first as a cure of common cold and later as a preventive agent against cancer.” One of science’s major figures of all time referred to above is
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Linus Pauling won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 for work on the nature of the chemical bond and protein structure, and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962 for his campaign against nuclear testing. He later promoted large doses of vitamin C against the common cold and cancer, a claim most researchers did not accept. Lewis, London and Heitler worked on chemical bonding. Remember: Pauling and vitamin C.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) G. N. Lewis worked on the electron-pair bond and on acids and bases.
- (b) Right: Linus Pauling.
- (c) Fritz London, with Heitler, worked on the quantum theory of the covalent bond.
- (d) Walter Heitler, with London, explained the bond in the hydrogen molecule.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.