2008 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies

Question 77: Science and Technology

Who among the following discovered heavy water?

aHeinrich Hertz
bH. C. Urey
cG. Mendel
dJoseph Priestley

AnswerThe answer is (b).

Harold C. Urey discovered deuterium, the heavy isotope of hydrogen, in 1931, and with it heavy water (D2O). He received the 1934 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Heavy water is used as a moderator in some nuclear reactors, including India's pressurised heavy water reactors. Hertz showed radio waves exist, Mendel laid the foundations of genetics and Priestley is credited with discovering oxygen.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Heinrich Hertz demonstrated radio waves.
  • (b) Urey discovered deuterium and heavy water.
  • (c) Gregor Mendel founded the study of genetics.
  • (d) Joseph Priestley is credited with discovering oxygen.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.