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Q53·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2023

Carbon fibres — used in automobiles/aircraft; cannot be recycled once used

S&TMaterials & NanotechnologyStatement-basedMediumStatic

Question

Consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1.

    Carbon fibres are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircrafts.

  2. 2.

    Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.

Options

a

1 only

Answer
b

2 only

c

Both 1 and 2

d

Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct; carbon fibers are highly valued in aerospace and automotive industries for their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Statement 2 is incorrect; while technically difficult and energy-intensive, carbon fibers can be recycled through thermal (pyrolysis) or chemical (solvolysis) processes to reclaim the fibers for secondary use.

Absolute negative statements regarding technological recycling ("cannot be recycled") are increasingly false due to modern material science advancements.

Answer: (a).

Question details

Year

2023

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q53

Subject

Science & Technology

Sub-topic

Materials & Nanotechnology

Type

Statement-based

Difficulty

Medium

Nature

Static

Source hint

Advanced Material Engineering / Carbon Fiber Recyclability

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