UPSC – CSE Prelims 2024
EASY
S&T – Information and Communication Technology
1. Which one of the following words/phrases is most appropriately used denote “an interoperable network of 3D virtual worlds that can be accessed simultaneously by millions of users, who can exert property rights over virtual items ?
(a) Big data analytics
(b) Cryptography
(c) Metaverse
(d) Virtual matrix
Ans. (c)
- Metaverse is a loosely defined term referring to virtual worlds in which users represented by avatars interact, usually in 3D and focused on social and economic connection.
- The term metaverse originated in the 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash as a portmanteau of “meta” and “universe”.
UPSC – CSE Prelims 2023
S&T – Information and Communication Technology
2. Consider the following actions:
- Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously
- Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive
- Detection of the tilt of the smart phone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode.
In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c) All three
Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously: Accelerometers are used in vehicles to detect sudden changes in acceleration, such as during a car crash or collision. The accelerometer can sense the rapid deceleration or impact force and trigger the deployment of airbags to protect the occupants. So, the function of an accelerometer is required in this action.
Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive: Accelerometers are commonly used in laptops to detect changes in motion or orientation. In this action, the accelerometer can sense the sudden downward motion or acceleration associated with a free fall of the laptop. Upon detecting the fall, the accelerometer can trigger a protective mechanism such as immediately turning off the hard drive to prevent damage. So, the function of an accelerometer is required in this action.
Detection of the tilt of the smartphone which results in the rotation of the display between portrait and landscape mode: Accelerometers are commonly used in smartphones to detect changes in orientation. When the smartphone is tilted, the accelerometer can detect the change in position and trigger the automatic rotation of the display between portrait and landscape mode. So, the function of an accelerometer is required in this action.