
UGC NET Environmental Science Unit 5 PYQs are highly useful for understanding the exam pattern, important concepts, and repeated question types from Energy and Environment. This unit includes topics such as renewable energy, solar radiation, wind power, hydropower, nuclear energy, bioenergy, coal, petroleum, albedo, and energy conversion.
Practising previous year questions helps students identify high-weightage areas and improve accuracy in numerical and concept-based questions. Since Unit 5 often includes formula-based and application-based questions, regular PYQ practice can make revision easier and more focused. Students preparing for UGC NET Environmental Science should use these questions for quick and effective preparation.
UGC NET Environmental Science Unit 5 PYQs help students revise important topics from Energy and Environment in an exam-focused way. These questions cover concepts like solar energy, wind power, hydropower, nuclear energy, bioenergy, coal, petroleum, and energy conversion. Below, we have provided important questions for practice and revision.
Q1. For an ideal horizontal-axis wind turbine, what will be the value of power coefficient if the fractional wind speed decrease at the turbine is 1/2?
A. 1/2
B. 1/3
C. 2/3
D. 4/9
Answer: A. 1/2
Q2. A hydro power dam has its head 200 m and water discharge rate is 950 mΒ³/s. What will be its electrical capacity? Take g = 9.8 m/sΒ².
A. 1562 MW
B. 1862 MW
C. 1962 MW
D. 2862 MW
Answer: B. 1862 MW
Q3. Which of the following has the highest energy content?
A. Coal
B. Crude oil
C. Bioethanol
D. Dry wood
Answer: B. Crude oil
Q4. The major advantages of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion are:
A. High efficiency and low installation cost
B. Steady power without fluctuations and independent of weather changes
C. B and D only
D. Creation of useful by-products such as desalinated water
Answer: C. B and D only
Q5. Assertion: Gallium arsenide is an attractive photovoltaic cell material. Reason: Gallium arsenide has a direct band gap of 2.43 eV.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation
C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
Answer: C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
Q6. Assertion: In contrast to a fission reactor, a fusion reactor cannot melt down. Reason: If anything goes wrong, the plasma collapses and the fusion reaction stops.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation
C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
Answer: A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
Q7. Which of the following is not a nuclear fuel mineral?
A. Anglesite
B. Monazite
C. Carnotite
D. Pitchblende
Answer: A. Anglesite
Q8. Choose the incorrect statement about a solar pond.
A. Water is the most common heat transfer fluid in a solar system
B. Solar pond has a salinity gradient with depth
C. Solar pond stores energy in the upper convective zone
D. Salt concentration increases with depth
Answer: C. Solar pond stores energy in the upper convective zone
Q9. Average solar radiation incident at the top of the Earthβs atmosphere is 342 W/mΒ². Global planetary albedo is 0.30, and 67 W/mΒ² is absorbed by the atmosphere. On average, 390 W/mΒ² is lost from the Earthβs surface as infrared radiation, but Earth absorbs 80% of it. If sensible heat flux is 24 W/mΒ², what is the global latent heat flux?
A. 50 W/mΒ²
B. 60 W/mΒ²
C. 70 W/mΒ²
D. 80 W/mΒ²
Answer: C. 70 W/mΒ²
Q10. An absorbed dose of 0.2 Gy of slow neutron radiation produces the same biological effect as 2 Gy of gamma radiation. What will be the relative biological effectiveness for slow neutron?
A. 2
B. 5
C. 8
D. 10
Answer: D. 10
Q11. Electrical power generated from an ideal wind turbine is directly proportional to:
A. Square of wind velocity
B. Cube of wind velocity
C. Square root of radius
D. Radius only
Answer: B. Cube of wind velocity
Q12. Which of the following is incorrect about a nuclear power plant used for energy generation?
A. Moderator slows down neutrons
B. Control rods are made of graphite
C. Control rods absorb neutrons
D. Coolant transfers heat from the reactor
Answer: B. Control rods are made of graphite
Q13. The source of Earthβs interior heat is a combination of:
A. Sun and solar wind
B. Radioactive decay and impact of extraterrestrial objects
C. Nuclear fusion and solar wind
D. Solar radiation and ocean currents
Answer: B. Radioactive decay and impact of extraterrestrial objects
Q14. What is tidal range?
A. Speed of tidal waves
B. Distance travelled by a tide
C. Energy generated by tides
D. Difference in water level between consecutive high tide and low tide
Answer: D. Difference in water level between consecutive high tide and low tide
Q15. In a hydropower plant, huge pipes that deliver water to the turbine are called:
A. Spillways
B. Penstocks
C. Turbines
D. Reservoir channels
Answer: B. Penstocks
Q16. Arrange the energy conversion processes from least efficient to most efficient.
A. Electrical generator β Photosynthesis β Solar cell β Electric hot water heater
B. Solar cell β Photosynthesis β Aircraft jet engine β Electrical generator
C. Aircraft jet engine β Photosynthesis β Solar cell β Electrical generator
D. Photosynthesis β Solar cell β Aircraft jet engine β Electrical generator β Electric hot water heater
Answer: D. Photosynthesis β Solar cell β Aircraft jet engine β Electrical generator β Electric hot water heater
Q17. Which surfaces have albedo greater than the global average albedo of 30%?
A. Forest and dark soil
B. Water and black soil
C. Forest and ocean water
D. Ice and clouds
Answer: D. Ice and clouds
Q18. The solar constant is:
A. Average temperature of the Sun
B. Constant at exactly 100 W/mΒ²
C. Amount of solar energy received per unit area outside Earthβs atmosphere
D. Same at every place on Earthβs surface
Answer: C. Amount of solar energy received per unit area outside Earthβs atmosphere
Q19. Arrange the following in decreasing order of albedo: fresh snow, old snow, ice, desert, and savanna.
A. Fresh snow β Old snow β Ice β Desert β Savanna
B. Savanna β Desert β Ice β Old snow β Fresh snow
C. Ice β Fresh snow β Desert β Old snow β Savanna
D. Desert β Ice β Fresh snow β Old snow β Savanna
Answer: A. Fresh snow β Old snow β Ice β Desert β Savanna
Q20. What percentage of incident shortwave radiation is suitable for photosynthesis?
A. Around 20%
B. Around 30%
C. Around 40%
D. Around 70%
Answer: C. Around 40%
Q21. Identify the correct sequence of concentration in increasing order for uranium isotopes in naturally occurring uranium.
A. U-233 β U-234 β U-235 β U-238
B. U-238 β U-235 β U-234 β U-233
C. U-235 β U-238 β U-234 β U-233
D. U-234 β U-238 β U-235 β U-233
Answer: A. U-233 β U-234 β U-235 β U-238
Q22. Match the solar applications with their uses: Solar oven, solar kiln, solar thermal power plant, and solar still.
A. Solar ovenβcooking; Solar kilnβdrying; Solar thermal power plantβelectricity; Solar stillβfresh water
B. Solar ovenβelectricity; Solar kilnβcooking; Solar thermal plantβfresh water; Solar stillβdrying
C. Solar ovenβdrying; Solar kilnβfresh water; Solar thermal plantβcooking; Solar stillβelectricity
D. Solar ovenβfresh water; Solar kilnβelectricity; Solar thermal plantβdrying; Solar stillβcooking
Answer: A. Solar ovenβcooking; Solar kilnβdrying; Solar thermal power plantβelectricity; Solar stillβfresh water
Q23. Arrange the coal grade formation from sedimentary to metamorphic stage.
A. Anthracite β Bituminous β Lignite β Peat
B. Lignite β Peat β Bituminous β Anthracite
C. Peat β Lignite β Sub-bituminous β Bituminous β Anthracite
D. Bituminous β Anthracite β Peat β Lignite
Answer: C. Peat β Lignite β Sub-bituminous β Bituminous β Anthracite
Q24. The masses of both proton and neutron are approximately 1.67 Γ 10β»Β²β· kg. The mass of a helium nucleus is about 6.64 Γ 10β»Β²β· kg. What is the energy released in the formation of a helium nucleus from two protons and two neutrons?
A. 3.6 Γ 10β»ΒΉβ° J
B. 3.6 Γ 10β»ΒΉΒΉ J
C. 3.6 Γ 10β»ΒΉΒ² J
D. 3.6 Γ 10β»ΒΉΒ³ J
Answer: C. 3.6 Γ 10β»ΒΉΒ² J
Q25. Match the electromagnetic radiation region with its related transition.
A. UV-visibleβelectronic; Infraredβvibrational; Microwaveβrotational; Radioβnuclear/electronic spin
B. UV-visibleβrotational; Infraredβelectronic; Microwaveβspin; Radioβvibrational
C. UV-visibleβvibrational; Infraredβrotational; Microwaveβelectronic; Radioβspin
D. UV-visibleβspin; Infraredβelectronic; Microwaveβvibrational; Radioβrotational
Answer: A. UV-visibleβelectronic; Infraredβvibrational; Microwaveβrotational; Radioβnuclear/electronic spin
Q26. The half-life of a radioactive isotope X is 50 years. In a nuclear power plant accident, 1 kg of X isotope is dispersed into the surroundings. How much X isotope will remain after 150 years?
A. 500 g
B. 250 g
C. 125 g
D. 62.5 g
Answer: C. 125 g
Q27. Match petroleum fractions with the number of carbon atoms.
A. Gasoline β Kerosene β Diesel β Asphalt
B. Kerosene β Gasoline β Asphalt β Diesel
C. Diesel β Gasoline β Kerosene β Asphalt
D. Asphalt β Diesel β Kerosene β Gasoline
Answer: A. Gasoline β Kerosene β Diesel β Asphalt
Q28. Which of the following is not an example of potential energy?
A. Chemical energy
B. Nuclear energy
C. Gravitational energy
D. Sound energy
Answer: D. Sound energy
Q29. Arrange the following in decreasing order of their present contribution to total electricity production in India.
A. Nuclear β Hydro β Solar β Coal
B. Solar β Coal β Hydro β Nuclear
C. Coal thermal power β Solar β Hydro β Nuclear
D. Hydro β Solar β Coal β Nuclear
Answer: C. Coal thermal power β Solar β Hydro β Nuclear
Q30. Arrange the electromagnetic radiations in decreasing order of frequency.
A. Radio β Microwave β Infrared β X-ray β Gamma
B. Gamma β X-ray β Infrared β Microwave β Radio
C. X-ray β Gamma β Radio β Microwave β Infrared
D. Infrared β Microwave β Radio β X-ray β Gamma
Answer: B. Gamma β X-ray β Infrared β Microwave β Radio
Q31. The SI unit of absorbed dose of radiation is:
A. Rad
B. Gray
C. Curie
D. Becquerel
Answer: B. Gray
Q32. Which Indian state has the maximum wind power potential at 120 m above ground level as per recent assessment?
A. Tamil Nadu
B. Maharashtra
C. Rajasthan
D. Gujarat
Answer: D. Gujarat
Q33. Spectral actinic flux is best expressed in the units of:
A. W/mΒ²
B. photons cmβ»Β² sβ»ΒΉ nmβ»ΒΉ
C. J/kg
D. W/mΒ²/sr
Answer: B. photons cmβ»Β² sβ»ΒΉ nmβ»ΒΉ
Q34. Which one of the following is the thorium mineral used as atomic fuel?
A. Pitchblende
B. Monazite
C. Apatite
D. Malachite
Answer: B. Monazite
Q35. Calculate the wind power when air density is 1.225 kg/mΒ³, turbine diameter is 30 m, and wind velocity is 10 m/s.
A. 332731.25 W
B. 382731.25 W
C. 432731.25 W
D. 532731.25 W
Answer: C. 432731.25 W
Q36. Choose the correct statements about radioactive decay.
A. Radioactive decay is a first-order process
B. Half-life is used to express decomposition rate
C. SI unit of radioactivity is Becquerel
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q37. Which of the following are oxide minerals useful for nuclear energy?
A. Pyroxene and clay minerals
B. Pitchblende and thorianite
C. Quartz and feldspar
D. Calcite and gypsum
Answer: B. Pitchblende and thorianite
Q38. A solar cell has area 10 cm Γ 15 cm, voltage 0.5 V, current 2.5 A, and insolation 800 W/mΒ². Calculate its efficiency.
A. Around 5%
B. Around 10%
C. Around 15%
D. Around 20%
Answer: B. Around 10%
Q39. A fuel cell is a device that directly converts:
A. Mechanical energy into electrical energy
B. Chemical energy into electrical energy
C. Solar energy into heat energy
D. Heat energy into mechanical energy
Answer: B. Chemical energy into electrical energy
Q40. Arrange the electromagnetic radiations in increasing order of wavelength.
A. Radio β Microwave β Infrared β Visible β UV β X-ray
B. X-ray β UV β Visible β Infrared β Microwave β Radio
C. Infrared β Visible β UV β X-ray β Radio β Microwave
D. Microwave β Radio β X-ray β UV β Visible β Infrared
Answer: B. X-ray β UV β Visible β Infrared β Microwave β Radio
Q41. Bioenergy is a form of:
A. Non-renewable energy
B. Nuclear energy
C. Fossil energy
D. Renewable energy
Answer: D. Renewable energy
Q42. What is the correct composition order of coal?
A. Hydrogen β Oxygen β Carbon β Nitrogen β Sulphur
B. Carbon β Oxygen β Hydrogen β Nitrogen β Sulphur
C. Oxygen β Carbon β Nitrogen β Hydrogen β Sulphur
D. Nitrogen β Hydrogen β Carbon β Oxygen β Sulphur
Answer: B. Carbon β Oxygen β Hydrogen β Nitrogen β Sulphur
Q43. Arrange the following coal types as per their increasing carbon content.
A. Anthracite β Bituminous β Lignite β Peat
B. Peat β Lignite β Sub-bituminous β Bituminous β Anthracite
C. Bituminous β Peat β Lignite β Anthracite
D. Lignite β Anthracite β Peat β Bituminous
Answer: B. Peat β Lignite β Sub-bituminous β Bituminous β Anthracite
Q44. Assertion: A small increase in wind velocity and height of turbine produces a large increase in energy yield. Reason: Energy yield from wind is proportional to the third power of wind speed, and wind speed increases with height.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation
C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
Answer: A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
Q45. Which element is most commonly used in making photovoltaic solar cells?
A. Silicon
B. Copper
C. Aluminium
D. Sodium
Answer: A. Silicon
Q46. The sum of diffuse and direct solar radiation is called:
A. Albedo
B. Global radiation
C. Solar constant
D. Actinic flux
Answer: B. Global radiation
Q47. Which of the following is not true about solar energy?
A. It is renewable
B. It is clean during operation
C. It is available uniformly at all times and places
D. It can be converted into heat and electricity
Answer: C. It is available uniformly at all times and places
Q48. Assertion: Alpha and beta particles emitted during radioactive decay are simply the nucleus of helium and electrons. Reason: These particles are called ionizing radiations because the emitted energy can ionize atoms and molecules.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation
C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
Answer: B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation
Q49. For wind power generation, what is the percentage of maximum extractable power content in the wind?
A. 39.3%
B. 49.3%
C. 59.3%
D. 69.3%
Answer: C. 59.3%
Q50. Carbon content in a certain type of coal is 0.81. Assume combustion efficiency is 100%. How much COβ will be produced on combustion of 1 kg of coal?
A. Around 1 kg
B. Around 2 kg
C. Around 3 kg
D. Around 4 kg
Answer: C. Around 3 kg
Q51. Arrange the sequence of conversion from fertile nuclear material to fissile material.
A. U-238 β Pu-239
B. Pu-239 β U-238
C. U-235 β Th-232
D. Th-232 β U-238
Answer: A. U-238 β Pu-239
Q52. The ash content in coal used in stand-alone thermal power plants in India should not be more than:
A. 24%
B. 34%
C. 44%
D. 54%
Answer: B. 34%
Q53. Which gas is not present in the biogas mixture?
A. Methane
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Hydrogen sulphide
D. Oxygen
Answer: D. Oxygen
Q54. Assertion: In hybrid car technology, the car runs on both petrol and battery-based electrical engine. Reason: The battery of a hybrid car is charged externally.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation
C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
Answer: C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
Q55. Choose the correct statements about energy crops.
A. They are grown mainly for fuel production
B. They may be used for bioenergy generation
C. They include crops grown for biomass
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q56. Statement 1: When gasoline is mixed with biofuel such as ethanol, its energy content becomes higher than pure gasoline. Statement 2: The energy content per unit volume of ethanol is higher than gasoline.
A. Both statements are true
B. Statement 1 is true, Statement 2 is false
C. Statement 1 is false, Statement 2 is true
D. Both statements are false
Answer: D. Both statements are false
Q57. A gas-fired combined heat and power plant produces 5000 MWh of electricity and 30,000 GJ of heat. If the input energy required to run the power plant is 60,000 GJ, what is the efficiency of the plant?
A. 70%
B. 75%
C. 80%
D. 85%
Answer: C. 80%
Q58. Identify the correct sequence of net heating value in increasing order for the following fuels.
A. Dry wood β Bioethanol β Coal β Crude oil
B. Crude oil β Coal β Bioethanol β Dry wood
C. Coal β Crude oil β Dry wood β Bioethanol
D. Bioethanol β Dry wood β Coal β Crude oil
Answer: A. Dry wood β Bioethanol β Coal β Crude oil
Q59. Match the instruments with their functions: Campbell-Stokes recorder, pyranometer, pyrheliometer, and lux meter.
A. Sunshine duration, global solar radiation, direct solar radiation, illumination
B. Global solar radiation, sunshine duration, illumination, direct solar radiation
C. Direct solar radiation, illumination, sunshine duration, global solar radiation
D. Illumination, direct solar radiation, global solar radiation, sunshine duration
Answer: A. Sunshine duration, global solar radiation, direct solar radiation, illumination
Q60. Assertion: Solar and wind energy systems require quite large structures relative to power production. Reason: The energy flux density associated with solar and wind energy is, on average, small.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation
C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
Answer: A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation
Q61. A silicon solar cell has minority carrier saturation current of 60 nA/mΒ². Solar radiation-induced current is 600 A/mΒ², and ambient temperature is 27Β°C. Find the open-circuit voltage.
A. 0.39 V
B. 0.49 V
C. 0.59 V
D. 0.69 V
Answer: C. 0.59 V
Q62. A small hydropower station is based on conversion of kinetic energy of river waves to generate power. The flow of water is 10 mΒ³/s and speed of water is 3 m/s. What is the maximum power the station can generate if efficiency is 0.6?
A. 27 kW
B. 54 kW
C. 81 kW
D. 90 kW
Answer: A. 27 kW
Q63. Which one among the following solar collectors has the highest concentration ratio value?
A. Flat plate collector
B. Compound parabolic collector
C. Parabolic trough collector
D. Parabolic dish collector
Answer: D. Parabolic dish collector
Practising UGC NET Environmental Science Unit 5 PYQs helps students revise Energy and Environment topics in a more exam-oriented manner. Since this unit includes both theory and numerical questions, PYQs make preparation more focused and effective.
Helps understand repeated topics: PYQs show which topics are asked frequently, such as solar energy, wind power, hydropower, nuclear energy, bioenergy, and coal.
Improves numerical practice: Unit 5 includes formula-based questions from wind energy, hydropower, radiation, efficiency, and half-life. PYQs help students practise these calculations.
Builds exam confidence: Solving previous year questions gives students a clear idea of the question pattern, difficulty level, and expected answer approach.
Supports quick revision: PYQs help students revise important concepts in less time, especially during the final phase of preparation.
Improves accuracy: Regular practice helps reduce mistakes in concept-based and calculation-based questions.
Helps identify weak areas: Students can easily find topics where they are making repeated errors and revise them.
Makes preparation more focused: Instead of studying randomly, PYQs help students focus on topics that have a higher chance of appearing in the exam.
