Q87 · UPPSC Prelims 2021 · Set D · General Studies

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Which of the following types of glass can cut off ultraviolet rays?"

A Soda glass
B Pyrex glass
C Jena glass
D Crookes glass

Correct answer: (d) Crookes glass

Explanation

  1. A

    Soda glass

    Soda glass is ordinary lime-soda glass used in windows and bottles. It transmits a large part of near-ultraviolet light and is not the glass specified for cutting off UV rays. This option is not the key.

  2. B

    Pyrex glass

    Pyrex glass is a borosilicate glass valued for heat resistance in laboratory and cookware use. Cutting off ultraviolet rays is not its defining property in this item. This option is therefore wrong.

  3. C

    Jena glass

    Jena glass is another heat-resistant borosilicate laboratory glass, associated with Jena in Germany. It is grouped with Pyrex for thermal shock, not as the UV-cutting spectacle glass. This option is not the key.

  4. D

    Crookes glass

    Crookes glass is the official key. It is a glass containing rare-earth oxides, classically cerium, that absorbs ultraviolet radiation and was developed for protective lenses. Among soda, Pyrex, Jena and Crookes, only Crookes is the type described as cutting off ultraviolet rays. Hence (d) is correct.

Summary. Official key is (d) Crookes glass. Crookes glass is used in spectacles to block ultraviolet radiation. Soda glass is ordinary container and window glass. Pyrex and Jena are borosilicate, heat-resistant laboratory glasses. The question is about UV cut-off, not about thermal shock. Only (d) is correct.