Indian Institute of Science Postdoctoral Research Associate Interview Questions and Answers

Ash is the residue left after the combustion of organic materials.

• Ash is the inorganic material that remains after the complete combustion of organic substances.

• It is typically composed of minerals, metals, and other non-combustible elements.

• Examples of ash include the residue left after burning wood, coal, or paper.

• Ash can vary in color and composition depending on the source material.

• It is commonly used as a fertiliz...read more

Ash has various uses in different industries and applications.

• Ash is commonly used in construction as a substitute for cement in concrete production.

• It is also used in the manufacturing of bricks, ceramics, and glass.

• In agriculture, ash can be used as a fertilizer due to its high mineral content.

• Ash is used in the production of soap and detergents.

• It is utilized in the production of certain metals, such as aluminum and...read more

Calorific value is the amount of energy released when a substance is burned.

• Calorific value is measured in units of energy per unit of mass, such as joules per gram or calories per gram.

• It is used to determine the energy content of fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

• Higher calorific value means more energy is released when the fuel is burned.

• Calorific value can be affected by factors such as moisture content and...read more

Calorific value is the amount of heat energy released when a unit mass of fuel is burned.

• Calorific value is measured in units of energy per unit of mass.

• It is used to compare the energy content of different fuels.

• Higher calorific value means more energy is released per unit mass of fuel.

• Examples of fuels with high calorific value include coal, natural gas, and diesel.

• Calorific value can be affected by factors such as m

KBr is used in IR spectroscopy as a sample holder and diluent.

• KBr is transparent in the IR region

• It has low absorbance in the IR region

• It is easy to grind into a fine powder

• It is inert and does not react with most samples

• It has a low refractive index which reduces interference from the sample

• Examples of samples analyzed with KBr include polymers, oils, and organic compounds

The concentration of H2SO4 and HCl used in our laboratory varies depending on the experiment.

• Concentrations are determined based on the experiment's requirements

• We use a range of concentrations from dilute to concentrated solutions

• Examples include 0.1M HCl for titrations and 98% H2SO4 for digestion of samples

The ionic product of water is 10^-14 because of the self-ionization of water molecules.

• Water molecules can self-ionize into H+ and OH- ions.

• The concentration of H+ and OH- ions in pure water is equal.

• The product of their concentrations is always 10^-14 at 25°C.

One problem encountered in the project was a lack of communication between team members.

• Lack of communication led to misunderstandings and delays in project progress.

• To solve this problem, regular team meetings were scheduled to discuss project updates and address any issues.

• A communication tool, such as a project management software or messaging platform, was implemented to facilitate easy and efficient communication.

• ...read more

Formic acid is an organic compound that is called acid but does not have a COOH group.

• Formic acid (HCOOH) is the simplest carboxylic acid and is commonly known as formic acid.

• It is called an acid because it can donate a hydrogen ion (H+) in solution.

• Formic acid does not have a COOH group (carboxyl group) like other carboxylic acids.

• It is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor and is found naturally in the venom of cert...read more

Equilibrium constant is a measure of the ratio of products to reactants at equilibrium.

• It is denoted by Kc or Keq.

• It is calculated by dividing the concentration of products by the concentration of reactants at equilibrium.

• It is a constant value for a given reaction at a given temperature.

• It helps in predicting the direction of a reaction.

• If Kc is greater than 1, the reaction favors the products. If Kc is less than 1, t...read more

Thermodynamics is the study of energy and its transformations in systems.

• It deals with the relationship between heat, work, and energy.

• It focuses on the principles of energy conservation and entropy.

• Thermodynamics is used in various fields like engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology.

• Examples include the study of heat engines, refrigeration systems, and chemical reactions.