BCA 3rd Assignment
FST 2009-10
Q.1 a) With two examples from industry, explain the role of science in production process.
Ams: Most of the production processes used for most of the products and services generated in the industry, and even in homes is the result of application of theories and principles of science.
For example, let us take the ubiquitous electricity. The knowledge electricity itself we have today is the result of efforts of science. The equipments we use for generate electricity like the modern turbines and generators also cannot be designed, manufactured or operated without modern scientific knowledge.
Within homes let us take the process of washing clothes, The process appears quite simple to us. But the shapes of various components that make the clothes move in different ways so that these are cleaned thoroughly, and the movement of these components has been designed based on very specialized scientific knowledge.
The humble knife you use in the kitchen is most probably made of steel that has been developed and manufactured based on very specialized scientific knowledge. Even the water that you get in your tap is transported from its source to your tap employing a complicated network of pipes, pumps and storage tanks, which have been designed using scientific knowledge of hydraulics. It between the water has been purified using a combination of processes such as filtration, flocculation, and chemical reactions. We need science to understand and use all such processes to use them to serve our needs.
As a matter of fact it will be difficult for us to find a modern production process in which science does not play an important role.
b) Discuss the achievements in the areas of quantitative science and transport during Bronze age.
Ans: Quantitative Science:
With the availability of surplus in agriculture and the production of non-agricultural goods by craftsmen, exchange and trade became a part of life. With the passing of time, exchange dealt with increasingly different types of commodities as well as increasingly large quantities of these commodities. Therefore, what should be exchanged, with what, and in what quantity, could no longer be simply memorized. Some standards, such as numbers and measures of amounts of grain etc. and weights, became necessary so that proper quantities of goods could be set apart or marked off for collection and exchanged.
For the record, the symbol for measure was followed by a picture or shorthand symbol of the particular object which was to be traded. Gradually, symbols were introduced to cover actions as well as objects, and so writing emerged. Writing developed, either as a sketched symbol standing for a whole idea as in Chinese or symbols and sounds going together as in Mesopotamian cuneiform or the Egyptian hieroglyphic. The standardization of exchange in the form of weight led to the use of balance, a scientific invention of great consequence. Exchange also necessitated simple calculations such as addition and subtraction of numbers which led to arithmetic.
The ability to count and calculate found immediate use in certain other areas such as making of calendars and in the consequent development of astronomy.
Transport:
At some early date, the sail was invented making the first use of inanimate power for locomotion. When river transport was extended to the sea, it posed new problems of boat construction and navigation. Stronger winds meant stronger fabrics for making a sail, and construction of heavy frames and structure to hold them. Woodwork had to be very strong and durable too. The river went in a known direction, it was like a road, but one could easily lose one’s way on the high seas. New ways of finding location and direction had to be searched.
The rise of cities would also have required heavy to be transported over short distances by land. This may have been done by the use of sledges to begin with. Heavy sledges could be eased downhill. However, along the plains, tree trunks came in handy as rollers the discovery of wheel revolutionized land transport, it is not possible for us to say, from historic evidence, where the wheel was first invented. It is used for making carts which transported goods and passengers was possibly one of the most significant developments of the Bronze Age.
Q.2 a) Briefly discuss the developments in mathematics and astronomy during Gupta period in
Ans: Not only in the traditional Sanskrit literature or in the field of other worldly literature but changes came in the over all social life in the Gupta period with the tremendous development of science during this period. With the growth and intensification in the arena of mathematics, astrology, astronomy, medicine, Chemistry, Metallurgy, Botany, Zoology and Engineering Gupta period gained a striking facet.
Mathematics:
In ancient
Astronomy:
In Astronomy, Aryabhata was the first to assert that the earth rotates round its axis. He was the first person to utilize sine functions in astronomy. He also calculated the increase and decrease in two consecutive days, he stated calculating accurately the angular diameter of the earth`s shadow at the moon`s orbit and gave a method of finding the duration of an eclipse. These were all new things for the nation as till then they believe in another world.
Varahamihira was another important astronomer of the Gupta period. Most probably he began composing his work Panchasiddhahtika in 505 A.D. He discusses in this work the principles of the five astronomical schools, which were considered as the most authoritative one in his time. Of these five schools the Romaka Siddhanta clearly betrays Western influence. This is expected to happen as a result of active trade contacts between the
b) Compare the state of science and technology during Renaissance with that of post Renaissance period in
Ans: Renaissance:
Science and art were very much intermingled in the early Renaissance, with artists such as Leonardo da Vinci making observational drawings of anatomy and nature. Yet the most significant development of the era was not a specific discovery, but rather a process for discovery, the scientific method. This revolutionary new way of learning about the world focused on empirical evidence, the importance of mathematics, and discarding the Aristotelian "final cause" in favor of a mechanical philosophy. Early and influential proponents of these ideas included Copernicus and Galileo.The new scientific method led to great contributions in the fields of astronomy, physics, biology, and anatomy. With the publication of Vesalius's De humani corporis fabrica, a new confidence was placed in the role of dissection, observation, and a mechanistic view of anatomy.
Post-Renaissance
By the mid-1700s Science was beginning to get more sophisticated. French chemist Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier was most influential in developing an experimental approach, laid the foundation of modern chemistry. In 1789, Lavoisier published a list of pure substances. By the early 1800s, John Dalton's atomic theory and the concept of atomic weights developed. In 1829 Johann Döbereiner noted that there were triplets of elements in which the central species' properties were almost exactly midway between the outer two. In 1860 Stanislao Cannizzaro presented analyses at an international chemistry meeting that, when merged with previously ridiculed hypotheses by fellow Italian Amedeo Avogadro, yielded unambiguous atomic weights.
Q.3 a) With the help of a suitable example, explain how scientific approach can help solve personal problems. (5)
Ans: Scientific method refers to bodies of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. A scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.
What is a personal problem? The individual is hesitant to discuss the problem with others including his family members. for example let us take a person afflicted by Hepatitis B. The person does not want to reveal it to anyone but is worried that he may infect his partner if he has sex. How does scientific method help solve this problem?
Scientific studies have proved that it is a sexually transmitted disease and there is no effective cure. There is a lot of research being done on this subject and the person can consult his doctor with the assurance that he will get an advice backed by scientific research. Since scientific studies are based on observations which can be repeated, the person can see for himself/herself the effects of the studies. Gathering information from scientific sources is more reliable than opinions of individuals alone.
b) Describe Kepler’s laws related to planetary motion. (5)
Ans:
Kepler’s 1st law:
(1) Planets move around the Sun in ellipses, with the Sun at one focus.
Orbital movement of Earth and Mars around the Sun
Kepler's 2nd law:
(2) The line connecting the Sun to a planet sweeps equal areas in equal times.
Illustrating Kepler's 2nd law: segments AB and CD take equal times to cover.
Kepler's 3rd Law:
(3) The square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to the cube of the mean
distance from the Sun.
Let the mean distance of planet from Sun is r and its orbital period is T, then
T2 ∞ r3
Q.4 a) How have optical astronomy and radio astronomy aided in the study of universe? (5)
Ans: Optical astronomy contributed a lion's share to our knowledge of Universe around Earth as of now . Interior of astronomical bodies revealed itself in Spectroscopic studies. Further refinements culminating in measurement of Red shift resulted in the knowledge about the extent of universe due to Hubble's efforts. It also gave clues to the past as light reaching us now must have started years ago or even a million years ago. It gave us the chronology of Universal events.
Then JC Maxwell combined all known laws of electricity & magnetism into a set of 4 equations and derived an expression for speed of Electro magnetic waves. He conjectured that 'these (EM waves) have same speed as that of light waves'. It was established then, that light is a mere sliver in the vast electromagnetic spectrum. Now the activity started to 'see' universe through different parts of the EM spectrum. This thinking led Jansky to conjecture that the noise he heard on radio was actually the emission from the heavenly bodies in sky, just as light that reaches us on Earth. Using well-refined techniques of radio reception more sensitive receiving systems were deviced. The chief feature in these is the sharpness of the beam so that energy from a tiny solid angle can be picked up for energy reception. Antenna systems were designed for that, along with reception methods with devices that add less noise of their own to the natural noise. That way it became possible to distinguish the desired signal from it getting drowned in noise.
There was a constant exchange of approach and attack of the problem between optical & radio segments of spectrum. But the techniques of receiving the energy differed in both. Such a huge body of engineering needed to refine their methds constantly to meet the demands of accuracies required by later generations of astronomers.
Radio methods revealed sources that were optically poor radiators. This is so because surface temperature of some stars belonging to spectral classes R, N & S and certain gaseous regions (Nubelae) are strong radio emitters. This follows Wien's law (for Blackbody radiation) that says wavelength of maximum radiation & temperature is
2.898 X 10^(-3)m K.
Now other windows in EMspectrum are also used like X rays for which sensors are required to be placed above the atmosphere ('Chandra').
b) Discuss the features of planet Mars gathered till date by the scientists. (5)
Ans: Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after Mars, the Roman god of war. It is also referred to as the "Red Planet" because of its reddish appearance, due to iron oxide prevalent on its surface.
Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere, having surface features reminiscent both of the impact craters of the Moon and the volcanoes, valleys, deserts and polar ice caps of Earth. It is the site of Olympus Mons, the highest known mountain in the Solar System, and of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon. Furthermore, in June 2008 three articles published in Nature presented evidence of an enormous impact crater in Mars's northern hemisphere, 10,600 km long by 8,500 km wide, or roughly four times larger than the largest impact crater yet discovered, the South Pole-Aitken basin. In addition to its geographical features, Mars’ rotational period and seasonal cycles are likewise similar to those of Earth.
Physical characteristics:
Mars has approximately half the radius of Earth. It is less dense than Earth, having about 15% of Earth's volume and 11% of the mass. Its surface area is only slightly less than the total area of Earth's dry land. While Mars is larger and more massive than Mercury, Mercury has a higher density. This results in a slightly stronger gravitational force at Mercury's surface. Mars is also roughly intermediate in size, mass, and surface gravity between Earth and Earth's Moon (the Moon is about half the diameter of Mars, whereas Earth is twice; the Earth is about ten times more massive than Mars, and the Moon ten times less massive). The red-orange appearance of the Martian surface is caused by iron(III) oxide, more commonly known as hematite, or rust.
Geology:
Based on orbital observations and the examination of the Martian meteorite collection, the surface of Mars appears to be composed primarily of basalt. Some evidence suggests that a portion of the Martian surface is more silica-rich than typical basalt, and may be similar to andesitic rocks on Earth; however, these observations may also be explained by silica glass. Much of the surface is deeply covered by finely grained iron(III) oxide dust.
Hydrology:
Liquid water cannot exist on the surface of Mars with its present low atmospheric pressure, except at the lowest elevations for short periods[26][27] but water ice is in no short supply, with two polar ice caps made largely of ice.
Climate:
Of all the planets, Mars's seasons are the most Earth-like, due to the similar tilts of the two planets' rotational axes. However, the lengths of the Martian seasons are about twice those of Earth's, as Mars’ greater distance from the Sun leads to the Martian year being about two Earth years in length. Martian surface temperatures vary from lows of about −140 °C (−220 °F) during the polar winters to highs of up to 20 °C (68 °F) in summers.[26] The wide range in temperatures is due to the thin atmosphere which cannot store much solar heat, the low atmospheric pressure, and the low thermal inertia of Martian soil.
Rotation:
Mars’ average distance from the Sun is roughly 230 million km (1.5 AU) and its orbital period is 687 (Earth) days. The solar day (or sol) on Mars is only slightly longer than an Earth day: 24 hours, 39 minutes, and 35.244 seconds. A Martian year is equal to 1.8809 Earth years, or 1 year, 320 days, and 18.2 hours.
Q.5 a) With the help of an example explain the systems view of life. (2)
Ans: A system is a set of some specific inter-related parts which are organized as one unit for some purpose. The parts work together and the entire combination forms one unit. A car producing company, which is organized to produce transport vehicles, can be viewed as a system too. For the effective functioning of the company, all of its parts, such as the department that purchases raw materials, the factory, the management and the sales department must work in unison. An animal or a plant is also made up of numerous parts which represent a well defined system. For example, in an animal body, the parts concerned with the in-take of food and digesting it, the bones arranged as a skeleton to support the body, the heart circulating blood to different parts of the body through the arteries and veins and the brain receiving signals and giving orders of various kinds together compose the system.
b) Explain the theory of natural selection proposed by
Ans: While
c) Explain the carbon cycle with the help of a diagram. In what way human activities have altered the balance of carbon cycle? (5)
Ans:
Human perturbations to the carbon cycle have been both direct and indirect. Obvious direct effects are the addition of new carbon to the active global carbon cycle through the combustion of fossil fuels, and the modification of the vegetation structure and distribution through land-use change. Deforestation, the removal of forest vegetation and replacement by other surface cover, has the largest land-use change impact on the carbon cycle, both through the loss of photosynthetic capacity in forest vegetation and the simultaneous release of large carbon stocks accumulated in forest ecosystems over long periods of time. Indirect human impacts on the carbon cycle include changes in other major global biogeochemical cycles, alteration of the atmospheric composition through the additions of pollutants as well as CO2, and changes in the biodiversity of landscapes and species.
Q.6 a) List any four consequences of deforestation. (2)
Ans: Four consequences of deforestation:
1. Desertification, landslides, loss of biodiversity as a result of land fragmentation and loss of habitat.
2. If this wood is burned it will increase global warming (greenhouse effect)
3. Decrease of Carbon dioxide absorption which increases pollution and also contributes to the greenhouse effect.
4. Evapotranspiration (decrease of atmospheric moisture) water is simply
returned to the oceans instead of being recycled to downwind forests.
b) Explain the role of remote sensing method in resource exploration. (3)
Ans: Remote sensing is a method of collecting information about ground objects like soil, water, vegetation and minerals from a remote place such as an aircraft of a satellite. This technique not only enables us to locate various resources but also helps us to known about their quantity and quality. The method is used to collect information about an object, without physical contact with the object. The orbit of a sun-synchronous satellite is such that it always posses over a particular place on the earth at almost the same local time. It means whenever the satellite passes over a certain place on the earth, the position of the sun relative to that place is always the same. Thus the cameras of that satellite are enable to get photographs of that place always with nearly the same illumination every time it passes over that place.
c) Discuss the ways to manage water resources. (2)
Ans: The ways of managing water resources so as to provide water of right quality available for all kinds of uses are:
1. Need to check on excessive irrigation.
2. Sea water can be distilled by using solar energy, thus fresh water of good quality can be obtained.
3. Flood water can be delivered to areas where there is scarcity of water.
4. Recharging of groundwater is the most important aspect of the water management. The water sheds are covered with vegetation in the mountain and hills. It must be allowed in filtration of rain water, which finds its way to the aquifers.
5. By providing water filters.
d) Describe any three types of agrotechniques used in
Ans: The three types of agrotechniques used in
Cropping Systems
Since cultivable land is limited, the only way to meet our growing food needs is by growing two or more crops in a year from the same piece of land. Such multiple-cropping practices would generate more employment in rural areas and also fulfill our food needs. In a relay cropping system, a crop is sown before its preceding crop is harvested. The last irrigation given to a crop also serves as a pre-sowing irrigation to the next crop. This results in saving of water. In mixed cropping, compatible crops like chickpea and mustard are sown in parallel rows with wheat. Pigeonpea, mungbean, groundnut, soybean and cowpea can be grown in between rows of either sorghum, or maize, or sugarcane or cotton. Such intercropping systems have a high production potential and generate additional employment opportunities.
Input of Fertilisers
Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the major nutrients that plants require. In addition, zinc, iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum and cobalt are also needed by plants in small quantities for healthy growth. Deficiency of any of these elements reduces yields, even when all other nutrients are available in adequate amounts. But, the excessive presence of some of these nutrients may prove toxic to plants.
Cereals require more nitrogen than phosphorus and potash. But pulses, whose m t nodules harbour bacteria, that fix nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, need adequate doses of phosphorus. As said earlier, the nutrient needs vary not only from crop to crop but also from soil to soil. It is essential, therefore, that the soil is tested and the required amounts of nutrients supplied according to the needs of the crops. Generalized application of commercially available fertilizer mixtures such as the one having nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the ratio of 120:60:40, is often quite wasteful and may even reduce yields. The time and depth of application of fertilizers is also very important. Research has shown that most farmers over-irrigate their crops when water is available. Consequently, not only is water, a precious input is wasted but the yields get depressed. Thus, crop management is as important as the crop variety in realizing optimum yields.
Crop Protection
Several kinds of insects, diseases, weeds, rodents and birds cause immense damage to crops both in the field and in storage. Pests have been there long before man came into existence. It is not possible to eliminate them entirely, either by developing varieties which resist attacks of pests or by using potent pesticides, for pests are adept in their struggle for existence and have always countered man's attempts to exterminate them. The best course for us is to resort to what is called "integrated pest management” that keeps the damage due to pests at the barest minimum. Integrated pest management will be effective if we grow resistant varieties in regions where incidence of pests is severe, ensure that crops grown one after another do not have common pests, instead of chemicals for pest control use biological organisms that attack the pest, apply pesticides only when the pest population has reached its threshold value, and take co-ordinated community action on pest control in adjoining fields over the whole village or block.
The war against pests is so long-drawn-out and difficult that farmers often use very high
I doses of pesticides at frequent intervals. This is a dangerous tendency. Excessive doses of pesticides leave harmful residues (also see Unit 16, Section 16.2) which find their way into the human body either directly from the consumed agricultural produce or through the milk of animals that feed on plants. It is essential, therefore, that pesticides are applied only in recommended doses that are harmless.
Q.7 a) List any five groups of nutrients with one example food group of each. Write their roles in human health. (5)
Ans: Five types of nutrients are:
1 Carbohydrates (example potato)
2. Fat (example Ghee/oil)
3. Protein (example peas)
4. Minerals (example spices)
5. Vitamins (example tomato)
Roles of nutrients in human health:
We cannot live without food. Our hunger can be satisfied by any kind of meal, but to remain healthy and free of disease, our body requires certain kinds of food. The health of an individual is largely determined by the quality of food taken. Moreover, food makes a difference in our appearance, activity, behaviour, and in the quality of life.
Foods vary in their composition and no one type of food contains all we need, in the amounts that we need. A meal lacking in a particular requirement of our body for a prolonged period can result in disease, and even in death. Therefore, a knowledge of the food requirements of our body and various sources of obtaining them is essential. Studies carried out in many countries show that a good diet has promoted proper growth in children and has improved the general health of the people. A study of Japanese children has shown that an improved diet has increased the average height of children, from what it was a few decades ago.
A majority of the children of the developing countries of Asia, Africa and
The science of nutrition is a well developed discipline today. We know enough about what kind of nourishment is necessary for our child and adult population. The main problem is to make this information available to our people and to ensure that the food contains dl the necessary ingredients. Of course, the foods must be available to the people.
b) What are infectious diseases? Give the names of two diseases caused by viruses. How does our body battle against germs? (5)
Ans: Infectious Diseases:
An infectious disease is a clinically evident disease resulting from the presence of pathogenic microbial agents, including pathogenic viruses, pathogenic bacteria, fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites, and aberrant proteins known as prions. These pathogens are able to cause disease in animals and/or plants. Infectious pathologies are usually qualified as contagious diseases (also called communicable diseases) due to their potential of transmission from one person or species to another. Transmission of an infectious disease may occur through one or more of diverse pathways including physical contact with infected individuals. These infecting agents may also be transmitted through liquids, food, body fluids, contaminated objects, airborne inhalation, or through vector-borne spread.
There are many diseases caused by viruses. Some are - chickenpox, measles and influenza.
When germs enters the body, it sends up a red flag causing certain cells in the body to wage war against the intruder. The first soldiers that are sent out are neutrophils or specialized white blood cells. They basically eat up the enemy.
But if these neutrophils aren't saturated with Vitamin C, they have a
difficult time maneuvering in the body and doing their job. If they are saturated with Vitamin C it increases their mobility and allows them to attack the intruding germs with more ease and at a greater speed.
Lymphocytes are another special kind of white blood cell important in the body's immune system and having plenty of Vitamin C also steps up their production levels adding more fighting power to the body's defense system.
But how do these soldiers know where to go to fight the enemy? The body produces a chemical distress signal, and much like a trained police dog tracks the scent of a bad guy, these neutrophils and lymphocytes follow the scent of the distress signal.
One thing that hinders their ability to do their job is that once they receive this distress signal, they may not receive it a second time if another attack is made on the body. They kind of become deactivated. The good news is, if the cells are saturated with Vitamin C, they are able to "hear" the second distress signal and will move on it. But cells that are Vitamin C deficient will not respond to a second call to action. This is often the reason that our bodies just don't fight off germs and invasions the way they should. Our little soldiers don't have the necessary equipment or ability to attack and win the battle.
Q.8 a) Describe the structural components of central nervous system. (6)
Ans: Components of the Nervous System :
The nervous system is composed of both central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral components, with the latter having both somatic and autonomic (parasympathetic and sympathetic) subdivisions.
When we consider the central nervous system, its major purpose is to receive, process/interpret, and send out information. To accomplish these goals, the brain itself is composed of inter-related but specialized areas of function that are carefully coordinated through a network of connections.
a. Brain. The brain fills the cranium and weighs about three pounds in the average adult. The brain is shaped like a mushroom. The brain consists of four principal parts: the brain stem, the diencephalon, the cerebrum, and the cerebellum. The diencephalon, also known as the forebrainstem, includes the thalamus and hypothalamus.
b.Spinal Cord. The spinal cord is a cylindrical structure which extends from the foramen magnum through the spinal foramina of the vertebral column to the upper portion of the lumbar region. Extension varies from the 12th thoracic vertebra to the 2nd lumbar vertebra. The length of the cord remains fairly constant in adults: 18 inches in males and 16 inches in females. The conus medullaris is the cone-shaped termination of the cord. This portion of the spinal cord weighs about one ounce and is approximately one and one-half inches wide. The spinal cord itself appears wider from right to left than from anterior to posterior. The size and shape, however, do vary depending on the vertebral region. For example, the spinal cord presents cervical and lumbar enlargements, which are areas of nerve origin in the upper and lower lumbar region. The spinal cord is composed of a series of 31 segments. A pair of spinal nerves comes out of each segment. The region of the spinal cord from which a pair of spinal nerves originates is called the spinal segment. Both motor and sensory nerves are located in the spinal cord.
c. Meninges. The meninges are the three membranes that envelop the brain and the spinal cord. The outermost layer is the dura mater. The middle layer is the arachnoid, and the innermost layer is the pia mater. These three spinal meninges cover the spinal nerves to the point where the spinal column goes through the intervertebral foramen. The meninges offer protection to the brain and the spinal cord by acting as a barrier against bacteria.
d. Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). The cerebrospinal fluid protects the brain against injury. CSF circulates through the subarachnoid space (the area between the arachnoid and pia mater), around the brain and spinal cord and through the ventricles of the brain. In addition to protecting the brain, this clear fluid nourishes the central nervous system and carries off wastes.
b) Do you think the methodology of reward and punishment helps in learning process? Justify your answer. (4)
Ans:
Among different kinds of learning forms, one form of learning comes about through reward and punishment. For example, if you have a pet puppy and you want to train it to ‘sit down’, he would not understand the words ‘sit down’ as he doesn’t understand English. But if, while giving the command, you physically make him sit down and give him a biscuit, then on the experience being repeated a few times, the puppy will learn to obey the command. The puppy will associate the sound of the command to sit with the reward of a biscuit. After training, the puppy will sit down as soon as he is given the command – ‘sit’ even if he is not given any reward. In some situations, punishment would also lead to the same result. We learn a lot of things by such processes. For example, when a baby is hungry it may cry which attracts the attention of the mother and may result in his being fed some milk. The child will soon learn the trick. Similarly, a student in the math’s class solves a problem correctly. He receives the praise of his teacher. The next time he will approach other math’s problem with greater zeal so as to get the teacher’s approval. All of us are familiar with situations where punishment is used to reduce undesirable behavior. Spanking, reprimands or holding back privileges are common means. For example, the traffic police impose fines on motorists if they cross a red light or parents do not allow their children to watch television if the home work is not done. This principle of reward and punishment is used in the educational field widely performance or good actions and discouraging or punishing poor performance, or activities. The same principle is used in society and public organizations. Bonus for productivity in a factory, or cut in wages if there is low production, are examples or the same kind.
Q.9 a) Discuss the role of any one mass communication medium in promoting education. (5)
Ans: Mass communication is the term used to describe the academic study of the various means by which individuals and entities relay information through mass media to large segments of the population at the same time. It is usually understood to relate to newspaper and magazine publishing, radio, television and film, as these are used both for disseminating news and for advertising.
Many studies have proven that the Internet is one of the most powerful sources of information in the world wide for all races and cultures. Some schools nowa days have eliminated the books and the note books and changed them with laptops and emails. An increasing number of young generations prefer this modern technology over the old ways in studying. Internet can be helpful indeed to both students and teachers in many ways and this is why!!!
First of all, the Students find the Internet a saving time invention. While it takes hours for one to search the library for the information, it takes only an Enter click to find what he is seeking for. Also, it is more fun and interesting to dig in the internet than in books because web sites are usually filled with colors and designs while the books are plain and some are even old.
Another example of Internet's importance in education is the teachers. They can use this giant source in teaching students who are distant, they can up load their courses on the webs so the whole world benefits from it , Also, Internet can be a lie detective for teachers to use and see if their students were cheating !! Internet expands teachers time, instead of correcting in a limited or no time they have all day long by receiving the home works and sending them back to the students to correct their mistakes .
Internet for sure is an affective weapon in education; however we can not replace it or make it a superior to the importance of the book.
b) What is the importance of research and development in the industry? What technological developments have taken place in energy sector till date? (5)
Ans: A developing country like ours aims to reduce its technological dependence on other countries. We shall be able to achieve this by increasing our R & D efforts. Products and processes developed in our own country will be based on local raw materials and will take into consideration other local factors such as weather. In the process, we will also have the requisite manpower for maintenance as well as further improvement of technology. We should match our R & D efforts with the objectives and policies of our country. Apart from the government laboratories, private industry should take more and more active part in research activities. The commercial application of scientific discoveries can be carried out more easily if there is a direct link between the laboratory and industry. In other words it would be better if industrial units have an R & D set up within themselves.
Our indigenous R & D units should try to reduce the threat to our environment through innovations in industrial processes. Pollution of environment by industries is a very serious menace in the developed countries. As you know most of our big industries were set up before the oil prices sky-rocketed in 1973. As a result they rely heavily on oil as their source of energy. With the unprecedented rise in oil prices, and also taking into consideration the limited world reserves of oil. We should try and look for alternative source of energy which will increase our profitability in the long run. Some experiments are being done with solar energy, and it has also been put to use in some places. But we haven't yet tapped its full potential.
It may be noted that the concept of modernization is integrally related to the Improvement of processes and products. But modernization as mere gimmickry. for example, to introduce computers where one can do without them, or installing remote control communication systems and the like can only increase overheads and lead to handicaps in trade. A balanced approach to modernization seems to be the need of the hour, and we need to strengthen our own R & D efforts for this.
Q.10 Write the applications of the following: (2½´4)
a) Fibre optics
Ans: A technology that uses glass (or plastic) threads (fibers) to transmit data. A fiber optic cable consists of a bundle of glass threads, each of which is capable of transmitting messages modulated onto light waves.
Fiber optics has several advantages over traditional metal communications lines:
1. Fiber optic cables have a much greater bandwidth than metal cables. This means that they can carry more data.
2. Fiber optic cables are less susceptible than metal cables to interference.
3. Fiber optic cables are much thinner and lighter than metal wires.
3. Data can be transmitted digitally (the natural form for computer data) rather than analogically.
The main disadvantage of fiber optics is that the cables are expensive to install. In addition, they are more fragile than wire and are difficult to splice.
Fiber optics is a particularly popular technology for local-area networks. In addition, telephone companies are steadily replacing traditional telephone lines with fiber optic cables. In the future, almost all communications will employ fiber optics.
b) Biotechnology
Ans: Biotechnology is perhaps, best defined as the industrial utilization of biological systems or processes. The ability to control and manipulate microbes and use them for various applications has resulted in the current biotechnology. The two main techniques in biotechnology are:
v Genetic engineering and
v Enzyme immobilization
The most ancient biotechnological art is fermentation. Living micro-organisms have been used for centuries to make curds, condiments, cheese and vinegar, to prepare dough for bread and to brew alcohol. But today biotechnology provides much more simple processes with the help of powerful microscopes and carefully done experiments in the laboratory, we have came to understand that the thing microbes involved in these processes are small biochemical factories. And they can be used for a variety of purposes, related to health, medicine, food, pollution control etc.
c) Nuclear fission
Ans: When a nucleus fissions, it splits into several smaller fragments. These fragments, or fission products, are about equal to half the original mass. Two or three neutrons are also emitted.
Nuclear Fission
The sum of the masses of these fragments is less than the original mass. This 'missing' mass (about 0.1 percent of the original mass) has been converted into energy according to Einstein's equation.
Fission can occur when a nucleus of a heavy atom captures a neutron, or it can happen spontaneously.
A chain reaction refers to a process in which neutrons released in fission produce an additional fission in at least one further nucleus. This nucleus in turn produces neutrons, and the process repeats. The process may be controlled (nuclear power) or uncontrolled (nuclear weapons).
If each neutron releases two more neutrons, then the number of fissions doubles each generation. In that case, in 10 generations there are 1,024 fissions and in 80 generations about 6 x 1023 (a mole) fissions.
c)Robotics:
Ans: Robotics can be described as the current pinnacle of technical development. Robotics is a confluence science using the continuing advancements of mechanical engineering, material science, sensor fabrication, manufacturing techniques, and advanced algorithms. The study and practice of robotics will expose a dabbler or professional to hundreds of different avenues of study. For some, the romanticism of robotics brings forth an almost magical curiosity of the world leading to creation of amazing machines. A journey of a lifetime awaits in robotics.
Robotics can be defined as the science or study of the technology primarily associated with the design, fabrication, theory, and application of robots. While other fields contribute the mathematics, the techniques, and the components, robotics creates the magical end product. The practical applications of robots drive development of robotics and drive advancements in other sciences in turn. Crafters and researchers in robotics study more than just robotics.
The promise of robotics is easy to describe but hard for the mind to grasp. Robots hold the promise of moving and transforming materials with the same elan and ease as a computer program transforms data. Today, robots mine minerals, assemble semi-processed materials into automobile components, and assemble those components into automobiles. On the immediate horizon are self-driving cars, robotics to handle household chores, and assemble specialized machines on demand. It is not unreasonable to imagine robots that are given some task, such as reclaim desert into photovoltaic cells and arable land, and left to make their own way. Then the promise of robotics exceeds the minds grasp.
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