The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a numerical scale used to measure and report the quality of air in a particular area. It primarily indicates the level of air pollution and its potential impact on human health. The AQI is calculated based on concentrations of key air pollutants — including ozone (O₃), particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO). Higher AQI values indicate poorer air quality and greater health risks.

Other options (for context)

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Signed in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, it aims to preserve wetlands as habitats for biodiversity, especially for migratory birds. It promotes wise use of wetland ecosystems through local and national actions.

• Mountain: Conserved under other ecological programs.
• Grassland: Managed under terrestrial biodiversity initiatives.
• Forest: Covered under the UN Forest Forum, not Ramsar.

Explanation: The incorrect pair is Faraday : Diffusion of gases. The diffusion of gases was studied and explained by Thomas Graham, not by Michael Faraday. Graham’s Law states that the rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its density or molar mass. On the other hand, Michael Faraday is famous for his work on electromagnetism and electrolysis. The other pairs are correctly matched with their discoveries.

Explanation: Water shows an unusual property known as anomalous expansion. Its density is maximum at 4°C. When cooled from higher temperatures, water contracts till 4°C, becoming denser. Below 4°C, it expands instead of contracting, so its density decreases. This property allows ice to float and prevents water bodies from freezing solid, protecting aquatic life during winters.

The normal hearing range of human beings is from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 kHz). Sounds below 20 Hz are called infrasonic sounds, while those above 20,000 Hz are known as ultrasonic sounds, both of which are inaudible to humans. With age or prolonged exposure to loud noise, the upper hearing limit tends to decrease, reducing sensitivity to high-frequency sounds.

Other options (for context)

• 30 to 30,000 Hz: Incorrect — exceeds the upper audible limit for humans.
• 50 to 50,000 Hz: Incorrect — animals like dogs and bats can hear this range, not humans.
• 40 to 40,000 Hz: Incorrect — the human ear cannot detect frequencies that high.

The Yellow Revolution in India refers to the significant increase in the production of oilseeds. It was initiated to make India self-sufficient in edible oils such as mustard, sunflower, groundnut, and soybean oils. The revolution gained momentum under the Technology Mission on Oilseeds (TMO) launched in the 1980s. The key figure associated with the Yellow Revolution is Sam Pitroda.

Other options (for context)

• Cereals: Their production growth is linked with the Green Revolution.
• Milk: Related to the White Revolution led by Dr. Verghese Kurien.
• None of these: Incorrect — the Yellow Revolution specifically concerns oilseeds.

Explanation: Inside a sealed pressure cooker, the pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure, which raises the boiling point of water to about 121℃. This allows food to cook faster because water and steam reach higher temperatures than at normal atmospheric pressure.

Explanation: The weight of a person depends on the gravitational force exerted by a celestial body. The Moon’s gravity is only about 1/6th that of the Earth’s because it has much less mass and a smaller radius. Therefore, an object or person weighing 60 kg on Earth would weigh only about 10 kg on the Moon. Although mass remains constant everywhere, weight changes according to the local gravitational acceleration (g). Hence, lower gravity results in lower weight on the Moon.