Explanation: Sound waves in air are longitudinal waves, meaning the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth in the same direction as the wave travels. These waves require a material medium (like air, water, or solids) for propagation and cannot travel through a vacuum.

Explanation: The statement “Exercise does not help in managing psychological discomfort” is incorrect. Regular physical exercise helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by releasing endorphins — the body’s natural mood enhancers. It also improves overall mental health, cardio-respiratory fitness, reduces the risk of diabetes, and strengthens bones.

Marble is not an element; it is a metamorphic rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). It forms when limestone is subjected to high pressure and temperature, causing recrystallization. Being a compound and mixture of minerals, marble does not consist of a single type of atom, unlike elements.

Other options (for context)

• Oxygen (O₂): A chemical element essential for respiration and combustion.
• Nitrogen (N₂): A chemical element that makes up about 78% of Earth’s atmosphere.
• Hydrogen (H₂): The lightest chemical element and the main component of stars.

Explanation: Rickets is a bone disease caused by the deficiency of Vitamin D in children. Vitamin D is essential for the proper absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine, which are vital for healthy bone formation. Its deficiency leads to weak and soft bones, resulting in deformities such as bowed legs and knock knees. The adult form of this disease is known as osteomalacia. Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight, fish oil, eggs, and fortified milk.

The Moon takes about 27.3 days to complete one revolution around the Earth with respect to the stars (called the sidereal month). However, due to the simultaneous movement of the Earth around the Sun, the Moon takes approximately 29.5 days to complete one full cycle of phases (from new moon to new moon), known as the synodic month. This period is commonly rounded to 28 days in general usage.

Other options (for context)

• 45 days: Much longer than the Moon’s actual orbital period.
• 50 days: Incorrect — the Moon completes more than one revolution in this time.
• 65 days: Far too long compared to the real lunar cycle.

When iron rusts, its weight increases. This is because rusting is a chemical reaction between iron, oxygen, and moisture from the air, forming hydrated iron(III) oxide (Fe₂O₃·xH₂O). During this process, oxygen atoms from the air combine with the iron, adding extra mass to the metal surface in the form of rust. However, while the weight increases, the structural strength of the iron decreases due to corrosion.

Other options (for context)

• Decreases: Incorrect — mass increases due to the addition of oxygen.
• Remains the same: Incorrect — oxygen from air chemically adds to iron, increasing total mass.
• First increases and then decreases: Not applicable — in normal rusting, weight continues to increase until the surface flakes off.

Explanation: When a ship floats on water, it displaces a volume of water whose mass is equal to the mass of the ship. This is in accordance with Archimedes’ Principle, which states that an object floats when the buoyant force (equal to the weight of displaced fluid) balances its own weight.

Explanation: EDUSAT (Education Satellite) was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in September 2004. It was the first Indian satellite built exclusively for educational purposes, designed to provide distance learning and interactive education through satellite communication.

Explanation: Acid rain is caused by the presence of pollutant gases such as sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) in the atmosphere. These gases are released mainly from burning of coal, oil, and industrial emissions. When they combine with water vapor in the atmosphere, they form sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) and nitric acid (HNO₃), which fall to the ground as acid rain. It damages soil, plants, aquatic life, and even buildings and monuments made of marble or limestone.