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: The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, is an international agreement aimed at protecting the ozone layer by phasing out the production and use of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and halons. It is one of the most successful environmental treaties in history.

The Abacus is considered the first calculating device in human history. It was invented around 2500 BCE and used in ancient civilizations such as China, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. The Abacus consists of beads that slide on rods or wires, representing numbers, and is used to perform basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It laid the foundation for modern computing and calculating tools.

Other options (for context)

• Calculator: A modern electronic device for computation, developed much later.
• Turing machine: A theoretical computational model proposed by Alan Turing in 1936.
• Pascaline: A mechanical calculator invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642, long after the Abacus.

Explanation: Oceans contain the maximum amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) on Earth. They act as the largest carbon sink, absorbing CO₂ from the atmosphere and storing it in dissolved form or as carbonates. This helps regulate the global carbon cycle and maintain atmospheric balance.

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.

Explanation: Humidity is a measure of the amount of water vapour (moisture) present in the air. It indicates how saturated the air is with moisture and affects weather, comfort, and precipitation. High humidity means the air contains more water vapour, while low humidity indicates dry air.

Explanation: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the gases responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer. When released into the atmosphere, CFCs break down under ultraviolet (UV) radiation, releasing chlorine atoms that destroy ozone molecules (O₃), leading to thinning of the ozone layer and increased UV radiation reaching the Earth.

Explanation: Dengue fever is caused by the Dengue virus, which belongs to the Flavivirus group. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito. The virus multiplies in the blood and causes symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, joint and muscle pain, rashes, and low platelet count. In severe cases, it can lead to Dengue hemorrhagic fever or Dengue shock syndrome. Prevention includes controlling mosquito breeding and avoiding mosquito bites.

Explanation: A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon comes between the Sun and the Earth and casts its shadow on the Earth. This happens during the new moon phase, when all three celestial bodies are almost in a straight line. Depending on the alignment, the eclipse can be total (Sun completely covered), partial (Sun partially covered), or annular (ring-shaped Sun visible). During this event, sunlight is blocked for a short time in specific areas of the Earth’s surface.

Explanation: The intensity and magnitude of an earthquake are measured using a scientific instrument called a seismograph. It records the vibrations or seismic waves produced by earthquakes. The data obtained from a seismograph are used to calculate the earthquake’s strength on scales such as the Richter Scale or the Moment Magnitude Scale. The seismogram (the recorded graph) shows the amplitude and duration of the waves, helping scientists locate the earthquake’s epicenter and determine its severity.