Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is an anaesthetic gas, commonly known as laughing gas. It is used in dentistry and minor surgeries to induce mild anesthesia and relaxation. It acts quickly and wears off rapidly, making it safe for short medical procedures.

• Nitrogen dioxide: A toxic air pollutant, not used as anesthesia.
• Nitric oxide: A signaling molecule in the body, not an anesthetic.
• Nitrogen: An inert gas, does not induce anesthesia.

Explanation: SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) is a system used in ships and submarines to determine the depth of the ocean or to locate underwater objects. It works by sending sound waves into the water and measuring the time taken for the echo to return after reflecting from the seabed or any object.

Explanation: RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) works by using radio waves to detect and determine the distance, speed, and position of objects such as aircraft, ships, and vehicles. The radar system transmits radio waves, which travel through the air, hit an object, and get reflected back to the radar receiver. By measuring the time delay between transmission and reception, the radar calculates the object's distance and motion. Radio waves are ideal because they can travel long distances, penetrate clouds, and are unaffected by weather conditions.

Explanation: Heavy water is chemically known as Deuterium oxide (D₂O). It is similar to ordinary water (H₂O), but the hydrogen atoms are replaced by deuterium — a heavier isotope of hydrogen containing one proton and one neutron. Heavy water is not suitable for drinking but is used as a moderator and coolant in nuclear reactors because it slows down neutrons, allowing a controlled nuclear fission reaction. It is also used in scientific research and isotope studies.

Explanation: Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian astronaut to travel into space. He flew aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11 on April 3, 1984, as part of a joint mission between ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and the Soviet Intercosmos program. During his space mission, he spent about 8 days aboard the Salyut-7 space station. When asked by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi how India looked from space, he famously replied, “Saare Jahan Se Achha.”

Explanation: During photosynthesis, green plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂). The oxygen gas released in this process comes specifically from the splitting of water molecules — a reaction known as photolysis of water, which occurs in the light-dependent reaction inside the chloroplasts.

Chemical equation:

6CO₂ + 12H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ + 6H₂O

The oxygen atoms in the released O₂ come entirely from the original water molecules, as demonstrated by isotopic experiments using heavy oxygen (O¹⁸) tracers.

Explanation: Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal released from industrial waste, batteries, and mining processes. When it enters the food chain (especially through contaminated rice or water), it accumulates in the body and affects the kidneys, causing protein loss in urine and kidney failure. It is also associated with Itai-Itai disease in Japan, characterized by kidney damage and brittle bones.

Explanation: According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) – IS 10500:2012, the acceptable limit of total hardness in drinking water, expressed as CaCO₃, is 200 mg/l. The permissible limit in the absence of an alternate source is up to 600 mg/l. Excess hardness can cause scaling and affect the taste of water.

Explanation: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and highly poisonous gas. When inhaled, it competes with oxygen for binding sites on the haemoglobin molecule in red blood cells. CO has approximately 200–250 times greater affinity for haemoglobin than oxygen. As a result, it forms a stable compound called carboxyhaemoglobin (HbCO).

This compound prevents haemoglobin from carrying oxygen to body tissues, leading to oxygen deprivation (hypoxia). Prolonged exposure to CO can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness, and even death due to suffocation.

Chemical Reaction:

Hb + CO → HbCO (Carboxyhaemoglobin)