Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), also known as baking soda, is used in fire extinguishers. When heated, it decomposes to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂), which displaces oxygen and helps smother the fire. It is especially effective for extinguishing electrical and small grease fires.

• Sodium carbonate: Used in glass and soap making, not for fire control.
• Sodium nitrate: An oxidizing agent, not suitable for extinguishing fires.
• Sodium sulphate: Used in detergents and paper making, not in fire extinguishers.

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: Humans first develop a set of 20 milk teeth (also called deciduous or primary teeth) — 10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw. These teeth start erupting around 6 months of age and are eventually replaced by 32 permanent teeth (including 4 wisdom teeth). Milk teeth help in early chewing, speaking, and maintaining space for permanent teeth.

Explanation: In fused (molten) sodium chloride, electric current passes due to the presence of free ions. When solid NaCl is melted, it dissociates into Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, which can move freely and conduct electricity. In the solid state, these ions are fixed in the crystal lattice, so it does not conduct electricity.

Explanation: Lysosomes are known as the ‘suicidal bags’ or ‘disposal units’ of the cell because they contain powerful hydrolytic enzymes capable of breaking down worn-out cell organelles, foreign substances, and even the entire cell when it becomes damaged or diseased.

Methane (CH₄) is not an allotrope of carbon. It is a chemical compound made up of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. In contrast, allotropes are different structural forms of the same element in the same physical state. Carbon has several allotropes, including diamond, graphite, and fullerene (C-60), which differ in atomic arrangement and physical properties.

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• Diamond: An allotrope of carbon where each carbon atom is tetrahedrally bonded to four others, making it extremely hard.
• Graphite: An allotrope of carbon with layers of hexagonally arranged atoms; good conductor of electricity.
• C-60 (Fullerene): A spherical allotrope of carbon consisting of 60 atoms arranged like a soccer ball.

Explanation: Sound waves are not electromagnetic waves; they are mechanical waves that require a material medium (like air, water, or solids) for propagation. In contrast, radio waves, X-rays, and visible light are electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum.

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.

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