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 transmission of light through optical fibres is based on the principle of Total Internal Reflection (TIR). When light travels from a denser medium (core of the fibre) to a rarer medium (cladding) and strikes the interface at an angle greater than the critical angle, it gets completely reflected back into the core instead of refracting out. This continuous internal reflection allows light to travel long distances through the fibre with minimal loss, even when the fibre is bent. Optical fibres are widely used in telecommunication, internet data transfer, and medical endoscopy.

Explanation: The rarest blood type in the world is AB⁻ (AB negative). It is found in less than 1% of the global population. People with AB⁻ blood can receive red blood cells from all Rh-negative blood types, but they can donate only to other AB individuals.

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.

Bioremediation is the process by which living organisms — mainly microbes, fungi, or plants — are used to remove or neutralize contaminants, pollutants, or toxins from soil, water, or air. These organisms break down harmful substances into less toxic or non-toxic forms, helping to clean up polluted environments naturally. It is an eco-friendly and cost-effective method for environmental restoration.

Other options (for context)

• Biotechnology: A broader field involving the use of living systems for industrial, agricultural, or medical purposes.
• Biodegradation: The natural breakdown of organic materials by microorganisms, but not necessarily aimed at pollution cleanup.
• Biomagnification: The accumulation of toxic substances in the food chain, opposite of pollution removal.

Explanation: Vitamin K is produced by gut bacteria (Escherichia coli) in the large intestine. It plays a vital role in the synthesis of prothrombin, a protein essential for normal blood clotting. Although some of it is obtained from food (like leafy vegetables), intestinal bacteria supply a significant portion of the body’s requirement.

Explanation: A barometer is an instrument used primarily for measuring atmospheric pressure. It helps in weather forecasting and determining altitudes (since atmospheric pressure decreases with height). A mercury barometer consists of a glass tube filled with mercury inverted in a mercury reservoir. When air pressure changes, the height of the mercury column changes accordingly. However, a barometer cannot measure the density of a liquid — that function is performed by a hydrometer.

When an ant bites, it releases formic acid (HCOOH) into the skin. This acid causes a sharp burning sensation, redness, and irritation at the site of the bite. The name “formic” comes from the Latin word “formica”, meaning ant, as the acid was first extracted from ants. The pain can be neutralized by applying a mild base like baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

Other options (for context)

• Hydrochloric Acid: Found in the human stomach, aids digestion.
• Acetic Acid: Main component of vinegar, not involved in ant bites.
• Phosphoric Acid: Used in fertilizers and soft drinks, not produced by ants.

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.