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.

Other options (for context)

Explanation: Neutron was discovered by James Chadwick in 1932. He identified the neutron as a neutral subatomic particle present in the nucleus of an atom, having a mass nearly equal to that of a proton but no electrical charge.

Explanation: The full form of USB is Universal Serial Bus. It is a standard interface used to connect devices such as keyboards, mice, flash drives, and printers to a computer. USB allows data transfer and power supply between connected devices.

Ocean Thermal Energy (OTE) is produced due to the temperature difference at different levels in the ocean. The surface water is warmer because it absorbs sunlight, while the deeper layers remain cold. This temperature gradient is used to run a heat engine that generates electricity — a process known as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).

• Tides: Related to gravitational pull, not temperature.
• Pressure difference: Exists but not used for energy generation.
• Waves: Used in wave energy systems, not OTEC.

Explanation: The rusting of iron is an example of oxidation. When iron reacts with oxygen and moisture from the air, it forms hydrated ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃·xH₂O), commonly known as rust. This process involves the loss of electrons by iron, which is a characteristic feature of oxidation.

Explanation: When salt is added to pure water, its boiling point increases. This phenomenon is known as boiling point elevation, a colligative property. The presence of dissolved salt particles reduces the vapor pressure of water, requiring a higher temperature for it to boil.

Explanation: The nerve cell or neuron is the longest cell in animals. It consists of a cell body, dendrites, and a long fiber called the axon. In humans, the axon of a motor neuron can be over 1 meter long (from the spinal cord to the toes). This structure helps transmit electrical impulses rapidly across the body, allowing coordination and communication between organs.

Explanation: Sound waves travel fastest in solids, slower in liquids, and slowest in gases. This is because the speed of sound depends on the elasticity and density of the medium — it travels faster when particles are tightly packed and can transmit vibrations more efficiently. Among the options, iron (a solid) allows sound to travel much faster (around 5130 m/s) than in water (1500 m/s), ice (3200 m/s), or air (331 m/s at 0°C).

Explanation: White lung disease, scientifically known as byssinosis, is an occupational lung disorder caused by prolonged inhalation of cotton dust in textile and cotton processing industries. The inhaled dust irritates the airways, leading to symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Long-term exposure can result in chronic bronchitis and reduced lung capacity.

Preventive Measures:

• Proper ventilation and dust control in textile mills
• Use of protective masks by workers
• Regular health check-ups and dust monitoring