Explanation: Nitrogen (N₂) constitutes the major portion of the Earth's atmosphere by volume — about 78%. It is a colorless, odorless, and inert gas that plays a vital role in maintaining atmospheric stability and supporting life through the nitrogen cycle. Oxygen makes up about 21% of the atmosphere and is essential for respiration and combustion. Other gases like argon (~0.93%) and carbon dioxide (~0.04%) are present in much smaller amounts.

Explanation: A strong-smelling compound called thioethanolamine (or ethyl mercaptan) is added to LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) to help detect gas leaks. LPG itself is odourless, so this compound gives it a distinct unpleasant smell, making leakage easily noticeable for safety.

Explanation: Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a base, so it does not turn blue litmus paper red. Instead, it turns red litmus paper blue. In contrast, lemon juice, acetic acid, and hydrochloric acid are acidic and turn blue litmus red.

Adolf Gaston Eugen Fick, a German physiologist, invented the first successful contact lens in 1888. His design consisted of a glass lens that covered the entire eye, resting on the sclera (the white part of the eye). Though bulky and uncomfortable by today’s standards, it laid the foundation for modern soft and gas-permeable contact lenses used in vision correction and cosmetics.

Other options (for context)

• Enrico Fermi: Known for his work in nuclear physics and development of the first nuclear reactor.
• Sandford Fleming: Introduced the concept of standard time zones.
• Benoit Fourneyron: Invented the water turbine, not related to optics or vision correction.

Red light has the longest wavelength among visible colours, approximately 620–750 nanometers. Due to its longer wavelength, red light is scattered the least, which is why it is used in traffic signals and as warning lights for better visibility over long distances.

• Blue and Green: Shorter wavelengths, scattered more easily.
• Yellow: Intermediate wavelength between red and green.