The gravitational force of the Earth is maximum at the poles and minimum at the equator. This happens because the Earth is not a perfect sphere; it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulged at the equator due to its rotation. The distance from the center of the Earth to the poles is slightly less than that to the equator, resulting in a stronger gravitational pull at the poles.

Other options (for context)

• At equator: Gravity is slightly weaker because of the Earth's bulge and centrifugal force due to rotation.
• At tropic of cancer: Gravity here is intermediate, not maximum.
• At tropic of Capricorn: Same as the Tropic of Cancer — gravity is moderate, not maximum.

Explanation: The scientific name of Vitamin C is Ascorbic Acid. It is a water-soluble vitamin essential for the growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues. Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant and helps in the synthesis of collagen, absorption of iron, and boosting the immune system. A deficiency of Vitamin C leads to the disease Scurvy, characterized by bleeding gums, weakness, and delayed wound healing. Natural sources include citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, amla, and guava.

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.

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• 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.

Explanation: Tuberculosis (TB) is not a viral disease; it is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In contrast, Polio, Swine flu, and Hepatitis are viral diseases caused by different types of viruses.

Explanation: The gas used for artificial ripening of green fruits is ethylene (C₂H₄). Ethylene is a natural plant hormone that regulates fruit ripening by stimulating the conversion of starches into sugars, making the fruit softer and sweeter. In artificial ripening, ethylene gas is introduced in controlled amounts to uniformly ripen fruits such as bananas, mangoes, and tomatoes. However, the use of harmful chemicals like calcium carbide for ripening is banned because it produces toxic substances like acetylene.

Explanation: The terms Dolby B and Dolby C refer to noise reduction circuits used in tape recorders and sound systems. These technologies reduce background hiss and unwanted noise during playback and recording, thereby improving the overall sound quality.

Explanation: Animals that live in or on trees are called arboreal animals. They are adapted to climbing and moving about among branches. Examples include monkeys, squirrels, chameleons, and tree frogs. Their adaptations may include grasping limbs, prehensile tails, claws, or adhesive pads that help them cling to tree surfaces and move efficiently among branches.

The Exosphere is the uppermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere. It lies above the thermosphere and gradually merges into outer space. The exosphere extends roughly from 700 km to 10,000 km above the Earth's surface. In this layer, air is extremely thin, and gas molecules such as hydrogen and helium are sparse and can even escape into space.

Other options (for context)

• Stratosphere: Second layer from the Earth’s surface; contains the ozone layer.
• Mesosphere: Lies above the stratosphere; meteors burn up here.
• Ionosphere: A region within the thermosphere important for radio communication, not the outermost layer.