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​​Why Earth is called blue planet? Earth, often called the Blue Planet, earns this nickname due to its stunning appearance from space, where about 71% of its surface is covered by water, mainly oceans. This water reflects blue light because water molecules absorb longer red wavelengths and scatter shorter blue ones, giving Earth its vibrant hue. The presence of liquid water is unique in our solar system, making Earth a haven for life. Oceans play a critical role in regulating the planet’s climate, absorbing heat, and driving weather patterns. Additionally, Earth’s atmosphere, rich in nitrogen and oxygen, scatters blue light, enhancing the planet’s azure glow. Satellite images, like those from NASA, vividly capture this blue dominance, with swirling white clouds adding contrast. The planet’s water cycle, involving evaporation, precipitation, and runoff, sustains diverse ecosystems, from coral reefs to rainforests. Unlike Mars’ red dust or Jupiter’s gaseous bands, Earth’s blue is a testament to its dynamic, life-supporting environment. This distinct characteristic not only defines Earth’s identity but also underscores the importance of preserving its precious water resources for future generations.

​​How is communication established between space stations and Earth? Communication from space stations like the International Space Station (ISS) relies on radio signals transmitted through a network of satellites and ground stations. The ISS communicates with Earth using NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). Signals from the ISS are first sent to a TDRS satellite positioned in geostationary orbit. These satellites then relay the information to ground stations located on Earth, such as those in New Mexico (USA). From there, the data is sent to mission control centers like NASA’s Johnson Space Center or ESA’s Mission Control in Europe. The types of communication include voice, video, telemetry, and scientific data. S-band frequencies are used for low-rate data like voice and telemetry, while Ku-band is used for high-rate data such as video. There’s also a UHF system for backup voice communication. Astronauts can even use amateur (ham) radios for outreach activities. Future advancements include laser-based communications, offering higher speeds and more secure transmissions. This system ensures nearly 24/7 real-time contact between the space station and Earth, crucial for monitoring, operations, and crew safety.

​​What is Google Street View and How does it Work? Google Street View is a technology featured in Google Maps that provides the panoramic views from various streets of the world. It was launched on May 25, 2007 by Google in several cities in the United States, since then it has expanded to many cities and areas of the world. Till today, Google Street View is launched in about 80 countries of the world. Google Street View displays panoramas of the images. For this, Google uses the cars on which high resolution 360 degree cameras are mounted and these cars travels in whole cities and take up photographs of the streets and monuments. Then, these photographs are uploaded by Google for Street View. On these cars 12 cameras are fixed to take up photographs from different angles and sides. These photographs are upgraded from time to time. As cars are not capable to travel at all places, Google also uses trekker, tricycle, walking mans, boat, snow cart, and underwater boats to take up the panoramic shots. We can also upload some panoramic shots of the place on the Google Street View using gadgets. Google highlights user-contributed shots with blue circles on the Maps. Businesses like shops, cafes, malls can pay a photographer to take panoramic shots of the interiors which are included in Google Street View with orange circles. Along with high resolution cameras, Google also uses laser beams for depth mapping to calculate the length and width of the streets and passages. And all these data is also as Artificial Intelligence in self-driving cars for better performance.

​​​​What is Chemotherapy and How does it work? Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that uses powerful chemicals to kill fast-growing cells in your body. Chemotherapy is most often used to treat cancer, since cancer cells grow and multiply much more quickly than most cells in the body. Chemotherapy circulates throughout your body in the bloodstream. So it can treat cancer cells almost anywhere in the body. This is known as systemic treatment. Chemotherapy kills cells that are in the process of splitting into 2 new cells. Body tissues are made of billions of individual cells. Once we are fully grown, most of the body's cells don't divide and multiply much. They only divide if they need to repair damage. When cells divide, they split into 2 identical new cells. So where there was 1 cell, there are now 2. Then these divide to make 4, then 8 and so on. In cancer, the cells keep on dividing until there is a mass of cells. This mass of cells becomes a lump, called a tumour. Because cancer cells divide much more often than most normal cells, chemotherapy is much more likely to kill them. Chemotherapy damages the genes inside the nucleus of cells. Some drugs damage cells at the point of splitting. Some damage the cells while they're making copies of all their genes before they split. Chemotherapy is much less likely to damage cells that are at rest, such as most normal cells.

​​Why are medicines available in different forms such as capsules, tablets, and liquids? Medicines come in various forms—capsules, tablets, and liquids—based on the drug’s properties, the method of delivery, and patient requirements. Capsules are used when the medicine needs protection from stomach acid or for controlled release over time. They are also preferred for masking the taste of unpleasant drugs or for drugs sensitive to moisture. Tablets are popular because of their stability, precise dosing, and cost-effectiveness. They have a longer shelf life and are easy to mass-produce. In contrast, liquid forms are useful for patients who have difficulty swallowing or when rapid absorption is necessary. Liquids offer flexible dosing, making them suitable for children or the elderly, and provide faster delivery of the drug into the system. In addition to these, there are other forms like topical applications (creams, ointments, gels) for localized treatment, inhalers and nebulizers for respiratory issues, and suppositories for specific conditions requiring rectal or vaginal administration. Transdermal patches deliver medicine through the skin for sustained release, while injectables provide rapid or targeted effects directly into the bloodstream. Lastly, sublingual and buccal tablets are designed for quick absorption through the mouth, providing fast relief for certain conditions. Each form is chosen based on how the drug works best and patient convenience.

​​What is Umbra and Penumbra? In the context of lunar and solar eclipses, "umbra" and "penumbra" refer to different types of shadow regions created by the Earth and the Moon. Lunar Eclipse: During a lunar eclipse, the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth's shadow to fall on the Moon. There are two main shadow regions involved: Umbra: This is the darkest part of the Earth's shadow. When the Moon passes through the umbra, it can appear reddish in color due to Rayleigh scattering of sunlight through the Earth's atmosphere, a phenomenon often referred to as a "Blood Moon." Penumbra: This is the lighter, outer part of the Earth's shadow. When the Moon passes through the penumbra, it experiences a subtle shading, but it does not completely darken. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon only passes through this part of the shadow. Solar Eclipse: In a solar eclipse, the Moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on the Earth. The shadow also has two main regions: Umbra: This is the area where the Moon completely blocks the Sun's light. Observers located in the path of the umbra experience a total solar eclipse, where the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon. Penumbra: This is the area where the Moon partially blocks the Sun's light. Observers in the penumbral region see a partial solar eclipse, where only a portion of the Sun is obscured.

​​What is Jet lag? Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that occurs when a person rapidly travels across several time zones, causing a disruption in the body’s internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm controls essential bodily functions such as sleep, digestion, and hormone release based on a 24-hour cycle. When this internal clock is misaligned with the local time at the destination, it leads to jet lag. The most common symptoms of jet lag include fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia. Individuals may struggle to fall asleep at the appropriate time, often waking up too early or feeling excessively tired even after sleeping. Other symptoms include difficulty concentrating, mood swings, irritability, and sometimes digestive issues such as nausea or a lack of appetite. The symptoms vary in intensity based on the individual and the distance traveled. Several factors affect how severe jet lag can be. The most important factor is the number of time zones crossed: the more time zones traveled, the harder it becomes for the body to adjust. Direction of travel also plays a key role: eastward travel, where a person “loses” time, tends to cause more severe jet lag than westward travel, which “gains” time. Personal characteristics, such as age and general health, also influence how quickly an individual can adjust to the new time zone. To minimize jet lag, travelers can adopt several strategies. Gradual adjustment of the sleep schedule before travel can help synchronize the body clock with the destination’s time zone. During travel, it’s essential to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, as these can worsen fatigue. Upon arrival, exposing oneself to natural light during the day is critical for helping the body reset its circadian rhythm. Short naps may help reduce sleepiness but should be limited to avoid disrupting nighttime sleep. Some travelers also use melatonin supplements to regulate sleep patterns. Jet lag typically lasts for a few days, but it can take up to a week for the body to fully adjust, especially when multiple time zones are crossed. The recovery time depends on how well the individual handles the time change and how proactive they are in managing symptoms.

​​How does a life saving jacket works? A life-saving jacket, also known as a personal flotation device (PFD), works by providing buoyancy to keep a person afloat in water, preventing drowning. It is typically made from lightweight, buoyant materials like foam or has inflatable air chambers. These materials are less dense than water, displacing water and producing an upward buoyant force that counters the body’s natural downward pull due to gravity. The key principle behind a life jacket’s operation is Archimedes’ principle, which states that a body immersed in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. When a person wearing a life jacket enters water, the jacket displaces a volume of water. The buoyant force exerted helps lift the person, ensuring their head and mouth remain above water, even if they are unconscious. Life jackets are designed to maintain a stable, upright or face-up position, ensuring the wearer can breathe easily and stay above the water surface. Inflatable life jackets, once inflated, provide significant buoyancy and are often preferred for activities like sailing, while inherently buoyant foam jackets are common in recreational boating and swimming. Different types of life jackets include foam life jackets, which provide constant buoyancy, and inflatable life jackets, which inflate either automatically upon contact with water or manually by pulling a cord. Proper fitting is crucial, as an ill-fitting jacket can reduce effectiveness. Overall, life jackets are critical safety devices in water activities, preventing accidental drowning by keeping the user afloat.

​​How does pregnancy test kit work? A pregnancy test kit works by detecting the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. hCG is released into the body shortly after implantation, typically 6-12 days following conception. The test relies on the presence of this hormone in urine to determine pregnancy. To use the test, a woman either urinates directly on the test stick or dips it into a cup of urine. The test stick contains antibodies specifically designed to react with hCG. If hCG is present in the urine, it binds with the antibodies and triggers a chemical reaction. This reaction causes a visible change, such as the appearance of a line, symbol, or color in the test window. Most kits include two indicators: a control line, which confirms that the test is functioning correctly, and a test line that indicates pregnancy. Pregnancy test kits are typically accurate when used after a missed period, as hCG levels are high enough to be detected. However, testing too early can result in a false negative, as hormone levels may still be low. For best results, it is recommended to follow the instructions carefully and test again after a few days if the initial result is negative but pregnancy is suspected.

​​​How does a Phone Battery percentage display work? The battery percentage display in smartphones works through a combination of technologies, primarily voltage-based measurement and coulomb counting, along with advanced battery management systems. Voltage-Based Measurement: This method relies on measuring the battery’s voltage and correlating it with the battery’s state of charge (SOC). A fully charged lithium-ion battery typically has a voltage around 4.2V, while a nearly depleted one will have around 3.0V. The phone’s system uses pre-defined curves that map voltage levels to battery percentages. Although simple, this method can be inaccurate under varying conditions like temperature changes, load fluctuations, and as the battery ages. Coulomb Counting: A more advanced method involves coulomb counting. Here, the system tracks the actual flow of electric charge (in coulombs) in and out of the battery. It measures the current (in amperes) over time and calculates how much charge is being consumed or restored. This method gives a more accurate real-time reading of battery percentage because it tracks the actual usage instead of relying solely on voltage. However, coulomb counting can drift over time, so it’s often combined with voltage measurements for recalibration. Hybrid Systems: Most modern smartphones use a hybrid approach, combining both methods. Voltage readings are used to recalibrate the system at full charge or near empty, while coulomb counting provides accurate real-time tracking of charge usage during normal operation. This combination helps counter inaccuracies caused by temperature, battery age, and different usage patterns. Additionally, manufacturers are now implementing AI-based battery management systems, which learn user behavior and optimize power consumption, further improving the accuracy of battery percentage readings.