Everyday Science — Past Papers — Part 1 MCQs with Explanations

SARS-CoV-2: Coronavirus that causes COVID-19. First identified: Late 2019. Transmission: Mainly through respiratory particles. COVID-19: Stands for Coronavirus Disease 2019.

The Theory of Relativity was proposed by Albert Einstein . It was introduced in the early 20th century. It includes Special Relativity (1905) and General Relativity (1915). The theory explains the relationship between space, time, and gravity .

Venus is the brightest planet in the night sky . Due to its thick cloud cover that reflects sunlight strongly. It is often called the “ Evening Star ” or “ Morning Star .” Additional information : Distance from Sun: ~ 108 million km Diameter: 12,104 km Orbital Period: 225 Earth days Atmosphere: Thick CO₂ clouds, very reflective

Cause: Mainly due to sulfur dioxide (SO₂) released from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil . Effect: SO₂ reacts with water vapor in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid, causing acid rain.

The electromagnetic force acts between electrically charged particles . It causes both attraction and repulsion between charged particles. It is responsible for electricity, magnetism, light , and chemical bonding between atoms. Additional information : Gravitational force : Acts between objects with mass and energy. Strong nuclear force : Holds quarks together and helps bind atomic nuclei. Weak nuclear force : Responsible for processes such as beta radioactive decay.

Centrifugation is a separation method that uses rapid rotation to separate components according to their density . Cream contains fat globules that are less dense than the watery part of milk. Additional information : Distillation : Separates substances based on differences in boiling points. Sublimation : A solid changes directly into a gas.

Phycology is the branch of biology that studies algae . Algae are primarily aquatic, photosynthetic organisms found in freshwater, seawater, and moist environments . Phycology is also known as algology . Additional information : Bacteriology : Study of bacteria Mycology : Study of fungi Virology : Study of viruses

Gaps are provided between railway rails to allow for thermal expansion during hot weather . Metal rails expand when their temperature increases and contract when their temperature decreases . Additional information : Scientific principle: Expansion of solids due to heat Effect of excessive heat: Rails may buckle Effect of cooling: Rails contract

A neutron has no electric charge , so it is electrically neutral . Additional information : A proton has a positive charge (+1). An electron has a negative charge (−1).

The atomic number of hydrogen is 1. It is the first element on the periodic table. Named by: Antoine Lavoisier (1783) Atomic mass: 1.00784 u Appearance: Colorless gas Symbol: H Protons: 1 Electrons: 1 Last updated 26-07-2026 by NA

Velocity is a vector quantity . A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction . Velocity , which describes the rate of change of position in a specific direction. It needs both a magnitude (speed) and a direction to be fully defined. Vector Quantities: Velocity, momentum, torque, acceleration . Scalar Quantities: Work, distance, speed, mass .

Main mineral in hemoglobin: Iron Chemical symbol: Fe Location: Red blood cells Main function: Oxygen transport throughout the body

Jupiter has the shortest rotation period of all eight planets in the Solar System. It completes one rotation in approximately 9 hours and 56 minutes . Additional information : Fastest rotation: Jupiter Earth's rotation: Approximately 24 hours Mars's rotation: Approximately 24 hours 37 minutes

The Equator is an imaginary line that divides Earth into the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere. It is located at 0° latitude . It is the largest circle of latitude . It is with a circumference of approximately 40,075 km . The Equator passes through parts of South America, Africa, and Asia . Additional information : Equator : 0° latitude; divides north and south. Prime Meridian : 0° longitude; divides east and west. Tropic of Cancer : Approximately 23.5° north latitude. Tropic of Capricorn : Approximately 23.5° south latitude.

Michael Faraday introduced the concept of the electric field in the 19th century. He developed the idea of lines of force to explain how electric charges exert forces on one another. Additional information : James Clerk Maxwell later developed mathematical equations describing electromagnetic fields .

A solar eclipse can damage the retina if the Sun is viewed directly without proper eye protection. The Sun's intense light can cause solar retinopathy , which may result in permanent vision damage . During a solar eclipse , use certified eclipse glasses that comply with ISO 12312-2 ; ordinary sunglasses are not safe. Additional information : A lunar eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye because it involves observing the Moon.

Saturn is the second-largest planet in the solar system. Ganymede (Moon of Jupiter ) is the largest satellite in the solar system. Planets and Natural Satellites : Mercury : 0 Venus: 0 Earth : 1 (Moon) Mars: 2 (Deimos, Phobos) Jupiter : 95 Saturn: 274 Uranus : 27

The primary component of natural gas is methane (CH4). Making up 70% to 90% or more of its composition. It is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable hydrocarbon gas. Characteristics: It is a fossil fuel, often found in rock formations alongside oil or on its own. Last updated question 15 March2026

Ca is the chemical symbol for calcium . Calcium is a chemical element with atomic number 20. It is an alkaline earth metal belonging to Group 2 of the periodic table. Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth . Additional information : Na — Sodium K — Potassium Fe — Iron Cu — Copper Ag — Silver

Respiration is the chemical process in which energy is released from food. Cells break down glucose to release energy for various life activities. Aerobic respiration uses oxygen, while anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen. The released energy is stored mainly in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Additional information : Nutrition : Taking in and using food. Digestion : Breaking down food into simpler substances.

Insulin is produced by the pancreas . The pancreas contains clusters of cells called the Islets of Langerhans . Beta (β) cells within these islets produce and secrete insulin . Insulin helps regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels by promoting glucose uptake into cells.

The Earth's outermost layer is called the Crust . The crust is the thin, solid outer layer where humans , animals , and plants live. It is located above the mantle, outer core, and inner core . It is made mainly of rocks and minerals . Additional information : Earth's Layers (Outer to Inner): Crust → Mantle → Outer Core → Inner Core Crust Thickness: About 5–70 km Mantle Thickness: About 2,900 km Outer Core Thickness: About 2,260 km Inner Core Radius: About 1,220 km

Kilometers per second: ≈ 300,000 km/s Speed in vacuum: 299,792,458 m/s Approximate value: 3 × 10⁸ m/s Symbol: c Distance traveled in 1 second: About 300,000 km Light from the Sun takes about 8 minutes 20 seconds to reach the Earth .

The human respiratory system exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and the environment. Oxygen enters the blood through the alveoli in the lungs . Carbon dioxide moves from the blood into the alveoli and is expelled during exhalation . Oxygen is used by cells for cellular respiration and energy production .

Mercury Symbol: Hg Atomic number: 80 Melting point: -38.83 °C Atomic mass: 200.59 u

Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system . Mercury with a diameter of 4,879 km (3031.67 mi). Its escape velocity is approximately 4.25 km/s . Nearest Planet to Sun. Fastest Planet.

Vitamin K helps to make various proteins that are needed for blood clotting and the building of bones . Prothrombin is a vitamin K-dependent protein directly involved with blood clotting. Additional information : Vitamin C may protect the body against the effects of pollution. It may also prevent blood clots and reduce bruising .

A seismograph is an instrument used to detect and record earthquakes. It consists of a mass attached to a fixed base During an earthquake , the base moves and the mass does not.

The empirical formula of water is H₂O Freezing point: 0°C (32°F) Boiling point: 100°C Molar mass: 18.015 g/mol Density: 997 kg/m³ Melting point: 0°C Last updated by NA on 25-April-2026

The liver is the largest gland in the human body . It is situated in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen , beneath the diaphragm , and above the stomach . It is reddish-brown . It is weighs approximately 1.5 kg . Additional information : The pineal gland is the smallest gland . It about the size of a grain of rice . It weighs approximately 150 mg . It is part of the endocrine system .

An apiary is a place where beehives are kept and honeybees are raised. It is used for beekeeping (apiculture) and honey production . A person who keeps and manages honeybees is called a beekeeper . Additional information : Sericulture : Rearing silkworms for silk production. Apiculture : The practice of beekeeping. Butterfly house : A place where butterflies are kept.

Microearthquakes are earthquakes with a magnitude of less than 2.0 . Additional information : Minor earthquakes : Commonly refers to low-magnitude earthquakes; exact ranges vary by classification. Major earthquakes : Generally refers to earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or higher.

Famous field: Medicine His famous medical work Kitab al-Hawi ( The Comprehensive Book of Medicine ) was widely influential. He also wrote an important treatise distinguishing smallpox and measles . Additional information : Full name: Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi Born: c. 865 CE, Rayy, Persia Died: c. 925 CE

Comets are small celestial bodies mainly composed of ice, dust, and rocky material . They travel around the Sun in highly elliptical or elongated orbits . Halley’s Comet , which returns approximately every 76 years . Additional information : Asteroids : Mainly rocky or metallic bodies. Meteoroids : Small pieces of rock or metal moving through space.

Rear view mirrors in vehicles are convex mirrors . They give a wider field of view . Images formed are virtual, upright, and smaller . This helps drivers see more traffic behind them. It is a curved mirror that bulges outward . It is commonly used in side mirrors of cars, buses, and motorcycles . Last verified 26-04-2026

Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons . This difference in neutrons gives them different atomic masses while retaining the same chemical properties .

Afforestation is the process of planting trees in an area where there were no previous forests. It helps in combating climate change, preventing soil erosion, and improving biodiversity.

An isohyet is a line on a map connecting places that receive equal amounts of rainfall during a specified period. It is commonly used in climatology , meteorology , and hydrology to show rainfall distribution. Iso - means “ equal ,” while - hyet relates to rainfall . Additional information : Isotherm → line joining places of equal temperature. Isobar → line joining places of equal atmospheric pressure.

Omar-Khayam was the first to develop the Binomial Theorem and determine binomial coefficients . Additional information : Omar-Khayam was born in Iran in 1048 AD. He was a famous poet, mathematician , and astronomer . He introduced the Jalali Calendar . It is also known as the modern Solar Hijri calendar .

Ole Rømer was the first person to experimentally demonstrate that light has a finite speed in 1676 . He used observations of Jupiter’s moon Io to estimate the speed of light . Additional information : The modern accepted speed of light in vacuum is 299,792,458 m/s .