Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Why do we lean forward while climbing a hill ?

                         Why do we lean forward while climbing a hill ?

We keep our body balanced on 2 feet by keeping Centre of Gravity ( COG ) of our body between 2 feet. It acts normal to the sea level vertically downwards.
While walking on normal surface also , we keep this COG between our feet . If COG goes out , we fall as we lose balance.
While climbing up , we have to bend forward to keep this COG intact. If we do not bend forward , the feet position will get ahead of COG and we will fall behind. So , to keep the COG between feet , we must bend forward.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Some facts about Karnataka state

                                       Some facts about Karnataka state

My state is Karnataka. This article is about some of the official tags Karnataka has adopted.

Official Flower - Lotus
Official Tree - Sandal wood
Official Animal - Elephant
Official Dance - Yakshagana

These facts are independent of present political crisis and also my native place !

Saturday, January 26, 2013

First artificial satellite

                                   First artificial satellite

We all know that moon is the one and only natural satellite of planet Earth. But what about artificial satellites ? Many countries have launched the artificial satellites which revolve around Earth. India has also launched many artificial satellites.
Sputnik 1 was the first artificial Earth satellite . The Soviet Union launched it into an low elliptical low Earth orbit on 4 October 1957.
It was visible all around the earth and its radio signals detectable. The surprise success precipitated the American sputnik crisis , began the space age and also the space war , a part of cold war. The launch ushered in new political , military , technological and scientific developments .
But its signals continued for 22 days until the transmitter batteries ran out on 26 October 1957.
Sputnik 1 burned up on 4 January , 1958 , as it fell from its orbit upon reentering Earth's atmosphere . It had spent 3 months in its orbit.

Friday, January 25, 2013

At what temperature are Celsius and Fahrenheit the same?

                          At what temperature are Celsius and Fahrenheit the same?

The formulas for converting between degree Celsius and degree Fahrenheit are -------

F = ( C * 9/5 ) +32 

C = ( F- 32 ) * 5/9

where F and C = Fahrenheit and Celsius reading

To find the temperature when both are equal , put F = C in one of the equations

C = ( C * 9/5 ) +32
C - ( C * 9/5 ) = 32
- 4/5 * C = 32
C =  -32 * 5/4
C = - 40

If we solve the other equation , we get the same value.

Conclusion  : So the temperature when both the Celsius and Fahrenheit scales are same is - 40 degrees. 

Thursday, January 24, 2013

What happens when ammonium hydroxide is heated?

                             What happens when ammonium hydroxide is heated?

Ammonium Hydroxide ( NH4OH ) is a solution of ammonia in water. The chemical is used as cleanser and in manufacturing plastics , rubber , fertilizer and textiles
Ammonium Hydroxide is a colourless, clear liquid with a pungent to faint ammonia odour. Stable under normal temperatures and pressure , heating it produces ammonia gas. 
Contact with eyes may result in temporary loss of sight. and eye burns . If inhaled , mild exposure can cause nose irritation resulting in sneezing and coughing.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

What is soda water?

                                            What is soda water?

Soda water is also called carbonated water or fizzy water. It is the water into which carbon di oxide gas ( CO2 ) under pressure has been dissolved , a process that causes the water to become effervescent .The process of dissolving carbon di oxide in water is known as carbonation .
The water is chilled , optimally to just above freezing , in order to permit the maximum amount of carbon dioxide to dissolve in it. Higher gas pressure and lower temperature cause more gas to get dissolve in the liquid. When a container of carbonated water is opened , carbon dioxide gas comes out of solution , in the form of bubbles.
Carbonated water is often consumed plain or mixed with fruit juice . Carbonated water is a diluent . It is often consumed as an alternative to soft drinks.
Carbonated water erodes the tooth enamel , though the effect is negligible. But in high proportion , it may be hazardous. 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

The acid responsible for tooth decay

                              The acid responsible for tooth decay

Scientifically speaking , not the acid but the fermentation of acid is responsible for tooth decay. The acid is Lactic acid.
Fermentation is the process which is responsible for the paste which is used to make tasty dosas. Lactic acid is also known as milk acid. 
The bacteria named lactic acid bacteria , grow in the mouth , the acid they produce is lactic acid which is responsible for tooth decay.
The chemical formula is C3H6O3 .Lactic acid is also produced in muscles as a result of anaerobic glucose metabolism .It is found in sour milk and also called as hydroxypropanoic acid.

Monday, January 21, 2013

First woman prime minister in the world

                                  First woman prime minister in the world

The first woman prime minister in the world is Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike  . She was a Srilankan politician and the modern world's first female head of government.
She served prime minister of Sri Lanka , 3 times . She was also the widow of a previous Sri Lankan prime minister , Solomon Bandaranaike and the mother of Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga as well as Anura Bandaranaike , former speaker and cabinet minister.
She was born on 17 Apr 1916. She led her party SLFP, to win the elections 1960 . On 21 July 1960 , she became prime minister thus becoming the first female prime minister in the world.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

What causes finger prints?

                                    What causes finger prints?

We all have finger prints. Everyone's is unique. Police catch culprits based on these finger prints. There is a separate wing of science which studies finger prints.
But what causes finger prints? It is very common sight that illiterate people use their thumb finger print instead of signature.
Basically , a finger print left on a surface is caused because of sweat glands in our fingers. Oil form on sweat glands in our fingers , collecting on the sides of the finger causes a finger print.
After touching something , the oils and other materials previously on the ridges are left behind on the surface we just touched give rise to finger prints of our own !

Friday, January 18, 2013

Salt as an insecticide

                                                     Salt as an insecticide

Insecticides can be made in home itself. Salt we use in our home, can act as an insecticide. It may be in powder form or the aqueous solution.
Most of the home made insecticides consists of boric acid and salt. Combining bran , sugar with salt makes the insecticide more attractive to insects . The bran can be any number of household grains .The sugar may be cooking sugar or molasses.
The salt usually used is epsom salt ( magnesium sulphate ) . This salt dehydrates the insects. The thick paste made out of these is toxic to insects but is safe for humans. The salt even provides fertilizing benefits to the plants.This mixture has to be spread around the base of the plant. 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

How did Nirma got its name?

                                              How did Nirma got its name?

"Nirma" is a most popular brand of detergents and washing powder. It is a major consumer brand offering a range of detergents , soaps and personal care products.
Nirma was founded by Dr. Karsanbhai Patel ., a chemist at the Gujarat Government's Department of mining and geology. They were manufacturing synthetic phosphate free detergent powder.  Karsanbhai Patel started to sell it locally.
There was a huge demand for this yellow powder in his home town of Gujarat . Patel named the powder as Nirma , after his daughter Nirupama. Thus Nirma had its name.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The harms of ozone

                                                The harms of ozone 

The title may sound surprising . But it is true. We all heard of Ozone as our saviour , since ozone layer protects us from UV radiation of Sun.
Ozone protects us from UV radiation. We know that because of air pollution, ozone layer is becoming thin and there are cracks formed on the layer.
But ozone gas itself is a greenhouse gas ! Although ozone was present at ground level before the industrial revolution , peak concentration of gas is now far higher than the pre industrial era.
Ozone acts as a green house gas , by absorbing some of the infrared energy emitted by the Earth. Ozone is a very strong oxidising agent. Because of this, it is very difficult to contain it. Ozone as a liquid , is deep blue in colour. But there is always a danger of it to explode .
Ozone gas at ground level can pose health hazards. Ozone gas will irritate eyes when human body is exposed to it. Ozone gas layer must be present not at ground level !

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Sugar of milk

                                      Sugar of milk

I am not talking about the sugar which is put externally to milk. It is about the natural sugar found in milk.
The sugar is lactose. Lactose is a disaccharide  sugar that is found most notably in cow milk. It is also found in milk of other mammals.
The word lactose is of latin origin . Lac or lactis is the latin word for milk. Oase is the suffix used to name sugars. It has a formula of C12H22O11 .
Infant mammals nurse on their mother to drink milk, which is rich in lactose. In intestine we find an enzyme named lactase which is used to digest it.
Some people are lactose intolerant . In their body , lactose is not broken down and this may lead to diarrhea  , bloating , flatulence and other gastro intestinal symptoms. 

Monday, January 14, 2013

Clove as a spice

                                      Clove as a spice

Clove or ಲವಂಗ  in Kannada is always a part of our spice box. While preparing pulao , it is a must . Clove in its external appearance looks like a flower which has not blossomed.
It is true . Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds . Cloves are native of Indonesia . They are harvested primarily in Indonesia , India , Madagaskar , Pakistan and Srilanka.
The clove tree is an evergreen having large leaves. The flower buds of tree are first pale of a colour . Then they gradually become green . Then they turn into bright red and now they are ready for collecting . Finally they are dried and now ready for home use.
They are considered very strong spice because of eugenol chemical that makes most of it's taste. Cloves also work as ant repellent. They have numbing effect on mouth tissues.
Cloves are also used to increase hydrochloric acid in stomach .

Saturday, January 12, 2013

What is googol?

                                           What is googol?

I am not talking about the website.  It is the number googol which is always misspelled as google. The name google originated from this word.

1 googol = 1.0 * 10 ^ 100 .

In simple word, googol represent a number with 100 zeroes !

Friday, January 11, 2013

Asafoetida or Hing

                                      Asafoetida or Hing

Asafoetida or Hing in Hindi is widely used in Indian cuisines.  It is also called devil's dung or sticking gum . The Asafoetida's extraction is interesting.
Actually Asafoetida is the dried latex exuded from the living underground rhizome . These species are native to the mountains of Afghanistan and is mainly cultivated in nearby India.
Asafoetida has a pungent and unpleasant smell when raw , but in cooked dishes , it delivers a smooth flavour. The spice is used as a digestive aid.
In our houses , it is used mainly in 2 forms. As a gum and also a powder. My grand mother uses asafoetida as a gum . She puts water to small amount of gum and leave it. While cooking she adds the water of this soaked gum . It gives a good taste.
My mother uses it in powder form. In this, they mix the resin with large amount of wheat flour . Now the mixure is in powder form and a solid . They put it in sealed plastic containers.
Asafoetida is mainly used as anti - flatulent . It reduces the growth of microflora in the gut , reducing flatulence. When taken with curd , it serves as a medicine for stomach ache.  

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Last governor general of Pakistan

                                 Last governor general of Pakistan

We know, till British ruled India , Pakistan was also the part of India. But when British announced Independence to India, they halved the nation.
Now, there are 2 countries namely India and Pakistan. When this agreement was done, Lord Mount Batten was the governor general.
Later , there emerged 2 new countries , India and Pakistan. Till India  became republic , C. Rajagopalachari was the governor general of India.
The head of the state of Pakistan from Independence till it became a republic in 1956 was the monarch of Pakistan. The Governor General of Pakistan is the representative of monarch of Pakistan. When Pakistan was proclaimed Republic in 1956 , the office of governor general is abolished.
The first governor general is Mohammed Ali Jinnah. The last one is Iskander Mirza , whose term started from 7 August 1955 to 23 March 1956.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Laughing gas

                                          Laughing gas

Nitrous oxide , commonly known as laughing gas is a chemical compound with the formula N2O. It is an oxide of nitrogen.
At room temperature , it is a colourless , non - flammable gas with a slightly sweet odour and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic effect .
It is known as laughing gas , due to the euphoric effect after inhaling it . It is also used as an oxidiser. It is also a major green house gas and air pollutant. 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Why does clock ads show time always as 10.10 ?

                                Why does clock ads show time always as 10.10 ?

We can see that the time always showed at 10.10  in news papers and also on tv . There are many theories regarding this.
1 . By placing the hands of the clock at 10.10 , the logo of the clock manufacturing company is clearly visible as well as the decoration (if any) of hands of clocks.
2. The time 10.10 resembles a smiley . People tried another way of showing the hands 8.20 . In this way too, all the above said details are covered. But the direction of hands resembles a face with frown. People will like the smiling face than the frowning face.
Because of these reasons, advertisers selected the time as 10.10 as time to show in clock advertisements.

Monday, January 7, 2013

How do spiders catch its prey?

                              How do spiders catch its prey?

We know spiders spin web. It starts laying out radial threads from the centre to the boundary of the frames. These radial threads are not coated with sticky material , since the spider needs to walk across them to get around . This is how spider lays its web.
The spider is now ready to hunt. It sits in the middle of the web , monitoring the radial threads for vibrations. When an insect gets trapped in the web , spider feels the motion and briskly makes its way towards the source of vibration.
Spiders do have special abilities to tell the difference between vibrations from the prey and vibrations from other sources ( like leaves etc ) . Now spider inject its prey with neurotoxin to paralyze them . The spider can feed on its prey  in safety.
After paralysing them , spiders usually wrap its prey in silk and carry them back to their nest to be eaten in leisure they inject the prey with digestive enzymes , suck up the liquid matter , leaving the outer skeleton intact . . 

The myth behind jumbo pack of chips

                                     The myth behind jumbo pack of chips

I like to eat potato chips. As we know , there are packets of chips available in the market ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 20. The pack is called jumbo pack and is rated Rs 20.
Till now I thought that jumbo pack will contain more amount of chips , hence the name. But now I know the truth. These are the techniques used by the companies to lure the customers !
I explain it how. Jumbo pack is a large pack compared to other pack priced at Rs 5. Customers may think that jumbo packs are having more amount of chips since the pack is large.
But the real story is different. They do not contain any MORE chips. They have the pre decided amount itself  . If we take 4 packets of chips priced Rs 5 , I bet it is the same amount of chips we can find in the jumbo pack. Then why is the large pack?
Large pack is just an eye washing trick. When we hold the pack , we can feel there is air inside it besides chips. The air is gas nitrogen !
Nitrogen gas is not toxic . It will not make the chips to get smoothened . If we put the chips open in the air, it will get smoothened and will not be fresh and crunchy.
Nitrogen gas will preserve the freshness and crunchiness of chips for a long time. Since it is not toxic, in the chips packets , they fill the free space with that.