Science, Environment and Technology
What this domain tests
This section covers basic physics, chemistry and biology, ecosystems, pollution, climate change, biodiversity and modern technology such as space, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and digital payments.
Core rules and concepts
- Force equals mass times acceleration; weight is a force, mass is not.
- pH below 7 is acidic, above 7 is basic; lower pH means greater acidity.
- Ecosystems have producers, consumers and decomposers; food chains transfer energy, with loss at each level.
- Biodiversity hotspots in India include the Western Ghats, Himalaya, Indo-Burma and Sundaland.
- Chandrayaan-3 landed near the lunar south pole in 2023; Aditya-L1 studies the Sun.
- AI, blockchain and semiconductors are key contemporary technology areas.
Worked example
A 10 kg body accelerates at 2 m/s². Find the force. Reasoning: F = ma = 10 x 2 = 20 N. The newton is the SI unit of force. If the question asked for weight on Earth, multiply mass by about 9.8 m/s², giving about 98 N; that is not the same as mass.
Traps that cost marks
Do not confuse mass and weight; do not say a lower pH is less acidic; and do not treat biodegradable waste as harmless in large quantities. In space questions, distinguish orbiters, landers and rovers.