General Science One Liners for Competitive Exams 2026

Everyday Science one liner - Scientific Developments, Scientific Innovations and Everyday Applications of Science

1. Scientific Developments and Breakthroughs

• Who discovered the fundamental law of universal gravitation and the three laws of classical mechanics? - Sir Isaac Newton
• Who discovered the phenomenon of Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) in 1831? - Michael Faraday
• Who formulated the classical electromagnetic theory unifying electricity, magnetism, and light? - James Clerk Maxwell
• Who was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for explaining the Photoelectric Effect? - Albert Einstein
• What physical formula expresses Albert Einstein's principle of mass-energy equivalence? - $E = mc^2$
• Who proposed the quantum hypothesis stating that electromagnetic energy is emitted in discrete packets called quanta? - Max Planck
• Who introduced the quantized planetary model of the atom in 1913? - Niels Bohr
• Who discovered the subatomic, negatively charged particle known as the Electron in 1897? - J.J. Thomson
• Who discovered the positively charged atomic nucleus through the alpha-particle gold foil experiment in 1911? - Ernest Rutherford
• Who discovered the uncharged, neutral subatomic particle known as the Neutron in 1932? - James Chadwick
• Who discovered X-rays in 1895 while experimenting with cathode ray discharge tubes? - Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen
• Who discovered the phenomenon of spontaneous natural radioactivity in uranium salts in 1896? - Henri Becquerel
• Which pioneering scientist won two Nobel Prizes (Physics 1903, Chemistry 1911) for discovering Polonium and Radium? - Marie Curie
• What physical phenomenon describes the inelastic scattering of light photons by molecules, discovered on February 28, 1928? - Raman Effect
• Who was the first Asian scientist to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics (1930) for the discovery of the Raman Effect? - Sir C.V. Raman
• On which date is 'National Science Day' celebrated across India to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect? - February 28
• Who formulated the theoretical thermal ionization equation used to determine temperatures in stellar atmospheres? - Meghnad Saha
• Who collaborated with Albert Einstein to formulate the statistical mechanics of integer-spin bosons? - Satyendra Nath Bose
• What theoretical maximum mass limit for a stable white dwarf star ($1.44\text{ solar masses}$) was calculated by Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar? - Chandrasekhar Limit
• Who demonstrated that plants possess life and respond to electrical stimuli using the self-invented crescograph? - Jagdish Chandra Bose
• Who is revered as the 'Father of the Indian Nuclear Programme' for founding TIFR and BARC? - Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha
• Who discovered the double-helix molecular architecture of DNA in 1953 using X-ray crystallographic data? - James Watson and Francis Crick
• Which female crystallographer generated the critical 'Photo 51' X-ray diffraction image of B-DNA? - Rosalind Franklin
• Who shared the 1968 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for deciphering the genetic code and synthesizing artificial genes? - Har Gobind Khorana
• Who discovered the first clinical antibiotic, Penicillin, derived from Penicillium notatum molds in 1928? - Alexander Fleming
• Who developed the first successful smallpox vaccine in 1796 using cowpox pustular lymph? - Edward Jenner
• Who formulated the Germ Theory of Disease, developed the rabies vaccine, and invented pasteurization? - Louis Pasteur
• Who formulated the definitive Postulates of Disease Causation and identified the bacterial pathogens of Anthrax, Cholera, and Tuberculosis? - Robert Koch
• What revolutionary molecular gene-editing tool derived from bacterial adaptive immune systems acts as programmable molecular scissors? - CRISPR-Cas9
• Who were jointly awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing? - Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna
• What enzymatic laboratory technique developed by Kary Mullis in 1983 rapidly amplifies specific DNA sequences into millions of copies? - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
• What molecular enzymes cleave double-stranded DNA molecules at specific symmetric palindromic recognition sequences? - Restriction Endonucleases
• What molecular enzyme covalently joins two DNA fragments together by catalyzing phosphodiester bond formation? - DNA Ligase
• What high-throughput sequencing technology enables the rapid reading of entire human genomes within hours? - Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS)
• What artificial messenger RNA technology was deployed in record time to develop COVID-19 vaccines (e.g., Pfizer, Moderna)? - mRNA Vaccine Platform
• Who were awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for nucleoside base modifications enabling effective mRNA vaccines? - Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman
• What subatomic elementary particle predicted in 1964 gives mass to other fundamental particles and was confirmed at CERN in 2012? - Higgs Boson ('God Particle')
• What massive particle collider located across the Franco-Swiss border is the world's largest and highest-energy particle accelerator? - Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
• What fundamental cosmic phenomenon predicted by Einstein's General Relativity in 1916 was directly detected by LIGO in 2015? - Gravitational Waves
• What astrophysical boundary defines the point of no return beyond which nothing, not even light, can escape a black hole? - Event Horizon
• Which international space telescope launched in December 2021 observes deep-space infrared cosmic structures and early galaxies? - James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
• What deep-sea technological mission was launched by India to develop human submersibles (MATSYA 6000) for deep-ocean exploration? - Samudrayaan Mission
• What is India's dedicated national scientific initiative aiming to construct an underground gravitational-wave observatory in Maharashtra? - LIGO-India
• What deep underground laboratory facility is operated in India for low-background physics and dark matter searches? - Jaduguda Underground Science Laboratory
• What national mission was approved by the Union Cabinet to develop indigenous quantum computers, quantum communication, and quantum sensors? - National Quantum Mission (NQM)
• What is the fundamental unit of quantum information that exploits superposition and entanglement? - Qubit (Quantum Bit)
• What quantum mechanical phenomenon allows particles to remain instantaneously connected across vast distances? - Quantum Entanglement
• What optical astronomy payload launched by ISRO in January 2024 studies X-ray polarization from cosmic pulsars and black holes? - XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite)
• What historic space milestone made India the fourth nation to demonstrate autonomous space docking and undocking? - SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment)
• What is the name of India's planned permanent five-module space station in Low Earth Orbit? - Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS)

2. Scientific Innovations and Modern Technologies

• What general field of computer science focuses on building machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence? - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• What branch of AI focuses on algorithms that learn patterns and improve their performance automatically from empirical training data? - Machine Learning (ML)
• What subdiscipline of machine learning uses deep artificial neural networks inspired by the biological brain's structure? - Deep Learning (DL)
• What neural network architecture introduced in 2017 forms the architectural backbone of modern Large Language Models (LLMs)? - Transformer Architecture
• What category of AI algorithms can autonomously generate original text, photorealistic imagery, audio, synthetic data, and code? - Generative AI
• What natural language processing model developed by OpenAI demonstrated revolutionary conversational and problem-solving abilities? - ChatGPT
• What deep-learning AI system developed by Google DeepMind solved the 50-year-old biological grand challenge of predicting 3D protein structures? - AlphaFold
• What is the flagship AI-capable petascale supercomputer commissioned in India under the National Supercomputing Mission? - PARAM Siddhi-AI
• What is the multi-agency national supercomputing initiative established to build an indigenous supercomputing grid across India? - National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)
• What ultra-fast quantum calculation concept describes a quantum device solving a computational problem intractable for classical supercomputers? - Quantum Supremacy / Quantum Advantage
• What decentralized, immutable, cryptographically secured digital ledger technology underpins cryptocurrencies and smart contracts? - Blockchain Technology
• What self-executing software programs deployed on blockchain platforms automatically enforce contractual terms without intermediaries? - Smart Contracts
• What network of physical physical devices embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity to exchange real-time operational data is called? - Internet of Things (IoT)
• What computing paradigm processes and analyzes data directly near the device source rather than transmitting it to centralized cloud servers? - Edge Computing
• What high-speed wireless telecommunication standard utilizes millimeter-wave radio frequencies and massive MIMO to provide gigabit bandwidth? - 5G Cellular Network
• What emerging wireless technology standard promises terahertz frequencies, sub-millisecond latency, and intelligent reflective surfaces? - 6G Technology
• What wireless optical networking technology transmits ultra-high-speed data using visible light emitted by LED bulbs? - Li-Fi (Light Fidelity)
• What short-range high-frequency wireless technology enables contactless tap-and-pay transactions and transit ticketing? - Near Field Communication (NFC)
• What short-range radio communication protocol standard connects wireless peripherals (headphones, mice, smartwatches) over 2.4 GHz? - Bluetooth
• What universal two-dimensional matrix barcode standard encodes alphanumeric data read by smartphone optical cameras? - QR Code (Quick Response Code)
• What real-time instant payment inter-bank architecture developed by NPCI revolutionized digital cashless commerce across India? - Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
• What biometrically authenticated national digital identity infrastructure forms the core authentication anchor of India Stack? - Aadhaar
• What open, interoperable e-commerce network protocol was initiated in India to unbundle digital retail transactions? - ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce)
• What technology overlays computer-generated digital graphics, sensory information, and 3D assets directly onto real-world view? - Augmented Reality (AR)
• What technology immerses users inside a fully simulated, interactive 3D digital sensory environment via enclosed head-mounted displays? - Virtual Reality (VR)
• What additive manufacturing technology constructs three-dimensional solid physical objects layer-by-layer directly from digital CAD models? - 3D Printing (Additive Manufacturing)
• What specialized 3D printing technology utilizes living cell-laden hydrogels (bio-inks) to fabricate functional artificial tissues and organs? - 3D Bioprinting
• What rechargeable electrochemical battery technology powers modern smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles (EVs)? - Lithium-Ion Battery
• Who were awarded the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries? - John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham, and Akira Yoshino
• What next-generation battery technology replaces flammable liquid organic electrolytes with solid conductive ceramics or polymers? - Solid-State Battery
• What emerging battery chemistry offers an abundant, low-cost sustainable alternative to lithium for grid-scale energy storage? - Sodium-Ion Battery
• What high-efficiency solar photovoltaic technology combines organic-inorganic metal halide crystals with traditional silicon wafers? - Perovskite Tandem Solar Cell
• What clean zero-emission fuel is synthesized via water electrolysis powered entirely by renewable solar or wind electricity? - Green Hydrogen
• What chemical process extracts carbon dioxide from industrial factory emissions and permanently sequesters or utilizes it? - Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
• What mechanical energy harvesting technology generates electricity from environmental vibrations, footsteps, and vehicle movement? - Piezoelectric Energy Harvester
• What magnetic levitation transportation technology propels trains along guideways without physical track friction at over 500 km/h? - Maglev (Magnetic Levitation)
• What proposed ultra-high-speed ground transport system propels passenger pods through depressurized low-friction vacuum tubes? - Hyperloop
• What high-resolution remote sensing technology illuminates target surfaces with laser pulses to create detailed 3D elevation maps? - LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)
• What radar system measures microwave radio reflection delays to detect distant aircraft, ships, and weather formations? - RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging)
• What acoustic wave technology measures underwater reflection intervals to map sea floors and detect submerged submarines? - SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging)
• What sovereign Indian regional satellite navigation constellation provides independent positioning services across the subcontinent? - NavIC (IRNSS)
• What joint NASA-ISRO satellite carries dual-frequency (L-band and S-band) Synthetic Aperture Radar to map global land surface changes? - NISAR
• What autonomous robotic exploration vehicle successfully traversed the Moon's south-polar regolith during India's Chandrayaan-3 mission? - Pragyan Rover
• What female-resembling humanoid space robot was engineered by ISRO to fly uncrewed Gaganyaan test flights? - Vyommitra
• What is the name of India's indigenous reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator designed for autonomous runway landings? - RLV-LEX
• What type of small, modular fission reactor generates up to 300 MWe and can be factory-fabricated and transported to sites? - Small Modular Reactor (SMR)
• What experimental multi-national magnetic confinement fusion reactor being constructed in France aims to achieve net fusion power? - ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)
• What non-invasive direct brain-computer connection interface translates neural motor intentions into digital device actions? - Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)
• What advanced carbon-based nanomaterial consisting of single-atom-thick hexagonal planar carbon sheets is renowned for tensile strength? - Graphene
• What microscopic nanostructured particles engineered between 1 and 100 nanometers are utilized for targeted oncological drug delivery? - Nanoparticles / Nanomedicine

3. Everyday Applications of Physics

• Why does a pencil partially immersed obliquely in a glass of water appear bent at the air-water surface? - Refraction of Light
• Why do distant stars appear to twinkle when observed through the Earth's atmosphere at night? - Atmospheric Refraction through moving air layers of varying densities
• Why does the daytime sky appear bright blue on a clear sunny day? - Rayleigh Scattering of shorter blue light wavelengths by air molecules
• Why does the setting and rising Sun appear distinctly red or reddish-orange on the horizon? - Long red wavelengths scatter least through the thick atmospheric path
• Why are automobile hazard lights, traffic stoplights, and danger signals universally colored red? - Red light scatters least in atmospheric dust and fog, remaining visible from long distances
• What optical phenomenon inside suspended raindrops is responsible for the formation of a natural rainbow? - Dispersion, Refraction, and Total Internal Reflection
• Why does a cut diamond sparkle with intense brilliance when viewed under incident light? - Total Internal Reflection due to a very high refractive index and low critical angle
• What optical illusion creates the appearance of distant water puddles over hot asphalt roads or desert sand? - Mirage (caused by Total Internal Reflection in heated air)
• On what optical principle do flexible glass fiber-optic cables transmit high-speed broadband telecommunications? - Total Internal Reflection (TIR)
• What type of spherical mirror is used in automobile side-view and rear-view driving mirrors? - Convex Mirror (provides an erect, diminished image and wide field of view)
• What type of spherical mirror is used in motor vehicle headlights, searchlight reflectors, and dental examination mirrors? - Concave Mirror (produces parallel beams and magnified close-up images)
• Which corrective lens is prescribed for an individual suffering from Myopia (Nearsightedness)? - Concave (Diverging) Lens
• Which corrective lens is prescribed for an individual suffering from Hypermetropia (Farsightedness)? - Convex (Converging) Lens
• Which corrective lens combining concave and convex elements is prescribed for age-related Presbyopia? - Bifocal Lens
• What is the least distance of distinct vision (near point) for a normal healthy adult human eye? - 25 centimeters
• Why does food cook significantly faster inside a sealed pressure cooker? - Trapped steam raises interior pressure, elevating the boiling point of water above 100°C
• Why does water boil at temperatures well below 100°C on high mountain peaks? - Reduced ambient atmospheric pressure depresses the boiling point
• Why do ink fountain pens frequently leak inside high-altitude airplane passenger cabins? - Internal ink reservoir pressure exceeds the reduced ambient cabin air pressure
• What does a sudden, sharp drop in a mercury barometer reading indicate? - Approaching Storm or Cyclone
• What physical law explains why hydraulic vehicle brakes, hydraulic jacks, and heavy hydraulic lifts operate? - Pascal’s Law of Fluid Pressure
• What physical principle explains why heavy steel ships float on water while small solid iron nails sink? - Archimedes’ Principle (Buoyant Force equals weight of displaced liquid)
• Why does an iron nail sink in a beaker of water but float on liquid mercury? - The density of liquid mercury ($13.6\text{ g/cm}^3$) is higher than that of iron ($7.8\text{ g/cm}^3$)
• Why does an ice cube float in water with approximately 90% of its volume submerged? - The density of ice ($0.92\text{ g/cm}^3$) is lower than liquid water ($1.0\text{ g/cm}^3$)
• What happens to the water level in a glass when a floating ice cube melts completely? - It Remains Exactly the Same
• At what temperature does pure liquid water reach its maximum density and minimum volume? - 4°C (due to Anomalous Expansion of Water)
• Why can freshwater fish and aquatic life survive at the bottom of frozen lakes during severe winters? - Water beneath surface ice remains liquid at 4°C due to anomalous expansion
• Why do filled glass bottles burst when water inside freezes completely in a domestic freezer? - Water expands in volume as it solidifies into crystalline ice below 4°C
• Why does water seeping through microscopic pores in an earthen pot (matka) remain cool in hot summers? - Surface Evaporation extracts latent heat of vaporization from the pot
• Why does human sweating (perspiration) provide a cooling sensation when standing in a breeze? - Evaporation of sweat absorbs latent heat of vaporization from the skin
• Why do steam burns at 100°C cause significantly more tissue damage than liquid boiling water burns at 100°C? - Steam releases an additional 540 cal/g of Latent Heat of Vaporization upon condensing
• Why are small expansion gaps deliberately left between consecutive lengths of steel railway tracks? - To accommodate linear Thermal Expansion during hot summer weather
• Why are metallic electric transmission cables strung with deliberate slack between utility poles? - To prevent excessive tension and snapping due to thermal contraction during cold winters
• Why are domestic room air conditioners mounted near the ceiling while heating radiators sit near the floor? - To promote natural fluid Convection Currents (cold air sinks, warm air rises)
• Why does wrapping food in porous woolen blankets or thermocol keep it hot or cold for hours? - Trapped static air acts as an excellent Thermal Insulator
• Why are cooking pots and frying pans manufactured with wooden or Bakelite handles? - Wood and Bakelite are poor thermal conductors (thermal insulators)
• Why is wearing white or light-colored cotton clothing comfortable during hot sunny summers? - Light surfaces reflect most incident thermal radiation
• Why are dark or black clothes preferred during cold winter weather? - Dark surfaces absorb ambient radiant heat energy efficiently
• How does a double-walled vacuum thermos flask keep hot beverages warm for long durations? - It minimizes conduction, convection (via vacuum), and radiation (via silvered glass walls)
• What property of water makes it an ideal engine coolant in automotive radiators and hot water compress bags? - High Specific Heat Capacity ($4,184\text{ J/kg}\cdot\text{K}$)
• Why does a person standing in a stationary bus fall backward when the bus accelerates forward suddenly? - Inertia of Rest
• Why does a passenger lurch forward when a rapidly moving bus applies emergency brakes? - Inertia of Motion
• Why does dust dislodge from a hanging woolen carpet when it is beaten vigorously with a wooden stick? - Inertia of Rest
• Why does a cricket fielder draw his hands backward and downward while catching a fast-moving ball? - To prolong impact time, thereby reducing the Impulsive Force on the hands
• Why are motor vehicles fitted with steel springs and shock absorbers? - To increase impact time during road bumps, dampening impulsive forces
• Why does a gun kick back (recoil) against a shooter's shoulder when a bullet is fired forward? - Newton’s Third Law of Motion (Equal and Opposite Reaction)
• Why are sharp curves on mountain highways and high-speed railway tracks banked with elevated outer edges? - To provide the necessary Centripetal Force to prevent vehicle skidding
• How does a domestic washing machine spin-dryer extract water from soaked laundry? - Centrifugal Effect forces water droplets tangentially out through basket perforations
• Why are pneumatic vehicle tires molded with deep tread grooves on their outer surfaces? - To increase frictional traction and prevent hydroplaning skids on wet roads
• Why are industrial machine ball bearings lubricated with greases, oils, and graphite powders? - To substitute high sliding friction with much lower rolling friction and reduce wear
• Why are high-speed airplanes, bullet trains, and sports cars designed with streamlined aerodynamic profiles? - To minimize aerodynamic fluid friction (air drag)

4. Everyday Applications of Chemistry and Biology

• What is the active chemical compound in domestic baking soda used in cooking? - Sodium Bicarbonate ($\text{NaHCO}_3$)
• What gas is produced when baking soda reacts with an edible acid, causing cakes and breads to rise? - Carbon Dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$)
• What is the chemical name of common washing soda used to remove permanent water hardness? - Sodium Carbonate Decahydrate ($\text{Na}_2\text{CO}_3 \cdot 10\text{H}_2\text{O}$)
• What is the chemical formula of bleaching powder used for municipal water disinfection? - Calcium Oxychloride ($\text{CaOCl}_2$)
• What chemical compound is Plaster of Paris (POP), used to set orthopedic bone fractures? - Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate ($\text{CaSO}_4 \cdot \frac{1}{2}\text{H}_2\text{O}$)
• What mineral substance is heated to 100°C (373 K) to manufacture Plaster of Paris? - Gypsum ($\text{CaSO}_4 \cdot 2\text{H}_2\text{O}$)
• What is the chemical name and formula of quicklime used in white-washing and mortar? - Calcium Oxide ($\text{CaO}$)
• What chemical compound is formed when quicklime reacts vigorously with water (slaked lime)? - Calcium Hydroxide ($\text{Ca(OH)}_2$)
• What chemical compound is known as Laughing Gas and used as a mild dental anesthetic? - Nitrous Oxide ($\text{N}_2\text{O}$)
• What chemical compound is used as riot-control Tear Gas? - Chloroacetophenone / CS Gas
• What chemical compound is commercial caustic soda used in drain cleaners and soap making? - Sodium Hydroxide ($\text{NaOH}$)
• What is the chemical name of Blue Vitriol used as an agricultural fungicide (Bordeaux mixture)? - Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate ($\text{CuSO}_4 \cdot 5\text{H}_2\text{O}$)
• What chemical compound is Epsom Salt used as a soothing bath soak and laxative? - Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate ($\text{MgSO}_4 \cdot 7\text{H}_2\text{O}$)
• What chemical compound is potash alum (Fitkari) used to clarify muddy drinking water? - Potassium Aluminum Sulfate ($\text{KAl(SO}_4)_2 \cdot 12\text{H}_2\text{O}$)
• How does alum clarify turbid, muddy river water? - By coagulating and precipitating suspended colloidal clay particles
• What chemical compound is marked on voters' index fingers during elections to prevent duplicate voting? - Silver Nitrate ($\text{AgNO}_3$)
• What chemical compound is sprayed into atmospheric clouds during cloud seeding to induce artificial rain? - Silver Iodide ($\text{AgI}$)
• What chemical compound was historically used as the light-sensitive emulsion on photographic film? - Silver Bromide ($\text{AgBr}$)
• What chemical substance is dry ice, used as a commercial cooling refrigerant? - Solid Carbon Dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$)
• What is the chemical name of household mothballs that sublime into vapor to deter insects? - Naphthalene / Paradichlorobenzene
• What chemical substance is the red paste coating the abrasive striking strip of a safety matchbox? - Red Phosphorus (with powdered glass)
• What chemical compound forms the combustible tip of a safety matchstick? - Potassium Chlorate (with Antimony Trisulfide)
• What non-stick polymer coating on cooking cookware is known by the trade name Teflon? - Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
• What thermosetting plastic polymer is used to manufacture heat-resistant electrical switches and saucepan handles? - Bakelite
• What polymer is universally used to manufacture domestic plumbing drainage pipes (PVC)? - Polyvinyl Chloride
• What process converts unsaturated vegetable oils into solid saturated vanaspati ghee using nickel catalysis? - Hydrogenation
• What sulfur compound is blended into commercial odorless LPG cylinders to provide a warning leak smell? - Ethyl Mercaptan ($\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{SH}$)
• What is the primary combustible hydrocarbon gas component in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Biogas? - Methane ($\text{CH}_4$)
• What two hydrocarbon gases constitute domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)? - Butane and Propane
• What metal element is coated onto iron or steel sheets during galvanization to prevent rust? - Zinc (Zn)
• What chemical formula represents the reddish-brown flake known as iron rust? - Hydrated Ferric Oxide ($\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 \cdot x\text{H}_2\text{O}$)
• What organic acid gives commercial vinegar its sour flavor and preservative property? - Acetic Acid ($\text{CH}_3\text{COOH}$)
• What organic acid is naturally present in sour curd and fermented milk? - Lactic Acid
• What organic acid is found in citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges? - Citric Acid
• What organic acid is present in tamarind pulp, unripened mangoes, and baking powder? - Tartaric Acid
• What organic acid causes the sharp burning pain and itching of red ant bites and bee stings? - Formic Acid / Methanoic Acid ($\text{HCOOH}$)
• What common mild household basic compound neutralizes the acidic sting of an ant bite? - Baking Soda paste or Calamine Lotion (Zinc Carbonate)
• What antacid suspension of magnesium hydroxide neutralizes hyperacidic stomach gastric juice? - Milk of Magnesia ($\text{Mg(OH)}_2$)
• What volatile sulfur compound released upon slicing raw onions induces tearing in eyes? - Syn-Propanethial-S-oxide
• What active organosulfur compound produced when fresh garlic is crushed possesses antibacterial properties? - Allicin
• What active yellow polyphenolic compound present in turmeric rhizomes exhibits anti-inflammatory effects? - Curcumin
• What pungent chemical compound responsible for the heat of chili peppers is measured on the Scoville scale? - Capsaicin
• What red carotenoid antioxidant pigment gives ripe tomatoes and watermelons their deep red color? - Lycopene
• What commercial sodium salt of glutamic acid enhances the savory 'Umami' flavor in Asian cuisine? - Monosodium Glutamate (MSG / Ajinomoto)
• What artificial intense sweetener is a heat-stable chlorinated derivative of sucrose roughly 600 times sweeter than sugar? - Sucralose
• What natural non-caloric high-potency glycoside sweetener is extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana? - Stevioside / Rebaudioside (Stevia)
• What bacterial starter culture ferments milk lactose into lactic acid to produce thick yogurt and curd? - Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus
• What single-celled budding fungal yeast leavens bread dough and brews beer via ethanol fermentation? - Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker’s / Brewer’s Yeast)
• What gas produced during anaerobic yeast fermentation becomes trapped inside bread dough, making it light and spongy? - Carbon Dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$)
• What plant hormone is applied commercially as an agricultural spray to trigger the rapid ripening of green bananas and tomatoes? - Ethylene Gas