Unit: 3 Science
A. Solar Power
Energy Crisis and Solar Energy
● Energy consumption is rising, making dependence on fossil fuels risky.
● Renewable energy, especially solar power, is a sustainable alternative.
● India, in the sunny belt, receives over 5000 trillion KWH of solar energy annually, much
more than its total energy consumption.
● Solar energy is clean, renewable, and cost-effective compared to fossil fuels.
● Various technologies can harness solar power, including:
○ Solar photovoltaic (SPV) cells
○ Solar steam generators
○ Solar chimneys
○ Photo galvanic cells
Electric Vehicles (EVs) – A Sustainable Transport Solution
● Urban population growth and increasing pollution demand cleaner transport solutions.
● By deploying three lakh EVs, India could:
○ Reduce pollution by 16 lakh metric tons.
○ Save ₹3700 crore in foreign exchange.
○ Lower healthcare costs.
● EVs run on battery-stored electric energy, making them:
○ Non-polluting and energy-efficient.
○ Easier to drive (no gear system, only accelerator and brake).
○ Low maintenance compared to traditional vehicles.
● Battery advancements (e.g., lithium polymer batteries) improve EV performance.
● Home charging systems make recharging convenient.
Advantages of EVs for India
● Reduces dependence on oil imports as electricity can be generated from domestic
sources.
● Utilizes existing infrastructure, requiring minimal investment.
● Zero pollution, easy handling, and low maintenance costs.
● No degradation over time, unlike conventional vehicles.
● Strong market potential due to:
○ Established auto component industry.
○ Low manufacturing and R&D costs.
○ High urban congestion favoring EV adoption.
● Export opportunities can boost the industry.
Steps to Promote EVs
● Government policies (subsidies, tax exemptions, fleet purchases).
● Corporate and institutional support in adopting EV fleets.
● Media awareness campaigns to educate the public.
● Industry collaboration to enhance production and innovation.
With the right policies and public awareness, India can transition to a cleaner, more sustainable
future.
A Solar Distillation System
A solar distillation system has a solar panel placed on top of a rectangular
shaped box. At first the box is filled with unpurified water. Next it is exposed to
the rays of the sun which heats this water. Then the pure water droplets
condense on the underside of the solar panel leaving the impurities in the box.
The pure water now runs into a trough which is connected to collection bottles.
Additionally, the ultra violet rays from the sun kill the germs and bacteria in the
water.
B. Plugging into Future
● Rapid technological evolution has made many once-common gadgets obsolete,
making it hard to imagine how people relied on them in the past.
● Floppy Disks: Used for storing and transferring text and images, these were inserted
into computer CPUs. The most common size (3.5-inch) had only 1.44MB of storage and
was prone to viruses. They were replaced by CDs, DVDs, and pen drives, which offered
greater storage, and are now being replaced by cloud computing.
● Pagers: Popular in the 1990s, they allowed users to receive short messages, usually
asking them to call back on a landline. They were the first portable communication
devices but became obsolete as mobile phones became affordable and widespread.
● Valve Radios: Large and non-portable, these radios required manual tuning without
precise adjustments. They were often left on throughout the day and even functioned as
household clocks, helping people keep track of time based on radio programs.
● Gramophone Plates: These played music using a needle on grooved vinyl disks,
producing classic tunes by singers like Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar. Different
disks played at varying speeds (RPM). A common issue was the needle getting stuck,
causing the same line of a song to repeat endlessly.
● TV Antennas: These were status symbols, regardless of whether the TV was black and
white or color. Positioning them correctly required one person on the rooftop adjusting
the antenna while another inside monitored the TV reception through trial and error.
Innovative Inventions
Metal Detecting Sandals – A pair of sandals with a built-in metal detector, alerting users via
light, vibration, or sound when within 2 feet of metal. Powered by a 9V battery (not included).
Laser Cosmos – A high-tech space projector creating a realistic, three-dimensional cosmic light
show with stars, nebulae, and shooting stars. Uses laser and holographic technology.
Nappak – A concept inflatable bed designed for power naps at workplaces. Includes an air
compressor and rollers. A study suggests it could improve efficiency and morale.
LED Umbrella – An umbrella with an LED light embedded in the handle for night-time visibility,
resembling a lightsaber.
Flying Alarm Clock – An alarm clock with a detachable propeller that flies off when the alarm
goes off. Users must retrieve and reattach it to stop the alarm, ensuring they wake up.
Scooter Luggage – A suitcase that doubles as a scooter, allowing users to travel quickly
through airports. It can also be folded into a regular luggage bag. Expected to hit the market
soon.
C. Space Travel
Peggy Whitson (Astronaut since 1996, Age: 48)
● Spent 377 days in space (two six-month missions).
● Completed 40 hours of spacewalks (most by a woman astronaut).
● First female commander of the ISS.
● Zero-G adaptation: Fitness and 3D thinking are crucial.
● Best part of zero-G: Everything lifts, making astronauts look younger!
● Exercise routine: 1 hour of cardio + 1 hour of resistance training daily.
● Poetic moment: Seeing Earth’s layers of atmosphere from space.
● Returning to gravity: Difficult at first, but recovered in a month.
● Inspiration: Space exploration expands human and cultural horizons.
Pamela Melroy (Astronaut since 1995, Age: 47)
● Flew three shuttle missions (2000, 2002, 2007).
● Historic moment: First time two women commanded two spacecraft at the same time.
● Crisis management: Led crew through a complex solar wing repair in space.
● On gender: 25 years ago, women commanding spacecraft was unimaginable.
● Misses zero-G: Dreams about it after landing.
● Value of space station: Immediate (medical/tech advancements), medium-term
(collaboration), and long-term (human adaptability in space).
Sunita Williams (Astronaut since 1998, Age: 43)
● Spent 195 days in space (held endurance record until Peggy Whitson broke it).
● Ran the Boston Marathon in space on a treadmill.
● Adapting to space: Trained for 8 years; being away from home wasn’t a challenge.
● Prefers flying over walking in space.
● Exercise: Running in space lacks outdoor sensations, but the routine helps.
● Hair donation: Cut hair in space and donated it to Locks of Love for cancer patients.
● Perspective from space: Earth looks peaceful; reinforces oneness and unity.
Barbara Morgan (Astronaut since 1985, Age: 56)
● Spent 13 days in space on a shuttle mission in 2007.
● Originally trained with Christa McAuliffe for the NASA Teacher in Space Program.
● Returned to teaching after the Challenger tragedy (1986) but later fulfilled the mission.
● Operated the space station’s robotic arms during spacewalks.
● Left NASA in August 2008 to teach at Boise State University.
Space Experiences & Observations
● Biggest surprise: Felt upside down the first day due to fluid shifts in the body.
● Sleeping in space: Slept instantly and deeply, unlike on Earth.
● Food in space: Used food to demonstrate Newton’s laws; enjoyed beef Stroganoff
and Russian dishes.
● Gut reaction: Lost appetite at first; digestion adjusted over time.
● Toilets in space: Uses fans and a personal funnel attachment; requires a tight seal
to prevent floating waste.
D. LETTERS FROM THE PLANET AURIGAE II
