LECTURE - 1: CLASS VIII: LIGHT

CLASS VIII   |    SCIENCE    |    CHAPTER 16

     Notes prepared by Subhankar Karmakar

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• Luminous Objects: 

The objects their own light are called luminous objects. 

• Non Luminous Objects:

The objects which do not emit their own light are called non luminous objects. 

We can see the non luminous objectsbecause they reflects light into our eyes. Non luminous objects are also called illuminated objects. 

• Reflection of light

The process of sending back light rays which fall on the surface of an object, is called reflection of light.

• Incident Ray:

The ray of light which falls on the mirror surface is called incident ray. 

• Point of Incidence:

The point at which the incident ray strikes the mirror is called the point of incidence. 

• Reflected Ray:

The ray of light which is sent back by the mirror is called reflected ray.

• Normal at the point of incidence: 

The normal is a line drawn at right angles to the mirror surface at the point of incidence. It can be defined as a line which is perpendicular to the mirror surface at the point of incidence.

• Angle of incidence:

The angle between incident ray and normal is called the angle of incidence.

• Angle of reflection:

The Angle between reflected ray and normal is called the angle of reflection. 

• Laws of reflection of light:

There are two laws of reflection. They are as follows.

1. According to the first law of reflection, the incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal at the point of incidence all lie in the same plane. 
2. According to the second law of reflection, the angle of reflection is always equal to the angle of incidence. 

• Special case: 

When a Ray of light falls normally or perpendicularly on the surface of a plane mirror the ray is reflected back along the same path.

• Regular reflection:

In regular reflection, a parallel beam of incident light is reflected as a parallel beam in one direction. Regular reflection of light occurs from smooth surface like that of a plane mirror or highly polished metal surfaces. 

• Diffuse reflection:

In diffuse reflection, a parallel beam of incident light is reflected in different directions. The diffuse reflection of light takes place from rough surfaces like that of paper, cardboard chalk, table, chair, walls and unpolished matter objects.

Both regular reflection as well as diffuse reflection obey laws of reflection.

Formation of image in a plane mirror:

Suppose a small object O is placed in front of a plane mirror MM'. 

1. We take two diverging incident rays OA and OB coming from the object O. These rays strike the mirror at point A and point B. 
2. Draw two normal AN and BN' at point A and point B. 
3. ∠OAN and ∠OBN' are two angles of incident. 
4. Draw ∠NAX = ∠OAN and ∠N'BY = ∠OBN'. Therefore, AX and BY will be the reflected rays respectively. 
5. Extend the rays XA and YB beyond the mirror and they intersect each other at point I.
6. I will be the image of the object O. 

LATERAL INVERSION

In an image formed by a plane mirror, the left side of object appears on the right side in the image whereas the right side of object appears on the left side in the image. This change of sides of an object and its mirror image is called lateral inversion. 

Characteristics of image formed by a plane mirror:

• 1. The image formed by a plane mirror is virtual or unreal.
• 2. The image formed by a plane mirror is behind the mirror. 
• 3. The image formed in a plane mirror is the same distance behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.
• 4. The image formed in a plane mirror is of the same size as the object. 
• 5. The image formed by a plane mirror is erect.
• 6. The image in a plane mirror is laterally inverted. 

• Multiple reflection:

A reflected ray can be reflected again and again. This property of light is extensively used in optical instruments. 

We shall discuss two optical instruments here. 

1. Periscope and 2. Kaleidoscope

• Periscope:

A Periscope is a long, tubular device through which a person can see objects that are out of their direct line of sight. It works on the reflection of light from two plane mirrors are parallel to one another. 

Usefulness: A Periscope gives us a higher view than normal. By using a periscope, we can see the objects on the other side of which cannot be seen by us directly. 

Construction: A Periscope consists of a long tube T having two plane mirrors M₁ and M₂ fitted at its two ends. The two plane mirrors are fitted in such a way that they are parallel to one another and their reflecting surfaces face each other. Each plane mirror makes an angle of 45° with the side of the tube. There are two holes in the Periscope tube, one hole is in front of the top mirror M₁ and the agar hole is in front of the bottom mirror M₂. 

Working of a Periscope:

Light ray from the object enters the Periscope through the upper hole and gets reflected by the top mirror vertically downwards. This reflected ray again strikes the bottom mirror  of the Periscope and reflected again along a horizontal direction and enters the eyes of the viewer. Thus the object can be seen behind an obstacle. 

Some of the uses of Periscope:

• 1. A Periscope is used to see over the heads of a crowd. 
• 2. A Periscope is used by soldiers sitting in a trench or bunker to observe the enemy activities outside over the ground. 
• 3. Epidiascope is used by a navy officer sitting in a submarine to see ships over the surface of water in the sea even though the submarine itself may be submerged under water. 

• Multiple images:

When two plane mirrors are kept inclined at an angle , they can form multiple images of an object. The image of object formed in one plane mirror acts as object for the other plane mirror. It has been found that if two plane mirrors are inclined at an angle x, then the number of images formed in them is given by the formula : 

No. of images formed = (360°/x) - 1

If an object is placed between two parallel plane mirrors facing each other, then theoretically, an infinite number of images should be formed. 

• Kaleidoscope:

The Kaleidoscope is an instrument or toy containing inclined plane mirrors which produce multiple reflections of coloured glass pieces and create beautiful patterns. 

The coloured glass pieces act as objects and the inclined plane mirrors form multiple images of these glass pieces by repeated reflections, which look like beautiful patterns. 

The coloured glass pieces act as objects and the inclined plane mirrors form multiple images of these glass pieces by repeated reflections, which look like beautiful patterns. 

(a pattern produced by kaleidoscope)

• Dispersion of light:

The splitting up of white light into seven colours on passing through a transparent medium like a glass prism is called dispersion of light. 

The formation of spectrum shows that white sunlight is made up of seven colours. The seven colours of the spectrum of white light are: Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red. 

• Sunlight - White or Coloured

The sunlight is referred to as white light. The white sunlight actually consists of seven colours. The fact that white sunlight consists of lights of seven different colours can be shown by using a glass prism as follows. 

Rainbow in sky is a natural phenomenon showing the dispersion of sunlight. 

NUMERICALS ON SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION

1. A simple harmonic motion is represented by by    x = 10 sin (20t + 0.5), 

Write down its amplitude, angular frequency, frequency, time period and initial phase if displacement is measured in in metres and time in seconds. 

2. A body oscillates with SHM according to the equation, 

x = (5.0 m) cos [(2π rad/s)t + π/4]

At t = 1.5 s, calculate (a) displacement, (b) speed and (c) acceleration of the body. 

3. The equation of a simple harmonic motion is given by , 

y = 6 sin 10π t + 8 cos 10π t, where y is in cm, and t in seconds. Determine the amplitude, period and initial phase. 

4. A body oscillates with SHM according to the equation :

x(t) = 5 cos (2 πt + π/4)

Where t is in second, and x in metres. Calculate, 

(a) displacement at t = 0

(b) time period, (c) initial velocity

5. A spring of force constant  800 N/m has an extension of 5 cm. What is the work done in increasing the extension from 5 to 15 cm?

6. A body executes SHM of time period 8 s. If its mass be 0.1 kg, its velocity 1 second after it passes through its mean position be 4 m/s, find its (i) kinetic energy (ii) potential energy and (iii) total energy. 

7. A particle is executing SHM of amplitude A. At what displacement from the mean position, is the energy half kinetic and half potential?

8. What is the length of a second pendulum? 

(A second pendulum is a pendulum with a time period of 2 s). 

LECTURE 1: CLASS 12: ATOMS

CLASS - X : ELECTRIC POWER AND HEATING EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

LECTURE - 1: CLASS - X: MAGNETIC EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

LECTURE - 1 : CLASS IX : SCIENCE : CHAPTER 4 : WORK AND ENERGY

WORK:

What is done when a force produces motion. 

The work done by a force on a body depends on two factors. 

(i) magnitude of the force, and

(ii) distance/displacement through which the body moves in the direction of force. 

Work done in moving a body is equal to the product of force exerted on the body and the distance/displacement moved by the body in the direction of the force.

Work = Force x distance/displacement moved the direction of force.

W = F x S

Unit of work

The SI unit of work is Joule.

1 joule of work= When a force of 1 Newton moves a body through a distance of 1 m in its own direction then the work done is known as 1 Joule. 

Work is a scalar quantity.

Work done against gravity

Whenever work is done against gravity, the amount of work done is equal to the product of weight of the body and the vertical distance through which the body is lifted. 

Work done in lifting a body = weight of body x vertical distance

W = m x g x h = mgh

W= work done, m= mass of the body, g = acceleration due to gravity, h = height through which the body is lifted. 

1. How much work is done by a force of 10 N in moving and objects through a distance of 1 m in the direction of force?

Soln. We know work done W = F x s

Here, F = 10 N , s = 1 m

So, Work done = 10 x 1 J = 10 J

2. Calculate the work done in lifting 200kg of water through a vertical height of 6 m (g = 10 m/s²).

Soln. We know work done against gravity, 

W = mgh

Here, mass of water, m = 200 kg

Acceleration due to gravity, g = 10 m/s²

And height, h = 6 m

W = 200 x 10 x 6 = 12000 J = 12 kJ

3. A car weighing 1000 kg and travelling at 30 m/s stops at a distance of 50 m decelerating uniformly. What is the force exerted on it by the brakes? What is the work done by the brakes?

WORK DONE BY A FORCE ACTING OBLIQUELY

When the movement of the body is at an angle to the direction of the applied force, then the work done in pulling the body will be equal to the horizontal component of the force (F cosθ) and the displacement of the body. 

W = F cosθ x s

F = applied force, 

θ= angle between the direction of force and the direction of motion, 

s = displacement. 

When the force acts at right angles to the direction of motion (zero work)

When the displacement of the body is perpendicular (at 90°) to the direction of force no work is done.

W = F cosθ x s  

θ = 90°  but cos 90° = 0

W = 0

To keep a body moving in a circle there must be a force acting on it is directed towards the centre this force is called centripetal force. The work done on a body moving in a circular path by the centripetal force is zero.

The work done in the case of earth moving around the sun is zero as well as the work done in the case of a satellite moving around the earth is also zero. 

Work done when the force acts opposite to the direction of motion (negative work)

If the angle between the direction of force and the direction of motion is 180° , then the work done is negative. 

As cos θ = cos 180° = - 1

W = F cos 180° x s = - F x s

Positive, Negative and Zero Work

The work done by a force can be positive, negative or zero. 

1. Work done is positive when a force acts in the direction of motion of the body.

2. Work done is negative and a force acts opposite to the direction of motion of the body.

3. Work done is zero when a force acts at right angles to the direction of motion of the body. 

Examples of positive, negative and zero work

1. We kick a football lying on the ground, then the football stars moving. Here,  we have the applied force in the direction of the motion of football. So the work done on the football in this case is positive.

2. A football moves on the ground slows down gradually and ultimately stops. This is because a force due to friction of the ground acts on the football. The force of friction acts in a direction opposite to the direction of motion of football. So in this case the work done by the force of friction on the football is negative.

3. The satellite move around the earth in a circular path. In this case, the gravitational force of earth acts on the satellite at right angles to the direction of motion of satellite. So the work done by the Earth on the satellite moving around it in circular path is zero.

ENERGY: The ability to do work is called energy. The amount of energy possessed by a body e is equal to the amount of work it can do to where its energy is released. Energy is a scalar quantity. 

UNIT OF ENERGY: The SI unit of energy is Joule (J). The energy required to do one joule of work is called 1 Joule of energy. 

1 kilo Joule (1 kJ) = 1000 J

DIFFERENT FORMS OF ENERGY:

The main forms of energy are

1. Kinetic energy, 2. Potential energy, 3. Chemical energy, 4. Heat energy, 5. Light energy, 6. Sound energy, 7. Electrical energy, 8. Solar energy, 9. Nuclear energy.

KINETIC ENERGY: The energy of a body due to its motion is called Kinetic energy. 

Formula for kinetic energy:

If a body of mass m starts to move from rest to a velocity v, then its kinetic energy is equals to 

K.E. = ½mv²

Proof of the kinetic energy:

If a body of mass m starts to move from rest to a velocity v, 

Work = Force x Displacement

W = F x s

But we know v² = u² + 2as

u = 0, v² = 2as => s = v²/2a

Again , F = ma

W = F x s = ma x v²/2a = ½mv²

*If the mass of a body is doubled, its kinetic energy also gets doubled. 

If the mass of a body is halved, is kinetic energy also gets halved. 

The velocity of a body is doubled, its kinetic energy becomes four times. If the velocity of a body is halved, then its kinetic energy becomes one fourth. 

As the kinetic energy of a body depends on its mass and velocity, therefore heavy bodies moving with high velocities have more kinetic energy. 

POTENTIAL ENERGY: 

The energy of a body due to its position or change in shape is known as potential energy. 

A body may possess energy even when it is not in motion due to its position or shape. 

The sum of the potential and kinetic energies of a body is called its mechanical energy. 

Formula for potential energy

Work done on a body against a force, is stored in the body as potential energy. 

Therefore, workdone on a body against gravitational force will be stored as the gravitational potential energy (U). 

Suppose a body of mass m has been raised to a height h from the ground against gravitational force. The workdone occurs against gravitational force equal to the weight of the body mg. 

Workdone, W = force x displacement

W = mg x h = mgh

POWER:

Power is defined as the rate of doing work. Therefore, power is equals to work done/time taken. 

If W work is done in t time, then power P = W/t

Hence, we can say power is equals to work done per unit time. 

When work is done, an equal amount of energy is consumed. Therefore, power can also be defined as the rate at which energy is consumed. Power is a scalar quantity. 

Q. Look at the activities listed below. Reason out whether or not work is done in the light of your understanding of the term ‘work’.

A. Suma is swimming in a pond.

B. A donkey is carrying a load on its back.

C. A wind-mill is lifting water from a well.

D. A green plant is carrying out photosynthesis.

E. An engine is pulling a train.

F. Food grains are getting dried in the sun.

G. A sailboat is moving due to wind energy.

Answer:

A. Suma is swimming in a pond: - She is pushing the water in the backward direction, which is an action performed by her.

However, due to reaction, the water pushes her in the forward direction. Work is done by Suma.

B. A donkey is carrying a load on its back: - In this case, force of gravity on the load is acting in the downward direction, whereas the displacement will be in the horizontal direction i.e., the force and displacement are perpendicular to each other.

There is no displacement in the direction of the force of gravity, and therefore no is work done as there is no displacement.

C. A wind-mill is lifting water from a well: - The work is done by the wind mill in lifting the bucket of water from the well. The work is done against the force of gravity.

D. A green plant is carrying out photosynthesis: - No work done is done in this case. As both force and displacement are 0.

E. An engine is pulling a train: - In this case, an engine is pulling a train parallel to the ground.

The force exerted by the engine is in the direction of displacement of the train.

Thus, the force and displacement are in the same direction. Therefore, work is done.

F. Food grains are getting dried in the sun: - No work is done in this case as food grains remain at rest.

G. A sailboat is moving due to wind energy: - The force exerted by the wind on the sail move the boat in the direction of force, hence, positive work is done by wind energy

LECTURE - 2 : CLASS VIII : SCIENCE : CHAPTER 18 : POLLUTION OF AIR AND WATER

WATER POLLUTION: 

What is water pollution?

The contamination of water of rivers, lakes and ponds etc with unwanted and harmful substances is called water pollution. 

What are water pollutants?

The unwanted and harmful substances which make the water contaminated are called water pollutants.

Major water pollutants:

The major pollutants which cause water pollution are sewage, fertilizers, pesticides and industrial wastes. Hot water from power plants and industries is also considered a pollutant.

Sources of water pollution:

There are several sources of water pollution. They are as follows.

1. Dumping of untreated sewage into rivers causes water pollution.

2. Use of fertilizers in agriculture causes water pollution.

3. Use of pesticides in agriculture causes water pollution.

4. Discharging of untreated industrial wastes into rivers and lakes causes water pollution.

Harmful effects of common pollutants

1. Untreated sewage from homes

The waste water containing human excreta and carried in sewers or underground pipes is called sewage. Sewage contains several harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, viruses and parasites which cause serious diseases in humans. The drinking of river water contaminated with can cause water borne diseases such as typhoid diarrhoea dysentery and jaundice.

2. Fertilisers used in agriculture

The water pollution caused by fertilizers used in agriculture decreases the amount of dissolved oxygen in water bodies and leads to the death of fish and other aquatic animals. 

3. Pesticides used in agriculture

The farmers use toxic chemicals called pesticides on standing crops in the fields to protect them from pests and diseases. Some of these pesticides dissolve in rain water and run into rivers, lakes and ponds and pollute their water. This poisonous pesticides kill the aquatic animals like fish. The non biodegradable pesticides in the polluted water are absorbed by aquatic plants. This aquatic plants are then eaten by aquatic animals like fish. During this pesticides are transferred from aquatic plants to fish and when a person eats the fish grown in this polluted water the pesticides present in the fish enter his body and damage his health.

4. Untreated industrial wastes

The toxic chemicals present in industrial wastes are the compounds of harmful metals such as Mercury, lead, arsenic, nickle and cadmium. The water of rivers and lakes polluted with toxic industrial waste can kill fish and other aquatic animals which live in this river or lake. The toxic metal compounds present in this polluted water can enter the human body through the food chain like eating fish grown in this polluted water. They can damage our nervous system and cause diseases such as blood poisoning and cancer.

Harmful effects of water pollution

The various harmful effects of water pollution are as follows.

1. Drinking of water polluted with untreated sewage can cause diseases such as Cholera, Typhoid, Diarrhoea, Dysentery and Jaundice.

2. Water of rivers and lakes polluted with fertilizers can cause the death of aquatic animals like fish.

3. Water of rivers and lakes polluted with pesticides can kill aquatic animals like fish and also damage our health through food chain.

4. Water of rivers and lakes polluted with toxic industrial waste kills the aquatic animals like fish damages our nervous system and causes diseases such as blood poisoning and cancer.

Controlling water pollution

The various ways of controlling our minimising water pollution are as follows.

1. Sewage should be treated properly at sewage treatment plants to make it harmless before discharging it into nearby rivers.

2. Farmers should use correct amounts of fertilizers and pesticides in the fields so that excessive amounts of these harmful agricultural chemicals are not washed into the rivers, lakes and ponds.

3. All the industries should treat the toxic wastes produced by them suitably to make them harmless before discharging them into rivers.

4. Water pollution prohibition laws which exist for the industries producing toxic chemical waste should be implemented strictly by the concerned authorities.

5. Garbage or household wastes should not be thrown into open drains, rivers, lakes or ponds. Dead bodies should not be thrown into rivers. Dead bodies should be cremated or buried properly to prevent pollution of water.

6. People should be made aware of the harmful effects of water pollution so that they may co-operate and help in preventing it. 

Conservation of water

As there is scarcity of fresh water in our country, we should conserve water by using it carefully, economically and avoiding is wastage. The various ways to conserve water or save water at home are as follows.

1. Turn off the tap immediately after use. Get the leaking taps repaired immediately.

2. Brush your teeth by filling water in a mug. Leaving the tap running while brushing the teeth may waste several litres of water.

3. Wash the utensils by filling water in a basin and not under the running tap. 

4. Use water from washing rice, pulses, vegetables and fruits after wearing the plants at home. 

5. Do not use the full flash from the cistern in the toilet when a half flush is sufficient.

Potable Water

The water which is safe for drinking is called potable water. 

Ways to make water potable

The various methods which can be used to make water potable are as follows. 

1. Water can be filtered to make it potable by using porcelain candle filter or electric water filter. 

2. Water can be made absolutely safe for drinking by boiling for sufficient time.

3. Chlorination is a commonly used chemical method for purifying water.

Pollution of river Ganga

The water of river Ganga has been highly polluted because the villagers, town, and cities which are situated on the banks of this very long river through large quantities of garbage, untreated sewage, toxic industrial vestige, dead bodies of infants and many other harmful things directly into the river. 

GANGA ACTION PLAN

WWF has found that Ganga is one of the most polluted rivers in the world. At present, the pollution level in many stretches of river Ganga is so high that no aquatic animals like fish etc can survive in it. The river is said to be dead at those places. An ambitious plan to cleanse the highly polluted river Ganga and save it, was launched in 1985. It is called Ganga action plan. The aim of Ganga action plan is to reduce the pollution level in the water of river Ganga. However, the increasing population and industrialization has already damaged this mighty and sacred river beyond repair.

LECTURE - 3 : CLASS VIII : SCIENCE : CHAPTER 15 : SOME NATURAL PHENOMENA

SEISMIC ZONES OR FAULT ZONES:

The weak zones of earth's crust which is more prone to earthquakes are called seismic zones. It is also known as fault zones. 

In India, the areas most affected or threatened by earthquakes are Kashmir, Western and central Himalayas, the whole of North-east, Rann of Kutch, Rajasthan and Indoh gangetic plane. Some areas of South India is also prone to earth-quakes. 

SEISMOGRAPH: THE EARTHQUAKE MEASURING INSTRUMENT.

Seismograph is an instrument which measures and records the magnitude of an earthquake in terms of the shock waves it produces. 

Construction of Seismograph or Seismometer:

A seismograph consists of a heavyweight like a heavy metal ball suspended from a support with the help of a strong wire. The support is attached to the base of the seismograph and the base is rigidly fixed to a solid rock on the surface of the earth. A pen is attached to the the lower end of the hanging heavyweight.  It is used to draw graphs on the graph paper which is wrapped around a rotating drum. When earthquake occurs the pen draws graphs on the graphsheets due to the oscillation of the heavy object. From this graph we can measure earthquakes.

FOCUS AND EPICENTER OF EARTHQUAKE:

The place inside the earth's crust where the earthquake is generated, is called 'focus' of the earthquake. 

The point on earth's surface directly above the focus is called epicenter. 

MAGNITUDE OF EARTHQUAKE AND RICHTER SCALE:

The magnitude or intensity of an earthquake is expressed on the Richter Scale.

In a Richter scale 1 to 12 numbers are assigned to express the magnitude of an earthquake. 

Suppose the magnitude of an earthquake is 3 on the Richter scale, and magnitude of another Earthquake is 4 on the Richter scale, then the second earthquake is 10 times more intense than first earthquake. 

The magnitude of earthquake having 4 in Richter Scale is ten times more than the magnitude of the Earthquake having 3 on the Richter scale.

The Earthquakes having magnitudes higher than 7 on the Richter Scale are called destructive Earthquake. 

PROTECTION AGAINST EARTHQUAKE:

Earthquakes are highly destructive and it cannot be predicted. Therefore, we should always take some precaution against earthquake.

1. All the houses and other buildings in seismic zones should be designed and constructed in such a way that they can with stand measure earthquake tremors.

2. In highly systemic areas the use of mud and timber for building houses is better than using heavy construction materials. 

3. The cupboards and shelves should be fixed to the world's so that they do not fall easily when shaking occurs during an earthquake. Glass bottles should not be placed on high shelves and heavy objects should be placed low to the ground.

4. The objects such as heavy mirrors, photo frames, wall clocks and water heaters should be mounted securely on the world at such places in the house that they do not fall on the people in the house in the event of an earthquake.

5. All buildings should have fire fighting equipment in working order because some buildings may catch fire during an earthquake due to electric short circuits. 

PRECAUTIONS TAKEN WHEN EARTHQUAKE OCCURS:

A. If we are at home when an earthquake occurs.

We should take the following precautions.

1. We should take shelter under a study table for a kitchen counter and stay there till the shaking due to earthquake stops and we should cover our head with hands.

2. We should stay away from tall and heavy objects so that if they topple they may not for on us. We should also stay away from glass windows that may shatter due to vibrations.

3. If we are in bed, we should just move on the bed to be close to a wall but not get up from the bed. We should protect our head with a pillow.

B. If we are outdoors when an earthquake occurs.

We should take the following precautions.

1. We should stay at a clear spot away from buildings, trees and overhead power lines etc. We should also seat on the ground.

2. If we are in a car or bus, we should not come out of it. The car or bus should be driven slowly to a clear spot away from buildings, trees and overhead electric wires etc. We should not come out of the vehicle till the tremors stop.

LECTURE - 1 : CLASS VIII : SCIENCE : CHAPTER 18 : POLLUTION OF AIR AND WATER

POLLUTION AND POLLUTANTS:

Pollution: The presence of harmful or toxic substances in our surroundings is called polition. Our surroundings includes air, water, soil, sound etc. 

Pollutant: An unwanted and harmful and poisonous substances that contaminates the environment is called pollutant. Pollutant are also called contaminant. 

AIR POLLUTION:

 Air:  Air contains Nitrogen, Oxygen, carbon di oxide and other gases like argon and water vapour. 

Carbon monoxide, sulphur di oxide, nitrogen di oxide and other oxides of nitrogen, smoke, dust they are the most common pollutants of air. Fly ashes are also an air pollutant. 

Air pollution: 

The contamination of air with harmful gases like Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxides, smoke, dust etc is called air pollution. 

Air pollutant: Carbon monoxide, sulphur di oxide, nitrogen di oxide and other oxides of nitrogen, smoke, dust they are the most common pollutants of air. Fly ashes are also an air pollutant. 

SOURCES OF AIR POLLUTION:

1. Burning of fossil fuels (kerosene, petrol, diesel) , wood, cow dung cakes in home produces smoke, which is an air pollutant.

2. Exhaust gas from motor vehicles are also polluting the air.

3. Industrial factories has chimney which produces thick smoke also pollutes air.

4. Oil refineries which produces petrol, diesel and other petroleum products also pollutes air. Chemical factories also pollutes air.

5. Cement, asbestos factories and stone crushers also pollutes air.

6. CFC (chloro-fluoro carbons) used in refrigerator and air conditioner harm the ozone layer of atmosphere, which protects us from ultra violet rays. 

7. Smoking also causes air pollution. 

COMMON AIR POLLUTANTS:

1. Sulphur di oxide: SO₂ 

When petrol and diesel burns it produces sulphur di oxides. It creates respiratory problems in human beings. It can damage the lungs permanently. Due to the presence of Sulphur di oxide, acid rain occurs. 

Effect: Sulphur dioxide in air causes respiratory problems. It may even cause permanent lung damage. It causes acid rain and acid rain damages trees, plants, soil, aquatic animals, statues, buildings and historical monuments.

SMOG: 

Smog is a deadly air pollutant which is formed by the combination of smoke and fog. When smoke, and dust mixed with water droplets and water vapour present in atmosphere (Fog), it produces smog. Sulphur di oxide also contributes in smog. 

Effect: Smog causes cough and and other lung diseases especially in children.

Nitrogen oxides: 

Burning of fuels like petrol and diesel produces nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen oxide attack breathing system and lead to lung congestion. They also attack skin. Nitrogen oxides present in polluted air produces a acid rain. It also contributes to the formation of smog. 

Effect: Nitrogen oxides attack breathing system and lead to lung congestion. They also attack skin.

Carbon monoxide: CO

Incomplete combustion of fuels produces carbon monoxide. The exhaust gases of motor vehicles also produces carbon monoxide.

Effect: Carbon monoxide combines with the hemoglobin of our blood and reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood this lack of oxygen causes respiratory problems or breathing problems. it causes suffocation. 

Chlorofluorocarbons: 

Chlorofluorocarbons are used in refrigeration air conditioning and aerosol sprays. Chlorofluorocarbons are depleting the useful ozone layer of the upper atmosphere. Ozone layer prevents the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun from reaching to the earth. Effect: Destruction of ozone layer by CFC allow extremely harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun to reach the earth. This ultraviolet radiations can cause skin cancer cataract and destruction of plants including crops. 

Suspended particulate matter or SPM: 

The finely divided solid or liquid particles suspended in air are called suspended particulate matter. Some of the examples of suspended particulate matter are dust, smoke and fly ash. 

1. Dust: Dust consists tiny particles of Earth.

Effect: Dust produces allergic reaction in human body and aggravates diseases like bronchitis. Dust covers the leaves of plants and trees and prevents photosynthesis.

2. Smoke: Smoke is mainly tiny particles of carbon in air.

Effect: Smoke attacks our lungs and causes respiratory diseases.

3. Fly ash: The minute particles formed by the burning of coal and carried into Air by the gases produced during burning is called fly ash.

Effect: Fly ash particles present in air cause irritation to the eyes skin nose throat and respiratory tract. Continued breathing in air containing fly ash causes diseases like bronchitis and lung cancer. 

EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION:

The two extremely harmful effects of air pollution on the environment are acid rain and greenhouse effect. 

ACID RAIN: Acid rain is that rain which contain small amounts of acids formed from acidic gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides present in polluted air. Acid rain contains very dilute solutions of sulphuric acid and nitric acid. Acid rain causes great damage to living and non-living things.

Effects: There are several harmful effects of acid rain. They are as followings.

1. Acid rain destroys forests.

2. Acid rain kills aquatic animals such as fish.

3. Acid rain corrodes the statues buildings and historical monuments and damages them slowly. 

TAJ MAHAL AND ACID RAIN:

The Taj Mahal at Agra is a beautiful historical monument made of pure, white marble. Extreme air pollution around Taj Mahal area is this colouring its white marble and also corroding it slowly. 

Marble cancer:

The acids present in acid rain react with the marble (calcium carbonate) of Taj Mahal monument and corrode it slowly. The slow corrosion of marble of a monument by acid rain is also known as marble cancer.

Discolouring of Taj Mahal:

The suspended particulate matter such as soot particles emitted in the smoke from Mathura oil refinery is discoloring the pure white marble of Taj Mahal by turning it yellowish.

Preventive measure taken to save Taj Mahal:

The supreme court of India has taken several steps to save Taj Mahal from the damage being caused by air pollution and acid rain. It has ordered all the industries in Agra area to switch over to cleaner fuels like CNG and LPG to reduce air pollution. It has also asked vehicles to be run on CNG or unleaded petrol in the Taj Mahal area. 

GREENHOUSE EFFECT:

1. Greenhouse: 

The greenhouse is a structure or building made of glass walls and glass roof in which the plants that need protection from cold weather are grown. The glass walls and glass roof of a greenhouse allow the sun's rays to go in freely but do not allow the inside heat reflected by soil, plants and other things in the greenhouse to go out.

2. Greenhouse effect:

Due to the presence of carbon dioxide layer around the earth, our atmosphere acts like the glass roof of an ordinary greenhouse and allows sun's heat rays to be trapped within the earth's atmosphere. The warming up or heating up of the earth's atmosphere due to the trapping of sun's heat rays by carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere is called greenhouse effect.

3. Global warming:

The rise in the temperature of Earth's atmosphere due to excessive greenhouse effect produced by increasing amounts of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere is called global warming.

4. Effects of global warming:

1. Global warming can cause sea levels to rise dramatically.

2. Global warming can reduce rainfall in some areas of the earth leading to droughts. 

3. Global warming is a serious threat to the existence of life on earth.

5. Greenhouse gases:

Those gases which can trap sun's heat rays in the earth's atmosphere by producing greenhouse effect leading up to the heating of Earth's atmosphere are called greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide, Methane, Nitrous oxide, Chlorofluorocarbons and Water vapour are all greenhouse gases.

HOW TO CONTROL AIR POLLUTION:

There are several ways to control air pollution. 

1. The air pollution can be controlled by using smokeless waves like LPG, PNG, solar cookers and biogas for cooking food. 

2. The air pollution from motor vehicles can be reduced by using CNG or compressed natural gas is filled in place of petrol and diesel.

3. The air pollution from factories, thermal power plants, oil refineries and chemical industries can be controlled by washing down their smoke and waste gases with jets of water.

4. The air pollution can be controlled by using non polluting sources of energy like solar energy wind energy hydro energy for generating electricity.

OUR ROLE IN CONTROLLING AIR POLLUTION:

1. We should not burn dry leaves, papers and garbage in the open.

2. We should save electricity.

3. We should grow more trees and also take care of the existing trees in our neighborhood.

4. We should join "say no to crackers" campaign.

5. We should use bicycle for covering short distances.

6. We should use the school bus or public transport bus for going to school.