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IGNOU FST-01 Solved Assignment
Course Code: FST-01
Assignment Code: FST-01/TMA/
Maximum Marks: 100
Answer all questions.
1. a) Compare the life styles and the level of scientific and technical knowhow of
sixteenth century Europe and sixteenth century India. What are the reasons
that keep India lagging behind the western countries in almost all areas related
to development? (5)
In science, this period from the mid-sixteenth century to the mid-eighteenth century includes
;he first great triumphs of the new observational, experimental approach. This new approa n
together with'the development in science and technology during tne Renaissance, amounted
to a "Scientific Revolution". Technically, this period was of steady advance without any
revolutionary inventions. The increasing demand for iron led to development of new blast
furnaces. The shortage of wood for iron-smelting led to widespread use of coal. From then on.
the centre of industry was to move towards the coal fields. With time, the demand for limited
resources increased, forcing the search for new resources and techniques. Thisalso altered the
attitudes towards change and novelty, which could not be shunned anymore. You may recall
that in the regimented feudal society, new ideas and change were resisted It was in this
atmosphere that European science grew to maturity, The first institute for teaching science,
the Gresham College, was opened in England in 1579. As we have already seen, the
revolQionary Copernican model of the solar system helped in improving astronomical tables,
What the theory lacked was an accurate description of the orbits of the planets. Let us now see
what the few scientific developments An interesting feature in the early phase of this period
was that colonial scientists would try their hand at several fields simultaneously and each
scientist was, in fact, a botanist, geologist, geographer and educator- all rolled into one. As
data-gatherers, the individual scientists were efficient. However, for analysis and drawing
conclusions, they had to depend upon the scientific institutions in Britain, which received
such data from many colonies. It was followed by Agricultural-Horticultural Society of India
(1817), Calcutta Medical & Physical Society (1 823), Madras Literary and Scientific Society
(1818), and the Bombay Branch of the Asiatic Society (1829). These societies rendered
invaluable service, particularly through their journals which compared very favourably with
the European ones.
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b) Describe the features of the Indian state and the social organization that
helped the growth of science and technology in the Maurya and Gilpta period.
(5)
Indian state and ;ts policy is described in detail in Arthasastra. written by Kautilya, the great
minister of Chadragupta. According to him, it was a highly centralised state which was the
principal owner of industry as well as the greatest producer of commodities. The commodities
produced by the state were bought and sold by traders. This large revenue was used to
maintain a massive army, of half a million men, which was used to acquire land, protect the
land and the frontiers, and maintain law and order in the vast empire. Brahmins, as agents of
the crown, spearheaded the move into the new territories. A process was initiated whereby
tribal deities were equated with standard Aryan gods. Totemic deities such as primaeval fish,
tortoise, monkey, bull etc. were intraduced into the traditional Hindu scriptures as
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companions of major gods like Vishnu, or their reincarnations. The Brahmins could impose
the caste structure quite easily, as they played an important part in introducing a new mode of
agriculture and of commodity production to the tribal people.The superstitions, which
provided the ideology of the lower castes, in effect, kept them in subjugation. Finally, these
superstitions came to have an adverse effect on the growth of scientific ideas. It is not
surprising that Asoka reacted to the development of this superstitious and ritualistic culture
by adopting the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism, in its early form, devoid of rituals C and
superstitions, stood against oppression and advocated a simple and meaningful life based on
reason and compassion.
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2. a) Describe two major ways of exploring the universe. Discuss two kinds of
information that each of them has provided about the universe. (5)
Observatories in Space-
With the coming of the Space Age, observatbri&equipped with telescopes and cameras
could be placed right in space, beyond the Earth's atmosphere. An observatory in space may
be in the form of an orbiting satellite like the Unmanned Orbiting Solar Observatories,
Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, Skylab, Einstein Observatory, IRAS (Infra Red-
Astronomy Satellite) and many others. An observatory may also be stationed on the Moon
or any other planet having suitable temperature and other conditions. Instruments are also
put aboard high flying balloons, rockets and aircrafts to record observations. These
observatories can record radiation from a cosmic object in the regions of the spectrum such
as the IR, UV, gamma rays and X-rays that do not penetrate the Earth's atmosphere.
Visiting the Neighbouring Worlds-
As space research came of age, it became possible for us to send spacecraft to other planets
and even land men and instruments on the Moon. These ventures also provided a rich stock
of information about the Solar System. For instance, astronauts of the Apollo mission to the
Moon in tne nineteen wventies brought back lllnar rocks and soil samples, photograplis of the
lunar surface' and Ieft several instruments there for further study. We have been able to send
spacecraft, also called probes, across the Solar System to know more about our planetary
neighbours. Space probes have visited a number of planets and a host of their moons, and
jsuccessfully landed and operated on the surfaces of Mars and Venus.
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b) i) Name two incidents that have created a great deal of interest in the planets
Mars and Jupiter, respectively.
Mars
After Venus, Mars is our closest neighbour. It seems very earth-like. There are ice-caps on its
poles, drifting white clouds and raging dust storms in its atmosphere. Seasonally changing
patterns occur on its red surface. There are large dark areas on its surface called maria
(meaning 'seas'). It even has a twenty-four-hour day. Mars experiences summer and winter
seasons, each of which lasts for almost six earth mkths. However, the planet's distance from
the Sun causes these seasonal changes to be more extreme. It is tempting to think of Mars as
an inhabited world. In 1877, the Italian astronomer, Schiaparelli, observed an intricate
network of single and double lines criss-crossing the bright arps of the planet Mars. He gave
them the name of canali. Canali in Italian means channels or erooves. But it was promptly
translated into English as 'canals'.
Jupiter
The most outstancling feature on t h s~ur face of Jupiter is the Great Ked Spot . It is a long
oval area which is so huge that two earths. side by side, could be dropped through it.
Sometimes it becomes pale plnk in colour and at other times a fiery orange red. For long, the
Great Red Spot puzzled the astronomers. Th e Pioneer and Voyager missions to Jupiter
revealed that the Red Spot is a huge cyclonic disturbance in the atmosphere. Jupiter is mainly
a quick-spinning ball of gas and liquid with no solid surface. It also emits radio waves. Its
composition, size and the number of moons gave rise to the idea that Jupiter is not a planet
but rather a star with a "sdar system" of its own, that did not start 'burning'. It is estimated
that if Jupiter,were just ten times heavier, it could have started to produce its own energy like
the Sun
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ii) Explain two differences between astronomy and astrology. Discuss
why astrology cannot be considered to be a science. (2+3)
our ancestors watched the Sun and the stars, and from their movements predicted the
changes in season and the timing of floods. They could also relate the ocean tides to the
Moon's apparent changes of shape. There were planets too in the sky. Only five of them could
be seen-Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. If the Sun'could
bring summer and winter, and the Moon move the oceans, why would the planets not have
power over earthly affairs? Out of this wrong, but natural conviction grew astrology. The idea
started developing that a person's future was determined by which constellations the planets
were in at the moment of his or her birth. The motion of the planets was believed to
determine the fates of kings, dynasties and empires. Astrologers studied the motion of planets
accurately. Thus, astrology grew into a strange combination of observations and
mathematics, with illogical thinking. Nevertheless, with time, astrologers came to be
patronised by the State. This led to an increase in the influence of 'astrology, which continues
to this day all over the world. But a precise cause and effect relationship between the
movements of planets and human beings has never been scientifically established. In fact a
critical analysis of astrological beliefs would show you that they re totally unscientific; they
can be disproved in the light of the day to day events.
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3. a) Discuss the impact of freedom movement on the development of science
and technology in pre-independent India. (5)
By the early twentieth century, the Indian society had started witnessing the first stirrings for
freedom from colonial rule. While their political aspirations led to a demand for self-rule, the
frustration resulting from economic stranglehold found expression in their insistence on
using only goods made in India. Swadeshi Movement provided further impetus for :
promotion of education along national lines and under national control with special
reference to science and technology, industrialisation of the country. In 1904, an Association
for the Advancement of Scientific and Industrial Education of Indians was formed. The objed
was to send qualified students to Europe, America and Japan for
studying science-based industries.
As mentioned earlier, in colonial India the environment was not conducive to higher studies,
much less to research. Indians were allowed only. subordinate posts and even those who had
distinguished themselves abroad were given less salary than the Europeans of the same grade
and rank. This 'apartheid' in science made the Indians react strongly. J.C. Bose, the first
noted Indian physicist, refused to accept this reduced salary for three years. Not only this, till
the Royal Society recognised Bose, the college authorities refused him any research facility
and considered his work as purely private. J.C. Bose was unorthodox in one more sense. He
was one of the first among the modem scientists to take to interdisciplinary research. He
started as a physicist but his interest in electrical responses took him to plant physiology."
Whether it be education, agriculture or mining, the Congress touched several problems
under its wide sweep.
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b) Explain briefly the theory of chemical evolution and its scientific basis. (5)
to understand the problem of origin of life, one must have a knowledge of the origin of 'organic
molecules' on the earth. In the early stages of its development, with the hot gases condensing and
molten matter which was solidifying to form what are rocks, today, the Earth acted as the huge
factory, producing many kinds of compounds. The sources of energy available for the formation
of numerous type of molecules were cosmic rays, ultraviolet radiations, electrical discharges such
as lightning, radioactivity, and heat from volcanoes and hot springs. Molecules of all sorts were
being continuously created and destroyed due to their state of agitation. The lighter gases of the
atmosphere such as hydrogen, helium, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.. . Again, nitrogen, hydrogen and
oxygen combined together to form ammonium nitrate. Compounds of carbon and hydrogen were
also formed sometimes along with nitrogen or oxygen. These compounds are, today, called
"organic compounds”. The Earth had at the same time started cooling down. As the Earth cooled
sufficiently, torrential and prolonged rains were caused due to condensation of steam. This
allowed living organisms to come to the surface of water and to survive even on land, if they got
thrown out of the swirling and splashing water. The oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere was very
significant from biological point of view, as organisms of greater complexity and even intel!igence
could eventually arise.
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4. a) Describe as to how the age of fossils of plant and animals etc. is determined.
(5)
The method most commonly used, now, for estimating the age of fossils is radio -carbon dating.
Radioactive isotope of carbon is commonly known as carbon- 14. Since carbon- 14 is chemically
the same as ordinary carbon, both arc absorbed by plant and animal tissues in the same
proportion as they arc present in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Plants use this carbon
dioxide in making their food. Animals eat the plants. Hence, the proportion of carbon-14 in the
tissues o f plants and animals is the same as in the atmosphere, as long as the plant or the animal
is living. But as soon as it dies, no more carbon can enter its body as photosynthesis or food
intake stops. Following death, the carbon-14, already present in the body, decays steadily into
ordinary carbon. So the smaller the number of carbon-14 atoms remaining, the older is the
fossil. This technique has been applied to materials of known age, and thus its accuracy was
tested giving confidence in the age determinations of unknown samples. The carbon-14 method
is applicable only to organic materials which still contain carbon. It cannot be used for fossils in
which all organic matter has decayed. In that case the age of the fossil can be estimated by
determining the presence of other radioactive elements like fluorine, or phosphorus.
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b) Describe the types of natural resources available on our earth. (5)
Our resources are basically of two kinds, viz, renewable and non-renewable. Let us see what they
mean. Some of the resources of the earth are replaced from time to time by natural
multiplication as for example, is vegetation. In other words, these resources are inexhaustible
and are therefore called renewable resources. Forests, pastures, wild life. and aquatic life are
renewable resources. Water is also a renewable resource because it recycles. There are some
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other resources, such as minerals which once used are lost for ever. They cannot be regenerated.
Mineral deposits were formed slowly in millions of years. Once a deposit is used, it cannot be
regenerated. For example, petrol gets burnt up and cannot be recovered. These are known as
non-renewable resources. Similarly, the formation of soil is a very slow and long term process
and it takes thousands of years. It is, therefore, not renewable in the life span of even several
generations of people. Hence it is also a non-renewable resource.
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5. a) What are the consequences of deforestations? Suggest three conservation
measures to counter deforestation. (5)
Degradation of forests leads to the destruction of habitat for many wildlife species. Presently,
over one hundred species of wild animals need immediate protection as their population has
dwindled to dangerously low levels. Similarly, many plants, too, have suffered from the onslaught
of human activities. In a recent list prepared by the Botanical Survey of India, 135 species of
Indian plants have been listed, which need immediate protection for their survival. Similarly,
over 200 species of animals all over the world have become extinct. Atleast one species has
ceased to exist each year of this century. Presently. eight hundred species of animals distributed
in various regions of the world, are in great danger of extinction. The list includes orang-utan, the
pygmy chimpanzee, the mountain gorillai the leopard, eight species of whales, five species of
rhinoceros, the polar and grizzly bears and many species of birds.
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b) Differentiate between primary and secondary pollutants. (5)
Now-a-days, you might have heard every one talking about pollution. What does pollution
mean? Pollution is the addition to the environment (air, water, soil) of substances or energy
(heat, sound, radioactivity, etc.) at a rate, and in quantities that are harmful to life. Pollution
has a long history. It became noticeable when larger and larger numbers of people began to
live in cities. Unplanned growth of the cities,led to difficulties in the disposal of garbage and
sanitary wastes. Living .;pace was often shared with animals as is sometimes done in lndia
even now. Mud, slush and dusty roads added to the pollution. Air, water and soil, acquired
many harmful substances, in the form of wastes, from human activities.
The waste materials (pollutants) that cause pollution are of two types:
i) those that remain in an unchanged form for a long time and are known as persistent
pollutants,e.g. pesticides, nuclear wastes, and plastlcs etc. Many of these are toxic;
those that break down, into simple products, and are known as non-persistent
pollutants, e.g., garbage. If this break down process is facilitated by living organisms,
then such pollutants are referred to as biodegradable pollutants, e.g.,
wastes fromanimal sheds.
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a) Discuss briefly the major problems area of agriculture in modern India. (5)
A considerable portion of our agricultural lands are affecied by the problem of alkalinity and
salinity of soils. In such soils, salts are present in large enough quantities that they interfere
with crop growth. Alkaline soils can be used as well as improved, by growing suitable trees,
and grasses. Later, alkali-resistant varieties of rice or wheat can be grown. The key factor in
the management of saline soils is drainage. If such lands are welldrained, saline-resistant
varieties of sorghum, maize and wheat can be profitably grown.Modem agriculture aims at
pnxlllcing maximum amount of food with the minimum amount of time, space and energy.
There are number of problems associated with the present day agriculture. The foremost is
that of energy. There is considerable dependence on our non-renewable resources. These
resources being finite, would soon get depleted. Also, adequate facilities for efficient
transportation, processing, and packaging would help in making the products easily
available to the consumers.
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b) Explain why pure drinking water, clean food, hygienic habits and
environmental sanitation are necessary for the prevention of infection diseases?
(5)
Infectious diseases are caused due to various types of microbes. Microbes present in the
environment gain entry into the body via air, water and food They multiply in the body and
make the person sick. The sick person releases them in greater number in the environment
thus infecting many people.Our body has a defence system which is capable of fighting against
the genns. Modem drugs assist ow defence system. Disease results from a disturbance in the
balance between man and his environment. Improvement in the health status of our people
requires clean drinking water, adequate living conditions and proper sanitation.
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7. a) Compare the way of learning through stimulus and response with that by
reward and punishment method. (5)
Scientists concerned with human behaviour and attitudes, namely psychologists, have tried to
understand the basic process of learning, starting from simple models and situations. The
simplest model is that of stimulus and response. Even human beings learn things according to
this simple niodel. If a person has done good to you many times, you may begin to associate
goodness with the person. Sometimes, cheats use this technique to first gain your confidence
by a few simple acts, and then when your trust has grown, they might run away with your
belonging.
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b) Explain with the help of an example how communication can change
the political scenario. (5)
Communication is an Important role in political and social awakening. During our freedom
struggle, the leaders communicated with the people directly. They had no access to the A.
India Radio because it was controlled by the British Government, which was, in fact, trying to
underplay and suppress the freedom struggle. There was no TV. Newspaper reporting varied.
Only a small number of dailies defied the government of the day. But through personal
contacts and mass meetings, besides the use of national symbols like the tri-colour,! the
charkha and patriotic songs, our leaders were able to stir the conscience of our people all over
the sub -continent. Mass contacts and inter-personal communication were at their best. They
proved as the most effective means of inspiring the people to participate in the freedom
movement and to make supreme sacrifices.
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8. a) Discuss with the help of examples, how small scale industry can benefit by the use
of technology. (5)
Technology in Small Scale Industries-
Many people have a misconception that application of science and technology is important only for big
industry. Since India consists of more than 600,000 villages, we cannot ignore the relevance of village
and small scale industry for giving employment to a large number of our population, who are now
dependent on primitive methods of agriculture. Science and technology are equally important in .the
ha~dicraftsa nd small scale Industry. Agriculture, also. has been moderni5ed with the help of machines
like tractors, power tillers, mechanised harvesters, etc. Bot these attempts have not been very
successful, because of educational and financial constraints, size of land holdings and soc~aslt ructures.
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b) What are the problems a country may encounter when it decides to improve
the technology developed in other nations? (5)
The question of technology has become a crucial question for all developing countries. There seems to be
only one answer, and that is to develop our own technology, suitable for our needs and fitting into the
pattern of our natural human resources. This requires identifying our priorities, and steadily pursuing
the path that will help us achieve them. A clear national technology policy is needed, from which there
should be no deviation, irrespective of pressures from the developed countries or the corrupting
influence of their trading partners in our own countries.
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9. a) Describe major achievements of the Indian nuclear programme of using
nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. (5)
Reactors capable of yielding power upto 500 Megawatts. Smaller reactors which give 1 to 5 Megawatt
power are mostly used for reseasch work. The large ones are used for producing electricity, and
driving submarines, or ships. From the uranium rods used in the reactor, another fissionable material
like Plutonium 239 may be obtained. Thus, a reactor set up to generate energy can become a source
for obtaining material for making a bomb. India is committed to the use of nuclear energy for peaceful
purposes.
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b) Describe ways in which the use of computers has benefited users. (5)
A few decades ago, ,there were only a f e co~mp uters in our countq. The! werc enormous and expensive
machines. They were often used for special scientific purposes. Thus, they had little direct impact on the
lives of most people. But, because of the advances in semiconductor technology, things have
changednow. ~housandsof computers, from small relatively cheap units to large and expensive
computers can be found in offices, factories, schools, hospitals, banks,' airports, railway stations and
homes. Plans are already afoot
to equip each district headquarter in lndia with a computer which will he linked through satellite
communication with a large central computer. This computer "network" will maintain all kinds of up-
to-date information for the whole country. Indeed computers have become a way of life with us. They
have tremendously increased our capacity to exchange mformation, undertake planning down to the
grass roots level and faciliiate solution of very complex problems.
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10. a) How can scientific temper help faster self-reliance? (5)
On the basis of this historic lesson on harsh realities about science, technology and national
development, a new concept of "self-reliance" has become popular, particularly ainong the developing or
the thud world countries. It is realised that for the developing countries, freedom of action is crucial,
which is impossible in a state of dependency, in which the individual or the nation will always be at the
mercy of the benefactor. Therefore, a country has to build up its scicnce, technology and economy in
such an integrated way that it can take and implement decisions independently, in its own interest,
irrespective of external pressures, while at the same time participali~~ing the global order. Self-reliance
can also be said to be a state of mind that pronlotes confidence in oneself, and one's ability to determine
onc's destiny. The idea can be given meaning by expressing it in different ways. Naturally, this has to be
accompanied by scientific and technological development in our own institutions, backed up by suitable
education, training ,and research. Thus, the areas of our choice should be constantly enlarge
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