Science and Technology: core science, applications and recent developments

Key Points at a Glance

1. 1

   The official CET Graduation science block covers core everyday science as well as applications: physical and chemical changes, acids/alkalis/salts, electric current, heat, work and energy, health, ecology, agriculture, ICT, defence, space and Rajasthan-linked science development.

2. 2

   Physical change alters form or state without forming a new substance; chemical change forms new substances and is usually linked with reactions such as burning, rusting, neutralisation, digestion and fermentation.

3. 3

   Acids generally turn blue litmus red, alkalis turn red litmus blue, and salts are often formed through acid-base neutralisation; pH, indicators and daily examples such as vinegar, lime water, baking soda and common salt are high-yield.

4. 4

   Electric current is the flow of charge; heat is energy transfer due to temperature difference; work is done when force produces displacement; energy is the capacity to do work and appears as mechanical, heat, electrical, chemical and light energy.

5. 5

   Diet and nutrition questions connect carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water, roughage, balanced diet, deficiency diseases, malnutrition, blood groups and Rh factor with public health.

6. 6

   Infectious diseases spread through pathogens and transmission routes, non-infectious diseases do not spread person to person, and zoonotic diseases pass between animals and humans; prevention depends on hygiene, vaccination, vector control and early treatment.

7. 7

   Environmental change, biodiversity conservation, natural-resource conservation and sustainable development should be linked with pollution, climate stress, forests, wildlife, water, soil and community-level resource management.

8. 8

   Rajasthan examples matter: dryland farming, irrigation efficiency, animal husbandry, forestry, horticulture, solar energy, remote sensing, drought monitoring and desert ecology connect science with state administration.

9. 9

   ICT, cyber security, AI, semiconductors, high-performance computing, space technology, satellites and defence technology are application areas; revise each through institution, use, year or location only where it is exam-relevant.

10. 10

    Recent anchors include Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, XPoSat, PFBR first criticality, IndiaAI Mission, National Quantum Mission, Semicon India and GenomeIndia, but they should not replace the core science bullets in the official syllabus.