The Origin and Evolution of the Earth

Some facts to know

• Big Bang Theory

This theory states that evolution of universe started with a very tiny, highly condensed particle with infinite density and infinite temperature.

At the "Big Bang" this tiny particle exploded violently and which led to a huge expansion. Imagine a balloon expanding with different dots placed on it. 

This happened around 13.7 billion years ago.

Our universe is still expanding.

• Star formation

The distribution of matter and energy was not uniform in the the early universe. This led to the differences in gravitational forces and matters started to get drawn together. These formed the bases for the development of galaxies. A galaxy is a combination of several stars.

Diameter of individual galaxies range from 80,000 - 1,50,000 light years.

Each galaxy was formed by accumulation of hydrogen gases in the form of a very large cloud called Nebula. In due time this cloud developed localized clump of gases which condensed even further to form "Stars".

Stars formation is believed to have taken place some 5-6 billion years ago.

•  Formation of planets
  

Stars are localized clump of gases with exceptionally high gravitational force. This force gave rise to rotating bodies of gases and matters around the clump. In due course these matters started to get condensed and developed in to small rounded lumps. These smaller lumps were called "Planetesimals" which collided amongst themselves and due to high gravitational forces between them sticked together to form large rounded bodies known as "Planets"

• Our Solar System

The nebula forming our solar system is believed to form the planets around 4.6 billion years ago.

It consists of 8 planets, 63 moons and millions of smaller bodies like asteriods and comets.

Inner Planets (Also known as terrestial planets): Mercury, Venus, Mars, Earth

They are made up of rock and metals and have relatively high densities.

Outer Planets (Also known as Jovial planets): Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

They are made up of gases mainly Hydrogen and helium.

• Why inner planets are rocky while others are in gaseous forms?
  

Inner planets are closer to sun, so because of solar winds their outer atmospheric gases get blown away leaving solid matter behind. Inner planets are relatively smaller thus have lesser gravitational force to hold the gases being blown away. While in case of Outer planets because of their distances from Sun, solar winds could not have pronounced effect.

• The moon

It is believed to be formed by a giant impact between a celestial body 3 times of the size of Mars and the Earth. It blasted a large part of the earth in to the space creating Moon orbiting the Earth.

This event is believed to be happened about 4.44 billion years ago.

Wednesday, 8th October 2008

• Nano in Gujarat

Mother plant with a capacity of 2,50,000-3,00,000 cars a year. Capacity will be extended to 5,00,000 cars a year in coming years.

It took 10 days for Gujarat Government to clear all the hurdles and make required arrangements for relocation of Nano plant to its state, which says that it is only the political will that makes or breakes the development of a state. 

Despite all the half-baked, politically inspired efforts by both ruling and opposition parties Nano had to find its base out of Bengal.

• Rupee reached 6 years high at Rs 48.67 a dollar.

FIIs are pulling out their money in apprehensions. Dollar is in short supply with demands continuing unabatedly.

Gold rates reached to an all time high rate of Rs 13,750 per 10 grams.

• Maharashtra to leagalize live-in relationships

Maharashtra cabinet today approved a proposal saying that a woman living in such relationships for a "reasonable period" should get the status of wife.

The committee had also mooted that the definition of the word 'wife' under Section 125 of the CrPc, be amended to include a woman, living with the man like his wife for a reasonably long period. 

• TCS acquired CITI Global Services for $505 million.

Indian polity. Some facts one must know about India.

• India comprises 28 states and 7 union territories.

• A person is the citizon of India if:

1. He was born in India, or
2. Either of his parents was born in India, or
3. Has stayed in India for not less than 5 years.

• Fundamental rights provided to the citizen of India as listed in article 12 to 35 contained in part III of the constitution:

1. Right to equality
2. Right to freedom of speech and expression
3. Right against exploitation
4. Right to freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion
5. Right of any section of citizens to conserve their culture
6. Right to constitutional remedies for enforcements of fundamental rights

• President of India

1. Elected by different Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state legislative assembly members whose votes have suitable weightages.
2. He must be a citizen of India, must not be of age less than 35 years, must be qualified to be selected as a member of Lok Sabha.
3. His term of office is 5 years and is eligible for re-election.
4. His removal from the office is to be in accordance with the provision specified in article 61 of the constitution.
5. He may, with a letter addressed to the Vice President, resign from his office.

• Vice President of India

1. Elected by different Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha members whose votes have suitable weightages.
2. He must be a citizen of India, must not be of age less than 35 years, must be qualified to be selected as a member of Rajya Sabha.
3. His term of office is 5 years and is eligible for re-election.
4. His removal from the office is to be in accordance with the provision specified in Article 67-b of the constitution.
5. He is the chairman of Rajya Sabha.

• Rajya Sabha

1. Can have a maximum of 238 members representing different states and union territories. In addition to this President can select 12 members.
2. Members are elected indirectly by state legislative assembly members in accordance with the system of proportional representation, and by the elected members of union territories.
3. Rajya Sabha can not be dissoluted. One third of its members retire after every 2 years.
4. At present Rajya Sabha has 245 members, 233 representing different states and union territories and 12 chosen by the President.

• Lok Sabha

1. Maximum strength envisioned by constitution is 552. This includes 530 members chosen from states, 20 members chosen from union territories and 2 members chosen by President from Anglo-Indian community if he feels that they are not represented well in the assembly.
2. Lok Sabha has at present 545 members, 530 from states, 13 from union territories and 2 chosen by President from Anglo-Indian community.
3. So far, 14 Lok Sabhas have been appointed.
4. A Lok Sabha member should have a minimum age of 25 years.
5. The term of Lok Sabha is 5 years from the date of appointment of its first meeting.

• Cabinet Secretariat

1. Under the direct incharge of the Prime minister.
2. Responsible for facilitating smooth transaction of business in ministeries.
3. Assists in decision making by co-ordinating between different ministeries.
4. Ensures that President/Vice President are kept informed regularly of the major activities by all ministeries/departments by a monthly report.

Tuesday, 7th October 2008

• Ganguly to retire after India-Australia test series.
  

• Nano plant shifted to Sanand, Gujarat - a place 25 km from Ahmedabad.

• 1 American, 2 Japanese share Nobel Physics prize.

Yoichiru Nambu, University of Chicago, (USA)

Makoto Kobayashi (Japan)

Toshihide Maskava (Japan)

They were awarded for their work exploring hidden symmetries between hidden particles that are the deepest constituents of nature.

• 2 French, 1 German share Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Two French researchers who discovered the human AIDS virus and a German scientist who showed that human papilloma virus causes cervical cancer were awarded Monday the 2008 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

• RBI cut CRR by 0.5% to 8.5%.

CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) is the minimum amount that banks need to keep at RBI. 

It is as the amount kept at RBI at 0% interest rate. 

Banks have zero income on this amount.

This move will release Rs. 20,000 cr to the financial system.

• Chandraayan-1 set for take-off on 22nd October

India will launch its locally made rocket for the first unmanned mission to Moon on 22nd October.

The project will cost approximately Rs 18.6 billion ($80.8 million)

Launching place: Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, about 90 km from Chennai.

Few Facts to know:

• On 7th October, 1953, Dr Rajendra Prasad inaugrated Chandigarh. 
• ISRO Director: S Satish
• During the Aryans period modern North Bihar was known as Vaishali.
• Rhode Islands is the smallest of the 50 states in USA.

Roman Numerals:

• I :  I means 1, II means 2, III means 3
• V : V means 5, IV means 4, VI means 6, VII means 7, VIII means 8
• X : X means 10, IX means 9, XI, means 11, XIV means 14, XXIV means 24
• L : L means 50, XL means 40, LX means 60, LXXX means 80, LXXVI means 76
• C : C means 100, XC means 90, CCLX means 260
• D : D means 500, LD means 450, CD means 400
• M : M means 1000