Solution-Class 9-Science-Chapter-10-Information Communication Technology-Maharashtra Board

While working with a computer we can read the information stored in its memory and perform other actions in internal or primary memory.
Reason : For the Central Processing Unit (CPU) to process the program instructions and data, these must be loaded into the computer’s internal memory.

While presenting pictures and videos about the works of scientists, we can use microsoft powerpoint.

Reason: A presentation software (e.g. PowerPoint) allows images as well as videos to be placed on a slide.

To draw graphs based on the quantitative information obtained in an experiment, one uses Spreadsheet program/microsoft excel.
Reason : A spreadsheet program (e.g., Excel) has facilities for graphical representation of data as a graph or a chart.

The first generation computers used to shut down because of excessive heat.

Reason: First generation computers were built using valves. Valves consumed lot of electricity and generated lot of heat. The heat caused frequent burn-out of the valves which stopped the computers from working.

A computer will not work unless electric power is supplied to it.

Reason: A computer is an electronic device that needs electrical power to work.

The use of information communication in science & technology may be divided into the following broad areas each of which covers a range of hardware and softwares.

• It has enabled to predict and forecast weather conditions by studying meteors.
• Collection of scientific Data : With the help of internet, one can collect scientific information can be used to record and store measurements electronically which is quicker and more accurate, and can also share them with the help of emails or other social networking sites.

• Analysis of scientific Data: Using spread sheets and graphing tools for data analysis and graphical presentation of the results.

• Demonstration: Some experiments and concepts in science can be demonstrated effectively using simulations and animations. E.g. functioning of nervous system.
• A prototype of new research in the field of science can be built in various program software which run on a computer.
• It has enabled scientists gather information related to happening in the space.
• It has enabled the broadcasting of information related to agriculture to farmers living in remote areas to improve their agriculture productivity and sustainability.

• Interactive education : Interactive simulations reinforce learning by allowing the students to explore a wide Variety of physical phenomena and see the effect of changing a value. Many simulations and animations can be found on the Internet to illustrate key principles and facilitate interactive learning.
• Modelling and simulation to improve performance of cars, aircraft, architectural structures, etc., trigger technological improvements in these industries.

Following are the useful application softwares for studying science which I find useful while learning science:

• Calculator: It helps in verifying the calculations done in subjects like physics and chemistry.
• Microsoft excel: for tabulating and analyzing experimental data. It is helpful in making me understand how to plot graphs between various physical quantities present in science.
• Microsoft powerpoint: It enabled me to make interactive presentations for various topics present in science.
• Web Browser (Chrome/ Internet Explorer): for searching and accessing websites on the Internet for information, and for sending emails.

A computer works in a IPO (Input-Process-Output) cycle to complete a task.

• Data and processing instructions are entered through various Input devices. Generally, a keyboard is used to enter data or information.
• It is then processed in the CPU (Central Processing Unit). CPU is the heart and brain of the computer. It consists of various smaller components such as motherboard, hard disk, random access memory (RAM), etc.  CPU stores and processes the data. The result or output is send to an ‘Output device.
• Output Devices help in displaying the result of the processed data, such devices are known as output devices. A monitor is the main output device that displays the result.

The precautions to be taken while using various types of software on the computer are:

• Do not access other people’s computer files without permission.
• Do not copy or modify copyrighted work to create a new work.
• Use authentic data and maintain honesty and impartiality in data analysis.
• Do not indulge in cyber-crimes like fraudulent e-transactions, hacking, infringement of intellectual property, and publishing/transmitting obscene information.

In case of downloading a new software,

• Install and use only legal/ licensed softwares, except freewares which are unlicensed. Illegal copying and distributing licensed softwares as well as using such pirated softwares are acts of copyright infringement and punishable by law.
• Make sure that your computer has antivirus installed so as to protect it from any harmful bugs.
• Try to give limited and required amount of access permission to the softwares.

The various devices used in information communication are:

• Computer and networking hardware,
• radio, television,
• telephone (both fixed line and mobile phones),
• video display unit (monitor),
• printer, plotter.
• modem, router,
• Internet and satellites.

These devices have enabled the dissemination of various information easily in scientific fields. The use of these communication devices in science are as follows :

• Demonstration of common or hazardous experiments.
• Prediction of weather, tides, etc. for early warning.
• Collection of scientific information from peers and experts all over the world.

Precautions to be followed while drawing the graph:

• Keep the data in tabular form.
• Data should be entered sequentially.
• Avoid using unnecessary space and special characters.  
• Use the cursor or the mouse to highlight only the data cells you want to plot.
• Click Insert > Charts and select Line from the Change Chart Type dialog box, and Line with Marks.

Successive stages of evolution of digital computers are called computer generations. Each generation is characterized by remarkable improvements in technology, internal organizations and programming languages over the previous generation. Initially, the changes made were limited to those made in hardware technology. However, now it includes both hardware and software developments. The table given below shows the five generations of computers:

With the evolution of technologies in the realm of science, we have been able to make such huge developments in the field of computers.

• With the discovery of semiconductors, transistors were made in 1947 at bell laboratories. These enabled the scientist to replace the large sized vacuum tubes in computers with small sized transistors.
• In 1961, the integration of thousands of transistors on a single chip was made possible. Thus, the IC based computer became smaller in size, faster, more reliable and less expensive.
• The technology of integrated circuits (ICs) improved rapidly. The LSI (Large Scale Integration) circuit and VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) circuit was designed. It led to the invention of microprocessor based computers.
• Memory devices evolved and improved in size, capacity and speed. from magnetic drum memory (first generation), magnetic core memory (second generation) to semiconductor memories (third generation onwards).
• Programs for the first generation computers were in machine language of 0's and 1's and assembly language later, User-friendly high-level programming languages were introduced in the second generation, and Operating system in the third generation.
• ARPANET began at the end of the third generation. Local area networking (LAN) technology was developed in the fourth generation.
• Scientists are working hard on the 5th generation computers. It is based on the technique of Artificial Intelligence (AI). These computers can understand spoken words & imitate human reasoning.

Some of the devices which we can use to Share knowledge with others are :

• Computer and networking hardware for writing books and blogs,
• Participating in forums and chat rooms, and preparing presentations.
• Telephone (both landline and mobile) for answering oral queries
• Social media discussions.
• Television, by participating in discussions and debates
• Radio

Note: This is an activity based question. Kindly make three presentations of any three topics on your own.

Flowchart :

• Gather important points on a topic.
• Plan the coverage of the topic, i.e., what to say, how much to say, and how to say it.
• Write down the content of each slide in the correct sequence, for about 10 to 12 slides.
• Search for relevant diagrams/ pictures using a web browser, download and save them in an appropriate folder.

The steps to be followed while preparing a presentation are:

• Double click on the icon of Microsoft Powerpoint file to open it. 

• Select the New option in the File tab, and then select the Blank slide option.

• In the Design tab, choose one of the designs available for the slide to make it attractive.
• Type the information you want to write on the slide. Pictures can be inserted by choosing the Insert Pictures option in the Insert Tab.
• To add more slide, (i) Click on the New Slide option in the Home tab, or​
       (ii) Place the cursor on the current slide and click Enter.
• Use the Animations tab for slide transitions and for animating slide objects.

Suggested topics :

(1) Scientists appearing in your textbook

(2) Current Electricity (Chapter 3).

(3) Classification of plants (Chapter 6)

(4) Energy flow in eco system  (Chapter 7)

Technical difficulties faced while using the computer and ways to overcome them are:

• Computer being too slow: If your computer hangs in between, or boots up in more than a couple of minutes, then be assured that there is some problem in its working. To overcome this problem, either check the hard drive or see whether too many processes are running in the background. If the hard drive is full, try to empty it by deleting the not so important files or storing them in another hard drive.
• Constant disconnection from Wi-Fi: These problems can occur due to several reasons (router, computer, ISP). If the Wi-Fi signal is weak, it can cause disconnections and slowness, so make sure the device is in the range and is getting decent reception. Also, check that the computer’s wireless adapter has up-to-date drivers.
• Constant "security warnings" while Browsing: This problem is easy to fix. Check that the computer’s clock shows the correct time and date. If it doesn’t, correct it manually.​
• Computer got switched off due to sudden power outage, fluctuations and much of the current work was lost. Remedy : Working files were saved frequently. The power supply to the computer was given through an UPS which allowed sufficient time to save the files in case of power outage.
• Difficulty in downloading pictures from the Internet due to low connectivity. Remedy : Searched and downloaded pictures of lower resolution and smaller file size.