Today's Headlines - 17 August 2023
First ever Quantum superchemistry observed
GS Paper - 3 (Science and Technology)
Researchers have achieved a groundbreaking milestone as they observe "quantum superchemistry" for the first time within a laboratory setting. A long-standing theoretical concept, quantum superchemistry manifests when atoms or molecules sharing the same quantum state engage in chemical reactions at a heightened pace compared to those in differing quantum states. A quantum state encompasses specific characteristics of a quantum particle, such as its energy level or angular momentum.
What is Quantum superchemistry?
Quantum superchemistry refers to the application of quantum mechanics to the study of chemical reactions and processes at the molecular level.
It involves using quantum theory to describe and predict the behavior of atoms and molecules during chemical reactions, taking into account their wave-like nature and the principles of quantum mechanics.
Traditional chemistry relies on classical physics to describe chemical reactions, but quantum superchemistry offers a more accurate and detailed understanding of these reactions.
It takes into consideration phenomena like wave-particle duality, quantum tunneling, and the distribution of electron density in molecules, which are not fully explained by classical theories.
Quantum superchemistry has the potential to provide insights into complex chemical reactions, reaction mechanisms, and the behavior of molecules in various environments.
It can help researchers design new materials, optimize chemical processes, and explore reactions that might be difficult to study using classical methods.
However, due to the complexity of quantum calculations, quantum superchemistry often requires advanced computational techniques and high-performance computers to accurately model and simulate.
How did scientists observe quantum superchemistry?
In their pursuit of unveiling this novel phenomenon, scientists undertook the challenge of aligning entire molecules within the same quantum state.
The outcomes of their efforts revealed that chemical reactions ensued collectively rather than individually when atoms or molecules partook in the same quantum state.
Additionally, the researchers observed that denser collections of atoms led to accelerated chemical reactions, reinforcing the phenomenon's occurrence.
What is Quantum physics?
Quantum physics, also known as quantum mechanics, is a fundamental branch of physics that deals with the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales, typically involving particles like atoms, electrons, and photons.
It provides a framework for understanding the fundamental properties of nature that classical physics cannot adequately explain at the quantum level.
#upsc #news #headline #quantum #superchemistry #scienceandtechnology #researchers #theoretical #concept #atoms #molecules #chemicalreactions #state #energylevel #angular #momentum #traditional #physics #mechanisms #scientists #novelphenomenon #fundamentals #electrons #photons
First ever Quantum superchemistry observed
GS Paper - 3 (Science and Technology)
Researchers have achieved a groundbreaking milestone as they observe "quantum superchemistry" for the first time within a laboratory setting. A long-standing theoretical concept, quantum superchemistry manifests when atoms or molecules sharing the same quantum state engage in chemical reactions at a heightened pace compared to those in differing quantum states. A quantum state encompasses specific characteristics of a quantum particle, such as its energy level or angular momentum.
What is Quantum superchemistry?
Quantum superchemistry refers to the application of quantum mechanics to the study of chemical reactions and processes at the molecular level.
It involves using quantum theory to describe and predict the behavior of atoms and molecules during chemical reactions, taking into account their wave-like nature and the principles of quantum mechanics.
Traditional chemistry relies on classical physics to describe chemical reactions, but quantum superchemistry offers a more accurate and detailed understanding of these reactions.
It takes into consideration phenomena like wave-particle duality, quantum tunneling, and the distribution of electron density in molecules, which are not fully explained by classical theories.
Quantum superchemistry has the potential to provide insights into complex chemical reactions, reaction mechanisms, and the behavior of molecules in various environments.
It can help researchers design new materials, optimize chemical processes, and explore reactions that might be difficult to study using classical methods.
However, due to the complexity of quantum calculations, quantum superchemistry often requires advanced computational techniques and high-performance computers to accurately model and simulate.
How did scientists observe quantum superchemistry?
In their pursuit of unveiling this novel phenomenon, scientists undertook the challenge of aligning entire molecules within the same quantum state.
The outcomes of their efforts revealed that chemical reactions ensued collectively rather than individually when atoms or molecules partook in the same quantum state.
Additionally, the researchers observed that denser collections of atoms led to accelerated chemical reactions, reinforcing the phenomenon's occurrence.
What is Quantum physics?
Quantum physics, also known as quantum mechanics, is a fundamental branch of physics that deals with the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales, typically involving particles like atoms, electrons, and photons.
It provides a framework for understanding the fundamental properties of nature that classical physics cannot adequately explain at the quantum level.
#upsc #news #headline #quantum #superchemistry #scienceandtechnology #researchers #theoretical #concept #atoms #molecules #chemicalreactions #state #energylevel #angular #momentum #traditional #physics #mechanisms #scientists #novelphenomenon #fundamentals #electrons #photons
Today's Headlines - 25 August 2023
Experiments after Chandrayaan-3’s landing
GS Paper - 3 (Space Technology)
After rolling down a ramp from the Chandrayaan-3 lander, the six-wheel, 26-kg rover, which is capable of slowly moving up to 500 metres, began its job of lunar exploration. The landing happened at lunar dawn, and the six payloads on board the lander and rover was started collecting data soon after to get as much science as possible in the single lunar day or 14 Earth days for which they will remain operable.
Mission experiments
The lander has four experiments on board.
The Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA) will study the electrons and ions near the surface of the moon and how they change over time.
The Chandra’s Surface Thermo physical Experiment (ChaSTE) will study the thermal properties of the lunar surface near the polar region. Chandrayaan-3 has landed around 70 degree south latitude, the closest that any spacecraft has reached to the lunar South Pole.
The Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) will measure the lunar quakes near the landing site and study the composition of the Moon’s crust and mantle.
The LASER Retroreflector Array (LRA) is a passive experiment sent by NASA that acts as a target for lasers for very accurate measurements for future missions.
There are two scientific experiments on the rover
The LASER Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) will determine the chemical and mineral composition of the lunar surface.
The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) will determine the composition of elements such as magnesium, aluminium, silicon, potassium, calcium, titanium, and iron in the lunar soil and rocks.
Discovery of water
The southern polar region of the Moon is known to have deep craters that remain in permanent darkness, with a high likelihood of having water-ice.
Perhaps the most important discovery made by instruments on board Chandrayaan-1 was the discovery of water and hydroxyl (OH) molecules in the Moon’s thin atmosphere (exosphere) as well as on the lunar surface.
India’s Moon Impact Probe (MIP) — a payload that was deliberately crashed on the lunar surface near the South Pole — helped study the concentration of water and hydroxyl molecules in the lunar atmosphere.
Another payload called mini-SAR helped detect the subsurface deposits of water-ice in the permanently shadowed regions within the craters near the South Pole.
A third payload developed by NASA called Moon Mineralogy Mapper or M3 also helped detect these molecules on the surface of the Moon.
Chandrayaan-2, which was designed to further study the water on the Moon, helped in separately identifying the water and the hydroxyl molecules, and mapping water features across the Moon for the first time.
#upsc #news #headline #experiments #chandrayaan #landing #spacetechnology #exploration #lunardawn #missionexperiments #board #radio #anatomy #hypersensitive #atmosphere #RAMBHA #electrons #ChaSTE #latitude #southpole #ILSA #landingsite #LRA #NASA #LIBS #magnesium #aluminium #silicon #potassium #calcium #titanium #iron #lunarsoil #OH #MIP #miniSAR
Experiments after Chandrayaan-3’s landing
GS Paper - 3 (Space Technology)
After rolling down a ramp from the Chandrayaan-3 lander, the six-wheel, 26-kg rover, which is capable of slowly moving up to 500 metres, began its job of lunar exploration. The landing happened at lunar dawn, and the six payloads on board the lander and rover was started collecting data soon after to get as much science as possible in the single lunar day or 14 Earth days for which they will remain operable.
Mission experiments
The lander has four experiments on board.
The Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive ionosphere and Atmosphere (RAMBHA) will study the electrons and ions near the surface of the moon and how they change over time.
The Chandra’s Surface Thermo physical Experiment (ChaSTE) will study the thermal properties of the lunar surface near the polar region. Chandrayaan-3 has landed around 70 degree south latitude, the closest that any spacecraft has reached to the lunar South Pole.
The Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) will measure the lunar quakes near the landing site and study the composition of the Moon’s crust and mantle.
The LASER Retroreflector Array (LRA) is a passive experiment sent by NASA that acts as a target for lasers for very accurate measurements for future missions.
There are two scientific experiments on the rover
The LASER Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) will determine the chemical and mineral composition of the lunar surface.
The Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) will determine the composition of elements such as magnesium, aluminium, silicon, potassium, calcium, titanium, and iron in the lunar soil and rocks.
Discovery of water
The southern polar region of the Moon is known to have deep craters that remain in permanent darkness, with a high likelihood of having water-ice.
Perhaps the most important discovery made by instruments on board Chandrayaan-1 was the discovery of water and hydroxyl (OH) molecules in the Moon’s thin atmosphere (exosphere) as well as on the lunar surface.
India’s Moon Impact Probe (MIP) — a payload that was deliberately crashed on the lunar surface near the South Pole — helped study the concentration of water and hydroxyl molecules in the lunar atmosphere.
Another payload called mini-SAR helped detect the subsurface deposits of water-ice in the permanently shadowed regions within the craters near the South Pole.
A third payload developed by NASA called Moon Mineralogy Mapper or M3 also helped detect these molecules on the surface of the Moon.
Chandrayaan-2, which was designed to further study the water on the Moon, helped in separately identifying the water and the hydroxyl molecules, and mapping water features across the Moon for the first time.
#upsc #news #headline #experiments #chandrayaan #landing #spacetechnology #exploration #lunardawn #missionexperiments #board #radio #anatomy #hypersensitive #atmosphere #RAMBHA #electrons #ChaSTE #latitude #southpole #ILSA #landingsite #LRA #NASA #LIBS #magnesium #aluminium #silicon #potassium #calcium #titanium #iron #lunarsoil #OH #MIP #miniSAR