NCERT Solutions for Chapter 15 Bibha Chowdhuri- The Beam of Light that Lit the Path for Women in Indian Science Class 8 English
Book Solutions1
Answer
Some qualities associated with a scientist may include:
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Answer
1. Kalpana Chawla â The first woman of Indian origin to go to space. She was an astronaut with NASA and died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003.2. Dr. Tessy Thomas â Known as the âMissile Woman of India,â she played a key role in the Agni missile project at DRDO.
3. Dr. Ritu Karidhal â Known as the âRocket Woman of India,â she was Deputy Operations Director of ISROâs Mars Orbiter Mission and led Chandrayaan-2.
4. Dr. Indira Hinduja â A pioneer in reproductive medicine in India, she delivered the countryâs first test-tube baby.
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1. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) honoured her legacy by renaming a star in the constellation LeoâHD 86081âas âBibhaâ.
2. She became the first woman faculty member at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
3. Bibha Chowdhuri was born in pre-independent India.
4. The Government of India declared a chair professorship in Bibhaâs name.
5. She joined the University of Manchester under the guidance of the celebrated Nobel Laureate, Patrick M.S. Blackett.
6. She was nominated for a Nobel Prize by Erwin Schrodinger.
Answer
3 â 5 â 6 â 2 â 1 â 44
I: Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. In 1945, Bibhaâs academic journey took her to the University of Manchester. Under the guidance of the celebrated Nobel Laureate, Patrick M.S. Blackett, she delved deeper into the field of cosmic rays. Her Ph.D. thesis on cosmic rays earned local recognition, with newspapers introducing her as âIndiaâs New Woman ScientistâShe has an eye for Cosmic Raysâ.
(i) Why is the mention of Patrick M.S. Blackett, a Nobel Laureate, significant in this extract?
(ii) What can be inferred about the public perception of women scientists in the 1940s from the title given to her by the press âIndiaâs New Woman Scientistâ?
A. Women scientists were widely accepted and celebrated at that time.
B. The world was still doubtful about the capabilities of women scientists.
C. Women scientists were as common and renowned as men in the 1940s.
D. Women were not allowed to study sciences or pursue scientific careers.
(iii) In the phrase âcelebrated Nobel Laureate,â the word âcelebratedâ refers to all of the following EXCEPT someone who is
A. famous and highly respected
B. frequently seen in public
C. renowned for their achievements
D. well-regarded in their field
(iv) Complete the following sentence suitably.
The phrase âShe has an eye for Cosmic Raysâ suggests that ____________Â Â Â Â
Answer
(i) The mention of Patrick M.S. Blackett is significant because it shows that Bibha was working under one of the most respected and renowned scientists of the time, highlighting the calibre of her research and the respect she had earned in the field of physics.(ii) (B) The world was still doubtful about the capabilities of women scientists.
(iii) (B) frequently seen in publicÂ
(iv) The phrase âShe has an eye for Cosmic Raysâ suggests that she had a deep understanding and insight into the study of cosmic rays.
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(i) What can be inferred about the challenges faced by women scientists today, as compared to Bibha Chowdhuriâs era?
A. Women scientists no longer face any barriers.
B. The challenges remain, but progress has been made.
C. The struggles have become more difficult over time.
D. The struggles are the same as they were for Chowdhuri.
(ii) The phrase âBibha Chowdhuriâs legacy lives onâ suggests that ____________
(iii) Why is Bibha Chowdhuri referred to as a âbeaconâ and a âbeam of lightâ in the extract?
(iv) State whether the following sentence is a fact or an opinion.
Bibha Chowdhuri was the beacon, the âbeam of lightâ whose story continues to inspire young women.
Answer
(i) (B) The challenges remain, but progress has been made.(ii) The phrase âBibha Chowdhuriâs legacy lives onâ suggests that her contributions continue to inspire and influence future generations.
(iii)Â Because she led the way for women in science through her courage, dedication, and pioneering work, giving hope and inspiration to others.
(iv)Â Opinion â It reflects the writerâs admiration and interpretation of her legacy.
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1. Why is Bibha Chowdhuri considered a pioneer in the field of science?
2. What does Bibha Chowdhuriâs nomination by Erwin Schrodinger tell us about her abilities?
3. Bibha Chowdhuri never worked for awards or recognition. Support this statement with evidence from the text.
4. How does the renaming of a star as âBibhaâ serve as both a literal and symbolic recognition of her contributions to science?
5. How do the roles of women in ISRO today reflect broader changes in societal attitudes towards women in STEM in India?
6. What is the writerâs purpose of highlighting the contributions of Bibha Chowdhuri and other modern women scientists?
7. How might this text help shape peopleâs perception of the role of women in other traditionally male-dominated fields?
Answer
1. Bibha Chowdhuri is considered a pioneer because she was the first Indian woman physicist to work in the highly specialized field of high-energy particle physics. She broke gender barriers, conducted crucial research on cosmic rays and subatomic particles, and paved the way for future women in Indian science.2. It shows that Bibha Chowdhuriâs scientific work was of exceptional quality and internationally recognized. Being nominated for a Nobel Prize by a renowned scientist like Erwin Schrodinger indicates her outstanding contributions and talent.
3. Despite her groundbreaking work, Bibha Chowdhuri never received any awards during her lifetime. She continued her research tirelessly, often working in the background, focusing on her passion for science rather than seeking fame or recognition.
4. Literally, it immortalizes her name in the cosmos, while symbolically, it reflects the âbeam of lightâ she represented in scienceâilluminating the path for future generations and acknowledging her once-forgotten brilliance.
5. Women in ISRO today hold leadership roles in major space missions, showing that societal attitudes have shifted to recognize and support womenâs capabilities in science and technology. This progress is rooted in the pioneering efforts of women like Bibha Chowdhuri.
6. The writer aims to inspire readers, especially young girls, by showcasing how women have overcome challenges to excel in science. It also seeks to acknowledge unsung heroes and promote gender equality in STEM fields.
7. This text challenges stereotypes and encourages society to view women as equally capable in all fields, including those traditionally dominated by men. It motivates individuals to support and recognize womenâs contributions across professions.
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Answer
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1. They are considered to be the first people to start the online markets.
2. A scientist who studies matter, energy, light, etc.
3. Most of my friends are my classmates and are my age.
4. We first welcomed all the famous and important people in folk song for the award ceremony.
5. My brother finally succeeded in his business because of his continuous efforts and determination.
6. We should remove all the things that block our way in achieving success
Answer
1. Pioneers2. Physicist
3. Peers
4. Luminaries
5. Persistence
6. Barriers
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Now, make words by adding suitable suffixes -ship, -ment, and -hood to the words given below. One example has been done for you.
achieve + ment = achievement
1. member + _______________ = _________________
2. govern + _______________ = _________________
3. partner + _______________ = _________________
4. child + _______________ = _________________
5. citizen + _______________ = _________________
6. entertain + _______________ = _________________
7. brother + _______________ = _________________
8. agree + _______________ = _________________
Answer
1. member + ship = membership2. govern + ment = government
3. partner + ship = partnership
4. child + hood = childhood
5. citizen + ship = citizenship
6. entertain + ment = entertainment
7. brother + hood = brotherhood
8. agree + ment = agreement
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IV: The abbreviationsâISRO and STEMâ used in the text are called acronyms because they are read or pronounced as full words.
The grid given below has acronyms for the following. Circle the acronyms in the grid.
1. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences
3. Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy
4. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research
5. World Health Organization
Clipping
The short form of laboratory is lab. In making this short form, the front part of the word is retained and the end part is removed or clipped.
Clipping is a method of making words from larger words in English. There are three clipping methods.
1. Back clipping: a word is made by removing the end part of a word and retaining the front part (examâexamination,
adâadvertisement, gasâgasoline, memoâmemorandum, gymâgymnasium, photoâphotograph, etc.).
2. Front clipping: a word is made by removing the front part of a word and retaining the end part (phoneâtelephone,netâinternet, bikeâmotorbike, netâinternet, etc.).
3. Middle clipping: a word is made by removing the front and the end parts of the word and retaining the middle part (fluâinfluenza, fridgeârefrigerator, etc.).
Answer
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V: Read the following sentence from the text and the table that follows.Â
âŠ, the foundation was laid by early pioneers like Bibha ChowdhuriâŠ
Here the verb is expressed in passive form.
Verbs can be expressed in either active voice or passive voice.
When the subject performs the action, the sentence is said to be in active voice. On the other hand, when the subject receives the action, the sentence is in passive voice.
Generally, sentences written in active voice are considered effective.
However, passive voice is used when the
- action is more important than the doer,
A cure for the disease was discovered.
(The focus is on the discovery, not on who discovered it.) - doer of the action (agent) is obvious,
The national anthem is sung at the beginning of the event.
(It is clear that people sing it, so mentioning the doer is unnecessary.) - doer of the action is unknown.
The car was stolen last night.
(The identity of the thief is unknown.)
Now, complete the following news report with the passive form of verbs given in the box below. (Remember that the verb must agree with the subject.)
Last year, significant advancements in medical science 1. __________ in leading medical journals when a new vaccine for malaria 2. __________. The vaccine 3. __________ through several clinical trials and results 4. _________ in those journals. During the trials, blood samples 5. __________ regularly from participants to monitor their immune response. The amount of antibodies produced 6. __________ carefully to assess the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Answer
1. were published2. was discovered
3. was tested
4. were recorded
5. were taken
6. was measured
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I conducted an experiment to investigate the effects of light on plant growth. I placed various plants under different light conditions and measured their growth over several weeks. I recorded data daily to track the height of each plant. At the end of the experiment, I analysed the results and found that plants exposed to natural light grew significantly taller than those under artificial light. I concluded that sunlight plays a crucial role in plant development. I presented my findings to the class, highlighting the importance of light in enhancing photosynthesis and overall plant health.
You may begin like this.
An experiment was conductedâŠ
Answer
An experiment was conducted by me to investigate the effects of light on plant growth. Various plants were placed by me under different light conditions and their growth was measured over several weeks. Data was recorded daily by me to track the height of each plant. At the end of the experiment, the results were analysed by me and it was found that plants exposed to natural light grew significantly taller than those under artificial light. It was concluded by me that sunlight plays a crucial role in plant development. The findings were presented by me to the class, highlighting the importance of light in enhancing photosynthesis and overall plant health.13
VII: Read the instructions given in the box on landing of Chandrayaan. Complete the passage by choosing the correct answer from the options given.
Launch the spacecraft towards the Moon from Earth.
- Position the spacecraft to enter the Moonâs orbit.
- Adjust the spacecraftâs path for landing.
- Slow down the spacecraft as it nears the Moonâs surface.
- Release the rover to explore the surface and collect valuable data
Chandrayaanâs landing mission involves several key steps. First, the spacecraft 1.________ towards the Moon from the Earth. Then, it 2. ________ to enter the Moonâs orbit. After reaching the Moonâs orbit, the spacecraftâs path 3. ________ for landing. Next, the spacecraft 4. ________ as it nears the Moonâs surface. Finally, the rover 5.________ to explore the surface and collect valuable data.
(i)Â A. launched
B. were launched
C. was launched
D. is launched
(ii) A. position
B. was positioned
C. is positioned
D. has positioned
(iii) A. adjusted
B. was adjusted
C. is adjusted
D. were adjusted
(iv) A. slowed down
B. was slowed down
C. is slowed down
D. were slowed down
(v) A. is released
B. has released
C. were released
D. was released
Answer
(i) (C) was launched(ii) (B) was positioned
(iii) (B)Â was adjusted
(iv) (B) was slowed down
(v)Â (D) was released
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1. What is one of the key benefits of AI in the healthcare sector?
(i)Â Helps doctors communicate faster with patients.
(ii)Â Provides personalised treatments and faster diagnoses.
(iii)Â Focuses on cosmetic surgeries to improve appearance.
2. How did AI play a crucial role during the global pandemic?
(i)Â AI robots monitored patient behaviour in hospitals.
(ii)Â AI assisted in speeding up the discovery of new medicines.
(iii)Â AI developed different types of vaccines by itself.
3. What example was given regarding AIâs role in renewable energy?
(i)Â AI is optimising the placement of wind turbines and solar panels in cities.
(ii)Â AI is promoting alternative energy from wind turbines and solar panels.
(iii)Â AI is improving the performance of wind turbines and solar panels.
4. What does AI offer to teachers in the field of education?
(i)Â Helps teachers assign grades more quickly.
(ii)Â Allows teachers to communicate better with students.
(iii) Helps teachers analyse student performance.
5. What is one of the user-friendly features that AI is enhancing for people with disabilities?
(i)Â Helps them find better jobs in the mainstream.
(ii)Â Improves speech recognition and voice command technologies.
(iii)Â Trains individuals to interact with robots.
Answer
1. (ii) Provides personalised treatments and faster diagnoses.2. (ii) AI assisted in speeding up the discovery of new medicines.
3. (iii) AI is improving the performance of wind turbines and solar panels.
4. (iii) Helps teachers analyse student performance.
5. (ii) Improves speech recognition and voice command technologies.
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I: Form a group of five. Conduct a panel discussion on the topic, âEvaluating the Impact of Mobile PhonesâBeneficial or Harmfulâ. Each student will take on one of the following roles.
- Moderator (initiates and directs the flow of the discussion inviting the speakers to share their views on the subject; at the end sums up the points of discussion and thanks the members of the group)
- Principal (opposed toâfocus on discipline in school)
- Teacher (in favour ofâpartially in favour, educational use with limitations)
- Parent (opposed toâconcerned about health and social effects on children)
- Student (in favour ofâhighlighting the benefits like connectivity and learning)
You may use the cues given below and add your own ideas when speaking.
Principal: As a Principal, I strongly believe mobile phones are largely disruptive becauseâŠ
Teacher: From an educatorâs perspective, I think mobile phones can be valuable butâŠ
Parent: As a parent, Iâm concerned that mobile phones pose certain risks to childrenâs health and social developmentâŠ
Student: As a student, I feel mobile phones are essential becauseâŠ
Answer
1. Moderator: Good morning everyone.
Welcome to todayâs panel discussion on the topic âEvaluating the Impact of Mobile PhonesâBeneficial or Harmful.â We have with us a Principal, a Teacher, a Parent, and a Student who will share their perspectives. Letâs begin with the Principal.
2. Principal (Opposed to mobile phones):
As a Principal, I strongly believe mobile phones are largely disruptive in schools. They distract students, reduce focus in classrooms, and affect discipline. I have seen students misuse phones for games and social media. In my opinion, mobile phones should be banned in school premises.
3. Teacher (Partially in favour): From an educatorâs perspective, I see both sides. Mobile phones can be useful for educational apps, online research, and quick communication. However, students must be taught to use them responsibly. I support their use only under supervision and within limits.
4. Parent (Opposed to mobile phones):
As a parent, I am concerned about the health and social impact of mobile phones. Children spend too much time on screens, leading to eye strain, lack of physical activity, and reduced real- world interaction. Itâs becoming harder to engage them in healthy habits.
5. Student (In favour of mobile phones):
As a student, I feel mobile phones are essential tools for learning and staying connected. We use them for online classes, accessing study material, and even solving doubts through educational platforms. They also help us stay in touch with family and friends. We just need to use them wisely.
Moderator (Conclusion): Thank you all for your valuable insights. From todayâs discussion, we see that mobile phones can be both beneficial and harmful, depending on how they are used. Responsible use, clear guidelines, and awareness can help us make the best of this technology while avoiding its drawbacks. Thank you for being part of this meaningful discussion!
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I: Your school recently hosted the Zonal Science Exhibition, in which teams of students from 25 schools participated enthusiastically. As the student editor, write a report on the exhibition to be published in your school magazine. Use the cues given below with your own ideas to compose this report.
- Who was the organiser and who hosted the exhibition?
- When (date and time) and where was it held?
- Why was it held?
- Who participated?
- Who was the Chief Guest?
- What were the competitions held? For example: Science Quiz, Science Models, etc.
- What were the topics of models exhibited? Give details.
- Which team got the trophy for best exhibit?
- What were the observations of the Chief Guest and other visitors?
Points to remember:
1. Write the report in past tense, passive voice, and third person.
2. Follow proper format with a headline, reporterâs name, and three paragraphs.
Answer
Young Innovators Shine at the Zonal Science Exhibition By: Aarav Mehta, Student Editor The Zonal Science Exhibition 2025 was successfully hosted by Green Valley Public School on 10th August 2025 in the school auditorium. The event was organised under the guidance of the Science Department in collaboration with the District Education Office. The purpose of the exhibition was to promote scientific curiosity, creativity, and innovation among school students. Participation and Events a total of 25 schools from across the zone participated with great enthusiasm. The Chief Guest, Dr. Anjali Rao, a renowned scientist from the Indian Institute of Science, inaugurated the event. The exhibition featured various competitions such as the Science Quiz, Model Display, and Poster Making Contest.
Students presented models on topics like Renewable Energy, Space Technology, Water Conservation, and Artificial Intelligence. Among all entries, the model titled âSmart Irrigation Systemâ by Springdale Public School won the Best Exhibit Trophy for its innovation and practical application.
Observations and Conclusion The Chief Guest appreciated the creativity and scientific temperament displayed by the students. Visitors were impressed by the depth of research and presentation skills. The event successfully created awareness about science and motivated students to explore and innovate. The exhibition concluded with a vote of thanks by the school Principal and the distribution of certificates and mementos.
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Answer
- Augmented reality (AR) enhances a personâs environment by adding digital elements to what can be seen in real time, usually through a smartphone camera.
- Virtual reality (VR) offers a fully immersive experience, replacing the real world with a simulated one.
- Through AR and VR, the students can see and interact with things that they could not interact with in real life. This enables younger students to understand difficult ideas easily.
- To keep up with the times, NCERT has developed the e-Pathshala AR (Augmented Reality) App under the aegis of MHRD, Government of India.
- This App aims to enable students to go beyond textbooks and four walls of the classrooms and learn concepts by directly experimenting rather than only through reading and memorisation.
- This revolutionary effort will change most students from passive listeners to active learners.
- This effort is in line with the Prime Ministerâs Digital India vision to empower varied sectors using technology and addressing the triple need of skill, scale, and speed.
Gear up for the new age education!
https://ciet.ncert.gov.in/ar-vr
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Answer
The objective of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) is to recognise the notable and inspiring contribution made by the scientists, technologists, and innovators individually or in teams in various fields of science, technology, and technology-led innovation.1. Vigyan Ratna (VR) award will recognise lifetime achievements and contributions made in any field of science and technology.
2. Vigyan Shri (VS) award will recognise distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.
3. Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award will recognise and encourage young scientists up to the age of 45 years, who have made an exceptional contribution in any field of science and technology.
4. Vigyan Team (VT) award to be given to a team comprising three or more scientists/researchers/innovators, who have made an exceptional contribution working in a team in any field of science and technology.
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1959262
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Answer
Source: https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/sites/all/themes/
vigyan/images/Womenâs_Scientist_Brochure_Low_Res.pdf