SCIENCE BEHIND WETNESS OF WATER

Is Water Wet?

The answer to this question requires some philosophical thinking and depends on how you define wetness. The debate over whether water is wet is likely to continue for as long as the planet is awash with the stuff. 

Most scientists define wetness as a liquid’s ability to maintain contact with a solid surface, meaning that water itself is not wet, but can make other materials wet. 

When you touch a wet surface, the water molecules stick to your skin, creating a wet sensation. But if you define wet as ‘made of liquid or moisture’, as some do, then water and all other liquids can be considered wet. 

Some people describe wetness as a physical, cooling sensation experienced when water takes in energy to evaporate into surrounding air. The balance between adhesive and cohesive forces determines the degree of wetting. Cohesive forces, such as hydrogen bonds, hold water molecules to each other and create a surface tension. With strong cohesive forces, water tends to stay as spherical droplets to minimise contact with a surface. Adhesive forces attract the water to the surface of another material and encourage it to spread. If the adhesive forces are stronger than the cohesive ones, then a surface will become wet. 

Other liquids – such as alcohol – are better than water at wetting. Adding detergents can improve water’s wetting ability by lowering the cohesive forces. The nature of the surface exposed to water affects how wet it will become. Water-hating (hydrophobic) surfaces, such as waterproof fabrics, push liquid drops to have as little contact as possible. You can define a material’s hydrophobicity in terms of the internal contact angle that a water droplet makes with the surface. A perfectly hydrophobic surface is totally water repellent with a contact angle of 180°, while a perfectly wettable surface has a contact angle of zero.

STORY

The Judgement of Maharaja

Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab set out on a journey. He was accompanied by his bodyguards, courtiers, and a retinue of soldiers.

Suddenly a stone came through the air and hit his head. He began to bleed. Injuring an emperor was one of the most heinous crimes and invited punishment up to the death penalty. 

Now the question arose—who might have flung the stone? The commander of the army looked around for the culprit. All others too were pressed into action. Very soon they discovered an old lady standing under a tree. 

They brought her to Maharaja and said, "Your highness, this is the culprit who might have thrown that stone at your head. There is no one else present in the vicinity." 

The old woman was trembling with terror. The situation was tense. 

Maharaja asked her, "Did you throw the stone?"

She replied in a meek and fumbling voice, "Yes, Your Highness, I did throw." 

"Why did you do so?" Maharaja asked. 

She pleaded, "I am extremely poor. I have nothing to eat at home, and for the past two days I have been forced to starve. My boy is hungry too. I wanted to get something, at least for the boy. I saw a tree laden with some fruits. I threw some stones to get a few fruits. To my dismay, I suddenly realised that the stone had taken the wrong direction and hurt you in the head. This is the truth. Now, your highness may be pleased to decide the quantum of my punishment."

The Maharaja immediately asked his cashier to give her sufficient food, along with a thousand rupees, and release her with due respect. 

All the people present there were flabbergasted by this judgement. They were wondering—is it a punishment or a reward? In fact, she deserved no less than the death penalty. They couldn’t understand how someone who had injured the Maharaja could merit such a reward. Was this not an irony of fate?! But they had no choice but to keep quiet. 

Maharaja understood their predicament and said, "You all know that if a stone is thrown at a tree it gives sweet fruits in return. If a lifeless tree behaves so, how can I punish her with bitter fruits? It cannot be so. Therefore, bestow her with proper rewards and release her with due respect."

From this, one can easily infer how a wise judge or jury should pronounce a judgement according to time, clime, situation, and the person involved.

PLACE OF MYSTERY AND INTRIGUE

Bermuda Triangle 

The Bermuda Triangle is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the shores of Puerto Rico, Bermuda and Miami. It’s not a real, defined area but more like a rough triangle shape in the ocean.

The name ‘Bermuda Triangle’ was first used in a 1964 magazine article.

Bermuda triangle has captured the imagination of many over the years, becoming known as a place of mystery and intrigue. However, much of the legend surrounding the area is based on inaccurate or exaggerated reports.

Different explanations, both natural and supernatural, have been proposed to explain the alleged disappearances of ships and aircraft in the area. From leftover technology from Atlantis to theories about space-time warps, the Bermuda Triangle has been subject to numerous speculations. However, many of these explanations lack scientific evidence.

Natural phenomena, such as hurricanes and hectic waves, have been suggested as potential hazards in the area. While these can be devastating, there’s little evidence to suggest they specifically occur in the Bermuda Triangle more than anywhere else.

Magnetic issues have also been proposed as a cause for navigational errors, though none have been definitively identified in the area. It’s true that, in the early 20th Century, there was alignment between true geographic north and magnetic north in the Bermuda Triangle, which could have made navigational challenges worse.

Despite the continuous myths surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, studies by organisations like the US Coast Guard have not identified any specific hazards in the area. In fact, stats show that the Bermuda Triangle has not experienced a significantly higher number of crashes or wrecks compared to other parts of the ocean.

Ultimately, the interest in the Bermuda Triangle is because of people’s fascination with mystery and the unknown. Early reports of disappearances captured public attention, and people started to make up more stories from there. However, with modern technology allowing more precise tracking of ocean and air traffic, the intense interest surrounding the Bermuda Triangle has lessened in recent years.

CRADLE OF INDIAN TEST CRICKET

Ranji Trophy 

Ranji Trophy is a domestic first-class cricket championship in India played by teams representing different states and regions. Organised by the board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Ranji Trophy is undisputedly the most important tournament in India's domestic cricket season. It is considered the "cradle of Indian Test cricket", as the finest talents from its matches are selected for the Indian test cricket team. The tournament, which was launched in 1934, is named after Ranjitsinhji alias Ranji (1872 - 1933), an Indian prince who played test cricket for England and who is regarded as one of the finest players of all time. 

Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, the Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, to give his full name and official title, was born in Kathiawar in British India. As a child, he was chosen as heir to a distant relative, Vibhaji, the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar. He studied at the Rajkumar college in Rajkot and went on to Trinity College, Cambridge. Here he gained a place in the Cambridge University cricket team, becoming the first Indian to win a cricket Blue. In 1895, he began playing for Sussex. In 1896, he made his test debut for England against Australia. In a test career spanning 15 matches, Ranjitsinhji scored 989 runs including 2 centuries and 6 half-centuries, with an average of 44.95 runs and a high score of 175 runs. He also played 307 first-class matches, scoring 24,692 runs that included 72 centuries and 109 half-centuries, with a high score of 285 not out In 1907, he became the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar. In his political role, he was Chancellor of the Indian Chamber of Princes and represented India at the League of Nations. He died in 1933. The following year, when the BCCI decided to start a domestic tournament, the Maharaja of Patiala offered to donate the trophy which he proposed should be named in honour of Ranjitsinhji. The first Ranji Trophy winner was Bombay, who defeated North India in the final. 

Although Ranjitsinhji never played for India and and considered himself an English cricketer, he was remembered as the first famous cricketer of Indian origin. 

A SHORT MORAL STORY

Two Basket Weavers

A wealthy king decided to hold a contest among two highly skilled basket weavers. Ultimately, he wanted to determine who could weave more baskets in a day. The two women would contest for the fastest weaver, with the winner to be awarded a large sum of money as a prize.

It started early in the morning, on the day of the contest, with the two women set to weave their best.

However, one of the women seemed faster than the other, and in only five hours, she had woven two baskets. Meanwhile, the other woman became jealous as she was still on her first basket. 

Shorty, the king came to inspect the two busy women. And then, quite unexpectedly, he said to the faster woman.

"Your baskets are a bit smaller than the required size. You didn't follow the contest rules, therefore you must start all over again. Remember that you don't have much time left"

The jealous woman was so gladdened by what the king had said and she silently mocked the faster woman. She knew it was a great opportunity for her to win the contest.

However, the faster woman wasn't discouraged by her plight. With so much determination and commitment, she started all over again, hoping to achieve success.

By the end of the day, the two women were made to stop weaving as the contest was over. It was time to know the winner.

The other woman had excellently made ten baskets. Everyone was impressed by her skills.

But to the greatest surprise of all, the woman who was made to restart hers, had woven eleven baskets. She still won.

The king who couldn't contain his astonishment and curiosity, asked the faster woman. 

"You had very limited time. Come on, tell me how you won?"

The woman smiled and said. 

"Magic starts to happen once you start believing in yourself"

Many of us tend to give up when things get too hard. We allow disappointments to cripple our self esteem and kill the passion to pursue our dreams. We are afraid to start all over again as we think it's always too late. However, we need to understand that the moment we start believing in ourselves, we start creating confidence. And with confidence, we can do anything in life.

DO YOU KNOW

Who controls the internet?

The internet is a decentralised global network owned and managed by governments, private companies, non-profit organisations and individual users. It is not controlled by any single entity. The internet's technical infrastructure is maintained by organisations like ICANN for domain names and IP addresses and RIRs for IP address allocation. ISPs provide internet access. 

Internet governance involves multiple organisations and entities globally and nationally. The IGF facilitates policy discussions, while governments and regulatory authorities have jurisdiction over internet-related matters within their territories. However countries may have varying levels of control and regulations over internet access and content. Some impose censorship and surveillance. In summary, the internet is a complex network with a collaborative governance structure involving numerous stakeholders. While decentralised,  individual countries have different degrees of control and regulations over their Internet environments. 

SPORT WITH MUSIC AND DANCE

Bossaball

Bossaball is a unique and dynamic sport combining elements of volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, capoeira, music and dance. It was invented in Spain in 2004 by Filip Eyckmans, who sought to create an engaging and entertaining team sport.

Bossaball is played on an inflatable court that features trampolines on each side of the net. The court is divided into different zones, including the attacking and back zones. The objective of the game is to score points by hitting the ball over the net and into the opponent's court in a way that the opposing team cannot return it. Teams consist of three to five players on each side, with one player positioned on the trampoline to gain height and perform aerial acrobatics to spike or block the ball. The other players on the ground use any part of their bodies (except for their hands) to keep the ball in play, combining elements of soccer and volleyball. 

What makes Bossaball unique is the incorporation of music and dance. Each team has its own designated "Samba referee", who provides the rhythm with musical instruments and leads the team in dance moves during the game. The lively atmosphere created by the music adds to the fun and excitement of the sport.