Natural Resources — Air, Water, Pressure
Overview
Natural resources form the foundation of Environmental Science in MAHA TET Paper II, connecting physical science concepts with real-world applications. This topic specifically addresses the composition and properties of air, the concept of atmospheric pressure, and water as a vital resource — all essential for upper-primary science teaching.
For MAHA TET, expect questions that test your understanding of air composition percentages, demonstrations of atmospheric pressure (like the inverted glass experiment), and the water cycle. Questions often link scientific concepts to everyday phenomena that teachers must explain to students. Mastery requires knowing exact figures (nitrogen 78%, oxygen 21%), understanding pressure concepts qualitatively, and connecting water resource management to environmental awareness.
This topic bridges physics (pressure) and environmental science (resources and conservation), making it a favourite for integrated questions in the exam.
Key Concepts
- **Air is a mixture, not a compound**: Air contains nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and other gases including carbon dioxide, argon, water vapour and trace gases (together about 1%). These gases retain their individual properties and can be separated by physical means.
- **Atmospheric pressure is the weight of air above us**: The column of air extending from the earth's surface to the upper atmosphere exerts pressure in all directions. At sea level, this equals approximately 101.3 kPa or 760 mm of mercury.