Everyday Science

Zinc deficiency is known to cause loss of appetite and poor growth, as zinc is essential for normal growth and development. Deficiencies in iodine, copper, or iron cause other specific symptoms but are not primarily associated with loss of appetite and poor growth.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, which is a satellite-based navigation system used to determine precise locations on Earth.

Nicolas Copernicus is considered the founder of modern astronomy because he proposed the heliocentric model, which placed the Sun at the center of the solar system, revolutionizing previous geocentric views.

Orion is widely regarded as one of the most splendid and magnificent constellations due to its bright stars and distinctive shape, making it easily recognizable in the night sky.

A hygrometer is an instrument specifically designed to measure the humidity or moisture content in the air, making option C the correct answer.

The energy value of food is commonly measured in calories, which quantify the amount of energy released when food is metabolized. Joules are also a unit of energy but calories are more traditionally used in nutrition. Tesla is a unit of magnetic field strength, and proteins are nutrients, not energy units.

Venus is the nearest planet to Earth on average because it orbits closer to Earth than Mercury or Mars. The Moon is not a planet, so it cannot be the correct answer.

Comets generally have highly elliptical orbits, which bring them close to the Sun and then far out into the outer solar system. This distinguishes them from planets, which have more circular orbits.

Seafoods are rich sources of iodine, an essential mineral important for thyroid function. Other options like green leafy vegetables, seeds, and fresh vegetables and fruits generally contain very low amounts of iodine.

Mercury completes one orbit around the Sun in approximately 88 Earth days, making option A correct. The other options represent incorrect orbital periods for Mercury.