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1. Science is the study of natural things around us such as

rainbow and cloud formation.
2. In the study of science, we investigate and make
observations of nature and events occuring around us.
3. Scientific knowledge is acquired through scientific
methods.
4. Five physical quantities and their SI units
5. Mass is the quantity of matter in an object.
6. The mass of an object is measured using the lever
balance or beam balance.
7. Weight is the force of gravity acting on an object and
its SI unit is newton (N).
8. The weight of an object is measured using the spring
balance or compression balance.
9. The differences between mass and weight
10. The length of a curve can be measured using a thread
and a ruler.
11. The area of an irregular object can be estimated by
using the graph paper.
12. The volume of liquid can be measured using the
burette, measuring cylinder or pipette.
13. The water displacement method is used to measure
the volume of irregular objects.
14. Prefixes used in measurements have their own values
and symbols.
15. Standard units are important for international
communications.
Introduction to Science
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Cell as a Unit of Life
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Matter
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2. Cells are very small and can only be seen through a
microscope.
3. The main components of a cell include the nucleus,
cytoplasm and cell membrane.
4. Every structure in a cell has its own function.
5. Plant cells and animal cells are different in shape and
structure.
6. Unicellular organisms such as the Amoeba and
yeast have only one cell.
7. Multicellular organisms such as the Spirogyra and
Hydra consist of many cells.
8. Multicellular organisms are usually big in size.
9. Human body is made up of many types of cells and
these cells differ in shapes and sizes.
10. Human cells are organised into tissues, organs and
systems.
11. The tissue is a group of similar cells, for example, the
muscle cells and nerve cells, which carry out the same
functions.
12. The organ is a group of different tissues, for example,
the kidney and lungs, which carry out the same
functions.
13. The system is a group of different organs, for
example, the digestive system and respiratory system,
which carry out the same functions.
14. Cell specialisation allows separation of work to be
carried out by cells in the body.
15. Many life processes cannot be conducted without the
organisation of cells.
Physical quantity SI unit
Time second (s)
Mass kilogram (kg)
Length metre (m)
Temperature kelvin (K)
Electric current ampere (A)
Mass Weight
The amount of matter The force of gravity
in an object pulling on an object
Remains the same Changes from place
to place
SI unit is kilogram (kg) SI unit is Newton (N)
Measuring tools are Measuring tools are
beam balances and spring balances and
lever balances compression balances
1. Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space.
2. Matter is made up of small and discrete particles called
the atoms.
3. It is present in three states, namely solids, liquids
and gases.
4. The solid consists of particles which are closely
packed together. The particles vibrate at their fixed
positions only.
5. The liquid consists of particles which are arranged
close together and move randomly.
6. The gas consists of particles which are far apart and
move freely in all directions.
7. The random movement of liquid and gas particles is
called the Brownian movement.
1. The basic resources on Earth include water, air, soil,
minerals, fossil fuels and living things.
2. The importance of the resources on Earth
Resources Importance
Water For systems of living things to function;
in homes for drinking, cooking and
washing; for transportation and in
industries
Air For breathing, for combustion and
for photosynthesis
Soil Habitat for living things; for
agriculture, construction and mining
Minerals Used in the construction industry; in
the production of utensils, electrical
products and ornaments
Plants and For food, clothing, fuels and building
animals materials
3. An atomis the smallest particle in matter.
4. A molecule is made up of two (or more) atoms. The
atoms may be of the same or a different type.
5. An element is a substance that cannot be split into
two (or more) simpler substances. It consists of the
same kind of atoms.
6. A compound is made up of two or more different
elements which are chemically combined together.
7. A mixture is formed when two or more substances
that do not react chemically, are added together.
8. The properties of metals and non-metals
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8. The density of an object is the mass per unit volume of
that object.
mass
Density =
volume
9. A less dense object will float on a liquid which is
denser. A denser object will sink in a liquid which is
less dense.
10. An object which initially sinks can be modified to make
it float by making its surface larger.
11. The concept of density is used in the building of ships,
submarines and floats, and also in the transportation of
timber logs.
The Variety of Resources
on Earth
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Metals
Shiny, ductile, malleable,
high melting point, high
density, good conductors
of heat and electricity
Non-metals
Dull, brittle, low melting
point, low density, poor
conductor of heat and
electricity
Properties
9. Comparison between compounds and mixtures
10. Components of mixtures can be separated by means of
evaporation, filtration or distillation.
11. A mixture of iron filings and powdered sulphur can be
separated by using a magnet.
12. A mixture of salt and sand can be separated by
dissolving, filtering and evaporating the mixture.
13. Intelligent use of resources can be attained by the
conservation of natural resources: to prevent the
destruction of the environment, the extinction of species
and the onset of natural disasters.
14. We should recycle materials such as glass, plastic and
aluminium.
15. Activities that can deplete the Earths resources include
mining, logging, agriculture and clearing of land for
buildings.
Properties Compound Mixture
Preparation Chemical means Physical means
Changes in Yes No
temperature
New substance Yes No
formed
Characteristics Different from Same as
components components
Composition Fixed Not fixed
Separation Chemical means Physical means
The Air Around Us
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1. Air is a mixture because its composition varies from
place to place and from time to time.
2. Composition of air
Composition of air
Nitrogen 21%
Oxygen 78%
Carbon dioxide 0.03%
Inert gases 1%
Water vapour Varies
Dust and microorganism Varies
3. Properties of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Properties Oxygen Carbon
dioxide
Colour, odour and taste None None
Soluble in water Yes Yes
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Properties Oxygen Carbon
dioxide
Soluble in sodium No Yes
hydroxide solution
Supports combustion Yes No
Acidic No Yes
4. (a) Confirmation test for oxygen: oxygen rekindles a
glowing splint.
(b) Confirmation test for carbon dioxide: Carbon
dioxide turns lime water cloudy.
5. Respiration is a process where food is oxidised to
produce energy, water and carbon dioxide.
6. The process of respiration is
Glucose + oxygen energy + carbon dioxide + water
7. All living things obtain the energy for life processes
from respiration.
8. Comparison of inhaled air and exhaled air
9. Combustion is the chemical combination of oxygen
and a substance to produce heat and light.
10. Three requirements for combustions are
(a) a substance that can burn
(b) oxygen
(c) heat
11. Combustion of carbon is
Carbon + oxygen carbon dioxide + energy
12. Combustion of hydrocarbon is
Hydrocarbon + oxygen carbon dioxide + water
+ energy
13. Air pollution is the presence of unwanted and
harmful substances in the air.
14. Sources and effects of air pollutants
Contents Inhaled air Exhaled air
Oxygen 21% 16 %
Carbon dioxide 0.03% 4%
Nitrogen 78% 78%
Water vapour Varies Saturated
Temperature Same as the Body
environment temperature
Pollutants Effects Sources
Carbon Prevents blood Burning of carbon
monoxide from absorbing and emissions
oxygen, causing from exhaust pipe
headaches of vehicles
Oxides of Damages lungs Burning of fuel
nitrogen and causes acid in factories and
rain emissions from
exhaust pipe of
vehicles
Pollutants Effects Sources
Sulphur Causes breathing Burning of coal
dioxide difficulties and and petrol in
acid rain factories
Lead Causes brain Burning of leaded
compounds damage petrol
Carbon Greenhouse effect Combustion
dioxide
Dust and Dirty buildings, Smoke from
smoke irritate lungs and factories,
poor visibility forest fire and
dusts from the
ground
15. Cigarette smoke contains pollutants such as nicotine,
tar, carbon monoxide and carcinogens.
Sources of Energy
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1. Energy is the ability to do work. We use energy to
walk, talk and breathe.
2. Energy exists in various forms such as kinetic energy,
potential energy, mechanical energy, heat energy, light
energy, sound energy, electrical energy, chemical
energy and nuclear energy.
3. Potential energy is the energy stored in an object.
An object has the potential energy because of its state
and position.
4. Moving objects have kinetic energy.
5. Hot objects give out heat energy.
6. Chemical energy is the energy stored in fuels, food
and batteries.
7. Electrical energy is produced by the flow of
electrical charges.
8. Sound energy is produced through vibrations.
9. Nuclear energy is the energy stored in the nucleus
of an atom.
10. Mechanical energy involves the kinetic and
potential energy.
11. Renewable energy sources can be used
continuously and will not deplete.
12. Non-renewable energy cannot be replaced when
depleted.
13. Sources of renewable and non-renewable energy
14. The sun is the primary energy source.
15. Energy can be changed from one form to another.
16. Energy converters are equipments or substances
Renewable energy Non-renewable energy
sources sources
Hydro, solar, wind, Coal, petroleum, natural
biomass, waves, gas, nuclear,
tidal, geothermal
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that convert energy from one form to the other.
17. Alternative energy sources such as water, the Sun,
biomass and wind are available in large amounts. The
advantages of these forms of energy are, they are clean
and do not pollute the environment.
18. Efficient use of energy means using energy with minimal
wastage.
19. Alternative energy sources must be identified to
replace non-renewable energy.
20. We need to conserve non-renewable energy because
their sources are limited. Lesser use of the non-
renewable energy will also reduce the harmful effects
on our health and environment.
21. Energy sources must be used efficiently so that we can
continue to use the energy sources for a longer time.
Heat
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1. The Sun is the primary source of heat energy.
2. Heat energy causes an object to become warmer or
hotter.
3. Heat can be produced through friction, chemical
reactions, electricity and by burning fuels.
4. Heat is measured in joules (J).
5. Temperature is a measure of degree of hotness or
coldness of an object.
6. A thermometer is used to measure the temperature in
degree celsius (C).
7. Substances of the same temperature may not contain
the same amount of heat.
8. Comparison between heat and temperature
9. Solids, liquids and gases expand when heated and
contract when cooled down.
10. Heat is transmitted through conduction, convection and
radiation.
11. Conduction is the transfer of heat from one particle to
another without movement of the particles involved.
12. Metals are good conductors, liquids (except mercury)
are poor conductors and gases are very poor
conductors of heat.
13. Convection is the transfer of heat by the movements
of heated particles.
14. Liquids and gases transmit heat by convection.
15. Land and sea breezes are examples of natural
convection currents.
16. Radiation is the transfer of heat in the form of
electromagnetic waves. The rate of transfer is the same
as the speed of light.
17. Uses of good and bad conductors
18. When heated, a solid changes to a liquid and then to a
gas.
19. When a gas cools down it changes to a liquid and
then to a solid.
20. The physical processes involved in the change of state
are melting, boiling, freezing, evaporation, condensation
and sublimation.
21. Physical processes are required for a change of state to
occur.
22. Applications of expansion and contraction
(a) Solids: bimetallic strips in oven and fire alarm,
rivets, gaps in railway tracks, rollers in steel
bridges, metal wheels of trains
(b) Liquids: thermometers
(c) Gases: hot air balloons
23. Dull, black surfaces are good absorbers and radiators
of heat.
24. White and shiny surfaces do not absorb and radiate
heat well.
Heat Temperature
A form of energy A measure of degree of
hotness or coldness of an
object
Measured in joule Measured in kelvin (K) or
celsius (C)
Transferred from a hot Depends on the heat of
body to a cold body the body
Good conductor Bad conductor (Insulator)
Cooking utensils Plastic and wooden
handles
Thermometers Styrofoam containers
Soldering irons Blankets
Electrical instruments Cork
Car radiators Fibre glass and felt in walls
of refrigerators
Physical process Change of state
Melting Solid to liquid
Boiling, evaporation Liquid to gas
Freezing Liquid to solid
Condensation Gas to liquid
Sublimation Solid to gas