1.

0 INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE

1.1 What is Science?

1. is the systematic study of nature and how it affects us and

the environment.
2. The knowledge obtained through science is important as mankind can
use it:
(a) To manage the environment more
efficiently, (b) To ensure a more stable life.
3. _ that happen in the environment can be
explained and understood through science.
4. Examples of natural phenomena
include: (a) The melting of ice,
(b) The birth of a baby
(c) Lighting
5. Science is studies through observation and scientific investigation.
6. Science has the following uses and benefits.
(a) It helps us to understand things around us.
(b) It makes our lives easier, healthier and more
comfortable. (c) It helps us to improve the environment.
(d) It trains us to think logically, critically, creatively and systematically.

Some careers that are directly related to science

Field of Science Topic of study Careers

The stars and galaxies Astronomer, astronaut

Biologist, doctor, dentist,

Living things
veterinarian

Plants Botanist

Substances Chemist

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 Rock and minerals Geologist
The properties of matter, Civil and mechanical
energy, force and motion engineer

1.2 The Science Laboratory

1. The science is a room or a building in which

scientific investigations are carried out.
2. When we are working in the laboratory, we must follow the
and _ to avoid accidents.

Some common laboratory apparatus and their uses

Apparatus Use
_

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3. Some substances in the laboratory are hazardous.

Some hazard symbols that appear on the labels

Symbol and their meanings Examples

Hydrogen peroxide, concentrated
hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide

_ White phosphorus, yellow phosphorus,

petrol, kerosene, ethanol

Sodium, potassium

Mercury, lead, sodium cyanide,

hydrogen sulphide

Ammonia, chlorine, chloroform

Uranium, thorium, radium

1.3 The Steps in a Scientific Investigation

Determining the problem to be examined

Making smart guess to explain the problem

How to thest the hypothesis, what apparatus to use, how to put the
appparatus together, what materials are needed and what procedure
to follow

Changing one or more of the conditions of the experiment

Recording what has been observed or measured

Finding a meaning for the measurements

Stating the hypothesis is true or false

Writing a report of the findings of the experiment

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1.4 Physical Quantities and Their Units

1. There are five physical quantities which are used in measurement, i.e.
, , _, and
_.
2. All the physical quantities are measured in .

Physical quantities and their SI units

Physical quantity SI unit Unit symbol
Length
Mass
Time
Temperature
Electric current

3. are used when the values measured are either very

small or very big.

Symbol and values for prefixes

Prefix Symbol Numerical value

Mega
Kilo
Centi
Milli
Micro

1.5 Weight and Mass

Mass
1. The mass of an object is the _ in it.
 2. The SI unit of mass is the .
3. Mass remains everywhere.
4. The instrument that is used to measure mass is called a .

Weight
1. The weight of an object is the _ acting on the
object,
2. The SI unit of weight is the .
3. The weight of an object is _ but varies from place to

place because gravitational force changes from place to place.

4. The instruments that are used to measure weight are the
and compression spring balance.

Differences between weight and mass

Weight Mass
The gravitational force acting on an The quantity of matter in an object
object
Not fixed, depends on the force of Fixed
gravity of the place
Newton (N) Kilogram (k)
The measuring instruments used: The measuring instrument used: beam
spring balance, compression spring balance, lever balance, electronic
balance balance
1.6 Measuring Tools

Measuring Length
1. Length is the between two points.
2. The SI unit of length is the .
3. Other commonly used units of lengths are the centimetre (cm) and
millimetre (mm).
4. (a) For accurate measurement of length using the metre rule, the eye
must be placed vertically above the mark is read.
(b) If the eye is wrongly positioned, incorrect readings will be obtained.
5. Steps for measuring the length of
curves. (a) A string is traced over the
curve.
(b) The string is then straightened and its length is measured using
a metre rule.
6. Steps for measuring the diameters of spheres or cylinders.
(a) Callipers and metre rule may be used to measure the diameters
of spheres or cylinders.
(b) External callipers are used to measure external diameter while
internal callipers are used to measure internal diameters.

Measuring Area
1. The area of a surface is the area between the edges of that surface.
2. The SI unit of area is the .
3. To find the area of a regular plane surface.
Measure the appropriate lengths shown in the formulae and then
calculate the areas based in the respective formulae as shown below.
 4. To find the area of an irregular plane surface
(a) Estimation of the area of an irregular plane surface can be carried out
by placing the surface on a graph paper and drawing its outline on the
graph paper.
(b) Find the area of each square of the graph paper. Count the number of
squares lying inside the outline. An incomplete square lying inside the
outline is counted only if half or more than half of the square lies
inside the outlines.

Total number of squares = 10

2
Area of 1 square = 1 cm 1 cm = 1 cm
Area of the irregular surface
2
= 10 1 cm
2
= 10 cm

Estimating the area of a leaf

Measuring Volume
1. The volume of an object is the space occupied by that object,
2. The SI unit of volume is the _.

3. The other commonly used units of volume are the cubic millimetre
3 3
(mm ), cubic centimetre (cm ), millilitre (ml) and liter (l).
4. To find the volume of a solid object with a regular shape.
Measure the appropriate length shown in the formulae and then calculate
the volumes based on the respective formulae shown below.
5. To find the volume of irregular shaped solid objects which do not
dissolve in water
(a) Use the method.
 (b) Immerse the object in a measuring cylinder which contains water or
in a displacement (eureka) can filled with water.
(c) The object should be completely immersed in the water.

(a) Using a measuring cylinder

(b) Using a displacement can

1.7 The Important of Standard Units

1. A _ is a unit which is used in all countries in all

fields.
2. SI units have been used since 1960 as the standard system of units.
3. A standard system of units is important to create better understanding
between countries in trading, international transport and scientific
research.
4. The use of standard units means a measurement has the same value
anywhere in the world.