YEAR 9 BASIC SCIENCE/CHEMISTRY

FIRST TERM
WEEKS TOPICS
1 REVISION
2 Atomic structure
 Explain what an atom
is
 Identify the
similarities and
differences between
protons, electrons
and neutron
 State why it is
important to
understand the
structure of an atom
3 Chemical formula
 Compare and contrast
the behaviour or
characteristics of an
element in its
combine and
uncombined state
 Generate the IUPAC
nomenclature of
some chemical
formula
 Determine valencies
of radicals
4 Simple chemical equation
i)express the difference
between coefficients and
subscripts in a chemical
equation
ii)identify the reactants and
products in a chemical
equation
iii)state the laws of chemical
equation
iv) put into practice how to
write and balance chemical
equations.
5 Nervous system
i)define nervous system and
distinguish between CNS and
PNS
ii)discuss different parts of
the brain and their functions
iii) analyse simple reflex
action with examples
iv)highlights the importance
of cerebrospinal fluid
6 Endocrine system
i)D efine the endocrine
system
ii) describe several parts of
the endocrine system and
where they can be found in
the body.
Examine the importance of
endocrine glands
7 Sense organ 1 (eye and ear)
i)draw the diagram of the
eyes and the ear
ii) associate parts of the eye
and their functions
iii)connect parts of the ear
with their functions
iv)explain the effect of eye
and ear problem to man
8 MTT
9 Sense organ 2 (nose, tongue
and skin)
i)exercise their nose to
detect different smells
around them
ii)describe different tastes on
their taste buds
iii)detect items by feeling
iv)discuss how to take care of
our body parts
10 Light energy
i) Experiment to
show refraction
 and reflection of
light
ii) Showcase how
light disperses
through a prism
iii) Distinguish
between natural
source of light and
artificial source of
light

11 The periodic table (IGCSE)

12 Bonds and structure(IGCSE)

WEEK 2 ATOMIC STRUCTURE

Atomic structure
 Explain what an atom is
 Identify the similarities and differences between protons, electrons and neutron
State why it is important to understand the structure of an atom

Atoms are made up of protons, neutrons, and

electrons, each of which help to make the chemical and
physical properties of individual elements.
Atomic structure refers to the structure of the atom.
An atom comprises three different particles, known as
protons and neutrons come together in the centre of the
atom to form the nucleus. As protons are positively
charged and neutrons have no charge, the overall charge
of a nucleus is positive. Electrons circle the nucleus, and
have a negative charge.
What are protons?
Protons are positively charged particles found inside
the nucleus of an atom. They help to identify the
atom - different elements will have a different
number of protons in the nucleus. The number of
protons in an atom is signified by the atomic number
on the periodic table.
What are neutrons?
Neutrons are also found in the nucleus of the atom.
They have no charge and contribute to the atomic
mass.
What are electrons?
Electrons are negatively charged particles that circle
the nucleus of the atom. They circle so fast that they
create what's called an electron cloud around the
nucleus. Their mass is so small, it is deemed
insignificant. As such, they do not contribute to the
mass of an atom.
There are the same number of electrons as there
are protons in the nucleus, so the number of
electrons in an atom can also be found by reading
the atomic number on a periodic table.
What is the nucleus?
The nucleus is the middle of the atom, and is made
up of protons and neutrons. This is the bundle of
particles that the electrons circle.

WEEK 3 CHEMICAL FORMULA

A chemical formula represents a molecule of a substance
(an element or compound) and gives information about
the types of atom present in the substance and their
number/proportion.
Examples of chemical formula include:
1. H2O (water)
2. CH4 (METHANE)
3. AgCl (silver chloride)
 4. NaCl (table salt)
5. C6H12O6 (glucose)

HOW TO WRITE A CHEMICAL FORMULA

One molecule of oxygen contains two atoms of oxygen.
Therefore, the formula for oxygen is O2. This formula
consists of the symbol for oxygen and the number of
atoms of oxygen in the oxygen molecule written as a
subscript. Similarly, one molecule of nitrogen contains
two atoms of nitrogen. Therefore, the formula for
nitrogen is written as N2. Many gases have molecules
that contain two atoms e.g. H2. However, one molecule
of ozone contains three atoms of oxygen.
In a compound, the atoms of two or more elements are
chemically combined. In order to write the formula of a
compound, the combining powers of the atoms of the
elements involved must be known.
VALENCY
When atoms of different elements combine during a
chemical reaction, the atom that loses electron becomes
positively charged (cation). The atoms that gain electrons
become negatively charged (anion). The number of
electrons lost or gained by an atom is its combining
power or valency. This is in order to attain the nearest
noble gas electronic configuration that is, a neutral state.
Metals show positively charged combining power. Non-
metals such as chlorine have negative combining power.
However, some elements exhibit more than one type of
combining power.
ELEMENT SYMBOL VALENCY
Fluorine F -1
Chlorine Cl -1
Oxygen O -2, -1
Sodium Na 1
Zinc Zn 2
Iron Fe 2, 3

To write the chemical formula of an ionic compound

superscripts are used for the ions, this makes the total
positive charges equal the total negative charges. For
example, sodium chloride is formed from a combination
of a positively charged Sodium ion, Na+ and a negatively
charged chlorine ion, Cl-, thus the chemical formula of
sodium chloride is Na+Cl- simply written as NaCl.
Other examples are:
 1. Magnesium sulphide Mg2+ S- (MgS)
2. Magnesium chloride Mg+Cl- (MgCl)
A group of atoms carrying either positive or negative
charge is called a radical (polyatomic ions) e.g. OH-, NO3-,
SO42-, CO32-. Examples,
1. Trioxonitrate (V) ion
2. Tetraoxosulphate (VI)ion
3. Trioxocarbonate (IV) ion
4. Sodium trioxonitrate (V)
Key points
 Atoms are the building blocks of everything.
 Atoms can form strong bonds with each other, making molecules.
 A pure substance made from only one type of atom is called an
element. Elements are listed on the periodic table.
 Elements can combine to make compounds.

THE PERIODIC TABLE

In 1869, Mendeleev, a Russian scientist, was
the first to construct a Periodic Table. He
arranged the elements in order of increasing
relative atomic mass. He pointed out that
elements with similar properties kept recurring
at regular intervals or periods.
Groups and Periods
The modern form of the periodic table is
divided into eight vertical columns known as
groups and seven horizontal rows known as
periods.
Group: the vertical columns of elements, or
groups, are numbered from 0 to 7. Elements in
the same group have the same number of
electrons in the outermost shell of their atoms,
i.e. they have the same number of valence
electrons.
Periods: the horizontal rows of elements, or
periods, are numbered from 1 to 7. Elements in
the same period have the same number of
electron shells (K, L), those of period have three
(K, L, M) and so on. The number of valence
electrons of the elements in the same period
increases progressively by one across the
period from left to right.
Besides the eight main groups, there are also
the transition groups of elements. These lie
between Groups 2 and 3 in the Periodic Table.

HOME PIE
Print out the periodic table and paste into your notebook

ADDITIONAL NOTES
Chemical symbols
A chemical symbol is an abbreviated form of the name of
an element which represents an atom of the element.
Symbols of elements can be written in four different
ways:
1. Symbols represented with the first letter of the
name of the element e.g. Hydrogen (H)
2. Symbols represented with the first 2 letters of the
name of the element e.g Helium (He)
3. Symbols represented with the first letter and
another letter in the name of the element. E.g.
Magnesium (Mg).
4. Symbols of elements derived from the Latin word e.g
Element symbol Latin word
Sodium Na Natrium
Iron Fe Ferrum
Copper Cu Cuprum
Potassium K Kalium

MOLECULES
A molecule is the smallest group of combined atoms of
either an element or a compound that can exist
independently.
WEEK 4 SIMPLE CHEMICAL EQUATION
Chemical reactions are easily represented in prints (on
paper) by using chemical equations which involve only
chemical formulae of compounds and symbols of
elements in a free state.
Chemical equation has two sides which are:
(a) The left hand side where the reacting substances
or reactants are written and
(b) The right hand side where the products are spelt
out.
Instead of the usual equality sign, an arrow symbol ( )
leads from the reactants to the products. Consider the
chemical equation:
Zn + 2HCl ZnCl2 + H2 it is the summary of the
reaction between metallic zinc and hydrochloric acid. It
should be noted that:
1. The chemical equation shows a whole number ratio
in terms of mole.
2. The reactants are usually written on the left hand
side. They are the chemical substances being
mixed.
 3. The products are written on the right hand side.
Products are the result of the outcome of the
chemical reaction between the reactants.
4. The number of atoms of an element on the left side
must be equal to the number on the right hand side
for the equation to be balanced.
RULES IN BALANCING CHEMICAL EQUATIONS
1. Write a word equation
2. Write an unbalanced formula equation
3. Add numbers as coefficient to balance the formula
equation.
4. Do not alter or change the formula of the
compounds given in the equation.
5. Do not add number as subscript or superscripts to
balance the equation.

EXAMPLES
Balance these chemical equations
1. Mg + HCl MgCl2 + H2
2. NaOH + CO2 Na2CO2 + H2O

HOME PIE
1. Balance the equations below:
Fe + HCl FeCl2 + H2
2. write the formula of the following compounds
i) sodium tetraoxosulphate (IV)
ii) carbon (II) oxide
iii) calcium hydroxide
iv) calcium chloride
v) sodium hydroxide
vi) potassium chloride

WEEK 4 NERVOUS SYSTEM

Nervous system comprises complex part of the body

that coordinates and controls activities in other parts

of the body to carry out responses to stimuli.

Stimuli are changes that happen inside the body or

outside the environment. some examples of stimuli

include pain caused by pin prick, changes on

temperature, light intensity, pressure, touch, hunger,

etc.

PARTS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The human nervous system is made up of two main

parts:
1. The central nervous system (CNS); consisting of the
brain and spinal cord.
2. The peripheral nervous system (PNS); which consist of
the somatic and autonomic nervous system.
The peripheral nervous system is the communication
between the brain, spinal cord and the entire body. It
consists of twelve pairs of cranial nerves and thirty-one
pairs of spinal nerves. The cranial nerves arise from the
brain while the spinal nerves arises from `the spinal cord.
THE BRAIN
It is enclosed within the skull, which provides frontal,
lateral and dorsal protection. The human brain is composed
of three major parts:
1. Forebrain: the anterior part of the brain consists of
cerebrum, hypothalamus and thalamus.
2. Midbrain: the smaller and central part of the brainstem.
3. Hindbrain: the central region of the brain, composed of
cerebellum, medulla and pons varolli
THE SPINAL CORD
The spinal cord is a cylindrical bundle of nerve fibers and
associated tissues enclosed within the spine and connect all
parts of the body to the brain. It begins in continuation with
the medulla and extends downwards. It is enclosed in a
bony cage called vertebral column and surrounded by
membranes called meninges. The spinal cord is concerned
with spinal reflex actions and the conduction of nerve
impulses to and from the brain.
Parts of the brain and their functions
Parts of Sub-parts of the Functions
the brain brain
1. forebrain i)cerebrum i)Controls all
voluntary actions
ii)it is the seat of
intelligence,
memory,
judgement,
learning,
interpretation of
sensation and
 imagination
ii) olfactory lobes Receives sensory
impulse of smell
from the
environment
iii)thalamus It is the centre of
sensation of pain,
touch and anger
iv)hypothalamus i)regulates body
temperature, water
balance, sleep and
blood pressure
ii)it is the centre of
appetite
iii)it controls
pituitary gland
2 midbrain Connects forebrain
to hindbrain
3 hindbrain i)cerebellum i)controls body
balance and
positioning of the
body
ii) it controls
voluntary actions of
the muscles
ii)medulla oblongata Controls
involuntary actions
iii)pons varolli Carries impulse
from one
 hemisphere of the
cerebellum to the
other thereby
coordinating
muscular
movements in two
sides of the body.

REFLEX ACTIONS
A REFLEX ACTION is an involuntary or automatic response
of the body to a stimulus involving the spinal cord or the
brain. After the reflex action is complete the impulses
reaches the brain. Pulling off your hand from a hot object
when you accidentally touch it is an example of a reflex
action.
Examples of Reflex Actions are: knee jerk, sneezing,
coughing, laughing when tickled, jumping when frightened,
blinking of the eyes, heartbeat and peristalsis.

WEEK 6 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

The endocrine system consist of glands that are located at
various parts of the body. Endocrine glands are specific
glands from where hormones are secreted, they are
referred to as ductless glands because they have no duct
and their secretions are delivered straight into the blood
stream.
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine
glands and transported through the blood stream to target
organs some distance away in which they bring about
specific effects.
Other glands like salivary glands is called exocrine gland
because they release their secretions through ducts to
where they are needed.
TYPES OF ENDOCRINE GLANDS
The major endocrine glands and organs are listed below:
1. Pituitary gland: located below the hypothalamus in the
brain. It is regarded as the master gland because it
controls other endocrine glands.
2. Pineal gland: located in the brain. It secretes melatonin
hormone.
3. Thyroid gland: it is located in the neck in front of the
larynx. It secretes two important hormones which are
thyroxine and calcitonin.
4. Parathyroid gland: four tiny glands attached to the
thyroid gland of the neck region. It secretes the hormone
parathormone, which maintain the normal level of
calcium and phosphate ions in the body.
5. Pancreas: it is located in the loop of duodenum. A group
of cells which are scattered throughout the pancreas are
 called islet of Langerhans which secrete hormones called
insulin and glucagon.
6. Adrenal glands: located on top of each kidney. They
secrete two main hormones, the outer cortex produces a
group of hormones called the corticoids and the inner
medullar produces adrenaline and noradrenalin.
7. Ovaries: secretes two hormones oestrogen and
progesterone which stimulates the development of
female secondary sex characteristics, controls menstrual
cycle and development of the mammary glands.
8. Testes: secretes testosterone and androsterone.
ENDOCRINE HORMONE FUNCTION
GLANDS SECRETED
1. Pituitary i)somatotropin Regulates the
gland growth of the
body
ii)prolactin Stimulates the
secretion of milk
from the
mammary gland
iii)gonadotropins i)Stimulates the
development of
sex organs
(ovaries and
testis)
ii)controls
secretion of
hormones from
 the testis and
ovaries.
iv)thyroid Stimulates the
stimulating secretion of
hormone thyroxine from
the thyroid gland
iv)oxytocin i)Causes the
contraction of
uterus muscles
during childbirth
ii) regulates blood
pressure
v)Anti-diuretic i)increases the
hormone reabsorption of
water in the
kidney tubules.
2.thyroid gland vi)thyroxine i)accelerate the
rate of
metabolism in the
cell
ii)controls growth
ii)calcitonin Lowers calcium
level in the blood.
3.Parathyroid Parathormone Helps to maintain
gland the normal level
of calcium and
phosphate ions in
the body
4.pancreas i)insulin Converts excess
 blood sugar to
glycogen and
therefore lowers
blood glucose.
ii)Glucagon Increases blood
sugar by
conversion of liver
glycogen into
glucose.
Adrenal gland Adrenaline Prepares the body
for immediate
actions in
emergency
situations, hence,
it is sometimes
called
“emergency
hormone”
Ovaries i)oestrogen i)stimulates the
development of
female secondary
sex characteristics
e.g breast
development,
pubic hair, etc.
ii)controls
menstrual cycle
and development
of the mammary
 glands
iii)promotes sex
urge
ii)progesterone i)prepares and
maintains the
lining of the
uterus after
ovulation
ii) aids the
implantation of
the fertilized eggs
in the walls of the
uterus

Testes Testosterone and i)stimulate the

andosterone development of
male secondary
sex characteristics
ii)promotes sex
urge
iv)Promotes cell
respiration and
blood circulation
 HOME PIE
State five importance of endocrine glands.

WEEK 7 SENSE ORGAN 1

Sense organ 1 (eye and ear)
i)draw the diagram of the eyes and the ear
ii) associate parts of the eye and their functions
iii)connect parts of the ear with their functions
iv)explain the effect of eye and ear problem to man.

These are organs of the body that are specialized for the
perception of changes in your environment. Within the sense
organs are specialized cells called receptors or sensory cells
which receive and transform stimuli into impulses before they
are relayed to the central nervous system.
There are five sense organs in the body, namely: the eyes, the
nose, the tongue, the ears and the skin.
THE EYE
The eye is a sense organ for sight or vision. We have a pair of
eyes that enable us to have a wide vision. This is called
binocular vision. It is spherical and located in the bony socket
of the skull. Each eyeball is attached to the socket by six
muscles which enable the eye to move in several directions in
order to widen the fields of vision.
PARTS OF THE EYE
The eye consists of three major layers:
1. Sclerotic layer
2. Choroid layer
3. Retina
Sclerotic layer: this is the outermost tough layer of the eye. Its
main function is to protect and maintain the shape of the eye
ball. It bulges out in front to form the transparent cornea,
which is covered by another transparent membrane,
conjunctiva.
Choroid: this is richly supplied with blood capillaries through
which every part of the eye gets oxygen and nutrients. In
front, the choroid forms the muscular ciliary body and iris. The
activities of the ciliary body help the eye to see far and near
objects clearly. The iris control opening of the eye aperture
called pupil which controls the passage of light into the eye.
Suspensory ligament emerges from the ciliary body helps to
suspend and support the eye lens. The eye lens is transparent
and biconvex to bend or refract light rays entering the eye in
order to bring the image of a sighted object to a normal focus
on the retina.
Retina: is the light sensitive innermost layer behind the eye
lens. The two eye sensory cells (or photoreceptors) rods and
cones are lodging in the retina. The rods are responsible for
dark or dim-light vision, while the cones for bright and colour
light vision.
Aqueous humour: is the watery fluid in front of the eye lens. It
also helps to refract or bend light rays.
Vitreous humour: is the thick transparent liquid behind the
eye lens. It also bends light rays. Its major function is to keep
and maintain the spherical shape of the eye.
Tear glands: produce tears which helps to wash away dust
particles thereby preventing abrasion of the eye surface by
dust particles. They help to keep the surface of the eye moist.
The tears also helps to destroy bacteria because it contains a
substance called lysozyme which is harmful to bacteria.