Chapter 1

Introduction TO Science
 What is Science?
1. The definition of science is "knowledge
attained through study or practice,"
2. Science is the systematic study of nature
and its effects on us and the
environment.
3. It is the study of natural phenomena.
4. Science helps us find out about
ourselves, plants and animals, our
environment and things around us.
5. Scientific knowledge is always growing.
What we learn in science today is a result
of many years of study.
6. Science helps us understand natural
phenomena. Every natural phenomenon
makes us wonder why it happens.
Discovering the answers leads us to new
scientific knowledge.
 Read it
 Science is a continuing effort to discover and
increase human _______ and understanding
through disciplined research. Using controlled
methods, scientists collect _______ evidence of
natural or social _______, record measurable
________ relating to the _______, and analyze
this information to construct _________
explanations of how things work. The methods
of scientific research include the generation of
_______ about how phenomena work, and
_____________ that tests these hypotheses
under controlled conditions
 Read it
 Science is a continuing effort to discover and increase
human knowledge and understanding through disciplined
research. Using controlled methods, scientists collect
observable evidence of natural or social phenomena,
record measurable data relating to the observations, and
analyze this information to construct theoretical
explanations of how things work. The methods of
scientific research include the generation of hypotheses
about how phenomena work, and experimentation that
tests these hypotheses under controlled conditions
 Natural Phenomena
 Natural
phenomena are fascinating.
 Examples of a natural phenomenon are
a baby growing up and becoming an adult,
 ice can melt.
 We want to know why these things
happen. We search for answers.
 The study of science gives us these
answers. Science covers everything in the
universe.
 Importance of Science in Everyday Life

1. Every aspect of our life is related to science. For

example, our food and clothes are produced using
scientific knowledge.
2. Scientific discoveries make our lives more comfortable.
With scientific knowledge we can produce machines
and appliances such as light bulbs, cars and computers.
3. Science helps us to understand our environment. We
can use this knowledge wisely. For example, we can
recycle paper. This is one way to conserve our
resources. It protects our environment by reducing the
number of trees that need to be cut down to make
paper.
4. We can create scientific knowledge and also use it. We
can manufacture plastic and synthetic materials. These
are used to make many different objects such as pipes,
umbrellas, toys and furniture.
5. We have invented instruments such as spectacles, the
microscope and the telescope. These help us to see
better. The stethoscope enables us to hear better.
6. The application of scientific knowledge is called
technology. Technology helps us to introduction to
Science progress in every aspect of our lives.
 Transport
 Transportis easier, faster, more
comfortable and safer today than it used
to be.
 Communication
1. The telephone, facsimile, radio, television and
computer help us to communicate with one
another. The launching of communication
satellites makes long distance communication
possible.
2. Information Communication Technology
(ICT) is very important in developing the
industrial, medical, trade and administrative
sectors of a nation.
 Agriculture
1. Technology helps us to produce more food.
2. Machines have been invented to do most of the
heavy and difficult work. Ploughing, scattering
of seeds, harvesting and crushing can now be
done by machines easily and quickly.
3. By using modern fertilizers and insecticides, we
can increase agricultural production.
 Construction
1. In the past, houses and buildings were made from
materials found close by. This means only small and
simple buildings could be built.
2. As we progress, we require bigger buildings and more
complex structures. We need, for example, office
blocks, apartments, stadiums and airports.
3. Strong bridges need to be built over rivers. To prevent
flooding, we need to build dams. Dams also generate
electricity. More importantly, they supply water to
millions of people in the cities. Today, we have
developed stronger building materials for building dams.
Steel, concrete and reinforced glass are some
examples of strong materials used in construction
today.
 Spelling
 Natural phenomena
 Scientific knowledge
 Technology
 Transport
 Communication
 Agriculture
 Physiology
 Precautions
 Hypotheses
 observable evidence
 Medicine
1. A century ago, people rarely lived beyond 30 or 40
years. Today, we can live beyond 70 years because of
the progress in the medical field.
2. The invention of X-ray machines, lasers,
electrocardiogram (ECG) and dialysis machines have
helped to save the lives of many patients. Medical
operations have become easier and safer.
3. The discovery of new medicines, vaccines and
antibiotics have also helped to save lives. They reduce
the pain and suffering of patients. They help to cure and
prevent many diseases and illnesses.
 Careers in Science
 Doctor - someone trained in medical
science.
 Engineer - a person who designs, builds
and maintains engines, buildings or roads.
 Nurse - a specialist in caring of patients.
 Veterinarian - an animal doctor.
 Architect - a person who designs
buildings.
 Pharmacist - someone trained in the field
of medicine and drugs.
 Chemist - someone trained in chemistry.
 Computer programmer - a developer of
computer software programmes.
 Study of Science
 Astronomy - the study of planets and stars.
 Biology - the study of life.
 Physics - the study of matter and energy.
 Biology - the study of processes and functions of
systems in the human body.
 Geology - the study of rocks and minerals.
 Meteorology - the study of weather and climate.
 Chemistry - the study of the composition and
chemical properties of substances.
 Biotechnology - the study of the industrial use of
living organisms.
 Biochemistry - the study of chemical substances
and chemical processes of living things.
 Exercise 1.1
 Indicate with a tick () the correct examples of
natural phenomena.
 Eating a lot of food makes you fat.
 You feel tired and sleepy in a hot and crowded
classroom.
 Food cooked in an earthen pot tastes better than food
cooked in a metal pot.
 Using salt to preserve fish.
 Seeing flashes of lightning first, before hearing
thunder.
 Families today have fewer children.
 Saving money in a bank.
 Painting a bicycle to make it last longer.
2. Give two' examples of developments in
the fields of medicine and
telecommunications.
3. What is the difference between 'science'
and 'technology'?
4. (a) State two areas of study in science.
 (b) Give two applications of your answer
in (a).
 Question 5
 Statethe field of science involved in the
following situations:
 Discovering a cure for lung cancer
 Discovering a new medicine from a jungle
plant
 Constructing a building that cannot be
damaged by earthquakes
 Discovering a new petroleum field under the
sea
 Discovering how a hormone affects human
growth
 1.2 A science Laboratory
1. Scientists can work anywhere. A scientist
studying tropical plants and animals for
example, could make the Malaysian jungle his
laboratory. However, most scientists do their
experiments in a laboratory.
2. However, some chemicals are dangerous. We
need to handle these chemicals carefully. We
need to know about safety in the laboratory.
1-10-09
 Discipline in the science
laboratory
1. No pupil is allowed to enter the laboratory
without the teacher's permission.
2. If the class arrives before the teacher, line up
outside the laboratory and wait quietly.
3. After entering the laboratory, go to your places
in an orderly manner.
4. No food or drink should be taken into the
laboratory.
5. Nothing is to be taken from the laboratory.
6. When in doubt ask your teacher for help and
advice.
 Safety rules in the science
laboratory
1. Pupils must not carry out experiments without
the teacher's permission.
2. Read and understand the instructions given
before you attempt to do the experiment. When
in doubt always ask your teacher.
3. Handle all apparatus correctly and carefully.
4. Do not light a Bunsen burner with a piece of
paper. Turn off the gas after use.
5. Do not play or walk around unnecessarily in the
laboratory.
6. Always read the label on the bottle before using the
chemical it contains.
7. Do not handle chemicals with your fingers. Always
use a spatula.
8. Do not waste any chemical. Use only the required
amount.
9. Do not pour any excess chemical back into the
reagent bottle.
10. When heating any solution in a boiling tube, always
make sure that the mouth of the tube is not pointed
towards anybody.
11. Water, gas and electricity must not be wasted.
12. Solid wastes must be put in the bins provided. Do
not throw solid wastes into the sinks.
13. Do not taste any chemical or inhale any gas.
14. Breakages and faulty equipments must be reported
to the teacher at once.
15. Any mishaps, cuts, burns, scalds or substances
which get into your mouth must be reported to the
teacher at once.
16. Do not damage any fitting or the electrical mains in
the laboratory.
17. When the practical periods are over, wash all used
apparatus and return them to their respective
places.
18. Wash your hands thoroughly.
19. The benches must be left clean and tidy.
20. All taps and switches must be turned off.
Some simple rules and precautions
 Do not heat a gas jar directly with a Bunsen
flame.
 Correct way of inhaling gas.
 Read the label on the bottle before using the
chemical inside.
 Never point the mouth of the boiling tube
towards anybody when heating.
 Do not stand too close to the flame when
heating up a solution.
 Tie your hair neatly when doing experiments.
 Accidents and First Aid
 Inflammable liquid: If an inflammable liquid is
spilt, put out all flames immediately.
 Minor cuts and abrasions: Apply tincture of
iodine on a pad of cotton wool. Cover with
sterilized dressing.
 Deep cuts: Apply a thick pad of gauze or cotton
wool over the wound. Send the person to a
doctor or a nearby clinic.
 Scalds: Bathe the affected part with a warm
saturated solution of sodium carbonate.
 Burns: It is best for the teacher to send the
person to a doctor or a clinic.
6. Poisoning: Should a chemical or a liquid get into
your mouth, spit it out into the sink. Rinse your
mouth with plenty of water. Consult a doctor at
once.
7. Acid: If you have swallowed an acid, rinse your
mouth with plenty of water. Then milk of magnesia
(or dilute lime-water) should be taken. Consult a
doctor at once.
8. Alkali: If you have swallowed an alkali, rinse your
mouth with plenty of water. Then lemon juice (or 1%
acetic acid) should be taken. Consult a doctor
immediately.
9. Eye injuries: If due to an acid or an alkali,
wash with plenty of water. Any injury to the
eyes must be attended to by a doctor
immediately.
10. Electric shock: The electric current must be
switched off immediately. With the help of an
insulator, get the victim away from the source
of electric current. In serious cases artificial
respiration may be required
Hazordous Symbols
1. (Mixture of hydrogen and
air, nitrates, sodium,
potassium)
 Keep away from fire or heat
sources.
1. (Petrol, kerosene, ethanol,
white phosphorus, yellow
phosphorus)
 Keep away from fire or heat
sources.
8-10-09
1. Mercury, lead, chlorine,
sodium cyanide,
hydrogen sulphide.
 Keep in a locked
cupboard.
2. Concentrated acids and
alkalis, bromine,
hydrogen peroxide.
 Be careful not to spill onto
your clothes or yourself. If
accidentally spilt, wash
quickly with lots of water.
1. Ammonia, dilute acids,
chloroform, alcohol,
bromine
 Be careful not to spill onto
your clothes or yourself. If
accidentally spilt, wash
quickly with lots of water.
2. Uranium, plutonium,
radium, radioactive
carbon
 Keep in special lead
containers.
Common Laboratory Apparatus
Common Laboratory Apparatus
 Way to Use Bunsen Burner
1. Close the air hole completely by turning
the collar.
2. Hold a lighted match or wooden splinter
near the mouth of the barrel.
3. Turn on the gas slowly.
4. When the flame is seen, slowly open the
air hole by turning the collar.
Bunsen Burner
FLAME
 Luminous flame vs Non-luminous flame

a. Yellow a. Blue
b. Easy to see b. Not easy to see
c. Produces a lot of soot. c. Does not produce
d. Shape changes soot
e. Not very hot d. Constant shape
f. Incomplete burning
e. Very hot
g. Not suitable for heating
f. Complete burning
g. Suitable for heating
 Bunsen Burner
1. The Bunsen burner gives different
flames under different conditions. When
the air hole is closed, a yellow flame is
produced. This is called a luminous
flame. This flame is easy to see. It
produces a lot of soot.
2. When the air-hole is opened, a blue
flame is produced. It is called a non-
luminous flame.
 1.3 The Steps in a scientific
Investigation
1. Identify problem
2. Form a hypothesis
3. Plan investigation (experiment)
4. Control variables
5. Collect data
6. Analyse data
7. Interpret data
8. Make conclusions
9. Results support hypothesis or Results do not support
hypothesis
10. Prepare report
Activity: The Pendulum experiment
 The steps in the scientific method for the
experiment on the swing of a pendulum.
1. The problem and hypothesis are determined at the
beginning.
2. (a) The manipulated variable is the pendulum length.
 (b) The responding variable is the period of swing.
 (c) The fixed variable constant is the pendulum
weight.
3. The time recorded is based on actual observations.
It was not guess work.
4. The conclusion is drawn based on the analysis of
the data obtained.
 Exercise 1.2
1. Complete the following correctly.
 The way of getting scientific knowledge is known as
_______.
 An opinion that is considered true, although it is not yet
tested is a _______.
 The aim of carrying out an experiment is to collect _____.

 From the data collected, a scientist is able to _____, and

from here_____ about the investigation that is carried out.

 Planning the investigation • Making a conclusion

 Identifying the problem • Interpreting data
 Collecting data • Making a hypothesis
 Question 2
1. In the pendulum experiment, state the
 manipulated variable
 responding variable
 variable that is kept constant
b. State what the effect will be on the time
taken for one complete swing, when the
length of the pendulum is increased.
 1.4 Physical Quantities and Their Units

1. A physical quantity is a quantity that can

be measured. Examples of physical
quantities are length, time, mass,
temperature and electric current.
2. Physical quantities are measured in S.I.
units. The S.I. symbol is an abbreviation
for the French term Systeme
International d'Unites. It means
International System of Units.
 Basic Quantities
Physical S.I. unit Symbol Instrument
quantity
Length Metre m Metre rule

Mass Kilogram kg Lever or beam

balance
Time Second s Stop clock or stop
watch
Temperature Kelvin K Thermometer

Electric Ampere A Ammeter

Current
 Prefixes Used in Measurement
1. Prefixes are useful in expressing
physical quantities that are either very
big or very small.
2. The value of any physical quantity can
be changed to prefix form. See the
examples below.
 Write 840 000 g with the kilo prefix.
 840 000 / 1000 = 840 kg
Symbol and Prefixes
 Physical quantities and prefixes
Value of physical quantity Prefix form

0.005 m 5 mm

250 g 0.25 kg

4 000 000 K 4 MK

0.000 003 A 3 чA
 Exercise 1.4
1.Complete the table….
2. State the symbol and value for the
tollowir, prefixes.
 Mega:_______
 Kilo: ________
 Milli: ________
 1.5 Measuring Tools

 Measuring the length of an object

 Ifthe position of the eye is at A or C, the
reading taken is not accurate. This error is
known as parallax error.
 Measuring the length of a straight line
 Thelengths are measured by taking several
readings. The average length is then
determined.
 Measuring the length of a curve
 Some thread and a ruler are used for measuring the
length of a curve.
 The thread is placed along the length of the curve PQ.
The end of the curve is marked on the thread.
 The length of the thread is later measured using the
metre rule.
 The length of the curve is measured three times. Then
the average length is determined.
 The length of the curve can also be measured using
an opisometer and a metre rule.
Opisometer
Measuring the external diameter
of a beaker
Measuring the external diameter
of a beaker
 Measurement of Area
1. The S.I. unit for area is square metres (m2).
2. The area of objects with regular shapes
such as rectangles, triangles and circles are
calculated using mathematical formulae.
3. The area of irregular shaped objects can be
estimated by using graph
 Measurement of Volume
1. The S.I. unit for volume is cubic metres, (m3).
2. All these units can be used to measure the
volume of liquids. However, the volume of
liquids is usually measured in metric unit i.e.
litre (l) and millilitre (ml).
3. The volume of solids is measured in cm3
and m3 units.
 Volume of liquids
 The measuring cylinder must be placed on a flat
surface.
 The level of the liquid in a measuring cylinder is
curved downwards. This curve is called the
meniscus.
 Your eye, must be at the same level as the bottom
of the meniscus when reading the volume.
 This must be done for all liquids except for mercury
where the meniscus curves upwards. The correct
eye position prevents parallax errors.
 Measuring liquids
 Using a pipette
 Using a burette
Volume of Solids
Water Displacement
Measuring the volume of irregular
solids with a eureka tin
Choosing Suitable Measuring
Instruments
1. Measuring instruments measure definite
quantities.
2. All measurements made are only close
estimates of the values of the quantities.
They cannot be 100% accurate.
3. We need to consider how precise and
accurate a measurement is.
 Accuracy
1. The accuracy of a measurement is how close the
measured value is to the real value.
2. The difference between the measured value and the
real value is the error in the reading. If the error
between the measured value and the real value is
small, the measurement is precise.
3. The accuracy of a measurement can be improved by
taking several readings. The average reading is more
accurate than a single reading.
4. Zero error exists when the reading of the indicator of a
measuring instrument does not show zero.
Measurements must be corrected for zero error.
 Precision
1. Precision is the difference in values
between several measurements obtained in
the same way.
2. Precision in measurement can be improved if a
more precise measuring instrument is used.
3. A micrometer screw gauge or a vernier calipers
is more accurate compared to a ruler because
the divisions on its scale are smaller.
Measuring with Vernier Calipers