Lower Secondary Basic Science - Workbook 1

Biology

The scientific study of all living organisms, including plants, animals and microorganisms.

Chemistry

The scientific study of matter, its properties and how to change them.

Physics

The study of how matter and energy are related, including the study of energy, matter and movement.

Astronomy

The study of planets, stars and the universe.

Geology

The study of the rocks and the Earth.

Ecology

The study of how plants and animals interact together in the environment.

Safety Flame

A bright yellow Bunsen burner flame produced when the air hole is closed; it is not very hot and is very sooty.

Apparatus

A collection of equipment, such as beakers, burners and stands, put together for a science experiment.

Microscope

An instrument that magnifies very small objects that cannot be readily studied using the naked eye.

Eyepiece

The lens at the top of a compound microscope tube where you put your eye.

Objectives

The lenses located at the bottom of the microscope tube, often ranging from low to high power.

Robert Bunsen

The German chemist who invented the Bunsen burner in 1855.

Report

A written story of what was done in a science experiment, including headings such as Title, Aim, Hypothesis, Materials, Method, Results, and Conclusion.

Metric System

The system of measurement used in Fiji where every measurement consists of a number and a unit.

Meniscus

The curve on the upper surface of a liquid in a container, caused by surface tension; measurements should be read from the bottom of this curve.

Observation

Something that you notice using any of your five senses.

Inference

A likely explanation of what was observed, which may or may not be true.

Hypothesis

A guess at an answer which can be tested by doing an experiment.

Variables

Things that can be changed or measured in an experiment.

Atoms

The building blocks of all matter, consisting of a central nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons.

Atomic Number ($Z$)

The number of protons in an atom, which determines which element the atom is.

Mass Number

The total number of protons plus the number of neutrons in an atom of an element.

Particle Theory of Matter

The theory stating that everything is made of particles in constant motion, and their movement depends on the energy they have.

Elasticity

The ability of a material to return to its original shape and size after being stretched or compressed.

Hardness

The ability of a material to withstand scratches and wear.

Conductivity

A measure of how readily electric current or heat flows through a substance.

Thermal Expansion

The process where substances get bigger when heated because the particles gain energy and move further apart.

Synthetic Materials

Manufactured materials made from raw materials by changing them chemically through heat or reactions.

Hard Water

Water containing mineral salts of calcium and magnesium that does not lather easily with soap and forms insoluble scum.

Soft Water

Water containing very few or no traces of minerals like calcium and magnesium, which lathers well with soap.

Element

A pure substance made up of only one type of particle or atom.

Ion

A result of an element losing (cation) or gaining (anion) electrons during a chemical reaction, resulting in a positive or negative charge.

Compound

A substance made of more than