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Organization Information:
Fetena.net
Ethiopian No#1 Educational Resource
Addis Ababa City Administration Education Bureau
Subject: General Science
Key Terms to Focus On:
Thermometer
Vapors
Distilling flask
Burner
Condenser
Water Out
Cool Water In
Receiving Flask
Distillate
Intended Audience: Grade 7 Students
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Textbook Care Guidelines
To take good care of this textbook:
Cover the book with protective materials (e.g., plastic, old newspapers, or magazines).
Keep the book in a clean, dry place.
Ensure your hands are clean when using the book.
Do not write on the cover or inside pages.
Use a piece of paper or cardboard as a bookmark.
Never tear or cut out any pictures or pages.
Repair any torn pages with paste or tape.
Pack the book carefully when placing it in your school bag.
Handle the book with care when passing it to another person.
When using a new book, lay it flat while opening a few pages at a time and press lightly along the bound edge as you turn the pages.
Ownership Reminder: This textbook is the property of your school, and you should take good care not to damage or lose it.
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Textbook Information
Textbook Title: General Science (Grade 7)
Authors:
Goshu Asab (M.Sc.)
Michael Getachew (M.Sc.)
Andualem Beka (B.Sc.)
Editors/Evaluators:
Getahun Getachew (BEd)
Muluneh T/Birhan (BEd)
Ali Kemal (MEd)
Team Leader: Getachew Talema (MA)
Illustration and Layout Design: TMS
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Table of Contents
Unit 1: Basic Concepts of Science
1.1 The Nature of Science and its Branches
1.2 Common Laboratory Equipment, Uses, Safety Rules and Procedures
Unit 2: Matter in Our Surrounding
Unit 3: Elements, Compounds, and Chemical Reactions
Unit 4: Cell as the Basis of Life
Unit 5: Living Things and Their Diversity
Unit 6: Earth in Space
Unit 7: Motion, Force, Energy, and Energy Resources
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Unit Learning Outcomes
Unit 1: Basic Concepts of Science
To be achieved by the end of the unit, students should be able to:
Define science as a body of knowledge and processes to expand that knowledge.
Describe the primary branches of science and explain their interrelationships.
Explore how science and technology influence beliefs and practices.
Recognize significant contributions by prominent scientists, including ethical standards in science.
Apply scientific values to decision-making and problem-solving.
Identify laboratory instruments and demonstrate their safe usage.
Understand and adhere to laboratory safety protocols.
Recognize potential hazards in laboratory environments and implement safety practices.
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Main Content
1.1 The Nature of Science and its Branches
Definition of Science:
Derived from the Latin word 'scientia,' meaning 'knowledge'.
It encompasses not only knowledge but also systematic methods for acquiring knowledge about the physical and natural world.
Branches of Science:
Natural Sciences: (Study of nature and laws)
Chemistry, Biology, Physics
Social Sciences: (Study of human interactions)
Psychology, Sociology
Conventional vs Indigenous Science:
Conventional Science: Follow established laws via the scientific method.
Indigenous Science: Knowledge based on the societal, physical, and spiritual understanding of the environment accumulated over generations.
Activity 1.1
Conduct research on defining science and describe its major branches, including their subdivisions using reference resources.
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Indigenous Science Contributions
Extraction of medicinal compounds from local flora (e.g., Hagenia abyssinica, eucalyptus).
Traditional food preservation methods (e.g., using salt or smoking).
Main Discussion Points
Use observational data to support answers.
Assess the contributions of native scientists in promoting sustainability.
Ethical Contributions
Ethical principles such as honesty, responsibility, objectivity, and openness are critical in scientific investigations.
Questions for Discussion
What influence does conventional versus indigenous science have on environmental issues?
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Unit 2: Matter in Our Surrounding
Learning Outcomes:
Apply particle theory to explain material behavior.
Classify matter based on physical and chemical properties.
Describe the molecular structure of solids, liquids, and gases.
Distinguish between physical and chemical changes.
Identify and apply separation techniques to mixtures.
Key Definitions
Matter: Anything that has mass and occupies space; exists primarily in states of solid, liquid, and gas.
Physical Changes: Changes where the substance's identity remains the same; can involve changes in state or form (e.g., melting).
Chemical Changes: Changes resulting in the formation of new substances with different properties.
Separation Techniques
Filtration: To separate solids from liquids based on particle size.
Distillation: To separate liquids based on boiling points.
Evaporation: To separate soluble solids from a solution.
Magnetic Separation: Using magnets to remove magnetic materials from mixtures.
Activity 2.5
Demonstrate and report on commonly used methods to separate mixtures.
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Unit 3: Elements, Compounds, and Chemical Reactions
Learning Objectives
Compare elements to compounds, using their symbols and formulas.
Identify common elements and their representations.
Key Topics
Elements and Compounds:
Elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
Examples of compounds include NaCl (sodium chloride) formed from sodium and chlorine.
Chemical Reactions:
Transformation of substances during chemical processes, represented as equations.
Conservation of mass is obeyed in chemical reactions.
Balancing chemical equations.
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Unit 4: Cells as the Basis of Life
Learning Outcomes
Define cells and their importance in living organisms.
Understand cell structures and their functions.
Distinguish between unicellular and multicellular organisms.
Key Points
All cells share a basic structure including plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus.
Cells perform vital functions necessary for life, utilizing organelles and their specific roles.
Activity 4.1
Build a model of a cell using craft materials that depict the primary structures.
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Unit 5: Living Things and Their Diversity
Learning Outcomes
Identify characteristics that distinguish living from non-living things.
Classify organisms into kingdoms based on their traits.
Key Discussion Points
The seven characteristics include movement, respiration, sensitivity, growth, reproduction, excretion, and nutrition.
Classification roles: understanding evolutionary relationships among organisms and their habitats.
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Unit 6: Earth in Space
Learning Outcomes
Describe the shape and dimensions of Earth.
Explain the movements of Earth and their effects.
Key Discussion Points
Earth is oblate spheroid, dimensions include 12,756 km equatorial diameter and 40,075 km circumference.
Both rotation and revolution create significant cycles such as day/night and seasonal changes.
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Unit 7: Motion, Force, Energy, and Energy Resources
Learning Outcomes
Explain motion as a change in position.
List types of motion: rectilinear, curvilinear, oscillatory, and rotary.
Define and describe the term force; gravitational force and its effects.
List forms of energy, sources, and discuss conservation methods.
Key Discussion Points
Different forms of energy and practical examples of energy conversions.
Recap: General Science 7 Study Notes
Each unit includes practical activities, key vocabulary, and essential concepts for comprehensive understanding. Students are encouraged to collaborate, discuss, and engage in hands-on projects to enhance their learning and retention of material covered in the textbook.