Science

Course Structure

Course Syllabus

Unit 1: Exploring Forces

• Define the term force
• Explore the effects of force in our daily life
• Name different kinds of forces such as gravitational force, impact force, muscular force, magnetic force, electrostatic force and frictional force
• Classify forces into contact and noncontact forces
• Describe the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on moving objects
• Explore the force of friction
• Investigate the factors affecting friction
• Analyze situations to decide whether friction is desirable or undesirable
• Explain how lubricants and ball bearings reduce friction
• Suggest ways of reducing /increasing friction in daily life
• Perform simple activities related to different kinds of forces

Unit 2: Understanding Pressure

• Understand the concept of pressure as force per unit area
• Explore the situations where high or low pressure is useful
• Name the units of pressure like N/m and Pascal
• Solve numerical based on pressure
• Investigate the effect of pressure exerted by liquids at varying depths
• Explore the impact of pressure on construction of dams and fountains
• Apply the concept of atmospheric pressure to explain real life examples

Unit 3: Sound

• Understand and explore the production of sound
• Investigate the conditions under which sound travels
• Understand and explain the characteristics of sound
• Explore the effect of amplitude on loudness and frequency on pitch of a sound
• Understand the working of human ear
• Explore that all the vibrations are not audible
• Understand the difference between noise and pleasant sound
• Analyse the effects of noise pollution on human health
• Explore the methods to reduce noise pollution

Unit 4: Language of Chemistry

• Recall the meaning of the terms-atoms and molecules
• Explain the formation of cations and anions
• Define the term radical
• List acidic and basic radicals
• Differentiate between acid and basic radicals
• Explain the formation of salts
• Comprehend the concept of atomicity
• Deduce the formula of salts using displacement reaction
• Write chemical equations from word equations
• Explain balancing of chemical equations
• Infer that balancing of chemical equation justifies that mass remains conserved during a chemical reaction
• Carry out an activity to show balancing of chemical equations

Unit 5: Metals and Non-Metals

• Define the terms: displacement reaction, minerals and ores
• Explain briefly the position of metals and non-metals in the periodic table
• Identify the substances around you as metals and non-metals
• Study the physical properties of metals and non-metals highlighting the exceptions
• Differentiate between the physical properties of metals and non-metals
• Investigate the effect of air, water, acids and bases on metals and nonmetals and compare their chemical properties
• Recall the burning of magnesium ribbon in air and identify the nature of the oxide formed by using litmus solution
• Study the reactivity of different metals such as zinc and copper with the salt solution selected as Ferrous Sulphate
• Recognize the uses of metals and nonmetals in day to day life
• Investigate the factors causing corrosion in metals
• Carry out an activity to show the liberation of Hydrogen gas on reaction of Zinc metal with dilute Hydrochloric acid

Unit 6: Chemical Effects of Electric Current

• Recall different materials which conduct electric current
• Define the terms: electrodes, electrolytes, electroplating and electrolysis
• Devise a tester to test the conducting ability of liquids, using magnetic effects of current
• Comprehend that the solutions of acids, bases and salts conduct electricity
• Describe the process of electrolysis through examples
• Infer that passage of electric current through a conducting solution causes chemical reactions
• Justify that electrical appliances should not be touched with wet hands
• Test whether fruits and vegetables also conduct electricity
• Explain the applications of electroplating in day to day life
• Describe the process that is used to carry out purification of copper
• Appreciate how the process of electroplating helps to coat a layer of more expensive metal over an object made of a cheaper metal thus giving it an expensive look. For example, silver plating on an artificial flower vase made up of ordinary metal
• Carry out an activity to show that liquids conduct electricity
• Carry out an activity to show that acidified water breaks down to form hydrogen and oxygen gas on passing current through it

Unit 7: Cell – A Coordinator

• Familiarize with biographies of scientists and their work in discovering the cell
• Understand the term structural and functional unit of a living organism
• Define a ‘cell’
• Explore different shapes, sizes and number of cells that make an organism(s)
• Comprehend that cell is a unit of structure and function of an organism
• Analyze the role of a cell as a coordinator
• Identify the role of parts of a cell and relate it to the function of an organism
• Differentiate between unicellular and multicellular organisms
• Compare and illustrate plant and animal cells

Unit 8: Managing Interdependence

• Relate the existence of flora and fauna in a given area
• Comprehend that different climatic conditions determine the flora and fauna
• Recognize inter –relationship between living and non-living components of the habitat
• Describe Interdependence between living organisms
• List and examine how unfavorable conditions affect lives of the organisms
• Identify and categorize man – made and natural disasters
• Relate man-made disasters to natural disasters
• Justify how human action can create conditions for natural disasters
• Prioritize responsibility to conserve wildlife
• Design campaigns for conservation of wildlife
• Classify the organisms according to their status (Endangered species)
• Illustrate with examples the role of adults, children, students for Reuse, Recycle, Reduce
• Restate that natural disasters happen more infrequently as compared to man-made disasters
• Comprehend the need to maintain a balance in the Ecosystem

Unit 9: Exploring Microorganism

• Recognise the presence of organisms which are not visible to the naked eye
• Explore diversity in the world of microbes and classify them on the basis of their distinctive features
• Identify the role of microbes in various spheres of life. (medicine, industry, environment, agriculture, etc.)
• Establish active and passive unique position of viruses in nature
• Comprehend the importance of microbes as recyclers
• Cite examples of microbes becoming a threat to the living world – animals and plants
• List some methods of curtailing food spoilage by microbes and relate them to the day to day activities which prevent food spoilage

Unit 10: Light Exploration

• Understand the phenomenon of refraction of light
• Explore the factors that cause refraction of light
• Trace the path of a ray of light through different transparent media like a rectangular glass slab
• Apply the concept of refraction to real life examples
• Differentiate between convex and concave lens
• Perform experiments to show the formation of image by convex and concave lenses
• Analyse the use of different lenses for different purposes
• Understand the structure and function of human eye
• Explore common defects of vision and their correction
• Understand the need/importance of taking care of eyes
• Explore how visually challenged persons read or write and empathise with them
• Perform simple activities related to refraction of light

Unit 11: Some Natural Phenomena

• Recall the structure of an atom
• Understand the production of static charges on rubbing
• Explore how charges are acquired on different objects
• Investigate the behavior of charges
• Understand the working of an electroscope
• Understand how accumulation of charges in clouds causes lightning
• Explain the precautions which need to be taken during a thunderstorm
• Understand the working of a lightning conductor
• Understand the causes of an earthquake
• Collect information on different earthquake zones
• Explore the measures taken to minimize the destruction caused by an earthquake

Unit 12: The Night Sky

• Explore the phases of the moon to explain its formation
• Explain why we always see the same face of the moon
• Describe the surface of the moon
• Identify some common constellations in the night sky
• Name the planets in the solar system in order of distance from the Sun and state some facts about these
• Differentiate between a star and a planet
• Explain with diagrams how eclipses of the Sun and the Moon occur
• Describe some other members of the solar system like the asteroid, comets, meteor and meteorites
• Differentiate between natural and artificial satellite
• List the uses of artificial satellite
• Locate and use information about the universe from different sources

Unit 13: Synthetic Fibres and Plastics

• Recall the meaning of the terms: natural fibers and fabrics
• Define the terms: monomers, polymers, plastics and polymerization
• Comprehend the transformation from fiber to fabric
• Explain the meaning of synthetic fibers
• Name various synthetic fibers
• Distinguish between natural and synthetic fibers
• Describe the properties of various synthetic fibers
• Appreciate the knowledge of the properties of synthetic fibers before selecting a fiber for a particular purpose
• Learn the effect of heat on various fibers
• State the uses of synthetic fibers in daily life
• Explain different types of plastics
• Differentiate between different types of plastics
• Appreciate the importance of biodegradable plastics over non-biodegradable ones
• Recognize different linkages of monomers in plastics
• Describe the properties and uses of plastics
• Explore the harmful effects of excessive use of plastics on environment
• Discuss the ways to reduce usage of plastics
• Carry out a survey in your area and name the marts where use of plastic bags is totally prohibited

Unit 14: Coal and Petroleum

• Recall the meaning of the term natural resources
• Explain the term refining of Petroleum
• Classify natural resources as exhaustible and inexhaustible resources
• Appreciate the historical background of the formation of coal
• Classify different types of coal based on their carbon content
• Appreciate the uses of the products of destructive distillation of coal
• List the uses and properties of coke, coal tar and coal gas
• Describe the process of combustion of coal
• List the products of combustion of coal
• Relate the process of combustion of petroleum with coal
• Name various fractions of petroleum
• Comprehend the uses of various fractions
• Explain the process of Fractional distillation
• Describe the principle of Fractional distillation
• Infer the importance of non-renewable sources of energy
• Explore the harmful effects of excessive combustion of coal and petroleum
• Carry out an activity to study the process of destructive distillation of coal

Unit 15: Combustion and Flame

• Recall the process of Combustion
• Define the term ignition temperature
• Appreciate the significance of air for combustion
• Differentiate the types of combustion on the basis of availability of oxygen
• Compare Rapid, Spontaneous and Explosive combustion
• Classify different examples of combustion observed in daily life
• Recognize the necessary conditions of combustion
• Explain the methods of controlling fire
• Recognise that attainment of ignition temperature can be made easier or difficult
• Explore the working of a simple fire extinguisher
• Appreciate the aesthetic sense of chemistry behind fire extinguisher by writing the chemical equation
• Identify different zones of a candle flame
• Explain the fuel efficiency in terms of calorific value
• Describe the causes of burning of fuel
• Carry out an activity to prepare a simple fire extinguisher
• Carry out an activity to deduce the necessary conditions required for combustion

Unit 16: Air and Water Pollution

• Recall the composition of air
• Define the terms: pollution and pollutants
• Explain air pollution
• List some air pollutants
• Discuss the sources of air pollutants
• Examine the harmful effects of air pollutants
• Classify different types of smogs
• Develop an understanding of Green house effect and Global warming
• Name various green house gases
• Explore the ways to reduce air pollution
• Predict the meaning of water pollution
• Enlist the factors responsible for water pollution
• Describe the meaning of potable water
• Determine various ways to reduce pollution
• Carry out a survey of your local area by rising factories to find out the measures taken by them to reduce air and water pollutions
• Carry out simple activities to purify water which lead to reduction in air and water pollutions

Unit 17: Cell to Organism

• Recall the characteristics of living beings
• Comprehend the importance of reproduction in the continuation of species
• Categorize reproduction as Asexual and Sexual reproduction
• Describe and draw the structure of male and female reproductive system
• Relate the structure of reproductive organs with their functions
• Describe the process of fertilization
• Identify male and female gametes
• Define the term fertilization
• Outline the steps of development of foetus from a zygote
• Diagrammatically present the steps of development of a zygote
• Differentiate between external and internal fertilization
• Distiguish between ovipary and vivipary
• Understand that asexual reproduction takes place in microscopic organisms
• Describe and draw the process of Budding and Binary Fission
• Appreciate the contribution of technology in medicine (e.g., IVF) and childless couple
• Imagine the impact of cloning of different organisms on society

Unit 18: Landmark in the Human Development

• Identify different physical, emotional and mental changes that occur during teenage
• Define and understand the term ‘puberty’ and ‘adolescence and secondary sexual characters
• Discuss the difference between secondary sexual characteristics of human male and female
• Differentiate endocrine glands from exocrine glands
• Locate the functions of different endocrine glands in a human body
• Describe the main functions of each glands and the role of hormones in maintaining homeostasis
• Correlate the role of pituitary gland as master gland
• Identify different disorders/diseases caused due to malfunctioning of different glands and interpret their symptoms
• Recognise the importance of reproductive health and importance of nutritional needs of adolescents
• Discuss the possible role of hormones in life cycle of animals other than humans. Example – butterfly and frog

Unit 19: Technology in Food Production

• Recognize agriculture as the biggest industry in the world
• Distinguish between various categories of crop plants on the basis of season and the part which is used the most
• Identify the benefits that horticulture has brought to the farmers as well as the economy of a country
• Compare the conventional and modern methods of agricultural practices and relate them to the progress made in the field of agro sciences and technology
• Interpret the link between scientific advancement and the development of high yielding methods using scientific methods
• Describe the role of different agricultural revolutions in making the countries self-sustainable