CH 1 Introducing Science

SCIENCE YEAR 7 Chapter 1
1
Introducing Science
© 2020 Hazimah Rani | ITQSHHB
Introducing Science
 The study of Science helps us to understand the world around us and how they affect our lives.
 Scientists carry out research and conduct experiments using various scientific techniques and equipment to obtain
knowledge about the world.
Laboratory Safety Rules

1. Laboratory rules
 The following are the most important rules of the laboratory safety rules:
1. Listen to and follow instructions given by your teacher.
2. Always handle equipment properly.
3. Do not eat or drink while in the laboratory.
4. Do not run or play in the laboratory.
5. Wear safety goggles when handling, mixing and heating chemicals.
6. Do not place books or pieces of papers near a flame.
7. Do not pour used solutions back into the bottle.
8. Do not dispose of corrosive liquids and solid waste in the sink.
9. Do not point the mouth of a test tube at another person during heating. The substance in the test tube
may shoot out.
10. Always wash your hand thoroughly before and after every practical lesson.
11. Do not tamper with electrical sockets.
12. In the event of a fire, follow the standard laboratory evacuation procedure.
12 6 10 5
1 2 3 4
9 8 11 7
2
Introducing Science
2. Hazard symbols
 Hazard symbols are used to label such chemicals to warn you of the possible dangers.
 Below are the common hazard symbols to look out for.
HAZARD SYMBOLS HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES EXAMPLES
EXPLOSIVE
Sodium metal, hydrogen
This substance will react peroxide.
violently when heated or struck.
FLAMMABLE
Petrol, kerosene, alcohol,
This substance catches fire hydrogen
easily.
IRRITANT
This substance produces vapours Phenol, chloroform
or fumes that irritate the skin,
eyes, nose and throat.
RADIOACTIVE
This substance emits harmful Plutonium, uranium
radiation.
TOXIC Methanol, potassium cyanide,

This substance is harmful in mercury, carbon monoxide,
small doses. chlorine
CORROSIVE
Sulfuric acid, potassium
This substance will corrode (eat hydroxide, calcium oxide
away) other substances.
BIOHAZARDOUS
Some medical waste,
This is a poisonous substance of microorganisms, viruses, toxins.
a biological nature.
3
Introducing Science
 Below are some first aid treatments for common laboratory mishaps.
ACCIDENTS MIGHT HAPPEN FIRST AID TREATMENT
For mild burns and scalds  Cool the affected areas with running water for at least 5 minutes.
 Do not use very cold water or ice cubes.
 Go to the nearest eye wash station and rinse to clear the
Any substance gets into your eyes irritation in your eyes.
 Avoid rubbing your eyes as rubbing can spread or worsen the
contamination.
 Wash the area with mild soap and clean water.
 Dab some hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the area after washing
For minor cuts or scrapes
it clean.
 Then apply some antibiotics cream on the cut to prevent germs
from infecting the wound.
In case there’s a fire  Put out the fire by using fire extinguisher, fire blanket or fire sand
bucket.
4
Introducing Science
Handling Common Laboratory Apparatus

1. Apparatus
 Below are some common laboratory apparatus.
CROSS-SECTION
APPARATUS NAME OF APPARATUS FUNCTIONS DIAGRAM
 For transferring liquids into

containers with a small opening
Filter funnel
 For separating solids from
liquids by using filter paper
 For containing small amounts

of chemicals
Test tube
 For mixing or heating
solutions or liquids
 For containing and mixing

Conical flask chemicals and liquids to
produce gas when heating is
not required
 For containing chemicals

Beaker  For collecting and holding
liquids
Boiling tube  To boil liquids during

experiments
5
Introducing Science
Evaporating dish  To evaporate the liquid in a

solution over a Bunsen burner
 To spread the heat of a flame

Wire gauze  To support beakers being XXXXXXXXXXXXX
heated by a Bunsen burner
Measuring cylinder  To measure volumes of liquids
 To stir chemicals in the

Glass rod
laboratory
 For supporting apparatus

Tripod stand
during heating
 To add a small volume of liquid,

Dropper
drop by drop
Test-tube holder  To hold test tubes -

6
Introducing Science
2. Laboratory gas burners

 The most common laboratory gas burner is called Bunsen burner.
Barrel
Collar Air-hole
Gas knob
Gas cartridge
 Parts of Bunsen burner and its function:

PARTS OF BUNSEN BURNER FUNCTIONS
Barrel To allow air and gas to mix

To open or close the air-hole to control the amount of air
Collar entering the burner
Air-hole To allow air to enter the burner
 Steps to light a laboratory gas burner:
STEP 1: Turn the collar to make sure that the air-hole is closed.
STEP 2: Light a match.
STEP 3: Hold the lid match over the top of the barrel.
STEP 4: Turn on the gas to obtain a luminous flame.
STEP 5: Slowly open the air-hole to obtain a non-luminous flame for heating.
7
Introducing Science
 There are two different types of flames:

1. Luminous flame
2. Non-luminous flame
 The table below shows the differences between the two types of flames:
LUMINOUS FLAME NON-LUMINOUS FLAME

Air-hole is Fully closed Open
Colour of flame Orange Blue
Flow of flame Unsteady Steady
Produces soot Yes No
Degree of hotness Hot Hotter than luminous flame
8
Introducing Science
Measurements
 All experiments performed in a laboratory require one or more types of measurements.
 Typically, we measure three simple quantities: mass, length and time.
 Area, volume, density and temperature are included in the measurement.
 Our sense are not accurate for measuring, therefore we need measuring instruments to help us.
1. International System of units (SI units)

 International system of units (SI units) is used for different measurements.
 Some common SI units are shown in the table below:
PHYSICAL QUANTITY SI UNIT SYMBOL
Mass kilogram kg
Time Second s
Length Metre m
Temperature Kelvin K
2. Measuring mass
 Mass is the measurement of the amount of substance in a body.
 The SI unit of mass is kilogram (kg), another commonly used unit for mass is gram (g).
USEFUL CONVERSIONS
1 kg = 1 000 g
1 tonne = 1 000 kg
 We can measure mass using equipment such as the triple-beam balance and electronic balance.
Triple-beam balance Electronic balance

9
Introducing Science
3. Measuring time
 We use clocks or watches to measure time accurately.
 Time is measured in hour (h), minute (min), second (s) and millisecond (ms).
 The SI unit of time is second (s).
INTER-CONVERSIONS
1 ms = 0.001 s
1 min = 60 s
1 h = 60 min
1 day = 24 hours
 Below are the ancient instruments to measure time:
hourglass sundial Water clock
 Below are the modern instruments to measure time:
Mechanical stopwatch Electronic stopwatch clock
 The electronic stopwatch is more accurate than the mechanical stopwatch and it can measure time intervals
accurate to 0.01 s.
 Most watches and clocks were not accurate enough for scientific purposes such as measuring how fast a gas is
given off during a chemical solution.
 Being able to keep track of time is very important to many people, especially in sports.
10
Introducing Science
Length, Area and Volume

1. Measuring length
 Length is the distance between two specified points.
 The SI unit of length is metre (m) and other units of length include the centimetre (cm) and millimetre (mm).
 Measurements of length include measurements of height, depth, width, thickness and diameter.
USEFUL CONVERSIONS
1 km = 1 000 m
1 m = 100 cm
1cm = 10 mm
 Instruments used to measure length:

a. Ruler
 Ruler is commonly used in the laboratory.
 The following tells you how to measure the length of an object correctly.
 When your eye is in the wrong position for reading off the ruler, you may get what is
called a parallax error.
STEP 1: Place the side of your ruler against the object you wish to measure.
STEP 2: Look at the ruler right above the point you wish to read.
STEP 3: Make sure that the zero mark of the ruler is directly above the point you wish to start measuring from.
b. Measuring tape
 When you have lengths greater than 1 m, a measuring tape can be used.
c. External and internal callipers

 We use external callipers to measure the external diameter of a round object and internal
callipers to measure the internal diameter of objects.
11
Introducing Science
2. Measuring area
 To find area, we measure the space occupied by the surface of an object.
 The SI unit of area is square metre (m2) and other commonly used units for area are square centimetre (cm 2) and
square kilometre (km2).
a. Regular shapes
 We calculate the areas of regular shapes by using the right formulae.
 Below are the examples of regular shapes and its formulae:
NAME OF SHAPES Square Rectangle Triangle Circle Parallelogram
DIAGRAM
FORMULA Length x length Length x breadth x base x height 𝜋 x (radius)2 base x height
b. Irregular shapes
 The area of an irregular shape cannot be calculated using a formula.
 But we can estimate its area with the help of square grids with sides of known lengths.
 A grid paper can be used to trace the outline of the surface area you wish to measure.
 Following are the steps on how to measure surface area of irregular shapes:
STEP 1: Trace the irregular shape onto the square grid.

STEP 2: Tick the area within the irregular shape that takes up half a square or more
STEP 3: Calculate the estimated area as the number of ticked units multiplied by the area of one square grid
The estimated area of the irregular surface = 14 cm 2

12
Introducing Science
2. Measuring volume
 The volume of an object is the amount of space it occupies.
 The SI unit of volume is cubic metre (m3) and other commonly used units for volume are cubic centimetre (cm3),
litre (l) and milliliter (ml).
USEFUL CONVERSIONS
1 ml = 1 cm3
1 l = 1 000 ml = 1 000 cm3
 To measure the volumes of liquids, we use a measuring cylinder, a pipette or a burette.

 In narrow glass cylinders, the liquid level is curved into a shape called the meniscus.
 To get the correct reading of the measuring cylinder, make sure your eyes are at the same level as the bottom of
the meniscus to avoid parallax error.
a. Regular shapes
 Just like finding the areas of regular shapes, we can calculate the volume of regular shaped solids by using the
right formulae.
NAME OF SHAPES Cube Cuboid Cone Cylinder Sphere
DIAGRAM
Length x length Length x breadth x x 𝜋 x (radius)2 x 𝜋 x (radius)2 x

FORMULA x 𝜋 x (radius)3
x length height height height
13
Introducing Science
b. Irregular shapes
 Two types of displacement methods can be used to measure the volume of a small, irregular solid:
1. Using a measuring cylinder

2. Using a displacement can (Eureka can)
METHOD 1: USING A MEASURING CYLINDER
STEP 1: Observe and note down the level of water in the measuring cylinder.
Let the initial water level be V1.
STEP 2: Tie the object onto the end of a piece of string and lower it slowly until it
is completely submerged. Note the new water level.
Let the new water level be V2.
STEP 3: The volume of the object = volume of water displaced by the object
= new water level – initial water level
= V2 – V 1
METHOD 2: USING A DISPLACEMENT CAN (EUREKA CAN)
STEP 1: Fill a displacement can with water to the level of the spout. Allow excess water to flow into a container. When
the water stops flowing, replace the container with a dry, empty measuring cylinder.
STEP 2: Tie a piece of string to the object and lower it into the displacement can until it is completely submerged.
Some water is displaced into the measuring cylinder. Note the volume of water displaced by the object.
STEP 3: The volume of the object = volume of water displaced by the object
14
Introducing Science
c. Conversion of units
INTER-CONVERSION
1 km = 1 000 m
1 m = 100 cm
1 kg = 1 000 g
1 day = 24 hours
1 hour = 60 minutes
1 minute = 60 seconds
1 ml = 1 cm3
1 l = 1 000 cm3
Example 1: Convert 24 km to m. Example 2: Convert 50 g to kg. Example 3: Convert 7 l to cm3

1 km = 1 000 m 1 kg = 1 000 g 1 l = 1 000 cm3
24 km = z m z kg = 50 g 7 l = z cm3
z m = 24 x 1 000 = 24 000 m z kg = 50 / 1 000 = 0.05 kg z cm3 = 7 x 1 000 = 7 000 cm3
15
Introducing Science
Density
 The density of a substance is defined as the mass per unit volume.
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒
 The SI unit of mass and volume are kilogram (kg) and cubic metre (m 3).
 Hence, the SI unit of density is kilogram per cubic metre (kg/m 3). Another common unit for density is g/cm3.
 Example:
A stone with a mass of 10 g, has a volume of 2 cm3. Calculate its density.
 Example:
A cube of mass 40 g is lowered into a measuring cylinder containing 30 cm 3 of water. The water rises to the
38 cm3 mark. Calculate the:
a) Volume of the cube b) Density of the cube
 The diagram shows a sphere of steel and a cube of steel. Which one has more density? Which one has less
density?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
 Similar substance will have the same density even if the shape and size are different.
16
Introducing Science
 The diagram shows a cube of steel and a cube of wood. Which one has more density? Which one has less
density?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
 Different substance with the same size and shape will have the same volume, but their density will be different.
 Table below shows the densities of some common substances:
SUBSTANCE DENSITY (g/cm3) SUBSTANCE DENSITY (g/cm3)
Teak block 0.85 Aluminium 2.70
Cooking oil 0.95 Mercury 13.60
Water 1.00 Rubber 1.52
sand 1.60 Steel 7.80
 Arrange the substances, from low density to high density.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
 The diagram shows object A, B and C. Which one has a high density? Which has a low density?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
17
Introducing Science
 In general, a denser substance will sink while a less dense substance will float.
 For example, the teak block is less dense than water, therefore the teak block floats. While steel paper clip is
denser than water, hence it sinks.
SUBSTANCE DENSITY (g/cm3) SUBSTANCE DENSITY (g/cm3)
Wood block 0.85 Aluminium 2.70
Cooking oil 0.95 Mercury 13.60
Water 1.00 Rubber 1.52
sand 1.60 Steel 7.80
 List out the substances from the table, which substances that will float on water and which substances that will
sink in water.
Float on water: _______________________________________________________________________________

Sink in water: ________________________________________________________________________________
18
Introducing Science
Temperature
 Temperature is a measurement of the degree of hotness or coldness.
 The SI unit of temperature is kelvin (K) and commonly used unit of temperature is degree Celsius (℃) and
Fahrenheit (℉).
USEFUL CONVERSION
0℃ = 32℉ = 273 K
 Temperature can be measured using a thermometer.
 Most laboratory thermometers have liquid inside the bulb. It is either mercury or alcohol.
 When the temperature changes, the liquid level in the laboratory thermometer rises or falls.
 The two common types of laboratory thermometers are mercury and alcohol thermometer.
MERCURY THERMOMETER ALCOHOL THERMOMETER

It is used to measure temperatures up to 110℃. It is used to measure temperatures under 70℃.
It cannot be used to measure low temperatures. It cannot be used to measure high temperatures.
Its scale ranges from 0℃ to 110℃. Its scale ranges from -10℃ to 78℃.
Mercury in the bulb id toxic. Alcohol in the bulb is non-toxic.
The liquid mercury is silver in colour. Alcohol is colourless, so it is dyed red to allow readings to be taken
easily.
 Clinical thermometer is used in the hospital to measure your body temperature.

 There are two types of clinical thermometers: glass and digital thermometer.
 Clinical thermometer has a scale of 35℃ to 42℃. This is because our body’s normal temperature is 37℃.
19
Introducing Science
Straight Line Graph

 We can use many types of graphs to present the data that we collect when we conduct an experiment and most
of them are straight lines.
 The purpose of a graph is to visually display relationships, which may not be obvious from data tables.
 Example:
The aim of this experiment was to find out how mass is related to volume. The mass of the same type of plasticine
was measured at different volumes.
VOLUME OF PLASTICINE MASS OF PLASTICINE Graph of the relationship between

(cm3) (g) mass and volume of plasticine
300
10 50
Mass of plasticine (g)
200
20 100 100
30 150 0
0 10 20 30 40 50
40 200 Volume of plasticine (cm3)
 The data that we gather from experiments does not always form a straight line graph. The example below shows
that some graphs can be curved.
20
Introducing Science
 Below are the terms used in line graph:
1 title The title tells us what is being represented.

It is the horizontal line of the graph.
2 x-axis
It shows the different time periods or the name of things being compared.
It is the vertical line of the graph.
3 y-axis It has numbers for whatever is being measured.
The y-axis usually starts at 0.
 Example:
Title: ___________________________________
x-axis: __________________________________
y-axis: __________________________________
21
Introducing Science
 Example:
Title: _________________________________________________________________________________________
x-axis: ________________________________________________________________________________________
y-axis: ________________________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION: Observe the line graph and answer the questions.
1. What is the temperature on Day 5? _______________________________________________

2. Which was the hottest day? _____________________________________________________
3. Which was the coldest day? _____________________________________________________
4. Which two days had the same temperature and what was the temperature?
____________________________________________________________________________
IN YOUR GRAPH, DO NOT FORGET TO INCLUDE:

a. The title
b. Labels of x-axis and y-axis including their units
c. A good scale
d. Plot the graph using ‘x’
e. A correct line graph

CH 1 Introducing Science

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CH 1 Introducing Science

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SCIENCE YEAR 7 Chapter 1

Laboratory Safety Rules

HAZARD SYMBOLS HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES EXAMPLES

TOXIC Methanol, potassium cyanide,

ACCIDENTS MIGHT HAPPEN FIRST AID TREATMENT

Handling Common Laboratory Apparatus

 For transferring liquids into

 For containing small amounts

 For containing and mixing

 For containing chemicals

Boiling tube  To boil liquids during

Evaporating dish  To evaporate the liquid in a

 To spread the heat of a flame

Measuring cylinder  To measure volumes of liquids

 To stir chemicals in the

 For supporting apparatus

 To add a small volume of liquid,

Test-tube holder  To hold test tubes -

2. Laboratory gas burners

 Parts of Bunsen burner and its function:

Barrel To allow air and gas to mix

Air-hole To allow air to enter the burner

 Steps to light a laboratory gas burner:

 There are two different types of flames:

LUMINOUS FLAME NON-LUMINOUS FLAME

1. International System of units (SI units)

Triple-beam balance Electronic balance

 Below are the ancient instruments to measure time:

hourglass sundial Water clock

 Below are the modern instruments to measure time:

Mechanical stopwatch Electronic stopwatch clock

Length, Area and Volume

 Instruments used to measure length:

c. External and internal callipers

STEP 1: Trace the irregular shape onto the square grid.

The estimated area of the irregular surface = 14 cm 2

 To measure the volumes of liquids, we use a measuring cylinder, a pipette or a burette.

Length x length Length x breadth x x 𝜋 x (radius)2 x 𝜋 x (radius)2 x

1. Using a measuring cylinder

METHOD 1: USING A MEASURING CYLINDER

METHOD 2: USING A DISPLACEMENT CAN (EUREKA CAN)

Example 1: Convert 24 km to m. Example 2: Convert 50 g to kg. Example 3: Convert 7 l to cm3

SUBSTANCE DENSITY (g/cm3) SUBSTANCE DENSITY (g/cm3)

Teak block 0.85 Aluminium 2.70

Cooking oil 0.95 Mercury 13.60

Water 1.00 Rubber 1.52

sand 1.60 Steel 7.80

 Arrange the substances, from low density to high density.

SUBSTANCE DENSITY (g/cm3) SUBSTANCE DENSITY (g/cm3)

Wood block 0.85 Aluminium 2.70

Cooking oil 0.95 Mercury 13.60

Water 1.00 Rubber 1.52

sand 1.60 Steel 7.80

Float on water: _______________________________________________________________________________

 Temperature can be measured using a thermometer.

MERCURY THERMOMETER ALCOHOL THERMOMETER

 Clinical thermometer is used in the hospital to measure your body temperature.

Straight Line Graph

VOLUME OF PLASTICINE MASS OF PLASTICINE Graph of the relationship between

 Below are the terms used in line graph:

1 title The title tells us what is being represented.

QUESTION: Observe the line graph and answer the questions.

1. What is the temperature on Day 5? _______________________________________________