Section II Diversity of Materials 13

I.9 Algae, amoeba, are both found in the Protista category. What can we infer
about them?

1. They are prokaryotes.

2. They are eukaryotes.

3. The entire organism is one cell.

4. They have cell walls.

A Option 2 only C Option 2 and 4

B Option 2 and 3 D Option 1,2, 3 and 4
I.10 You have managed to classify them according to your King’s list but found
out to be very complicated. Hence, you have come up with your own groups. What
is the greatest number of groups that can sort all 10 items?

A 4 D 12
B 6
C 10 E None of the above

1. THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

II Diversity of Materials

Example 1

The table below states some of the properties of the 3 states of matter.

T U V
Separation of particles is Separation of particles is Separation of particles is
moderate least greatest
Particles slide across one Particles vibrate about its Particles move fast and
another fixed position freely
Kinetic energy level at a set Kinetic energy level at a set Kinetic energy level at a set
temperature of particles is temperature of particles is temperature of particles is
moderate least the maximum

Which of the columns accurately describe the properties of Argon, which is used to fill
incandescent light bulbs?
 14 THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

A V. C T.
B U. D None of the above

Example 2
Predict what will happen on a hot day if the tiles of pavements were
built without gaps.

A The tiles will change colour.. C The tiles will crack.

B The tiles will turn rusty.. D The tiles remain the same.

Example 3
The graph bar below shows the experiment result on the mass of
different materials weighed before and after soaking in a bowl of water for five minutes.
1. THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

Which material is most suitable for making an umbrella?

A B C D

Example 4
American football players wear defensive helmets during the sport
to protect their heads from impact injuries. Over the decades of studies, it has been
found that many football players experience concussion-related issues like hallucination
after playing the sport professionally. This is due to the impact of the concussion on
the brain. The helmet protects the skull, but the brain is still able to ’float’ and move
in the cerebral brain fluid upon impact. As such, there are currently further studies
being made to improve the helmet in order to increase internal protection of the heads
of the players.
Section II Diversity of Materials 15

1. A neuroscientist discovered that there is an alloy which can be made into a magnet
using electricity. How should the magnets in different helmets react with each
other in order to protect the players’ heads from colliding?

A The magnets should repel each other as their unlike poles will be facing
each other, so that the players’ heads will push each other away when they
are about to collide.
B The magnets should attract each other as their like poles will be facing each
other, so that the players’ heads will be pulled towards each other, lessening
the impact.
C The magnets should attract and repel each other at the same time, as their
unlike poles will be facing each other, so that the players’ heads will be

1. THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

pulled towards each other, lessening the impact.
D The magnets should repel each other as the like poles are facing each other,
so that the players’ heads are pushed away to prevent them from colliding.

2. Select the most suitable material which should be used to make the part marked
M for the football player’s helmet. The part marked M mostly protects the
player’s skull from impact.

Material Properties
A Plastic Durable, waterproof, light
B Hard leatherBeautiful appearance, easy to make into helmets,
environmentally friendly
C Poly carbonate Tough, can withstand cold temperatures, light,
good impact strength
D Stainless steel Does not rust, strong and hardy

Example 5
As the village chief, you decided to send some of your best men to
sail out and explore new islands so that could sustain your village with sufficient fish
as food. You told your villages to search for a new material that could be used as the
main sail of your boat!
 16 THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

Your villages have worked together and have gathered 4 different types of materials for
your sail. The table below shows 4 different materials with different characteristics.
Each characteristic was compared to each other and were rated from 1 to 4. (1 - least
flexible, 4 - most flexible | 1 - least durable, 4 - most durable | 1 - Lightest, 4 Heaviest)

Material Flexibility Durability Weight

W 1 2 2
X 3 4 3
Y 4 1 4
1. THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

Z 2 3 1

The sail must help your boat to be as stable as possible and withstand strong winds.
Which material should you use to build the sail?

A W B X C Y D Z
Exercises

II.1 Four cars, A, B, C and D are painted black, silver, red and green respectively.
They are all identical except for their colour. An experiment is carried out to find
out which car absorbs the most radiant heat. Suggest a suitable hypothesis for this
experiment.

A Dark colours will absorb more radiated heat from the sunlight while lighter
colours reflect it.

B Light colours will absorb more radiated heat from the sunlight while darker
colours reflect it.

C Colours do not have any effect with the radiant heat.

D None of the above.
 Section II Diversity of Materials 17

II.2 A special material is flexible, change shape easily and can be stretched. Which
object can be made using this material?

A Plastic water bottle C Water gun

B Water Balloon D A cup made of glass.
II.3 Which of the following options below can be used to compare the size of 2
different objects?

1. Ruler 3. Our Eyes

2. Weighing Machine 4. A piece of string

A 1 only C 1, 3 and 4
B 1, and 3 D All of the above
II.4 The diagram below shows the result when 2 objects are dropped into a con-
tainer filled with oil and water.

1. THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

The oil and water inside the container was stirred and left on the table. What can
be seen after 5 mins?

A A B B C C D D
 18 THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

II.5 A magnetised pole is hung from a string and have attracted a couple of
magnetised paper clips.

Which poles will A and B attract?

A A - North Pole, B - South Pole C A - South Pole, B - South Pole

B A - South Pole, B - North Pole D A - North Pole, B - North Pole
II.6 Eric discovered a rock during his Science field trip. To the naked eye, they
look like gray rocks but under Ultraviolet (UV) light, the mineral composition
makes the rock ’glow’. Why does the rock ’glow’ under sunlight?

A The rock contains fluorescent substances.

B The rock contains calcium carbonate, a white insoluble solid occurring natu-
rally as chalk.
1. THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

C The rock contains sodium, a very reactive metal.

D The rock contains iron, a strong metal that is shiny.
 Section II Diversity of Materials 19

II.7 James did an experiment at home for his science project. He followed the
following steps:

1. Use a 1 litre milk carton and unscrew its cap.

2. Turn it upside down and aim the opening towards the steam of boiling water
in a kettle. Hold it gently without applying pressure.

3. Leave it in this position for 1 minute.

4. At the end of the 1 minute, quickly overturn the carton and cover the opening
on a plastic plate, holding it down tightly. What was the likely reason that
the carton was crushed?

1. THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE

Which poles will A and B attract?

A Air was pushed out when the steam entered.

B The hand holding it crushed it.
C The air outside the carton expanded and crushed the carton.
D The air inside the carton contracted hence the air pressure outside the carton
was able to crush the carton.