Science Second Term Notes

Class 7

Unit 1: THE PERIODIC TABLE

Answer the following questions.

Q1. What is an atom?

Ans. An atom is the basic unit of matter. Atoms are made up of three subatomic
particles that are protons, neutrons and electrons. An atom consists of a dense
nucleus surrounded by a cloud of negatively charged electrons. The nucleus
contains positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons.

Q2. Explain these terms:

a.atomic number
b.mass number

a.ATOMIC NUMBER:
The total number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom is called its atomic
number.

FOR EXAMPLE:
Helium has an atomic number of 2. It has two protons in its nucleus.
b.MASS NUMBER:
The total number of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom is called
the mass number.

FOR EXAMPLE:
Nitrogen has 7 protons and 7 neutrons in its nucleus, giving it a mass number of 14.

Q3. Write the symbols of the following elements:

carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen,
sulphur, phosphorus, calcium, chlorine.
Ans. carbon(C), nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), sulphur(S), phosphorus
(P), calcium (Ca), chlorine (Cl).

Q4. Write a short note on coinage metals.

Ans. Copper, silver and gold belong to a chemical family called coinage metals.
They are all in the same column in the periodic table.
CHARACTERISTICS:
They all are unreactive, do not corrode and as a result have been used to make
coins.

Q5. Write down the names of the elements having these symbols.
Pb, Sn, W, K, P, Hg
Ans. Pb (Lead)
Sn (Stannum)
W (Tungsten)
K (Potassium)
P(Phosphorus)
Hg (Mercury)

Q6. Gold has atomic number 79 and mass number 197. What would you find
inside an atom of gold?
DATA:
Atomic number of gold = 79
Mass number of gold = 197
Number of neutrons =?
SOLUTION:
= 197 – 79
= 118 Neutrons
There are 118 neutrons inside an atom of gold.

Q7. What are noble gases?

Ans. The periodic table is divided into 18 vertical columns referred to as groups or
families. On the right side of the periodic table in group 18 there is a unique group
of elements knownas the noble gases. They are famous because they do not react
this is because their outer electron shells are completely full.

Long Questions

Q1. Explain Ernest Rutherford atomic model.

Ans. RUTHERFORD EXPERIMENT:
In 1911, Rutherford fired a beam of positive particles against thin gold foil
expecting them all to pass straight through.

OBSERVATION:
Some particles were repelled.
ASSUMPTIONS:
Since positive particles can only be repelled by something positive. Rutherford
decided there must be a positive bit in the centre of each atom. Also, this positive
bit must be very small, otherwise most of the particles would not have got through
the gold foil.
CONCLUSION:
Rutherford’s atomic model therefore had a tiny, positively charged nucleus
withelectrons whizzing about in the space around it.

Q2. Write a note on ionic compounds.

Ans. IONIC COMPOUNDS:
The compounds containing ionic bonds are known as ionic compounds. They are
formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. The ionic compounds
are made up of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions
(anions).

FOR EXAMPLE:
Magnesium and oxygen are a pair of elements that form ionic bonds. Magnesium is
a grey metal and oxygen is a cloudless gas. Magnesium burns in oxygen with a
bright white flame.
During the reaction two electrons are lost by magnesium and gained by oxygen. A
white, solid ionic compound called magnesium oxide is produced.

Q3. Match the elements to its chemical symbol.

Column A Column B Column C(ans)
i. Bromine Fe (vi)
ii. Carbon Zn (x)
iii. Calcium C (ii)
iv. Copper Mg (vii)
v. Hydrogen Hg (viii)
vi. Iron Ag (ix)
 vii. Magnesium Ca (iii)
viii. Mercury Br (i)
ix. Silver H (v)
x. Zinc Cu (iv)

UNIT 2: PLANTS AND THEIR SYSTEMS

Answer the following questions.

Q1. In many plants, leaves and flowers are held above the ground by the stem.
Suggest a reason for this.
Ans. The stem is a plant's main support above the ground. It holds the leaves so
they can get sunlight and exchange gases with the surrounding air.The flowers are
held above the ground so that they can be pollinated by the wind or passing insects.

Q2. Explain how xylem tubes help support a plant.

Ans. Xylem tubes carry water and minerals in solution from the soil up to the parts
of the plant above the ground. They have thickened, strong walls which help the
xylem to support the plant.

Q3. Why are leaves able to:

a) absorb lots of light?
b) Get gases to the cells easily?
c) Get gases in and out?
d) Get water in and sugar out?

Ans .a) They are broad and flat to absorb a lot of light and exchange gases with the
surrounding air.
b) They are thin so gases can get to all the cells easily.
c) They have holes called stomata to let gases get in and out from surrounding air.
d) They have a lot of veins made from vascular bundles to carry water to
photosynthesize cells and carry sugar away.

Q4. Explain why the upper skin of a leaf is transparent.

Ans. This is a single layer of cells containing few or no chloroplasts.
The upper skin of the leaf is transparent to let light to pass through the cells. The
upper surface is covered with a waxy, waterproof cuticle, which serves to reduce
water loss from the leaf.

Q5. How are flowers adapted to attract insects?

Ans. Flowers are known to attract pollinating insects through a variety of means
from sweet smelling fragrances to vibrant colours, and shapes and with nectar
stored at the base of the petals.

LONG QUESTIONS

Q1. What are plants? Write down the job of each plant organ.
Ans. PLANTS:
Plants are living organisms. Plants are capable of making their food themselves
through a process called photosynthesis.

PLANT ORGANS: Plants are made up of organs including roots, leaves, stem and
flowers. Each organ has its own functions.

ROOTS:
Roots hold a plant in place in the ground and also take in the water that is needed by
the plant.

STEM:
The stem is a plant's main supportabove the ground.

LEAVES:
Leaves are where a plant makes its food during photosynthesis. Leaves come in all
shapes and sizes.

FLOWERS: Flowers contain the reproductive organs of a plant.

Q2. Explain the transport system in plants?
Ans. TRANSPORT SYSTEM:
Roots and stems are plant organs which contain the transport system of a plant.
They have thin tubes inside them which carry liquids up and down the plant.

VASCULAR TISSUES:
There are two kinds of tubes; xylem and phloem, collectively called vascular
tissues.

XYLEM TUBES:
Xylem tubes carry water and minerals from the roots to the leaves of a plant.

PHLOEM TUBES:
Phloem tubes carry food from the leaves to other parts of the plant.

VASCULAR BUNDLES:
Xylem and phloem tubes are bundled together in vascular bundles.

Q3. What is carpel? Write down names of its various parts.

Ans. CARPEL:
The female reproductive organ is called the carpel.
PARTS:
Each carpel has three parts: stigma, style and ovary.

STIGMA:
•The stigma is sticky.
•Pollen sticks to this during pollination.

STYLE:
The style is a stalk that holds the stigma in the air to collect pollen.

OVARY:
The ovary protects the ovules.

OVULE ( EGG ):
An ovule contains the female reproductive cell.

UNIT 3: ACIDS AND ALKALIS

Answer the following questions.

Q1. State differences between acids and alkalis.

Ans.

Acids Alkalis
Acids have a sour taste. Alkalis taste bitter.

Acids turn blue litmus red. Alkalis turn red litmus blue.
Acids have a pH of less than 7. Alkalis have a pH more than 7.

Q2. Give two uses for:

a) sulphuric acid
b) nitric acid

SULPHURIC ACID:
Sulphuric acid is a strong acid.

USES:
•Sulphuric acid is used in car batteries.
•Sulphuric acid is used as a raw material for making many other chemicals, such as
plastics, paints and soap.

NITRIC ACID:
Nitric acid is a highly corrosive acidic substance.
USES:
•Most of the nitric acid made in the world is used to make fertilizers.
•Nitric acid is also used to make explosives.

Q3. Write the pH of:

a) a neutral solution
b) an acid
c) an alkaline
Ans.
a.pH OF A NEUTRAL SOLUTION:
The pH of a neutral solution is 7.

FOR EXAMPLE:
Pure water has pH of 7.
b. pH OF AN ACID:
The pH of an acid is less than 7.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Grape juice has a pH of 3.3
c.pH OF AN ALKALI:
The pH of an alkali is greater than 7.
FOR EXAMPLE:
pH of a baking soda is 9.

Q4. By what is the strength of an acid measured?

Ans. The strength of an acid is measured by its pH. The strength of an acid refers to
the number of hydrogen ions. The higher the concentration of hydrogen ion, the
stronger the acid. Every acid contains hydrogen ions.

Q5. What is litmus and how is it used?

Ans. Litmus is an indicator. It is a blue- purple dye which comes from small plants
called lichens. Litmus is available in a solution form and in paper strips. Litmus
paper is a quick way to identify an acid or an alkali. It is used to test whether a
substance is an acid or an alkali.

LONG QUESTIONS

Q1. Write a note on acids?

Ans. ACIDS:
An acid is a chemical substance that has a sour taste. Many food items such
aslemons, curd, vinegar and orange taste sour because of the presence of acid in
them.

PROPERTIES:
i. Acids have a sour taste.
ii. Acids are soluble in water.
iii. Strong acids are corrosive.
iv. Acids have a pH of less than 7.

USES:
i. INDUSTRIAL USE:
Nitric acid and sulphuric acid are both used commonly in fertilizers, dyes, paints
and explosives.
ii. BATTERIES:
Sulphuric acid is used in batteries which run in cars.
iii. FERTILIZERS:
Fertilizers are often produced using sulphuric acid.
FOR EXAMPLE:
a) Hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
b) Carbonic acid in soft drinks.

Q2. Write a note on alkalis.

Ans: ALKALIS:
A chemical substance that has a bitter taste and a soapy texture.

PROPERTIES:
i. Alkalis taste bitter.
ii.Alkalis are soluble in water.
iii.Alkalis are corrosive.
iv.Alkalis have pH more than 7.

USES:
a.AGRICULTURALUSE:
In agriculture, alkalis are used to neutralize acidic soils.
b.INDUSTRIAL USE:
For hundreds of years, alkalis have been used in industry for glass making,
converting oils and fats into soap, and for dying cloth.

FOR EXAMPLE:
Alkalis are found in different substances such as bleach, ammonia, washing powder
and soap.
Q3. Write a note on acid rain.

Ans. ACID RAIN:

The rain containing an excess of acids is called acid rain. The acid rain is formed
because of the presence of air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide
and sulphur dioxide in the air.

CAUSES:
Acid rain is caused by a chemical reaction that begins when compounds like sulphur
dioxide and nitrogen oxides are released into the air. These substances can rise very
high into the atmosphere, where they mix and react with water, oxygen and other
chemicals to form more acidic pollutants, known as acid rain.

EFFECTS:
Acid rain harms plants and water life and eats into stonework, especially if it is
made of limestone.

UNIT 4:(TRANSPORT SYSTEM IN HUMANS)

Answer the following questions.

Q1. How much blood is there in your body? Name four things that make up
blood.
Ans. Blood is a specialized body fluid. Blood is needed to keep us alive. An
average adult has about 5.5 litres of blood circulating inside their body.
BLOOD COMPONENTS:
There are four basic components that comprise human blood.
Plasma
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
Q2. Give three differences between red and white blood cells.
Ans.

Red Blood Cells White Blood Cells

Red blood cells have no nucleus. White blood cells have big
nucleus.

Red blood cells are round with a White blood cells can change their
hollow on both sides. shape.

Their job is to carry oxygen from Their job is to protect the body
the lungs to all the cells in the against diseases.
body.

Q3. Explain how red blood cells are adapted to transport oxygen around the
body.
Ans. Red blood cells contain a chemical called haemoglobin. Their job is to carry
oxygen from the lungs to all the cells in the body. Red cells pick up oxygen as
blood is pumped through the lungs. Haemoglobin joins with oxygen to make
oxyhaemoglobin which is bright red. As it travels around the body, the
oxyhaemoglobin changes back to haemoglobin, releasing the oxygen to the cells.
Without oxygen, the blood is a dull red colour before it is pumped back to the lungs
to collect more oxygen.

Q4. Explain why fresh meat is wet.

Ans. The walls of the smallest blood vessels (capillaries) are very thin with tiny
holes in them. A liquid called tissue fluid leaks out. Tissue fluid is mainly water and
it forms a continuous link between the water in the blood plasma and the water in
the cell cytoplasm this is why fresh meat looks wet.
Q5. Give two differences between arteries and veins.

Ans. ARTERIES:
•Arteries have thick, muscular walls to cope with the high pressure of the blood as it
leaves the heart.
•Arteries divide into smaller tubes called capillaries.

VEINS:
•Veins are wider than arteries and have thinner walls.
•Veins have valves to keep the blood flowing in the right direction.

Q6. Explain why the walls of the capillaries are so thin.

Ans. The walls of a capillary are very thin. This means that tissue fluid carrying
oxygen, food, carbon dioxide and waste can pass between the blood and the cells.

LONG QUESTIONS

Q1. Write a note on the human heart.

Ans. THE HEART:
The heart is a pump made of muscles.
SIZE:
It is about the size of a clenched fist.
FUNCTION:
It pumps blood around the body.
CHAMBERS:
The space inside the heart is divided into four chambers.
ATRIA:
The top two are the atria.
VENTRICLE:
The bottom two are the ventricles.
VALVES:
Valves inside the heart stop blood flowing in the wrong direction.
BLOOD SUPPLY:
The heart has its own blood supply. This is carried by the coronary artery and
coronary vein.
Q2. Explain what is meant by double circulation.
Ans. DOUBLE CIRCULATION:
Humans have a double circulation. This means that blood passes through the heart
twice as it goes once around the body.

RIGHT SIDE OF THE HEART:

Right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs to collect oxygen and getrid of
carbon dioxide.

LEFT SIDE OF THE HEART:

Left side of the heart pumps blood to the rest of the body to supply cells with
oxygen and pick up carbon dioxide and other waste.
TISSUE FLUID:
When blood gets to the body cells, a liquid called tissue fluid passes across the wall
of the capillaries. Substances such as oxygen and carbon dioxide move in both
directions through the walls by diffusion.
Q3. Explain how cholesterol causes heart diseases?
Ans. HEART DISEASES:
Heart diseases are caused when coronary arteries get blocked by a fatty substance
called cholesterol.

ANGINA:
The coronary arteries are very narrow and when cholesterol sticks to the artery
walls it makes them even narrower. This causes the blood supply to the heart to
slow down. A cramp-like pain spreads across the chest. This pain is called angina.

THROMBOSIS:
Cholesterol also makes the inside of the arteries rough which can cause the blood to
clot. Clots can block an artery completely. This blockage is called a thrombosis.

HEART ATTACK:
A heart attack is a thrombosis in the coronary artery, when its blood supply cut off,
the heart stops beating.