Science: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology Basics
Scope
The science section is broad but shallow. Expect measurement and units, states of matter, force and simple machines, light and sound basics, electricity in the home, the structure of the atom, acids and bases, the periodic table at an introductory level, and in biology: cells, plant and animal differences, human body systems, food chains, and health and hygiene.
Physics points
- Units: force in newtons, energy in joules, power in watts, pressure in pascals. Speed = distance ÷ time.
- States of matter: solids have fixed shape and volume; liquids fixed volume but not shape; gases neither.
- Simple machines: a lever trades force for distance; the fulcrum position decides the class.
Chemistry points
- Acids and bases: acids turn blue litmus red; bases turn red litmus blue. Neutralisation gives a salt and water.
- Atom: protons and neutrons in the nucleus, electrons in shells.
Biology points
- Cells: plant cells have a cell wall and chloroplasts; animal cells do not.
- Food chain: energy flows from producer to consumer; the arrow points in the direction of energy transfer.
- Systems: know the main function of the digestive, respiratory, circulatory and excretory systems.
Traps
Confusing mass with weight, mixing the roles of litmus colours, and reversing food-chain arrows are common. Also check whether a question asks for a function rather than a name.
Worked example
A car travels 150 km in 3 hours. Its speed is 150 ÷ 3 = 50 km/h. Note the unit: a bare "50" would be marked wrong.
Method
Learn each fact with its unit or example. Draw simple labelled diagrams for the cell and the digestive system - drawing forces you to recall structure.