General Science
What this domain tests
General Science tests basic physics, chemistry, biology and ecology at school level, with everyday applications. Expect units, motion, electricity, acids and bases, cell structure, human body systems, diseases and environment.
Core rules
- Motion: speed = distance/time; velocity includes direction; acceleration = change in velocity/time. Use SI units: metre, second, newton, joule, watt.
- Force and energy: Newton's laws; energy is conserved but can change form; mass is constant, weight changes with gravity.
- Chemistry: acids turn blue litmus red, bases red litmus blue; pH below 7 is acidic; metals conduct, non-metals usually do not.
- Biology: plant cells have a cell wall and chloroplasts; animal cells do not. Know photosynthesis, respiration, blood circulation, digestion and common deficiency diseases.
Worked example
A bus covers 72 km in 1 hour. Convert to m/s. 72 km = 72,000 m; 1 hour = 3,600 s; speed = 72,000/3,600 = 20 m/s. The reverse check is 20 x 3.6 = 72 km/h.
Traps that cost marks
Do not treat speed and velocity as identical; do not confuse mass with weight; do not say plants respire only at night; do not mix acid-base colours. In unit conversion, multiply by 5/18 from km/h to m/s and by 18/5 back.