Everyday Science
What the Everyday Science section tests
The paper samples basic physics, chemistry, biology, and health: units, force, density, pressure, heat, light, electricity, acids and bases, photosynthesis, human body systems, vitamins, and common diseases. It rewards clear definitions and unit sense.
Core rules
- Density = mass ÷ volume; an object floats in a fluid if its average density is less than the fluid's.
- Pressure = force ÷ area; atmospheric pressure falls with altitude.
- Weight is a force (newtons); mass is measured in kilograms and does not change with location.
- pH below 7 is acidic, 7 is neutral, above 7 is basic.
- Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and water with light to produce glucose and oxygen.
- RAM is volatile; ROM retains data without power, a distinction that also appears in computer questions.
Worked example
A block has mass 200 g and volume 250 cm³. Will it float in water? Reasoning: density = 200 g ÷ 250 cm³ = 0.8 g/cm³. Water's density is about 1.0 g/cm³. Since 0.8 < 1.0, the block is less dense than water and floats, with 80% of its volume submerged.
Traps that cost marks
- Using weight in place of mass in the density formula.
- Reversing the density ratio, e.g. volume ÷ mass.
- Saying pressure increases with altitude.
- Confusing acids with bases because of everyday names such as milk of magnesia.
- Forgetting that boiling point depends on pressure.