Grade 9 Int. Science Teaching Notes
Grade 9 Int. Science Teaching Notes
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
GRADE 9
0780802443
[email protected]
First published 2025
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Table of Contents
NATIONAL GOALS OF EDUCATION IN KENYA........................................................................................7
LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR JUNIOR SCHOOL ......................................................................................9
ESSENCE STATEMENT................................................................................................................................. 10
SUBJECT GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES ........................................................................................ 11
1. MIXTURES, ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS ........................................................................................... 12
1.1. STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM................................................................................................................. 12
1.2. Atomic number and mass number of elements ........................................................................................ 12
1.3. Table showing atomic number and mass number of the First 20 elements........................................... 13
1.4. Electron arrangements in atoms ............................................................................................................... 14
1.5. Electron arrangement of the first 20 elements of the periodic table ...................................................... 14
1.6. Classification of elements as metals or non-metals .................................................................................. 17
1.7. Grouping the first 20 elements into metals and non-metals ................................................................... 18
1.8. Modeling the atomic structure of selected elements ................................................................................ 19
1.9. METALS AND ALLOYS........................................................................................................................... 21
1.10. Metals and non-metals ............................................................................................................................. 21
1.11. Physical properties of metals ................................................................................................................... 21
1.12. Experiment to find out the color of metals ............................................................................................. 21
1.13. Experiment to demonstrate the malleability of metals ......................................................................... 22
1.14. Experiment to demonstrate thermal conductivity in metals ................................................................ 23
1.15. Experiment to demonstrate electrical conductivity in metals .............................................................. 24
1.16. Composition of alloys ............................................................................................................................... 25
1.17. Uses of common metals and alloys .......................................................................................................... 25
1.18. Rusting of iron .......................................................................................................................................... 28
1.19. Experiment to investigating the causes of rusting of iron ..................................................................... 28
1.20. Effects of rusting ....................................................................................................................................... 29
1.21. Ways of preventing rusting ...................................................................................................................... 30
1.22. Importance of common alloys ................................................................................................................. 30
1.23. WATER HARDNESS............................................................................................................................... 30
1.24. Physical properties of water .................................................................................................................... 31
1.25. Experiment to study the colour, odour, and taste of water from different sources............................. 31
1.26. Experiment to determine the boiling point of different samples of water ........................................... 32
1.27. Hard and soft water .................................................................................................................................. 33
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1.28. Differences between soft and hard water ............................................................................................... 34
1.29. Methods of softening hard water in day-to-day life .............................................................................. 34
1.30. Practical experiment to soften temporary hard water by boiling ........................................................ 35
1.31. Practical experiment to soften hard water by distillation ..................................................................... 37
1.32. Practical experiment softening temporary hard water using sodium carbonate (washing soda) ..... 38
1.33. Advantages of hard water ........................................................................................................................ 40
1.34. Disadvantages of hard water ................................................................................................................... 40
1.35. Advantages of soft water .......................................................................................................................... 40
1.36. Disadvantages of soft water ..................................................................................................................... 41
1.37. Applications of soft water ........................................................................................................................ 41
1.38. Applications of hard water ...................................................................................................................... 41
2. LIVING THINGS AND THE ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................... 42
2.1. NUTRITION IN PLANTS ......................................................................................................................... 42
2.2. External parts of a leaf ............................................................................................................................... 42
2.3. Internal structure of a leaf ......................................................................................................................... 43
2.4. Adaptations of the leaf to photosynthesis ................................................................................................. 44
2.5. Structure of the chloroplast ....................................................................................................................... 45
2.6. Process of photosynthesis ........................................................................................................................... 45
2.7. Practical experiment to test for the presence of starch in a leaf ............................................................. 47
2.8. Conditions necessary for photosynthesis .................................................................................................. 49
2.9. Experiment to investigate if light is necessary for photosynthesis ......................................................... 49
2.10. Experiment to investigate if Carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis .................................... 50
2.11. Experiment to investigate if chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis............................................ 51
2.12. Experiment to investigate whether oxygen is produced during photosynthesis ................................. 53
2.13. NUTRITION IN ANIMALS .................................................................................................................... 54
2.14. Modes of nutrition in animals ................................................................................................................. 54
2.15. Structure and functions of different types of teeth ................................................................................ 55
2.16. Classifying animals based on their dentition.......................................................................................... 56
2.17. Classification of animals based on the food they eat ............................................................................. 56
2.18. Adaptations of herbivores to their feeding habits.................................................................................. 58
2.19. Adaptations of carnivores to their feeding habits .................................................................................. 58
2.20. Adaptations of omnivores to their mode of feeding............................................................................... 58
2.21. Process of digestion in human beings ..................................................................................................... 58
2.22. Parts of the digestive system .................................................................................................................... 59
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2.23. Digestion of food in the mouth................................................................................................................. 59
2.24. Digestion of food in the stomach ............................................................................................................. 60
2.25. Digestion of food in the duodenum ......................................................................................................... 61
2.26. Digestion in the Ileum .............................................................................................................................. 61
2.27. Large Intestines (Colon) ........................................................................................................................... 62
2.28. REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS ............................................................................................................. 62
2.29. Parts of a flower ........................................................................................................................................ 62
2.30. Functions of parts of a flower .................................................................................................................. 63
2.31. Pollination in plants .................................................................................................................................. 63
2.32. Types of pollination .................................................................................................................................. 64
2.33. Agents of pollination ................................................................................................................................. 65
2.34. Characteristics of wind-pollinated flowers ............................................................................................. 66
2.35. Characteristics of insect-pollinated flowers ........................................................................................... 66
2.36. Differences between insect-pollinated and wind-pollinated flowers .................................................... 66
2.37. Effects of agrochemicals on pollinating agents and their effects on reproduction in plants.............. 67
2.38. Fertilisation and fruit formation in flowering plants ............................................................................ 67
2.39. Categorizing fruits and seeds based on their mode of dispersal ........................................................... 68
2.40. Importance of seed and fruit dispersal ................................................................................................... 69
2.41. Roles of flowers in our environment ....................................................................................................... 69
2.42. THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF LIFE .................................................................................................. 69
2.43. Interrelationship between living components in the environment ....................................................... 70
2.44. Interrelationship between biotic factors of the environment ................................................................ 70
2.45. Interrelationship between predators and preys ..................................................................................... 71
2.46. Interrelationship between parasites and hosts ....................................................................................... 71
2.47. Symbiotic and saprophytic interrelationships ....................................................................................... 72
2.48. Roles of decomposers in an ecosystem .................................................................................................... 72
2.49. Effects of abiotic factors of the environment on living organisms ....................................................... 72
2.50. Effects of water on living organisms ....................................................................................................... 72
2.51. Effects of wind on living organisms ........................................................................................................ 73
2.52. Effects of light on living organisms ......................................................................................................... 73
2.53. Effects of salinity on living organisms .................................................................................................... 73
2.54. Effects of temperature, atmospheric pressure and pH on living organisms ....................................... 74
2.55. Food chain ................................................................................................................................................. 74
2.56. Constructing simple foodchains .............................................................................................................. 75
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2.57. Food webs .................................................................................................................................................. 75
2.58. Effects of human activities on the environment ..................................................................................... 77
3. FORCE AND ENERGY .................................................................................................................................... 78
3.1. CURVED MIRRORS ................................................................................................................................ 78
3.2. Types of mirrors .......................................................................................................................................... 78
3.3. Terms used in curved mirrors ................................................................................................................... 79
3.4. Determining the focal length of a concave mirror ................................................................................... 80
3.5. Drawing ray diagrams to locate images formed by concave and convex mirrors ................................ 81
3.6. Locating images of objects in front of a concave mirror ......................................................................... 86
3.7. Locating images of objects in front of a convex mirror .......................................................................... 94
3.8. Illustrating images formed by curved mirrors using ray diagrams ....................................................... 96
3.9. Characteristics of images formed by a concave mirror when object is at various positions............... 97
3.10. Characteristics of images formed by a convex mirror when object is at various positions............... 97
3.11. Applications of curved mirrors in our day-to-day life........................................................................... 97
3.12. WAVES...................................................................................................................................................... 98
3.13. Generation of waves ................................................................................................................................. 98
3.14. Demonstrating the generation of waves using a slinky spring ............................................................. 98
3.15. Demonstrating the generation of waves using a rope .......................................................................... 100
3.16. Demonstrating the generation of waves using water ........................................................................... 101
3.17. Demonstrating the generation of waves using sound .......................................................................... 101
3.18. Demonstrating phase in waves .............................................................................................................. 103
3.19. Classification of waves as longitudnal and traverse ............................................................................ 103
3.20. Characteristics of waves ......................................................................................................................... 105
3.21. Parts of a traverse wave ......................................................................................................................... 106
3.22. Remote sensing in relation to waves ..................................................................................................... 106
3.23. Application of waves in our day-to-day life .......................................................................................... 108
3.24. Applications of remote sensing .............................................................................................................. 108
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NATIONAL GOALS OF EDUCATION IN KENYA
Education in Kenya should:
1. Foster nationalism and patriotism and promote national unity.
Kenya’s people belong to different communities, races and religions, but these differences need not divide
them. They must be able to live and interact as Kenyans. It is a paramount duty of education to help young
people acquire this sense of nationhood by removing conflicts and promoting positive attitudes of mutual
respect which enable them to live together in harmony and foster patriotism in order to make a positive
contribution to the life of the nation.
2. Promote the social, economic, technological and industrial needs for national development.
Education should prepare the youth of the country to play an effective and productive role in the life of
the nation.
a) Social Needs
Education in Kenya must prepare children for changes in attitudes and relationships which are necessary
for the smooth progress of a rapidly developing modern economy. There is bound to be a silent social
revolution following in the wake of rapid modernization. Education should assist our youth to adapt to
this change.
b) Economic Needs
Education in Kenya should produce citizens with the skills, knowledge, expertise and personal qualities
that are required to support a growing economy. Kenya is building up a modern and independent economy
which is in need of an adequate and relevant domestic workforce.
c) Technological and Industrial Needs
Education in Kenya should provide learners with the necessary skills and attitudes for industrial
development. Kenya recognizes the rapid industrial and technological changes taking place, especially in
the developed world. We can only be part of this development if our education system is deliberately
focused on the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will prepare our young people for these changing global
trends.
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6. Promote respect for and development of Kenya’s rich and varied cultures.
Education should instill in the youth of Kenya an understanding of past and present cultures and their
valid place in contemporary society. Children should be able to blend the best of traditional values with
the changing requirements that must follow rapid development in order to build a stable and modern
society.
7. Promote international consciousness and foster positive attitudes towards other nations.
Kenya is part of the international community. It is part of the complicated and interdependent network of
peoples and nations. Education should therefore lead the youth of the country to accept membership of
this international community with all the obligations and responsibilities, rights and benefits that this
membership entails.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR JUNIOR SCHOOL
By end of Junior School, the learner should be able to:
1. Apply literacy, numeracy and logical thinking skills for appropriate self-expression. Students
should be able to read and write with confidence. This includes understanding different genres,
composing coherent texts and interpreting information from various sources. Students should
understand basic mathematical concepts like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and
be able to apply these in real-life scenarios. Encouraging problem-solving and critical thinking
through puzzles, simple coding activities and science experiments.
2. Communicate effectively, verbally and non-verbally, in diverse contexts. Participating in group
discussions, presenting ideas clearly and listening actively. Using body language, facial expressions
and gestures to enhance understanding and express emotions.
3. Demonstrate social skills, spiritual and moral values for peaceful co-existence. Practicing
teamwork, empathy and conflict resolution. Learning about honesty, respect, and responsibility
through stories, role-playing and classroom discussions.
4. Explore, manipulate, manage and conserve the environment effectively for learning and
sustainable development. Engaging in hands-on activities like planting trees, recycling projects
and nature walks. Understanding the importance of reducing waste and protecting natural resources
through classroom projects and field trips.
5. Practice relevant hygiene, sanitation and nutrition skills to promote health. Teaching proper
handwashing techniques, personal cleanliness and the importance of dental care. Understanding
waste disposal, keeping personal and communal spaces clean. Learning about balanced diets,
recognizing healthy food choices and understanding the impact of nutrition on overall health.
6. Demonstrate ethical behaviour and exhibit good citizenship as a civic responsibility.
Discussing concepts of fairness, respect and integrity through stories and classroom activities.
Participating in community service, understanding civic duties and respecting diverse perspectives.
7. Appreciate the country's rich and diverse cultural heritage for harmonious co-existence.
Learning about various cultural practices, traditions and celebrations through activities, guest
speakers and cultural events. Encouraging respect for diversity and inclusion through collaborative
projects and discussions.
8. Manage pertinent and contemporary issues in society effectively. Discussing current affairs,
events and social issues in age-appropriate ways. Encouraging students to think critically about
solutions and their roles in addressing societal challenges.
9. Apply digital literacy skills for communication and learning. Using educational software,
engaging with online resources responsibly and understanding the basics of internet safety.
Leveraging digital tools to create presentations, research topics and collaborate with peers.
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ESSENCE STATEMENT
Integrated Science is an innovative and comprehensive subject area that enables learners to develop the
ability to think logically, reason critically and apply systematic methods to understand a wide range of
natural phenomena. These phenomena span the biological, physical and technological worlds, offering a
holistic view of the environment. The subject is designed to encourage students to develop a deeper
understanding of the interconnectedness of these scientific fields and to appreciate how they shape and
influence the world around them.
At the Junior School level, the primary focus of science education is to cultivate and enhance learners’
scientific thinking and curiosity. This is achieved through a range of interactive and hands-on learning
activities that promote the development of key scientific process skills such as observation,
experimentation, data analysis and problem-solving.
The overarching goal of Integrated Science is to foster a scientific mindset that empowers students to think
critically and systematically. By integrating scientific literacy into everyday learning, the subject prepares
learners to make well-informed choices in their personal lives and equips them with the tools to tackle
real-world challenges in a logical and methodical manner. This approach helps learners build confidence
in their ability to think like scientists, allowing them to approach issues from multiple perspectives and
make decisions grounded in evidence and rational thought.
Additionally, Integrated Science provides learners with a solid foundation in the essential skills,
knowledge, values and attitudes necessary for advancing into specialized studies in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the Senior School level. It encourages learners to appreciate the
relevance of scientific knowledge in solving everyday problems while simultaneously preparing them for
the complex, technology-driven world of the future. The importance of this subject is highlighted by its
alignment with the strategic goals of Kenya Vision 2030, as well as the priorities set out in Sessional
Papers No. 14 of 2012 and No. 1 of 2019, all of which emphasize the vital role of Science, Technology
and Innovation (STI) in the nation’s educational framework. These documents highlight the critical need
to equip learners with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing, technology-centric world.
Integrated Science is designed to be taught using inquiry-based learning methods, which prioritize active
exploration, questioning and problem-solving. This approach encourages students to engage with
scientific concepts in a hands-on and experiential manner. The 5Es model; engagement, exploration,
explanation, elaboration and evaluation; guides the learning process, ensuring that students are not only
actively involved in discovering new knowledge but also develop the skills to apply this knowledge
effectively in diverse contexts. Through these strategies, Integrated Science aims to nurture a generation
of scientifically literate individuals who are capable of contributing to the advancement of science and
technology in both local and global contexts.
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SUBJECT GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of Junior School, the learner should be able to:
1. Acquire scientific knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to make informed choices on career
pathways at Senior School. Learners should gain scientific understanding that will help them make
informed decisions about their future careers, particularly in science-related fields. This includes not
only knowledge but also the attitudes and values needed to explore various professions in senior
school.
2. Select, improvise and safely use basic scientific tools, apparatus, materials and chemicals
effectively in everyday life. Learners should be able to safely and effectively use basic scientific
tools and materials in practical situations. This skill is essential for real-life applications of science,
whether in the laboratory or everyday activities.
3. Explore, manipulate, manage and conserve the environment for learning and sustainable
development. The aim is to help learners develop a sense of responsibility for the environment by
learning to manage and conserve natural resources. This outcome also ties into the idea of
sustainability and making eco-friendly decisions.
4. Practice relevant hygiene, sanitation and nutrition skills to promote good health. Learners
should learn and apply practical skills for maintaining hygiene, sanitation and good nutrition. This
supports personal health and well-being, as well as contributing to overall community health.
5. Apply the understanding of body systems with a view to promote and maintain good health.
Knowledge of body systems should lead to an understanding of how they function and how to
maintain health. This encourages learners to apply this knowledge to their own lifestyle choices and
health practices.
6. Develop capacity for scientific inquiry and problem solving in different situations. Developing
critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills is essential. Learners should be able to apply scientific
methods to solve real-world problems and questions, fostering analytical thinking.
7. Appreciate the use of scientific knowledge, skills, principles and practices in everyday life. This
outcome encourages learners to recognize the relevance of science in their daily activities. They
should understand how scientific principles can improve their lives, from technology to health
practices.
8. Apply acquired scientific knowledge, skills, principles and practices in everyday life. Learners
should be able to apply the knowledge, skills and principles they’ve learned in practical, everyday
situations. This ensures that their scientific education is grounded in real-life contexts and is useful
in their daily interactions with the world.
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1. MIXTURES, ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS
1.1. STRUCTURE OF THE ATOM
- Matter is made of tiny particles. These particles can be divided further by chemical means.
- When they can no longer be divided without changing the properties of the element, the particles at
this stage are called atoms. All forms of matter are made of atoms. Therefore, atoms are the basic
building blocks of matter.
- An atom is the smallest particle into which an element can be divided without losing the properties
of the element.
- An atom is the smallest particle of an element that retains all the chemical properties of the element.
An atom cannot be broken down chemically.
- An atom has two main regions: the nucleus and the energy levels.
- An atom has three subatomic particles: electrons, protons and neutrons. These are smaller particles
within the atom.
- Protons and neutrons are in the nucleus, while electrons move around the nucleus in regions known
as energy levels. An atom can have more than one energy level, depending on the number of
electrons it has.
- The subatomic particles differ in terms of their charges, masses, and locations within the atom.
- The atom of one element is different from the atom of a different element. An iron atom is different
from a copper atom, a copper atom is different from a zinc atom, and so forth.
- Therefore, there are as many atoms as there are elements. There are about 118 different types of
elements that have been discovered, so we know of 118 different types of atoms.
- Most atoms do not exist independently because they are usually unstable on their own and must
bond with other atoms.
1.3. Table showing atomic number and mass number of the First 20
elements
Element Symbol Atomic Number Mass Number Illustration
1
Hydrogen H 1 1 1Li
4
Helium He 2 4 2He
7
Lithium Li 3 7 3Li
9
Beryllium Be 4 9 4Be
11
Boron B 5 11 5B
12
Carbon C 6 12 6C
14
Nitrogen N 7 14 7N
16
Oxygen O 8 16 8O
19
Fluorine F 9 19 9F
20
Neon Ne 10 20 10 Ne
23
Sodium Na 11 23 11 Na
24
Magnesium Mg 12 24 12 Mg
27
Aluminum Al 13 27 13 Al
28
Silicon Si 14 28 14 Si
Phosphorus P 15 31 31
15 P
32
Sulfur S 16 32 16 S
Chlorine Cl 17 35 35
17 Cl
40
Argon Ar 18 40 18 Ar
39
Potassium K 19 39 19K
40
Calcium Ca 20 40 20 Ca
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1.4. Electron arrangements in atoms
- Electron arrangement is the distribution of electrons in the energy levels of an atom.
- To determine the electron arrangement of a specific element, one must know the number of electrons
that the element has.
- Electrons occupy regions around the nucleus known as energy levels. The energy levels are
numbered 1, 2, 3, and so on, starting with the one closest to the nucleus.
- Each energy level can only accommodate a given maximum number of electrons. The first energy
level holds a maximum of two electrons.
- The second energy level holds a maximum of eight electrons, and the third energy level
accommodates a maximum of eight electrons.
- When an energy level is full, additional electrons occupy the next energy level until it is completely
filled, as shown below.
- Certain atoms are stable, while others are unstable. An atom is most stable when its outermost
energy level contains the maximum number of electrons. For example, helium (2), neon (2.8), and
argon (2.8.8).
- Atoms whose outermost energy level does not contain its maximum number of electrons are
unstable.
- Atoms with an unstable electron arrangement gain stability by either gaining electrons, losing
electrons, or sharing electrons. Examples of unstable atoms include oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and
carbon, among others.
Helium 2 2 2
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Lithium 3 3 2.1
Beryllium 4 4 2.2
Boron 5 5 2.3
Carbon 6 6 2.4
Nitrogen 7 7 2.5
Oxygen 8 8 2.6
Fluorine 9 9 2.7
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Neon 10 10 2.8
Sodium 11 11 2.8.1
Magnesium 12 12 2.8.2
Aluminium 13 13 2.8.3
Silicon 14 14 2.8.4
Phosphorus 15 15 2.8.5
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Sulphur 16 16 2.8.6
Chlorine 17 17 2.8.7
Argon 18 18 2.8.8
Potassium 19 19 2.8.8.1
Calcium 20 20 2.8.8.2
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Potassium 19 19 2, 8, 8, 1 Metal
Calcium 20 20 2, 8, 8, 2 Metal
4. Use a pair of scissors to cut out small, medium, and large cardboard rings. You will need to
create three different sizes of cardboard rings. These will represent the energy levels or electron
shells of the atom. Cut out a small, medium, and large ring, ensuring that each is large enough to
hold the appropriate number of electrons, as detailed in the next step. For example, in the case of
Carbon (atomic number 6), you will need a small ring to represent the first energy level and a
medium ring for the second energy level.
Note: The number of rings will depend on the number of electron shells the atom has. For elements
with higher atomic numbers, you may need more rings to represent additional electron shells.
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5. Using a string, tie all the beads in concentric circles at the center of the cardboard rings. Place
the nucleus at the center of the cardboard rings. Using a piece of string, tie the beads (nucleus)
securely to the center of the cardboard. Ensure that the beads are placed so that they do not move
around. This step visually anchors the nucleus to the center of the atom model, with the rings
surrounding it. Make sure the strings are tight enough to hold the beads in place but loose enough to
allow the cardboard rings to move freely.
6. Glue the appropriate number of electrons to each cardboard ring. According to the atomic
number, place the correct number of electrons on the cardboard rings. Start with the smallest ring,
which represents the first electron shell. This shell can hold up to two electrons. Then move to the
next ring, which represents the second electron shell (which can hold up to eight electrons). For
Carbon, place two small beads on the first ring and four medium beads on the second ring. Continue
placing electrons in this way, adhering to the rule that the first shell can hold 2 electrons, the second
shell can hold 8, the third can hold 8, and so on. Make sure to space the beads out evenly along the
rings to mimic the orbiting of electrons.
7. Attach a piece of string to the outer circle to help you hang the model. Once your model is
complete, you can add a piece of string to the outermost ring so you can hang the model. Use a
strong piece of string and tie it securely to the edge of the outer ring. This string will serve as a way
to display your model on a wall, noticeboard, or wherever you choose. Make sure the string is long
enough to allow the model to hang freely without being too tight.
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8. Display your model on the classroom noticeboard. After assembling and hanging your atomic
structure model, place it on a noticeboard or wall in your classroom for others to see. This will allow
your peers to learn more about the atomic structure of the element you've chosen and see the model
you've created. You can even include a label with the element’s name and atomic number, and if you
want, a brief explanation of its properties or how the electrons are arranged in the atom.
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❖ Sandpaper
❖ Metals like iron, magnesium, zinc, aluminium, copper, sodium, potassium and lithium
❖ A knife
❖ A white tile.
Procedure
1. Place the following metals on a work table: iron, magnesium, zinc, aluminium and copper.
2. Observe, state, and write the colour of each metal in your exercise book.
3. Use sandpaper to clean the metals listed in step 1. Observe the colour of each metal and record
your observations in your exercise book.
4. Place a piece of sodium metal on a dry white tile. Cut it with a knife and immediately observe its
colour. Record your observations in your exercise book.
Caution: Be careful while handling potassium, sodium and lithium metals because they are very
reactive with air and water and can explode.
5. Repeat step 4 with potassium and lithium in place of sodium.
6. Discuss your observations with your classmates.
Observations
- You noticed that metals cleaned with sandpaper have a shiny surface. Most metals are grey in colour,
except copper, which is reddish-brown and gold, which is bright yellow.
- The property of metals that makes them reflect light on their surfaces is called lustre.
- Metals are generally solids, except mercury, which is a liquid at room temperature.
Procedure
1. Copy the following table into your exercise book.
Observations made when metals are hit
Metal Iron nail Copper wire Aluminium wire
Observation The shape of the iron The copper wire bends The aluminium wire
nail changes. It may and flattens, but it may bends and flattens easily,
flatten, bend or deform crack or break after but it may break after a
but does not break repeated strikes. few strikes.
easily.
2. Place the nail on the block of iron.
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3. Use the hammer to strike the nail hard three to four times. Observe and record your findings in
the table you drew.
Caution: Be careful while using the hammer to avoid injury to yourself and others.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3, replacing the iron nail with a piece of aluminium wire and a copper wire.
5. Discuss your observations with your classmates.
Observations
- You will observe that the shape of the iron nail, copper wire and aluminium wire changes when they
are hit with the hammer.
- The experiment demonstrates that metals like iron, copper and aluminium are malleable.
Malleability is the property of metals associated with their ability to be hammered into thin sheets
without breaking.
- Metals are also ductile. Ductility is the property of metals associated with their ability to be
stretched into wires without breaking.
- The malleability and ductility of metals are applied in the production of the following items:
a) Aluminium foil
b) Copper wire
c) Magnesium ribbon
Procedure
1. Copy the table below into your exercise book. Use it to record your observations.
Observations made when heating metals
Metal Copper Aluminium Lead Iron
2. Support the copper rod with a clamp as shown in the figure below.
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3. Fix a pin to the free end of the rod using wax.
4. Heat the rod at the end near the clamp. What do you observe about the wax and the pin after some
time?
5. Repeat steps 2 to 4 using the aluminium rod, lead rod, and iron rod in place of the copper rod.
Record your observations in the table.
6. Discuss your observations with your classmates.
Observations
- You will notice that after some time, the wax melts and the pin drops when the copper rod,
aluminium rod, lead rod and iron rod are heated.
- This shows that metals are good conductors of heat.
Procedure:
1. Set up an open electric circuit as shown below.
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2. Clip the copper rod between the gap (the parts marked A and B) to complete the circuit. Observe
whether the bulb lights up or not.
3. Record your observations in your exercise book.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 using an aluminium rod, a zinc rod, a magnesium rod, and an iron rod in
place of the copper rod.
5. Discuss your observations with your classmates.
Observations:
- You will notice that the light was produced when the circuit was completed using either an
aluminium rod, a zinc rod, a magnesium rod, a copper rod or an iron rod.
- This activity shows that metals are good conductors of electricity.
Magnesium
- Magnesium is used in making an alloy called duralumin ( aluminium and magnesium). It is used
to make aircraft bodies due to its light weight.
- It is used in making lightweight materials for the automotive and aerospace industries.
- Magnesium is also used in the production of fireworks for its bright white light.
Copper
- Copper is used in making electrical wires because it is a good conductor of electricity.
- Copper is used in plumbing systems and pipes due to its resistance to corrosion.
- Copper is used in the production of roofing materials and coins.
- It is used in making alloys such as brass and bronze.
Zinc
- It is used as the outer casing of dry cells, where it acts as the negative terminal, since it is a good
conductor of electricity.
- It is used in making brass, an alloy of copper and zinc.
- Zinc is used for galvanizing iron to prevent rusting.
- Zinc is used in the production of batteries, particularly in alkaline and zinc-carbon batteries.
Aluminium
- Aluminium is used in making window frames, kitchen foil and food and beverage cans.
- Aluminium is used in the manufacturing of aircraft and automotive parts due to its lightweight
and corrosion-resistant properties.
- It is used in making overhead cables because it is light and a good conductor of electricity.
- It is used in the construction of solar panels.
Iron
- Cast iron (pig iron) is very brittle and hard. Therefore, it is used to make furnaces, gates,
drainage pipes and charcoal iron boxes.
- Iron is used in the construction of buildings, bridges and railways due to its strength.
- It is used in making steel alloys.
- Wrought iron is malleable; therefore, it is used to make iron sheets, nails, farm tools, springs and
anchors.
Gold
- Gold is malleable and ductile. Therefore, it is used in making gold medals and jewellery such as
necklaces, rings and bangles.
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- It is used in electronics for connectors and circuit boards because it is a good conductor and
resistant to corrosion.
- Gold is also used in dentistry to make dental crowns and fillings.
Silver
- Silver is lustrous, resistant to corrosion and very ductile and malleable. Hence, it is used in
making jewelry such as necklaces, rings and bangles.
- It is also used to make silver medals.
- Silver is used in photography for making film emulsions.
- It is used in solar panels due to its excellent conductivity.
Mild steel
- Mild steel is ductile, stronger and harder than pure iron. Therefore, it is used to make car frames.
- It is used in the construction of buildings and bridges due to its strength and flexibility.
- Mild steel is used in the production of nails, bolts and other fasteners.
Stainless steel
- Stainless steel is harder than pure iron and does not rust. It is used to make cutlery, surgical
instruments and kitchen sinks.
- It is used in the construction of food processing equipment and chemical reactors because it is
resistant to corrosion.
- Stainless steel is used in the production of automotive parts and appliances due to its durability.
Tungsten steel
- Tungsten steel is tough and hard. It is used to make edges for high-speed cutting tools.
- It is used in the production of light bulb filaments.
- Tungsten is used in aerospace applications due to its high melting point and density.
Manganese steel
- It is used in the production of railroad tracks and high-stress components in machinery.
- Manganese steel is tough and springy. It is used to make building equipment such as cement
mixers.
- Manganese steel is used to make crusher jaws and hammer mills due to its wear resistance.
Bronze
- Bronze is harder than pure copper and highly ductile. It is also resistant to corrosion. It is used to
make medals, coins, springs and ship propellers.
- Bronze is used in the manufacture of bearings and gears.
- It is used for making statues and sculptures due to its aesthetic appeal.
Brass
- Brass is harder than copper and has a golden colour. It is used to make decorative items such as
door handles, door hinges, door locks, door knobs and musical instruments.
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- Brass is used in the manufacture of plumbing fittings and instruments.
- It is used in the production of electrical connectors and terminals due to its good conductivity.
Procedure
1. Label five dry and clean test tubes as A, B, C, D and E. Place them on a test tube rack.
2. Place a clean nail in each of the test tubes. Leave test tube A undisturbed.
3. Add clean tap water to cover the nail in test tube B.
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4. Place a piece of cotton wool above the nail in test tube C, add two spatula full of anhydrous
calcium chloride, then place another piece of cotton wool to cover the calcium chloride. Cork the
test tube as shown.
5. Add hot boiled water to cover the nail in test tube D. Add a layer of oil on top and cork the test
tube.
6. Add sodium chloride (salt solution) to test tube E
7. Leave the setup undisturbed for one week, then make and record your observations.
Observations
- In the experiment above, water in test tube D was boiled to expel dissolved air, and a layer of oil was
added to prevent any air from dissolving in the water as it cooled. Anhydrous calcium chloride
absorbed moisture from the air in test tube C.
- You observed that the nails remained clean in test tubes C and D, while in test tubes A, B, and E, the
nails were covered with a brown substance. The brown substance is called rust (hydrated iron (III)
oxide). Iron combines with oxygen to form iron (III) oxide. Iron (III) oxide reacts with water to form
rust:
Iron + Oxygen → Iron (III) oxide
Iron (III) oxide + Water → Hydrated iron (III) oxide
- Rusting occurred in test tube B because both water and oxygen were present. Some rusting occurred
in test tube A because there was some moisture in the air. More rusting took place in test tube E,
which contained sodium chloride solution. The presence of salty conditions, acidic conditions, or
high temperatures accelerates the process of rusting.
- Rust only forms on iron that is exposed to both water and oxygen.
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6. Rust can lead to structural failure in vehicles such as cars and ships, as the metal becomes brittle and
fragile.
7. It can reduce the strength and integrity of tools, making them unsafe to use.
8. Rusting can contaminate food or water if rusted containers or pipes are involved.
9. Rust on electrical connections can increase resistance hence reducing the efficiency of electrical
circuits.
10. Rusting can affect the performance of pipes and boilers, leading to decreased heat efficiency in
systems such as water heaters and industrial boilers.
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- Water has many unique properties that make it different from other liquids. This is why it has so
many uses.
1.25. Experiment to study the colour, odour, and taste of water from
different sources
Requirements:
❖ Beakers
❖ Water from different sources such as distilled water, bottled water, tap water, seawater, rainwater,
borehole water, river water, lake water, drum water and lagoon water.
Procedure:
1. Draw the table below in your exercise book.
Physical properties of water
Water Sample Colour of the Water Smell of the Water Taste of the Water
Sample Sample Sample
Distilled Water
Bottled Water
Tap Water
Harvested Rain
Water
2. Put 100 ml of distilled water in a beaker. Repeat this with other samples of water in separate
beakers.
3. Observe the colour of the water. Write your observations in your table.
4. Hold the beaker of water with one hand and smell the water. Describe the smell (odour) of the
water.
Caution: Do not smell anything in the laboratory unless instructed, like in this case.
5. With guidance from your teacher, taste the water only from safe sources using clean glasses or
cups.
Be safe: Only taste water if it is from a safe source.
6. Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 with the other water samples.
7. Record your observations in the table.
8. Discuss your findings with your classmates.
Observations
- You observed that water had neither any colour nor odour.
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- Water is a colourless, odourless and tasteless liquid in its natural state.
Procedure:
1. Copy the table below into your exercise book. Use it to record your results.
Table 1.17: Values of Temperatures Taken at Different Times
Time (minutes) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0
Temperature of
water (°C)
2. Half-fill one of the boiling tubes with distilled water and add boiling chips to it.
3. Measure the temperature of the water using a thermometer. Record your measurement in the
table you created.
4. Set up your apparatus as shown in the figure below.
Caution: Do not allow the boiling tube to touch the wire gauze to avoid intense heating and
rapid boiling.
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5. Heat the water gently, preferably by rotating the flame, and immediately start the stopwatch.
6. Measure and record the temperature of the water every half-minute until it boils. Continue
heating the water for two more minutes.
7. Use your results to draw a graph of temperature (y-axis) against time (x-axis).
8. Use your graph to determine the boiling point of the water.
9. Repeat steps 2 to 8 using two other water samples: one from borehole or seawater and the other
from tap water.
Observations:
- The boiling point of water is the constant temperature at which liquid water gets changes to water
vapour.
- When pure water is heated, the temperature rises steadily. However, when the boiling point is
reached, the temperature remains constant.
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b) Boiling the water - When hard water is boiled, dissolved magnesium and calcium hydrogen
carbonates are decomposed into their respective insoluble salts (carbonates). These
carbonates are insoluble and can be removed by filtration to obtain soft water. This method
removes only temporary hardness.
c) Using sodium carbonate (washing soda) - In this method, sodium carbonate is added to hard
water. Sodium carbonate reacts with dissolved compounds of calcium and magnesium to
form their respective carbonates. These carbonates are insoluble and can be removed by
filtration to obtain soft water.
d) Lime soda process - In this method, a mixture of lime and soda ash is added to hard water.
The lime reacts with the calcium and magnesium ions in the water to form insoluble
precipitates, which are then removed by filtration. This method removes both temporary and
permanent hardness but is often used for industrial-scale water softening.
Procedure:
1. Copy the following table into your exercise book and use it to record your results.
Volume of soap used to form lather in different types of water
Water sample Volume of soap used before Volume of soap used after
boiling (cm³) boiling (cm³)
Distilled water
Water containing
Calcium Hydrogen
Carbonate
Water containing
Magnesium Hydrogen
Carbonate
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2. Measure 10 cm³ of distilled water. Transfer the measured water into a boiling tube and label the
boiling tube as distilled water.
3. Repeat step 2 with other boiling tubes and water samples containing calcium hydrogen carbonate
and magnesium hydrogen carbonate instead of distilled water. Label them accordingly.
4. Boil each water sample for 10 minutes.
5. Keep the boiling tubes aside in a test tube rack. Allow the contents of the boiling tubes to cool.
6. Measure 10 cm³ of unboiled cold distilled water. Transfer the measured water into a boiling tube
and label it as cold distilled water.
7. Repeat step 6 using unboiled cold water samples containing calcium hydrogen carbonate and
magnesium hydrogen carbonate, respectively. Label the test tubes.
8. Clamp a burette onto a stand and fill it with soap solution up to the zero mark, as shown in the
figure below.
9. Add 1 cm³ of soap solution to the first sample of unboiled distilled water in a boiling tube.
10. Cork the boiling tube and shake it vigorously. If no lather is formed, add another 1 cm³ of soap
solution. Cork the boiling tube and shake it vigorously again.
11. Continue adding portions of soap solution until a permanent lather (one that lasts for 30 seconds
or more) is obtained. Record in your table the total volume used to form the permanent lather.
12. Top up the burette with the solution to the zero mark.
13. Repeat steps 8 to 11 with the unboiled water samples containing calcium hydrogen carbonate and
magnesium hydrogen carbonate. Record your observations in the table you drew.
14. Repeat steps 8 to 11 with the three water samples that were boiled and cold. Record your
observations in the table you drew.
15. Discuss your results with your classmates.
Observations:
- You noticed that the volume of soap solution required to form permanent lather with distilled water
was the same before and after boiling. You may also have noticed that distilled water used the least
volume of soap solution to form permanent lather.
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- You observed that unboiled cold water containing calcium hydrogen carbonate and magnesium
hydrogen carbonate used more soap solution to form permanent lather compared to distilled water.
- Boiled water samples containing calcium hydrogen carbonate and magnesium hydrogen carbonate
used a volume of soap solution almost equal to the soap solution used with distilled water to form
permanent lather.
- Distilled water is soft water. It does not have dissolved calcium and magnesium ions. Water samples
containing calcium hydrogen carbonate and magnesium hydrogen carbonate are hard water.
- Hard water containing calcium hydrogen carbonate and magnesium hydrogen carbonate became soft
after boiling. This is because it has temporary water hardness.
Procedure:
1. Copy the following table into your exercise book. Use it to record your results.
Volume of soap used to form lather
Water Before distillation After distillation
Volume of Soap Solution Used (cm³)
2. Measure 10 cm³ of hard water. Transfer the measured water into a boiling tube.
3. Clamp a burette on a stand and fill it with soap solution up to the zero mark.
4. Add 1 cm³ of soap solution to the sample of hard water.
5. Cork the boiling tube and shake it vigorously. If no lather is produced, add another 1 cm³ of soap
solution, cork, and shake it vigorously again.
6. Continue adding portions of soap solution until a permanent lather (one that lasts for 30 seconds
or more) is obtained. Record the volume of soap used in the table you drew in step 1.
7. Put 100 cm³ of hard water in a round-bottomed flask and set up your apparatus as shown in
figure below.
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8. Heat the water and collect the distillate. Allow the distillate to cool.
9. Repeat steps 2 to 6 using the distillate in place of hard water. Make and record your observations
in the table you drew in step 1.
10. Discuss your observations with your classmates.
Observations
- You noticed that the volume of soap solution used to form permanent lather with the distillate is less
compared to that used with hard water.
- When hard water is heated, water evaporates to form steam. The dissolved compounds of calcium
and magnesium are left as residue in the round-bottomed flask. The steam is condensed to obtain
distilled water, which is soft water.
- Distillation removes both temporary and permanent hardness.
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❖ water sample containing magnesium hydrogen carbonate.
Procedure:
1. Copy the following table into your exercise book and use it to record your results.
Observations:
- You observed that a smaller volume of soap solution was used to form a permanent lather when
sodium carbonate was added to water samples containing calcium hydrogen carbonate and
magnesium hydrogen carbonate.
- You also observed that the same volume of soap solution was used in distilled water, whether sodium
carbonate was added or not.
- The addition of sodium carbonate to hard water softens it by precipitating out calcium ions and
magnesium ions.
- The addition of sodium carbonate precipitates insoluble calcium and magnesium carbonates.
Magnesium hydrogen + Sodium → Magnesium + Sodium hydrogen
carbonate carbonate carbonate carbonate
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(solution) (solid) (solid) (solution)
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1.36. Disadvantages of soft water
a) Soft water can dissolve lead metal. A solution of lead and water is toxic if ingested.
b) It does not contain calcium ions, which are necessary for the development of strong bones and teeth.
c) Soft water tends to have a higher sodium content, which may not be suitable for individuals on a
low-sodium diet.
d) It can make food taste flat or bland as the minerals in hard water are known to enhance the taste of
certain foods.
e) Soft water is often more expensive than hard water because it needs to be processed or softened,
leading to higher costs for consumers.
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2. LIVING THINGS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
2.1. NUTRITION IN PLANTS
- In lower classes, you learned that food is important for all living organisms. You also discovered that
food contains different components such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals.
- These components are called nutrients and they are essential for maintaining good health.
- Nutrition refers to the process by which organisms acquire and use nutrients.
- Green plants produce their own food using carbon dioxide and water, with the help of sunlight, in a
process called photosynthesis.
- The type of nutrition in which organisms create their own food from simple substances is known as
autotrophism. As a result, plants are considered autotrophs.
- Blade: The broad, flat part of the leaf where most of the photosynthesis occurs. It increases the
surface area for sunlight absorption.
- Petiole: The stalk that connects the leaf blade to the stem. It supports the leaf and allows the
transport of water, nutrients and sugars to and from the leaf.
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- Veins: The network of small tubes in the leaf that carry water, minerals and nutrients throughout the
leaf. The veins also provide structural support.
- Midrib: The central vein running down the middle of the leaf, which provides strength and helps in
transporting water and nutrients.
- Leaf Margin: The edge of the leaf, which can vary in shape (smooth, serrated or lobed).
- Apex: The tip of the leaf, which can be pointed or rounded depending on the type of plant.
Cuticle
- It covers the upper surface of most leaves and makes them appear shiny.
- The cuticle is thin and transparent, allowing light to pass through.
- It contains a waxy material that protects the leaf from attacks by bacteria.
- The waxy material also acts as a waterproof layer that prevents excessive water loss from the leaf.
- If the leaf loses too much water, the rate of photosynthesis will be reduced.
Upper epidermis
- This is the layer of cells below the cuticle.
- It is usually one cell thick, allowing light to pass through the cells easily.
- Cells of the epidermis do not have any chloroplasts, which allows them to remain transparent for
light to pass through.
- The epidermis forms a protective layer over the cells that carry out photosynthesis.
Palisade mesophyll
- Optimum photosynthesis takes place in the palisade mesophyll. This is a layer of cells located below
the upper epidermis.
- Palisade cells are closely packed, with few air spaces between them. The cells are elongated and lie
at right angles to the leaf epidermis.
- They contain many chloroplasts. Their shape allows them to absorb most of the light falling on the
leaf.
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- They are close to the upper epidermis to absorb more light. The chloroplasts can move within the
palisade cells to the side receiving the highest amount of light.
Spongy mesophyll
- It is composed of cells located between the palisade mesophyll and the lower epidermis. The cells
are irregular in shape and loosely arranged.
- They have large air spaces between them, allowing air circulation and gaseous exchange between the
cells and the air surrounding them.
- The spongy mesophyll cells are also lined with moisture to facilitate the uptake of oxygen and the
release of carbon dioxide.
- They have fewer chloroplasts than the palisade mesophyll cells.
Vascular tissue
- The network of veins in a leaf is made up of vascular tissue. This tissue contains vessels that supply
water and mineral salts to the leaf.
- The vessels also transport manufactured food substances from the leaf to other parts of the plant. The
vessels are the xylem and phloem.
- Vascular tissue also provides support for the cells in the leaf.
Stomata
- Stomata are pores bordered by guard cells.
- They are found on the upper or lower epidermis or both.
- They allow the entry of carbon dioxide into the leaf for photosynthesis.
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- The first stage, called the light stage or the light-dependent stage, requires light energy.
- The second stage, called the dark stage or the light-independent stage, does not require light energy.
- It is important to note that photosynthesis only produces carbohydrates for a plant. Carbohydrates
are important sources of energy for living organisms.
- However, a plant needs proteins as well to grow and develop, and other mineral nutrients for various
chemical reactions to take place in its cells.
- A plant obtains mineral salts from the soil by active transport or diffusion through its root hairs.
Examples of such mineral salts are nitrates.
- The plant uses nitrates for the manufacture of proteins. Magnesium ions from the soil are also
important because they are used in the formation of chlorophyll.
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2.7. Practical experiment to test for the presence of starch in a leaf
Requirements:
❖ distilled water
❖ a dropper
❖ beakers
❖ a source of heat
❖ a measuring cylinder
❖ a wire gauze
❖ a tripod stand
❖ a boiling tube
❖ a leaf
❖ a petri dish
❖ tweezers
❖ a tile
❖ methylated spirit
❖ iodine solution
Procedure:
1. Get a leaf that has been exposed to light for at least three to four hours.
Safety tip: Some leaves are poisonous. For this reason, ensure you consult your teacher when
collecting the leaf.
2. Put 100 ml of water in a beaker and boil it.
3. Immerse the leaf in the boiling water for about 2 to 3 minutes, as shown below.
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4. Use tweezers to remove the leaf and place it in the boiling tube containing methylated spirit.
5. Put the boiling tube in a beaker containing boiling water for about 15 minutes. See figure 2.7.
The beaker acts as a water bath.
Caution: Do not heat methylated spirit directly; it is highly flammable.
6. Use tweezers to remove the leaf from the test tube and wash it in hot water in the beaker.
7. Spread the leaf on the tile and flood the leaf surface with dilute iodine solution for 2 minutes.
8. Observe the color change in the leaf and record your observations.
9. Safely dispose of your used specimen.
Health tip: Wash your hands with clean water and soap after this experiment.
Observations
- The blue-black coloration on the leaf after adding iodine solution. This indicates the presence of
starch.
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- The leaf was exposed to light for some time to allow the process of photosynthesis to take place. The
fresh leaf to be tested was dipped in boiling water to stop any further chemical reactions and to make
the cells more permeable to the iodine solution.
- The leaf was decolorized by boiling it in methylated spirit to remove chlorophyll and make it clear
for observation. The water bath was used to avoid directly heating the methylated spirit because it is
highly flammable.
Procedure:
1. Cut out a star shape or circle in the middle of a piece of aluminum foil or black paper that is large
enough to cover a significant portion of a leaf.
2. Use a paper clip to securely attach this paper around one of the green leaves of the potted plant,
as shown in the diagram.
3. Leave the plant to stand in bright sunlight for 5 to 7 hours.
4. Detach the aluminum foil and collect the following:
a) The leaf with the foil/paper covering.
b) A leaf with no foil or paper covering.
5. Test the leaves for starch.
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Observations and conclusions
- After testing the first leaf for starch, the shape that was cut out in the paper appears as a blue-black
colored shape on the leaf.
- This is because light reached this part of the leaf, causing photosynthesis to take place. The starch
changed the color of the iodine solution from brown to blue-black.
- The area under the paper or foil remained brown. It did not change color to blue-black, indicating
that no starch was present. Since light could not penetrate the foil or paper to reach this part of the
leaf, no photosynthesis occurred. Therefore, no starch was formed.
- The part of the plant not covered with the foil had all the conditions needed for photosynthesis.
Therefore, when tested with iodine, it appeared blue-black because starch was present. This part of
the leaf acts as a control group.
Procedure:
Set up the two potted plants as follows:
1. Plant A: Put some sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide into the small plastic container.
Place it carefully on the soil holding the plant. Take the transparent material and cover the whole
plant with it. Secure the bottom by tying it with one or two elastic bands.
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2. Plant B: Repeat the procedure, but place sodium hydrogen carbonate (sodium bicarbonate) in the
plastic container.
3. Leave the setup in a well-lit part of the laboratory, exposed to sunlight for several hours, up to 2
days. Detach leaves from each setup and test for the presence of starch.
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❖ a white tile
❖ iodine solution
❖ a pair of forceps
❖ a beaker with water
❖ a boiling tube
Procedure
1. Detach a variegated leaf from the plant and draw it.
- The white part has cells that do not contain chlorophyll. These cells will not carry out
photosynthesis, so no starch will be formed. The starch test will be negative.
- The green part of the leaf acts as the control experiment because it meets all the conditions required
for photosynthesis.
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2.12. Experiment to investigate whether oxygen is produced during
photosynthesis
Requirements:
❖ two large beakers
❖ two glass funnels
❖ two test tubes
❖ water with sodium hydrogen carbonate dissolved in it
❖ splints
❖ a matchbox
❖ a water weed such as Elodea or Spirogyra
Procedure:
1. Prepare the two apparatuses as shown below:
A. Setup placed in a dark cupboard B. Setup placed in bright sunlight
2. Place one setup in bright sunlight and the other in a dark cupboard for 2–3 hours.
3. Observe the setup in the dark cupboard. What did you notice?
4. Observe the setup in the sunlight. What do you notice?
5. Test any gas produced using a glowing splint.
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2.13. NUTRITION IN ANIMALS
- Unlike plants, animals cannot make their own food and are dependent on plants for getting nutrients.
- Animals get their food from plants either directly by eating plants or indirectly by eating animals that
eat plants.
- Animals require food for growth, repair and functioning of the body.
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- The two associated organisms may or may not live together. The relationship may involve just
plants, just animals or both plants and animals.
- Examples include:
1. Lichen – an association between blue-green algae and fungus. Lichens usually grow on the
stems of trees. The blue-green algae carry out photosynthesis and provide the fungus with
nutrients, and the fungus provides moisture and a place of attachment for the algae.
2. Symbiotic bacteria – found in the root nodules of leguminous plants. The most common one is
Rhizobium bacteria, which converts free nitrogen from the atmosphere into a usable form for
plants in exchange for nutrients, namely carbohydrates, to make proteins and produce energy.
The bacteria live on root hairs and burrow into the plant.
- The table below shows the characteristics and functions of different types of teeth.
Tooth Characteristics Functions
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Canine a) Conical and sharp pointed. Tearing flesh and seizing prey.
b) Has one root to fix the tooth on the jawbone.
Incisor a) Has chisel-shaped edges. Cutting and biting food.
b) Has one root.
Premolar a) Has a broad surface with ridges (cusps). Chewing and grinding food.
b) Has two roots.
Molar a) Has a broad surface with ridges (cusps). Chewing and grinding food.
b) Has three roots.
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- Herbivores are typically well-equipped with flat, broad teeth for grinding and breaking down
plant matter.
- Their digestive systems are often designed to efficiently process plant fibers.
- Examples:
➢ Cows: They graze on grass and other vegetation.
➢ Goats: They eat shrubs, grasses and even some trees.
➢ Sheep: Sheep mainly eat grass and other herbaceous plants.
➢ Rabbits: These small mammals feed on grasses, leaves and vegetables.
➢ Elephants: As large herbivores, they consume leaves, bark, fruit and grasses.
➢ Giraffes: They feed on leaves from tall trees, particularly acacia.
b) Carnivores
- Carnivores are animals that feed on flesh only.
- They may hunt their prey or scavenge for food.
- Carnivores have sharp teeth and claws, which help them capture and tear apart their prey.
- Some carnivores are also scavengers, feeding on the remains of animals killed by other
predators.
- Examples:
➢ Lions: Known as apex predators, lions hunt in packs to bring down large prey such as zebras
and antelopes.
➢ Tigers: Solitary hunters, tigers typically hunt deer, wild boar and smaller mammals.
➢ Cheetahs: They are known for their speed and prey on antelopes and small mammals.
➢ Leopards: Leopards are opportunistic hunters, often feeding on smaller animals like
monkeys, antelopes and birds.
➢ Wolves: Wolves hunt in packs and feed on large prey like deer and moose.
➢ Eagles: As birds of prey, they hunt small mammals, fish, worms and other birds.
c) Omnivores
- Omnivores are animals that feed on both plants and meat.
- Their diet is diverse, allowing them to adapt to a variety of environments.
- Omnivores typically have a mix of sharp and flat teeth, enabling them to tear meat and grind
plant matter.
- These animals can survive on a wide range of food sources.
- Examples:
➢ Human beings: Humans are omnivores, consuming a wide variety of foods including fruits,
vegetables, meat and grains.
➢ Bears: Depending on the species, bears eat berries, nuts, fish and even large mammals.
➢ Pigs: Pigs are opportunistic feeders and will eat plants, fruits, small animals and garbage.
➢ Raccoons: These adaptable creatures eat fruits, insects, small animals and human food scraps.
➢ Chickens: Chickens forage for grains, seeds, insects and small animals like worms.
➢ Crows: They eat fruits, small animals and scavenged human food.
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2.18. Adaptations of herbivores to their feeding habits
1. They lack upper incisors but have a horny pad instead, where grass is pressed against and cut by
the lower incisors.
2. They have a diastema, a space between the canine and the first premolar, for turning food in the
mouth.
3. Premolars and molars have broad surfaces with cusps for chewing and grinding vegetation.
4. Their digestive system is adapted for fermenting and breaking down plant fibers, with a longer
gut for increased absorption of nutrients.
5. They have a large cecum or rumen (in ruminants) for housing microorganisms that aid in
breaking down cellulose.
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2.22. Parts of the digestive system
- The muscles in the wall of the stomach expand, contract and relax, causing movements that mix the
food in a process called churning, forming chyme.
- Gastric glands in the wall of the stomach produce gastric juice. Gastric juice contains:
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a) Hydrochloric acid, which has the following functions:
➢ Kills microorganisms present in the food.
➢ Creates an acidic medium for the functioning of enzymes.
b) Rennin and pepsin:
➢ Pepsin digests proteins into peptides.
➢ Rennin digests soluble protein in milk to an insoluble form.
- Food passes through the pyloric sphincter muscle into the duodenum.
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- The female part of a flower is called the pistil or carpel. The pistil is usually located at the center of
the flower and is made up of three parts: the stigma, style and ovary.
- The stigma is located at the tip of the style. The style leads to the ovary, which contains the female
reproductive cells known as ovules.
- The male part of a flower is called the stamen. The stamen is made up of two parts: the anther and
the filament.
- The anther produces pollen grains, which contain the male reproductive cells. The filament holds the
anther.
- The other parts of a flower are the sepals, petals, receptacle and flower stalk. A group of sepals is
called the calyx, and a group of petals is called the corolla.
- The receptacle is found at the end of the flower stalk, where the other parts of the flower arise.
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- As the butterfly collects nectar, its body rubs against the anthers and collects some of the pollen
grains that stick to it.
- When the butterfly flies to other flowers to collect more nectar, the pollen grains picked up from the
first flower stick to the stigma of other flowers where they land. If these flowers are of the same
kind, then pollination will take place.
a) Self-pollination
- Self-pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anthers of a flower to the stigma of the same
flower or to the stigma of a different flower on the same plant.
- Few plants can pollinate without the aid of pollen vectors (such as wind or insects). This mechanism
is most often seen in some legumes, such as peanuts.
b) Cross-pollination
- Cross-pollination is the transfer of pollen grains from the anthers of a flower to the stigma of a
flower on a different plant, but of the same species.
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- Advantages of cross-pollination
➢ Cross-pollination introduces genetic recombination, leading to variations in the progeny.
New and more useful varieties can be produced through cross-pollination.
➢ Cross-pollination increases the adaptability of the offspring to changes in the environment.
➢ Plants produced through cross-pollination are more resistant to diseases.
➢ The seeds produced are usually larger, and the offspring often exhibit traits that are superior
to those of the parents due to the phenomenon known as hybrid vigor.
- Disadvantages of cross-pollination
➢ Plants must produce a larger number of pollen grains and other accessory structures to suit
the various pollinating agencies.
➢ A factor of chance is always involved in cross-pollination.
➢ Some unfavorable variations, more vulnerable to the environment, may be produced during
cross-pollination.
➢ Sometimes, plants are bred commercially for a specific appearance or purpose by humans.
Cross-pollination may remove or diminish those characteristics.
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2.34. Characteristics of wind-pollinated flowers
1. Flowers are small and inconspicuous.
2. Non-essential parts are either absent or reduced.
3. The flowers are colorless, odorless, and nectarless.
4. In the case of unisexual flowers, the male flowers are more abundant. In bisexual flowers, the
stamens are generally more numerous.
5. The flowers extend from the foliage or bloom before the appearance of new foliage.
6. Pollen grains are light, small, and winged or dusty. They can be blown by the wind over distances of
up to 1300 km.
7. Pollen grains are dry, smooth and unwettable.
8. The stigma is hairy, large, feathery or branched to catch the wind-borne pollen grains.
9. Pollen grains are produced in very large numbers. Consequently, the pollen grains spread over large
areas so that even isolated plants get pollinated.
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2.37. Effects of agrochemicals on pollinating agents and their effects on
reproduction in plants
- Insects like bees, wasps, and butterflies are very useful to farmers because they are pollinators for
flowering plants. This clearly shows that the absence of these pollinators could affect crop
production, especially in the case of flowering plants.
- Excessive or uncontrolled use of agrochemicals severely affects pollinators. If pollinators ingest the
chemical residue left on pollen grains and nectar in flowers, they may be killed, resulting in a
reduction of pollinators.
- Some agrochemicals contain toxic substances that affect the quality of the soil. As a result, flower
and nectar production are impacted, which eventually affects the visitation of pollinators. The
absence of pollinators affects crop production.
- The following are recommendations to prevent the decline of pollinators:
➢ Alternative practices and substances to agrochemicals can be used by farmers. These include
the use of organic pesticides, such as wood ash, and encouraging farmers to embrace cultural
practices like crop rotation to control pests.
➢ If pesticides and insecticides must be used on the farm, they should only be applied to the
affected plants in the correct amounts.
(i) Pollen grain on stigma (ii) Pollen tube growing down (iii) Fertilisation taking place
the style in the ovary
- The following changes occur in a flower after fertilisation.
a) Parts of the flower such as stamen and petals wither out after the fertilisation process.
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b) The ovules develop into a zygote which later develops into a seed.
c) The ovary develops into a fruit. The walls of the ovary grow bigger and develop into the
fleshy parts of a fruit. If the ovary contained a lot of ovules and all of them fertilised, then the
fruit will have lots of seeds. If there was only one ovule fertilised, then the fruit will have
only one seed. The fruit contains the seeds in it.
d) The outer part of the ovary becomes the pericarp or the fruit wall. The pericarp is usually
made of three layers: an outer pericarp, middle layer (mesocarp) and inner layer (endocarp).
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Some seeds are eaten together with the fruit; they then pass through the gut undigested
and are later dispersed by the animals in their feces. An example is the guava fruit.
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- Biotic components are living things within our surrounding, while abiotic components are non-living
things that make up our surrounding.
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- Organisms that are less adapted may acquire fewer of the resources they need. As a result, these
organisms are less likely to survive and may be wiped out.
- Interspecific competition can also lead to the specialization of the disadvantaged organism. This
enables the disadvantaged organism to develop more adaptive ways of surviving.
- Animals reduce interspecific competition by developing mechanisms that enable them to coexist
with others.
- For example, all herbivores feed on vegetation, but some feed on grass like zebras, while others feed
on trees and shrubs like giraffes.
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2.47. Symbiotic and saprophytic interrelationships
- Symbiosis improves both organisms' competitive ability and allows them to out-compete organisms
of the same kind that lack the symbiont, resulting in an increase in the number or size of the
symbiotic organism.
- Sometimes, a decrease in the number of one organism can lead to a decrease in the number of the
other organism.
- Saprophytes break down complex decomposing matter into simple nutrients that can be used by
plants for proper growth. This helps in the recycling of nutrients in the environment.
- Saprophytes also help in reducing the accumulation of dead organic matter in the environment.
However, some harmful saprophytes may cause rapid decay of food, making it very perishable.
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2.54. Effects of temperature, atmospheric pressure and pH on living
organisms
Temperature
- Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness of a place.
- A change in temperature has a direct influence on the functions of living organisms such as
transpiration, evaporation and sweating.
- Temperature varies due to seasons, altitude and latitude. Therefore, this affects the distribution of
living organisms.
- Different living organisms are found in different regions as long as the temperature is suitable for
their survival.
- For example, camels cannot survive at low temperatures and polar bears and penguins cannot
survive in high-temperature regions.
Atmospheric Pressure
- The higher the altitude, the lower the atmospheric pressure.
- Diffusion of gases across the lungs in animals is lower at higher altitudes.
- At low altitudes, there is higher pressure making it easier for living things to breathe.
pH
- pH is the measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution or soil is.
- It influences the distribution of plants and animals, as some plants and animals thrive best in
neutral, alkaline or acidic conditions.
- Living organisms have an optimum pH, so if the pH changes, it can have a significant effect on
living organisms.
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2.56. Constructing simple foodchains
- A food chain is composed of producers, consumers, and sometimes decomposers. Decomposers
break down waste and dead matter.
- Examples of food chains:
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2.58. Effects of human activities on the environment
1. Clearing of forests stands as one of the most concerning human activities affecting the environment.
As we cut down trees to make way for agriculture, infrastructure and settlements, we disrupt the
environment where plants and animals live. This leads to the loss of natural habitats for plants and
animals, pushing them closer to extinction.
2. Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas drive much of our energy production. However, the
burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As these greenhouse gases
accumulate, they create a thickening blanket around the Earth, trapping heat and leading to global
warming. The consequences are stark, with rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather
events.
3. The rapid rise of industrialization has also given rise to air pollution. Industrial activities emit a wide
range of pollutants. These pollutants not only lead to poor air quality but also contribute to the
formation of smog and acid rain. The consequences of air pollution are severe, affecting both human
health and the environment. Respiratory problems and other health issues become more prevalent in
areas with high levels of air pollution.
4. Water pollution resulting from human activities is a threat to human health, as well as to animals and
plants living in water. Contaminated water poses severe health risks to humans who rely on it for
drinking, cooking, and bathing.
5. As urban areas grow, wildlife is displaced from their natural habitats, leading to potential conflicts
between humans and animals. Animals and plants that once thrived in diverse ecosystems struggle to
adapt to the altered environments.
6. From deforestation to climate change, each activity presents its own unique challenges to the
delicate balance of nature. However, among these challenges, there is hope. Through collective
action, responsible choices and sustainable practices, we can address these environmental issues and
safeguard the environment for future generations.
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3. FORCE AND ENERGY
3.1. CURVED MIRRORS
- When a ray of light falls on a polished surface, it is reflected. In the previous grades, we learnt about
reflection by different materials.
- The materials were plane-polished surfaces such as plane mirrors. In this sub strand, we shall learn
about reflection by curved mirrors.
- We shall start by discussing the meaning of the terms associated with curved mirrors.
b) Convex mirror
- A convex mirror is a type of curved mirror in which the reflecting surface is curved outward, as
shown below.
- They are also known as diverging mirrors because they cause light rays to diverge or spread out
after reflection.
c) Parabolic surface
- It is designed in such a way that the surface can converge or diverge all incident light rays.
- Any light rays that fall on the surface are converged at the focal point of the parabolic surface.
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- Light rays generated by a source placed at the focal point of the parabolic surface will diverge
parallel to the principal axis of the parabolic surface after falling on its surface
Concave mirror
Convex mirror
- Incident ray: A ray of light that falls on a surface.
- Reflected ray: A ray of light that is sent back after reflection.
- Radius of curvature (r): The radius of the imaginary hollow sphere of which the spherical mirror is a
part. It is usually denoted by the letter r.
- Pole (P): The center of the reflecting surface of a curved mirror. It is denoted by the letter P.
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- Principal axis: The straight line joining the center of curvature (C) and the pole (P) of a curved
mirror.
- Principal focus (F): The midpoint between the pole (P) and the center of curvature (C). For a
concave mirror, it is the point at which all rays parallel and close to the principal axis converge after
reflection. For a convex mirror, it is the point from which all rays parallel and close to the principal
axis appear to diverge after reflection.
- Focal length (f): The distance from the pole to the principal focus of a curved mirror.
- Center of curvature (C): The center of the sphere from which the mirror is a part. For a concave
mirror, the center of curvature is in front of the mirror, while for a convex mirror, it is behind.
- Focal plane: A plane that is perpendicular to the principal axis of a curved mirror and passes through
the principal focus.
- Aperture: The portion of a curved mirror from which the reflection of light takes place.
Procedure:
1. Open the laboratory window curtains and make sure you can see a distant object.
2. Place the mirror vertically on a mirror stand and ensure it is stable. Let it face a distant object
that is well-lit.
3. Place the screen in front of the reflecting surface of the mirror, as shown below.
4. Move the mirror forward and backward until you obtain a clear image of the distant object.
5. Using the meter rule, measure the distance between the concave mirror and the screen and record
it in a table similar to the one below.
Values of length measured
Readings Position of Concave Position of the Screen Focal Length (f) =
Mirror (b) (a) (a - b) cm
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First Reading (f1)
Second Reading (f2)
Third Reading (f3)
6. Repeat steps 3 to 5 three times to calculate the average focal length.
7. Calculate the average focal length using the following formula:
𝑓1 +𝑓2+𝑓3
f= 3
8. Discuss your results with your classmates.
Observations
- In the practical activity above, the distance between the screen and the concave mirror where you
got a clear image of the distant object is the focal length.
- A clear image is formed at the principal focus of the curved mirror. The image is inverted.
- Focal length can also be obtained by dividing the radius of curvature by two.
a) Investigating the reflection of a ray close and parallel to the principal axis for a concave mirror
Requirements:
❖ A pencil
❖ plain white paper or your exercise book
❖ a 30 cm ruler
Procedure:
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
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2. Draw a line parallel and close to the principal axis to meet the mirror at point x. Which ray is
this?
3. From point x, draw a ray passing through F. Which ray is this?
b) Investigating the reflection of a ray close and parallel to the principal axis for a convex mirror
Requirements:
❖ A pencil
❖ plain white paper or your exercise book
❖ a 30 cm ruler
Procedure:
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
2. Draw a line parallel and close to the principal axis to meet the mirror at point x. Which ray is
this?
3. Draw a reflected ray at point x such that it appears to have emerged from point F. Use a dotted or
broken line for the part of the ray that is on the right of the mirror's pole.
4. Discuss the ray diagram you have drawn with your group members.
Observations:
- The shaded lines represent the concave and convex curved mirrors.
- An incident ray that is close to and parallel with the principal axis, CP, is reflected through the
principal focus, F, in a concave mirror.
- Such a ray appears to be coming from the principal focus when reflected from a convex mirror.
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c) Determining the reflection of a ray through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror
Requirements:
• A pencil
• A plain white paper or your exercise book
• A 30 cm ruler
• Concave mirror
Procedure
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
2. Draw a ray passing through the centre of curvature C to the mirror. Which ray is this?
3. On the ray, use an arrowhead pointing towards the mirror and another arrowhead pointing away
from the mirror.
d) Determining the reflection of a ray through the centre of curvature of a convex mirror
Procedure:
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
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2. Draw a line towards the mirror to meet the mirror at point x. This represents the incident ray. Use
an arrowhead on the line pointing towards the mirror.
3. Draw a dotted or broken line from C to the mirror and then extend it to meet the line drawn in
step 2 at point x. On the continuous side of the line, put an arrowhead pointing away from the
mirror.
4. Discuss the ray diagram you have drawn and share your findings with other groups.
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e) Determining the reflection of a ray passing through the principal focus, F of a concave mirror
Requirements:
• A pencil
• A plain white paper or your exercise book
• A 30 cm ruler
• Concave mirror
Procedure:
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
2. At the point where the incident ray hits the mirror, draw a reflected ray that is parallel to the
principal axis. Put the arrowhead to show the ray's direction away from the mirror.
3. Discuss the ray diagram you have drawn with your classmates.
f) Determining the reflection of a ray passing through the principal focus, F of a convex mirror
Requirements:
❖ A pencil
❖ A plain white paper or your exercise book
❖ A 30 cm ruler
❖ Convex mirror
Procedure:
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
2. At the point where the incident ray hits the mirror, draw a reflected ray that is parallel to the
principal axis. This ray should be continuous on the left side of the mirror. Use an arrowhead to
show the ray's direction away from the mirror.
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3. Discuss the ray diagram you have drawn with your classmates.
Procedure:
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
2. Draw an incident ray from the tip of the object parallel to the principal axis to hit the mirror. This
ray is reflected and passes through the principal focus F.
3. Draw another incident ray from the tip of the object to pass through the principal focus F to the
mirror. This ray is reflected and becomes parallel to the principal axis.
4. Identify the point of intersection of the reflected rays.
5. Draw a vertical line from the principal axis to the point of intersection of the reflected rays. The
vertical line represents the image of the object. Its tip will be where the reflected rays meet.
Draw the arrowhead.
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Observations and conclusions
- The image of an object placed beyond C is located between C and F. The resulting image is shown
below.
- The following are the characteristics of the image formed when an object is placed beyond the centre
of curvature of a concave mirror:
i) The image is formed between C and F.
ii) The image is real.
iii) The image is inverted.
iv) The image is smaller than the object.
Procedure:
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
2. Draw an incident ray from the tip of the object parallel to the principal axis to hit the mirror. This
ray is reflected to pass through the principal focus, F.
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3. Draw a second incident ray from the tip of the object passing through the principal focus, F. The
reflected ray will be parallel to the principal axis.
4. Identify the point of intersection of the reflected rays.
5. Draw a vertical line from the principal axis to the point of intersection of the reflected rays. The
vertical line represents the image of the object. Its tip will be where the reflected rays meet.
Draw the arrowhead.
6. Discuss your work with your classmates.
- The following are the characteristics of an image formed when an object is placed at point C.
i) The image is formed at C.
ii) The image is real.
iii) The image is inverted.
iv) The image is the same size as the object.
c) Locating the image formed by an object placed between the centre of curvature and the
principal focus
Requirements:
❖ A pencil
❖ A plain white paper or an exercise book
❖ A 30 cm ruler
Procedure:
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
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2. Draw an incident ray from the tip of the object parallel to the principal axis to hit the mirror. The
ray is reflected and passes through F.
3. Draw another incident ray from the tip of the object, passing through F to hit the mirror. The ray
is reflected and becomes parallel to the principal axis.
4. Draw a vertical line from the principal axis to the point of intersection of the reflected rays. Draw
the arrowhead at the tip where the arrows meet. What does this vertical line represent?
5. Discuss the characteristics of the image formed.
6. Share your work with your classmates.
- The following are the characteristics of the image formed when an object is placed between centre of
curvature, C and principal focus, F.
i) The image is formed beyond C.
ii) The image is real.
iii) The image is inverted.
iv) The image is larger than the object.
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d) Determining the location of an image formed by an object at the principal focus
Requirements:
❖ A pencil
❖ A plain white paper or your exercise book
❖ A 30 cm ruler
Procedure:
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
2. Draw an incident ray from the tip of the object, parallel to the principal axis to hit the mirror. The
reflected ray should pass through the principal focus, F.
3. Draw a second incident ray passing through the centre of curvature, C, and through the tip of the
object. It is reflected back through C.
4. Discuss your work with your classmates.
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- The reflected rays are parallel to each other. This means that the image is located at a far-off
distance, that is, infinity.
e) Determining the location of the image formed when an object is placed between the principal
focus and the pole
Procedure
❖ A pencil
❖ A plain white paper or an exercise book
❖ A 30 cm ruler
Procedure:
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
2. Draw an incident ray from the top of the object passing through the centre of curvature, C and
then to the concave mirror. This ray is reflected along the same direction.
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3. Draw a second incident ray from the top of the object parallel to the principal axis and reflected
through the principal focus, F.
4. Extend the reflected rays using dotted lines towards the back of the concave mirror until they
intersect. Draw the image.
5. Discuss your diagram with other groups.
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- The following are the characteristics of an image formed when an object is placed between the
principal focus, F and the pole P
i) The image is virtual. A virtual image is one which does not exist. It cannot be focused on a
screen.
ii) The image is formed behind the mirror.
iii) The image is upright
iv) The image formed is larger than the object
Procedure:
1. Copy the figure below in your exercise book.
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2. Draw the reflected ray of the ray passing through the pole. Remember that the angle of incidence
of this ray is equal to its angle of reflection.
3. Draw the reflected ray of the ray passing through F.
4. Locate the position of the image and draw it. Discuss the characteristics of the image formed.
5. Share your drawing with your classmates.
- The following are the characteristics of the image formed when an object is at a distance.
➢ The image is formed at the principal focus, F.
➢ The image is inverted.
➢ The image is real.
➢ The image is smaller than the object.
Requirements
1. Draw the figure below in your exercise book.
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2. Draw an incident ray from the tip of the object parallel to the principal axis to hit the mirror. This
ray is reflected and appears to have come from the principal focus, F.
3. Draw an incident ray from the tip of the object appearing to have passed through C. Upon
reflection, the ray appears to have come from C and passes through the tip of the object.
4. Locate the point of intersection of the virtual rays.
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- The following are characteristics of the image formed by a convex mirror:
➢ The image formed is virtual.
➢ The image is formed between P and F.
➢ The image formed is smaller than the object.
➢ The image formed is upright.
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2. Draw the figure below in your exercise book. Use ray diagrams to locate the image in the figure you
drew.
3. a) An object is placed 2 cm in front of a concave mirror whose focal length is 6 cm. Use a ray
diagram to locate the image, given that the object is 1 cm tall.
b) An object of height 10 mm is placed 70 mm in front of a concave mirror with a focal length of 60
mm. Use a ray diagram to locate the image.
4. Show your work to the teacher.
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2. A dentist's mirror uses a concave mirror to form a magnified image of the patient's teeth.
3. A projector lamp uses a built-in reflector to concentrate light in a specific direction.
4. A shaving mirror uses a concave mirror to provide a magnified image of the face.
5. A solar concentrator is a device that uses mirrors to collect and concentrate solar energy at a single
focal point.
6. A telescope uses curved mirrors to view distant objects.
7. At the base of a microscope, a concave mirror serves as a condenser to shine light on the specimen.
8. In a car headlamp, the bulb is located at the focal point of a concave parabolic reflector. This ensures
the headlamp emits a parallel beam, properly lighting the road ahead.
9. In a torch, the bulb filament is located at the focal point of the concave reflector to produce a parallel
beam.
10. Large shops and supermarkets use curved mirrors to monitor all the walkways and help control
shoplifting.
11. Security personnel use curved mirrors to search the underside of cars without having to bend down.
3.12. WAVES
- Waves help us understand many things happening around us.
- We hear sound because of waves.
- We are also able to receive audio and watch videos because of waves.
- Sometimes, earthquakes cause destruction such as the collapse of buildings and landslides.
- In this sub-strand, we will learn about waves, their types, characteristics, parts and their usefulness in
day-to-day life.
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❖ A block board
❖ Metallic hooks
❖ A hammer
Procedure:
1. Fix one end of the slinky spring onto the block board using the metallic hooks.
2. Hammer the hooks tightly to prevent the slinky spring from getting loose.
3. Take turns flicking the slinky spring up and down as shown. Observe the behavior of the slinky
spring.
4. When the slinky spring is at rest on a level surface, give its free end a push to the right or left as
shown. Observe and record your observations in your exercise book.
- When the slinky spring is pressed to the right, a disturbance moves horizontally along the spring.
This activity shows how waves are produced and how they move using a slinky spring.
Requirements:
1. Tie one end of the rope to the pole.
2. Move the rope up and down as shown.
3. Increase the tension of the rope by making it tight. Repeat Step 2.
4. Observe the movements the rope makes. Share your findings with other groups.
Procedure
1. Half-fill the basin with water.
2. Gently drop the small stone at the center of the basin.
3. Repeat step 2 using the larger smooth stone.
4. Observe the behavior of the water in the basin.
5. Discuss what you observed in your groups.
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❖ A signal detector
Procedure:
1. Using a cellotape, connect the speaker on one end of the pipe.
3. Cover the top open end of the plastic pipe with plastic cling wrap. Make sure it clings tightly.
4. Place the uncooked rice on top of the plastic wrap.
5. Connect the speaker to the signal detector.
6. Put on the signal detector and observe what happens to the uncooked rice.
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3.18. Demonstrating phase in waves
Requirements:
❖ Two speakers
❖ Signal generator
Procedure:
1. Place the two speakers side by side at a distance of 6 meters.
2. Connect one speaker to the signal generator.
3. Stand 3 meters away from each other.
4. Put on the signal generator so that only one speaker produces sound. Listen to the sound.
5. Now connect all the speakers to the signal generator and out it on. Note the sound.
6. Move one speaker away from the person standing in the middle.
7. Put on the signal generator and note the sound.
8. Discuss your findings and share with the members of your class.
- The figure below shows the displacement of a particle in a longitudnal wave in relation to the
direction of wave motion.
- Examples of longitudinal waves are sound waves and waves in slinky springs.
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- In traverse waves, the movement of particles is at right angle to the motion of energy i.e. the
direction of the wave travel.
- This is because as the wave passes the motion of the rope takes an up and down movement and is at
right angles to the direction of the wave itself, which is along the rope.
- The figure below shows the displacement of an individual particle in relation to the direction of the
wave motion.
- Examples of traverse waves are light waves, microwaves and water waves.
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3.20. Characteristics of waves
- The highest surface part of a traverse wave is called a crest and the lowest part is called a trough.
- Amplitude is the maximum vertical displacement of the wave particles from the rest position. In a
traverse wave, amplitude is the height of a crest or the depth of a trough. It is measured in meters.
- Frequency is the number of complete waves passing a given point per second. The unit of frequency
is called hertz (Hz). It can also be defined as the number of crests passing a given point per second.
- Period is the time taken between two consecutive wave crests. The period is measured in time units
(seconds). It is usually represented by T.
- Wavelength is the distance between two successive crests or two successive troughs in a traverse
wave. It is usually represented by lambda.
- Speed is how fast the disturbance of a wave is moving. The speed of mechanical waves depend on
the medium that the wave is travelling through.
Speed = Frequency × Wavelength
- In a longitudinal wave, the wavelength is the distance between two successive compressions or
rarefactions.
i) In a longitudinal wave, where the particles are furthest apart from each other, that part of the
wave is called a rarefaction.
ii) The compression part is where the particles are much closer to each other.
iii) Period is the time taken to cover one wavelength.
iv) Frequency is the number of wavelengths per second.
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v) The amplitude of a longitudinal wave is the distance between the particles in the areas it
compressed.
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- The atmosphere is where the transmission of energy from the source (the Sun) takes place. Once
energy from the Sun makes its way through the atmosphere, it interacts with the target depending on
the properties of the target and the transmitted radiation. Here, there is absorption and reflection of
energy.
- Targeted Earth features have different proportions of energy being reflected, absorbed, and
transmitted. For example, a water body will absorb radiation differently from a landmass.
- Ground stations are built to collect and process remote sensing satellite data for different users and
applications. Sensors collect and record electromagnetic radiation. They also interpret the data
collected.
- The remote sensing process involves the following:
i) Energy source - The foremost requirement for remote sensing is the energy source that
provides radiation energy to the target object.
ii) Radiation and the atmosphere - The energy will come into contact with the atmosphere. It
passes through the atmosphere as it moves from the source to the target.
iii) Interaction with the target - Once the radiation energy has passed through the atmosphere and
reached the target, it interacts with the target based on the characteristics of both the
electromagnetic radiation and the target.
iv) Energy captured by the sensor - After the release of radiation from the target, a sensor is
required to capture it. It can capture different electromagnetic radiation at different
wavelengths and interpret the data.
v) Transmission, reception, and processing - The radiation energy captured by the sensor must be
sent to a station that receives the data and processes it.
vi) Analysis - The processed image is analyzed to extract information regarding the target.
vii) Application - Data from the imagery of the target is used to improve our understanding of it,
expose new facts, or help us solve problems such as weather forecasting, geology, and
mining.
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3.23. Application of waves in our day-to-day life
1. Sound waves are important in daily verbal communication as they enable us to pass information to
others. When we speak, the movement of different parts of our mouth creates vibrations in the
surrounding air. These vibrations spread through the air by disturbing nearby air molecules. The
sound wave continues to travel until it reaches the ear of the person we are speaking to.
2. Radio waves are used in radio and television to produce audio and video.
3. Mobile phones use waves to carry signals. The waves can penetrate solid materials such as walls;
therefore, they are able to carry telephone signals.
4. Waves are used in sound navigation and ranging (SONAR). This technology uses sound waves in
water to locate obstacles, shoals of fish, sea mines or submarines. Sound waves are emitted by a
transmitter into the water. When they hit an object, they are reflected back to the transmitter. A
receiver detects the reflected waves, which can be used to determine the depth and distance of the
object.
5. Radio detection and ranging (RADAR) uses electromagnetic waves to detect objects in the sky. This
technology is used in air traffic control and safety.
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of areas where deforestation has occurred can be easily studied and afforestation plans can be put in
place.
7. Identification of land boundaries: Remote sensing plays a pivotal role in modern land administration
by enabling efficient monitoring and management of land resources. Remote sensing's capacity to
capture details from a distance significantly aids in the identification of land boundaries. By utilizing
satellite imagery, land maps can be created, empowering authorities with accurate data for land-use
planning and boundary identification.
8. Road safety: Remote sensing is used by traffic police to monitor vehicles' speed. This helps in keeping
drivers within safe driving speeds, thus reducing cases of accidents resulting from over-speeding.
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