SCIENCE SUMMER HOLIDAY
HOMEWORK
Complete Solutions
Student Name: ___________________
Class & Section: ________________
Roll Number: ___________________
School: ________________________
Activity 1: Effect of Temperature on Rate of Evaporation
Aim
To study how different environmental conditions (direct sunlight, shade, and fan-ventilated room)
affect the rate of evaporation of water.
Materials Required
• 3 identical flat plates
• 50 mL of water in each plate (measured with a measuring cup)
• Stopwatch / clock
• Marker pen (to label plates A, B, C)
Procedure
1. Labelled three identical plates as Plate A, B, and C.
2. Poured exactly 50 mL of water into each plate.
3. Placed Plate A in direct sunlight (sunny area outside).
4. Placed Plate B in a shaded corner away from sunlight.
5. Placed Plate C in a fan-ventilated room with a ceiling fan running at medium speed.
6. Recorded the start time for all plates simultaneously.
7. Checked every 15 minutes and noted the remaining water visually.
8. Recorded the exact time when each plate showed complete evaporation.
Observation Table
Location Start Time End Time Duration (min) Observation
Plate A — Sunny Area 10:00 AM 10:38 AM ~38 min Evaporated
fastest; steam
faintly visible
Plate B — Shaded Area 10:00 AM 11:45 AM ~105 min Slow evaporation;
no visible steam
Plate C — Fan Room 10:00 AM 11:10 AM ~70 min Moderate speed;
moving air helped
Note: Times above are sample values. You may adjust based on actual observation.
Conclusion
From the experiment, it was observed that the rate of evaporation is greatly influenced by
temperature, sunlight, and air movement. Plate A, placed in direct sunlight, evaporated the
fastest (approximately 38 minutes) because solar energy increased the kinetic energy of
water molecules, causing them to escape quickly into the atmosphere. Plate C, in the fan-
ventilated room, evaporated at a moderate rate as moving air carried away water vapour,
reducing humidity near the surface. Plate B, kept in shade, took the longest time since it
received the least heat energy. This experiment demonstrates that higher temperature and
faster air circulation increase the rate of evaporation. These are important physical changes
where water converts from liquid to vapour without any change in chemical composition.
Activity 2: Mini Kitchen Garden — Logbook & Reflection
Setup Details
• Container Used: 2-litre plastic bottle (cut in half), with drainage holes at the bottom
• Plant Chosen: Coriander (Dhaniya) and Mint (Pudina)
• Soil Mix: Garden soil + dry leaves compost
• Location: Window sill receiving morning sunlight (approx. 5 hours/day)
• Watering Schedule: Every morning, 2–3 tablespoons of water
Logbook — Date-wise Entries
Date Day Watered Observation Growth Stage
Day 1 1 Yes Seeds sown at 0.5 cm depth. Soil moist. Germination stage
Container placed on windowsill.
Day 3 3 Yes No visible change. Soil remains damp. Kept in Pre-germination
sunlight.
Day 5 5 Yes Tiny white root tips visible when soil gently Germination
checked. Promising sign! begins
Day 7 7 Yes First green shoot appeared — about 0.5 cm tall! Seedling stage
Very exciting to see.
Day 10 10 Yes Two seedlings now 2 cm tall with small leaves. Early growth
Mint cutting also sprouting.
Day 14 14 Yes Coriander 4 cm, Mint 3 cm. Leaves green and Vegetative growth
healthy. Added compost.
Day 20 20 Yes Coriander bushy with 6–7 leaves. Mild fragrance Rapid growth
noticed. Mint spreading.
Day 28 28 Yes Coriander ~10 cm, ready for first harvest! Mint Mature plant
lush and aromatic.
(Photographs to be attached on corresponding dates in the physical logbook)
Reflection
Growing a mini kitchen garden using recycled plastic bottles was one of the most fulfilling
activities I have ever done. At first, I was unsure whether seeds could grow in such a small
container, but watching the first green shoot appear on Day 7 was truly magical. I learnt that
plants need just four basic things — sunlight, water, soil, and care — and that even kitchen
waste like vegetable peels can be composted into nourishment for plants.
This activity also made me more aware of sustainability. Instead of throwing away plastic
bottles, I reused them as planters, which reduces plastic waste. Growing coriander and mint
at home means we do not need to buy them in plastic packets from the market, further
reducing our carbon footprint. I now understand that small actions at home — like
gardening, composting, and reusing materials — can make a meaningful difference to our
environment. This experience has inspired me to expand the garden to tomatoes and
chillies next month.
Activity 3: The Chemistry Behind Household Products
Products chosen: Toothpaste, Detergent, and Baking Soda
Product 1: Toothpaste
Chemical Ingredient Chemical Name / Formula Role / Function
Fluoride Sodium Fluoride (NaF) Strengthens tooth enamel and
prevents cavities (dental caries)
Abrasive Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃) Gently scrubs and removes
plaque and stains from teeth
Humectant Glycerol / Glycerin Keeps toothpaste moist and
prevents it from drying out
Detergent Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) Creates foam to help spread
paste and loosen food particles
Binder Carrageenan / Cellulose Gum Gives toothpaste its smooth, thick
gel consistency
pH of toothpaste: Slightly alkaline (pH 7–8) to neutralise mouth acids after eating.
Environmental note: Most toothpaste tubes are not recyclable — a concern for plastic waste.
Product 2: Detergent (Washing Powder)
Chemical Ingredient Chemical Name / Formula Role / Function
Surfactant Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate Reduces surface tension of water;
allows it to wet fabric and lift
grease
Builder Sodium Tripolyphosphate (STPP) Softens hard water by removing
calcium/magnesium ions that
reduce lather
Bleaching Agent Sodium Perborate Breaks down coloured stains
through oxidation
Enzyme Protease / Lipase Breaks down protein-based stains
(blood, food) and fat-based stains
Fragrance Synthetic aromatic compounds Gives clothes a fresh smell after
washing
pH of detergent: Strongly alkaline (pH 9–11) — helps break down acidic grease and stains.
Environmental note: Phosphates in detergents cause eutrophication in water bodies — eco-friendly
brands now use phosphate-free formulas.
Product 3: Baking Soda
Chemical Ingredient Chemical Name / Formula Role / Function
Active Ingredient Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) The only ingredient — it is 100%
pure sodium bicarbonate
Leavening Agent (Baking) Reacts with acid + heat → CO₂ Releases carbon dioxide gas that
makes cakes and bread rise
Antacid (Medicine) Neutralises stomach acid (HCl) Provides quick relief from acidity
and heartburn
Cleaning Agent Mild abrasive + alkaline Removes odours from fridge,
cleans surfaces gently without
scratching
Fire Extinguisher Decomposes to release CO₂ Used in dry powder fire
extinguishers to smother Class B
fires
pH of baking soda: Mildly alkaline (pH ~8.3) — safe for consumption and household use.
Environmental note: 100% biodegradable and non-toxic — one of the most eco-friendly household
chemicals.
Key Reaction (Interesting Fact)
Baking Soda + Vinegar Reaction:
NaHCO₃ + CH₃COOH → CH₃COONa + H₂O + CO₂↑
(Sodium Bicarbonate + Acetic Acid → Sodium Acetate + Water + Carbon Dioxide gas)
This reaction is used in volcano models, cleaning drains, and making fizzy drinks!
PowerPoint Presentation Plan (5 Slides)
Slide Title Content Summary
1 Title Slide "The Chemistry in Your Home" | Your name, class, date |
Colourful background with household items
2 Why Chemistry is Introduction: definition of chemistry in daily life | 2–3 facts
Everywhere | Image of kitchen/bathroom
3 Toothpaste Table with 3 main chemicals, their roles | pH value | Did
you know? Fluoride was discovered in the 1890s!
4 Detergent & Baking Soda Comparison table of both products | Key reactions |
Environmental impact section
5 Conclusion & Learnings What I discovered | 1 surprising fact per product | Call to
action: use eco-friendly products
Activity 4: Scientific Article Reading & Reflection
Article Title How Black Holes Are Formed and Why They Matter
Source NASA Kids' Club — [Link]
Date / Issue 2024 (accessed during summer 2025)
Main Topic Formation, types, and significance of black holes in the universe
Science Branch Space Science / Astrophysics
Part A: Summary (approx. 110 words)
Black holes are among the most fascinating objects in the universe. They form when a
massive star, much larger than our Sun, reaches the end of its life and explodes in a
supernova. The remaining core collapses under its own gravity into an incredibly dense
point called a singularity, surrounded by a boundary known as the event horizon — beyond
which nothing, not even light, can escape. There are different types of black holes: stellar
black holes, supermassive black holes (found at the centres of galaxies), and intermediate
black holes. Scientists study black holes using X-ray telescopes and gravitational wave
detectors. In 2019, the first-ever photograph of a black hole was captured by the Event
Horizon Telescope team, confirming many of Einstein's predictions.
Part B: My Opinion — How This Affects Our Lives (approx. 90 words)
At first glance, black holes may seem too distant and abstract to matter to our daily lives.
However, the technology developed to study them has enormous real-world benefits. GPS
satellites we rely on for navigation use corrections based on Einstein's theory of relativity —
the same theory that explains black holes. Research into gravitational waves has opened
entirely new ways of observing the universe. Most importantly, understanding black holes
tells us how the universe was formed and what its fate might be. This fills me with a sense
of wonder and reminds me that science connects the smallest daily act to the grandest
cosmic mystery.
All Activities Completed
# Activity Status Teacher's Marks
1 Effect of Temperature on Evaporation ✓ Completed
2 Mini Kitchen Garden Logbook ✓ Completed
3 Chemistry of Household Products ✓ Completed
4 Scientific Article Reading & Reflection ✓ Completed
Parent's Signature: _______________________ Date: _______________________
Teacher's Remarks:
_______________________________________________________________