GRADE 9 SCIENCE

First Term
Complete Study Guide

Topics Covered:

Newton's Laws · Electricity · Electromagnetic Waves Plate Tectonics · Geologic Time ·

Earth's Interior

DepEd Philippines · Budget of Work 2026

 ■ How to Use This Guide

This guide covers every lesson in the Grade 9 Science First Term. Each section follows the same
structure: key concepts explained clearly, important terms defined, things to remember, and practice
questions. Read each lesson, study the key terms, then test yourself with the questions at the end.
 UNIT 1 · Newton's Laws, Force, and Energy
Weeks 1 – 3

Week 1 Lesson 1.1 — Inertia

What Is Inertia?
Inertia is the natural tendency of an object to resist any change in its state of motion. An object at
rest stays at rest, and an object moving in a straight line keeps moving at the same speed and
direction — unless an unbalanced force acts on it. This is Newton's First Law of Motion.

Key Idea: Newton's First Law

• Objects do not change their motion on their own.

• A net force is needed to start, stop, or change direction of motion.

• Greater mass = greater inertia (harder to move or stop).

Key Terms

Inertia Tendency of an object to resist change in motion.

Net Force The total combined force acting on an object (can be zero).

Unbalanced Force A non-zero net force that causes a change in motion.

Mass Amount of matter in an object; determines how much inertia it has.

At Rest Not moving; velocity = 0.

■ Remember: A book sitting still on a table is NOT moving because the table pushes up with a force equal to
the book's weight — forces are balanced. Remove the table and the net force is no longer zero, so the book
falls.

Everyday Examples of Inertia

• Passengers lurch forward when a jeepney suddenly brakes — their bodies want to keep moving.
• A coin placed on a card over a glass stays put when the card is flicked away quickly.
• A tablecloth can be pulled out from under dishes if done fast enough.
• Stepping off a bangka — the boat moves backward while you move forward.

Week 1–2 Lesson 1.2 — Acceleration and Net Force

What Is Acceleration?
Acceleration is any change in speed and/or direction as a result of a net force. It is NOT just
speeding up — slowing down (deceleration) and turning are also acceleration because the velocity
changes. This is the basis of Newton's Second Law of Motion.
Newton's Second Law — The Formula

• Force = Mass × Acceleration → F = ma

• A larger force produces more acceleration (if mass is constant).

• A larger mass requires more force to produce the same acceleration.

• Units: Force in Newtons (N), Mass in kg, Acceleration in m/s².

Key Terms

Acceleration (a) Rate of change of velocity; can be a change in speed or direction.

Force (F) A push or pull on an object, measured in Newtons (N).

Newton (N) Unit of force; 1 N = 1 kg·m/s².

Velocity Speed in a specific direction (has both size and direction).

Deceleration Negative acceleration — object is slowing down.

■ Remember: Direction matters! A car going around a roundabout at constant speed is still accelerating
because its direction keeps changing. A net force (from friction of tires) points toward the center of the curve.

Week 2 Lesson 1.3 — Investigating Force, Mass & Acceleration

The Relationship Among Force, Mass, and Acceleration

Experiments show two clear patterns: (1) if you apply more force to the same object, acceleration
increases proportionally; (2) if you keep the force the same but increase the mass of the object,
acceleration decreases. Both observations are captured perfectly by F = ma.

Three Relationships to Know

• More Force → More Acceleration (if mass stays the same)

• More Mass → Less Acceleration (if force stays the same)

• More Mass → More Force needed (to get the same acceleration)

Sample Calculation
A tricycle with a total mass of 400 kg is pushed with a net force of 800 N. What is its acceleration?
a = F ÷ m = 800 N ÷ 400 kg = 2 m/s²

Week 2–3 Lesson 1.4 — Newton's Third Law: Action–Reaction Pairs

Equal and Opposite Forces

Newton's Third Law states: whenever two objects interact, they exert forces on each other that are
equal in size but opposite in direction. These are called action–reaction pairs. Important: the two
forces act on different objects, so they do NOT cancel each other.
Key Rule for Action–Reaction Pairs

• The action force and reaction force are always equal in magnitude.

• They act in opposite directions.

• They act on DIFFERENT objects — never on the same object.

• Both forces exist at the same time; you cannot have one without the other.

Philippine Examples of Action–Reaction

• Stepping off a bangka: Your foot pushes the bangka backward (action); the bangka pushes you
forward (reaction).
• Book on a table: Book pushes down on table (gravity + contact); table pushes up on book (normal
force).
• Jumping on the ground: You push the ground down; the ground pushes you up, launching you into the
air.
• Pushing a tricycle: You push the tricycle forward; the tricycle pushes back on your hands with equal
force.
• Rocket/exhaust gas: Rocket pushes gas backward (action); gas pushes rocket forward (reaction).

■ Remember: People often think action–reaction forces cancel out. They don't! Cancellation only happens
when two forces act on the SAME object. Action–reaction forces act on DIFFERENT objects.

How to Draw a Force Diagram (Free Body Diagram)

A force diagram shows all the forces acting on ONE object only. Steps:
Draw a dot or box to represent the object.
Draw arrows pointing away from the object for each force.
Label each arrow with the force name (Weight, Normal, Friction, Applied).
Arrow length represents the size (magnitude) of the force.
If arrows are equal and opposite on the same object → balanced forces, no acceleration.

Unit 1 — Quick Review Questions

1. What is inertia? Give one Filipino example.
2. A 10 kg box is pushed with 50 N net force. What is its acceleration?
3. Why does a heavier object have more inertia than a lighter one?
4. A book rests on a table. Identify the action–reaction pair.
5. Is a car turning a corner at constant speed accelerating? Explain.
6. Draw and label a force diagram for a bag hanging from a hook.
 UNIT 2 · Electric Current, Circuits & Electromagnetic
Waves
Weeks 3 – 5

Week 3 Lesson 2.1 — Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)

What Is Electromagnetic Radiation?

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is energy created by the vibrations of electrically charged
particles. Unlike sound, EMR does NOT need a medium (matter) to travel — it can move through
empty space (vacuum). It travels as transverse waves, meaning the wave oscillates perpendicular to
the direction of travel. All EMR travels at the speed of light: 300,000,000 m/s (3 × 10■ m/s).

Key Wave Properties

• Wavelength (λ) — distance between two crests (or troughs); measured in metres.

• Frequency (f) — number of wave cycles per second; measured in Hertz (Hz).

• Amplitude — height of the wave from the rest position (relates to energy/brightness).

• Inverse relationship: Higher frequency = Shorter wavelength, and vice versa.

• Energy: Higher frequency waves carry MORE energy (gamma > X-ray > UV > visible...).

Key Terms

EMR Energy from vibrating charged particles that travels as transverse waves.

Transverse Wave Wave where particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Wavelength (λ) Distance between two consecutive crests or troughs.

Frequency (f) Number of complete wave cycles per second; unit = Hertz (Hz).

Speed of Light (c) Speed of all EMR in vacuum: 3 × 10■ m/s.

Crest / Trough Highest / lowest point of a transverse wave.

■ Remember: Sound is a LONGITUDINAL wave (particles vibrate in the same direction as travel) and needs a
medium. EMR is TRANSVERSE and needs NO medium. Do not confuse them!

Week 3–4 Lesson 2.2 — The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The Seven Types of Electromagnetic Waves

All EM waves are part of one continuous spectrum, ordered by wavelength and frequency. From
longest wavelength (lowest frequency, lowest energy) to shortest wavelength (highest frequency,
highest energy):

Type Relative Wavelength Relative Frequency Example Use

Radio Waves Longest Lowest TV, radio, mobile phones

Microwaves Very long Low Microwave ovens, Wi-Fi, GPS

Infrared (IR) Long Medium-low TV remotes, heat lamps, thermal cameras

Visible Light Medium Medium Human vision (ROYGBIV)

Ultraviolet (UV) Short Medium-high Sterilisation, black lights, sunburn

X-Rays Very short High Medical imaging, airport scanners

Gamma Rays Shortest Highest Cancer treatment, sterilising medical tools

■ Remember: Memory trick for the spectrum order: 'Really Mad Indians Violently Urge eXtra Gum' → Radio,
Microwave, Infrared, Visible, Ultraviolet, X-ray, Gamma.

Week 4 Lesson 2.3 — Practical Applications of EMR

How Electromagnetic Waves Benefit People

Different regions of the EM spectrum are used in technologies that improve daily life. In the
Philippines, these are especially relevant:

• Radio Waves: AM/FM radio broadcasts, cellphone signals (4G/5G), television, two-way radios (used in
barangay communications).
• Microwaves: Microwave ovens heat food, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for internet, radar for weather
forecasting and aircraft.
• Infrared: TV/aircon remote controls, night-vision cameras, thermal imaging for medical diagnosis.
• Visible Light: Photography, fiber-optic cables for internet, photography, traffic lights.
• Ultraviolet (UV): UV disinfection lamps (hospitals, water treatment), detecting fake banknotes, vitamin
D synthesis in skin.
• X-Rays: Chest X-rays, bone fracture imaging, airport security scanners, dental X-rays.
• Gamma Rays: Sterilising medical and surgical equipment, cancer radiotherapy (targeting tumors), food
irradiation to kill bacteria.

Week 4–5 Lesson 2.4 — Harmful Effects of EMR

When EMR Becomes Dangerous

Higher-frequency (shorter-wavelength) EMR carries more energy and can damage living tissue.
Exposure depends on the type of radiation, the duration, and the intensity.

• UV Radiation: Damages DNA in skin cells → sunburn, premature aging, increased risk of skin cancer
(melanoma). Damages eyes → cataracts.
• X-Rays (excess): Ionises cells and DNA; unnecessary or frequent X-ray exposure increases cancer
risk. Pregnant women especially at risk.
• Gamma Rays (uncontrolled): Severely damages or kills cells; causes radiation sickness, organ failure,
cancer. Nuclear accidents (like Chernobyl) release gamma radiation.
• Microwaves (intense): High-power microwaves can heat body tissue from the inside — more of a
concern for workers near powerful equipment.
• Infrared (intense): Can cause burns and eye damage with prolonged exposure to intense sources
(e.g., welding, looking at the sun).

Safety Practices

• Use sunscreen (SPF 30+) and wear UV-protective clothing/sunglasses outdoors.

• Limit unnecessary medical X-rays; use lead shielding when necessary.

• Do not look directly at strong IR or UV sources (e.g., arc welding without a mask).

• Maintain a safe distance from powerful microwave transmitters.

• Workers in radiology or nuclear medicine wear dosimeters to monitor radiation exposure.

Unit 2 — Quick Review Questions

1. What is electromagnetic radiation and how does it travel?
2. Arrange these waves from longest to shortest wavelength: X-ray, radio, UV, microwave.
3. Why can EMR travel through outer space but sound cannot?
4. Give two practical uses of X-rays in the Philippines.
5. What harmful effect does UV radiation have on the human body?
6. Compare the frequency and energy of gamma rays vs. radio waves.
 UNIT 3 · Plate Boundaries & Continental Drift
Weeks 5 – 7

Week 5 Lesson 3.1 — Evidence for Continental Drift

How Do We Know the Continents Moved?

Alfred Wegener proposed that all continents were once joined in a single supercontinent called
Pangaea, which gradually broke apart and drifted to their current positions. Multiple lines of evidence
support this idea:

• Jigsaw-fit of Coastlines: The eastern coast of South America fits closely into the western coast of
Africa, like puzzle pieces. This is too precise to be a coincidence.
• Matching Rock Types: Ancient rock formations of the same type and age are found on both sides of
the Atlantic Ocean, suggesting they were once connected.
• Similar Fossils in Separated Lands: Fossils of the same plants and animals (e.g., Mesosaurus,
Glossopteris fern) appear on continents now separated by oceans. These creatures could not have
swum across.
• Evidence of Past Climates: Coal deposits (from ancient tropical forests) in Antarctica, and glacial
scratches in Africa, indicate those regions were once in very different climate zones.

■ Remember: Wegener's idea was rejected at first because he could not explain HOW continents move. Later
discovery of seafloor spreading and convection currents in the mantle provided the mechanism — this became
the Theory of Plate Tectonics.

Week 5–6 Lesson 3.2 — Plate Boundaries and the Philippines

The Philippines and Plate Tectonics

The Philippines sits at a complex region where several tectonic plates interact. Topographical and
geological evidence — such as deep-sea trenches, fault lines, volcanoes, and earthquake patterns —
reveals the plate boundaries near the Philippines.

Key Philippine Tectonic Features

• Philippine Trench (east of Mindanao) — one of the deepest trenches in the world; marks subduction
zone.

• Manila Trench (west of Luzon) — another major subduction zone.

• Philippine Fault System — a strike-slip (transform) fault running through the archipelago.

• Ring of Fire — the Philippines sits on this zone of intense volcanic and earthquake activity.

• Active volcanoes (Mayon, Taal, Pinatubo) result from subduction of oceanic plates.
 Week 6–7 Lesson 3.3 — Types of Plate Boundaries

Three Types of Plate Boundaries

Tectonic plates interact at their edges in three ways, each producing different geological features:

Type Plate Movement Features Formed Example

Divergent Plates move APART Mid-ocean ridges, rift valleys, newMid-Atlantic

crust Ridge
(Constructive)

Convergent Plates move TOGETHER

Trenches, volcanoes, mountains, earthquakes
Philippine Trench
(Destructive)

Transform Plates slide PAST each Faults,

other earthquakes (no new crustPhilippine
created) Fault
(Conservative)

Key Terms

Tectonic Plate A large, rigid slab of Earth's lithosphere that moves slowly.

Lithosphere Rigid outer layer of Earth (crust + upper mantle).

Asthenosphere Partially molten layer below the lithosphere; plates 'float' on it.

Subduction When a denser oceanic plate sinks beneath another plate at a convergent
boundary.

Rift Valley Valley formed when crust pulls apart at a divergent boundary.

Mid-Ocean Ridge Underwater mountain range formed at divergent boundaries.

Trench Deep underwater valley formed where a plate subducts.

Unit 3 — Quick Review Questions

1. List three pieces of evidence that support continental drift.
2. What is Pangaea?
3. Describe what happens at a convergent plate boundary.
4. Why does the Philippines experience frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions?
5. What geological feature forms at a divergent boundary under the ocean?
6. What type of plate boundary is found at the Philippine Fault System?
 UNIT 4 · Earth's Structure, Geologic Time & the Solar
System
Weeks 8 – 11

Week 8 Lesson 4.1 — Fossils and Dating Rocks

Using Fossils to Date Rocks and Sediments

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms found in sedimentary rock. Because
different organisms lived during different time periods, fossils are like natural time stamps in rock
layers (strata). The deeper the layer, the older the rock (Law of Superposition).

Index Fossils

• Index fossils come from organisms that: (1) lived for a SHORT time, (2) were WIDESPREAD
geographically.

• They allow geologists to quickly identify the age of rock layers anywhere in the world.

• Example: Trilobites are excellent index fossils for Paleozoic era rocks.

Week 8–9 Lesson 4.2 — Relative and Absolute Dating

Two Methods for Determining Age

Geologists use two complementary methods to determine when rocks and fossils formed.

Relative Dating Absolute Dating

What it does Tells you if a rock is OLDER or YOUNGER than another

Gives
rock
an ACTUAL age in years

Method Stratigraphy (rock layers), fossil comparison, Law of Superposition

Radiometric dating (radioactive decay, e.g., Carbon-14, Uranium-2

Precision Less precise — gives a sequence, not a number More precise — gives millions of years with uncertainty range

Example result "Rock A is older than Rock B" "This rock is approximately 65 million years old"

Key Terms

Fossil Preserved remains or trace of a once-living organism in rock.

Stratigraphy Study of rock layers (strata) and their sequence.

Law of Superposition In undisturbed layers, older rocks are at the bottom; younger rocks are on top.

Radioactive Decay Process where unstable atoms break down into stable atoms at a predictable
rate.

Half-Life Time for half of a radioactive substance to decay into a stable form.

Carbon-14 Dating Uses C-14 decay to date organic material up to ~50,000 years old.

Uranium-Lead Dating Uses U-238 decay to date rocks up to billions of years old.
 Week
Lesson 4.3 — The Geologic Time Scale
9–10

Organizing Earth's 4.6 Billion-Year History

The Geologic Time Scale (GTS) is a system that organizes Earth's history into divisions based on
major events (mass extinctions, appearance of new life forms, major geological changes). The main
divisions from largest to smallest are: Eon → Era → Period → Epoch.

Eon Era Approx. Time (Mya) Key Events

Hadean — 4,600 – 4,000 Formation of Earth; no life; heavy meteor bombardment

Archean — 4,000 – 2,500 First single-celled life (prokaryotes); no oxygen atmosphere

Proterozoic — 2,500 – 541 First multicellular life; oxygen builds up; first animals

Phanerozoic Paleozoic 541 – 252 Marine invertebrates, fish, amphibians, first land plants

Phanerozoic Mesozoic 252 – 66 Age of Dinosaurs; first birds and mammals; Pangaea breaks up

Phanerozoic Cenozoic 66 – present Dinosaurs extinct; mammals and birds diversify; humans appear

■ Remember: Mya = Millions of years ago. The Cenozoic era is called the 'Age of Mammals' — this is when
humans and most familiar mammals evolved. We are currently in the Quaternary Period of the Cenozoic Era.

Week 10 Lesson 4.4 — Earth's Internal Structure

Layers of the Earth

Scientists cannot drill to Earth's core (it's too hot and too deep). Instead, they use seismic waves
(vibrations from earthquakes) to study Earth's interior. Different waves travel at different speeds
through different materials, and some waves cannot pass through liquid — this reveals where the
liquid outer core is.

Layer Type Approximate Depth/Thickness

Characteristics

Crust (Continental) Solid 0 – 70 km thick Thicker under mountains; mostly granite; where we live

Crust (Oceanic) Solid 5 – 10 km thick Thinner, denser (basalt); forms ocean floors

Lithosphere Rigid solid ~100 km total Crust + upper mantle; broken into tectonic plates

Asthenosphere Semi-molten ~100 – 700 km Partially melted rock; plates 'float' and move on this

Mantle Mostly solid ~2,900 km thick Largest layer; hot rock flows very slowly (convection)

Outer Core Liquid ~2,200 km thick Liquid iron and nickel; generates Earth's magnetic field

Inner Core Solid ~1,200 km radius Solid iron-nickel; extremely hot (~5,000°C) but solid due to pressure

Key Terms

Seismic Waves Vibrations produced by earthquakes that travel through Earth.

P-Waves (Primary) Compression waves; travel through solids AND liquids; arrive first.

S-Waves (Secondary) Shear waves; travel through solids ONLY (blocked by outer core liquid).

Shadow Zone Area on Earth's surface where no seismic waves arrive — reveals liquid core.

Convection Current Heat-driven circular motion of material in the mantle, causing plate movement.

Radioactive Decay Decay of radioactive elements inside Earth releases heat — Earth's internal
energy source.

■ Remember: The fact that S-waves cannot travel through the outer core proves it is LIQUID. The inner core is
solid despite being hotter, because the immense pressure keeps it solid.

Week
Lesson 4.5 — The Solar System
10–11

Models of the Solar System

The Solar System consists of the Sun and all objects that orbit it, including 8 planets, their moons,
dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets. Models help us understand the size, structure, and
relationships of these components. A key challenge: the solar system is vast — models that show
correct sizes of planets cannot also show correct distances (and vice versa) at any manageable
scale.

Planet Type Notable Feature

Mercury Terrestrial (rocky) Closest to Sun; extreme temperature swings

Venus Terrestrial Hottest planet; thick CO■ atmosphere; rotates backward

Earth Terrestrial Only known planet with life; one large Moon

Mars Terrestrial Red planet; largest volcano (Olympus Mons); thin CO■ atmosphere

Jupiter Gas Giant Largest planet; Great Red Spot (giant storm); 95+ moons

Saturn Gas Giant Famous ring system (ice and rock particles)

Uranus Ice Giant Rotates on its side; faint rings

Neptune Ice Giant Fastest winds in solar system; furthest planet

Origin of the Solar System — Nebular Hypothesis

• About 4.6 billion years ago, a cloud of gas and dust (a nebula) began to collapse under gravity.

• As it collapsed, it spun faster and flattened into a disk.

• The center became dense and hot enough to ignite nuclear fusion — this became the Sun.

• Remaining material in the disk clumped together over millions of years to form the planets.

• Rocky planets formed closer to the Sun (heat vaporised light gases); gas giants formed further out.
■ Remember: Memory aid for planet order from Sun: 'My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles' →
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

Unit 4 — Quick Review Questions

1. What is the Law of Superposition?
2. What is the difference between relative and absolute dating?
3. Name the four major eons of the Geologic Time Scale.
4. What type of seismic wave cannot pass through liquid? What does this tell us?
5. List the layers of Earth from the surface to the center.
6. What provides Earth's internal heat energy?
7. Describe the Nebular Hypothesis for the origin of the Solar System.
8. Why can't we make a model that correctly shows both the size of the planets AND their distances from
the Sun?
 ■ First Term — Complete Topic Summary

Unit Weeks Main Topics

1 · Newton's Laws 1–3 Inertia (1st Law), F=ma (2nd Law), Action-Reaction (3rd Law), Force Diagrams

2 · EMR & Electricity 3–5 EMR as transverse waves, EM Spectrum (radio→gamma), Applications, Harmful Effects

3 · Plate Tectonics 5–7 Continental Drift evidence, Philippine plate boundaries, 3 boundary types

4 · Earth & Space 8–11 Fossil dating, Relative vs Absolute dating, Geologic Time Scale, Earth's layers, Solar System

Key Formulas to Remember

Newton's 2nd Law F = m × a (Force = Mass × Acceleration)

Rearrangements a = F/m | m = F/a

Wave Speed v = f × λ (Speed = Frequency × Wavelength)

Speed of Light c = 3 × 10■ m/s (all EM waves in vacuum)

■ Remember: Study tip: Make sure you can EXPLAIN each concept in your own words, not just memorise
definitions. Teachers often ask you to apply the concept to a new situation — practice with the review questions
in each unit!