Science Term III notes
Chapter 1 – Respiration
1.1 THE HUMAN RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Function:
The human respiratory system allows:
Oxygen to enter the body
Carbon dioxide to leave the body
Main Parts & Their Functions:
Part Function
Nose Filters, warms, and moistens air
Trachea (windpipe) Carries air to lungs
Bronchi Two tubes that carry air into each lung
Bronchioles Smaller branches inside lungs
Alveoli Tiny air sacs for gas exchange
Lungs Organs where breathing and gas exchange occur
Diaphragm Muscle that helps in breathing
1.2 GAS EXCHANGE
What is Gas Exchange?
Gas exchange is the movement of:
Oxygen into the blood
Carbon dioxide out of the blood
This happens in the alveoli.
Special Features of Alveoli:
Very thin walls → fast diffusion
Large surface area → more oxygen absorbed
Rich blood supply → quick transport of gases
Moist surface → gases dissolve easily
Diffusion:
Diffusion is the movement of particles from:
High concentration → Low concentration
So:
Oxygen diffuses from alveoli into blood
Carbon dioxide diffuses from blood into alveoli
1.3 BREATHING
What is breathing?
Breathing is the physical process of taking air in and out of the lungs.
It has two stages:
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1. Inhalation (Inspiration)
2. Exhalation (Expiration)
Inhalation:
Diaphragm contracts and moves down
Rib cage moves up and out
Chest volume increases
Air enters the lungs
Exhalation:
Diaphragm relaxes and moves up
Rib cage moves down and in
Chest volume decreases
Air leaves the lungs
Breathing Rate Changes:
Breathing becomes faster during:
Exercise
Running
Emotional stress
Because more oxygen is needed and more carbon dioxide must be removed.
Unit 5 – Materials & Cycles on the Earth
5.4 CLIMATE AND ICE AGES
What is Climate?
Climate is the average weather condition of a place over a long period of time (many years).
Weather = daily condition
Climate = long-term pattern
What is an Ice Age?
An Ice Age is a very long period of time when:
Global temperatures are very low
Large areas of Earth are covered with ice sheets and glaciers
Causes of Ice Ages (School Level)
Changes in Earth’s orbit
Changes in tilt of the Earth
Changes in solar energy
Large volcanic eruptions (dust blocks sunlight)
Effects of Ice Ages
Very cold global climate
Large glaciers form
Sea levels fall
Many animals migrate or become extinct
Human survival becomes difficult
Evidence of Past Ice Ages
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Fossil remains in cold regions
Scratches on rocks made by glaciers
Boulders carried far from their origin
5.5 ATMOSPHERE AND CLIMATE
What is the Atmosphere?
The atmosphere is the layer of gases surrounding the Earth
Composition of the Atmosphere
Gas Approx. % Importance
Nitrogen 78% Helps plant growth
Oxygen 21% Needed for respiration
Carbon dioxide 0.04% Needed for photosynthesis
Other gases Small amount Argon, water vapour
Layers of the Atmosphere
1. Troposphere – Weather occurs here
2. Stratosphere – Contains ozone layer
3. Mesosphere
4. Thermosphere
5. Exosphere
Role of the Atmosphere
Supplies oxygen for life
Protects Earth from harmful radiation
Controls temperature
Allows weather and climate
Greenhouse Effect (Basic)
Some gases trap heat inside the atmosphere
These gases are called greenhouse gases
Example: Carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour
This keeps Earth warm enough for life
Too much greenhouse gases → Global warming
Unit 6 – Light
6.4 COLOURS OF LIGHT
What is White Light?
White light is a mixture of seven different colours.
These colours are called the spectrum:
VIBGYOR
(Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red)
Dispersion of Light
The splitting of white light into seven colours is called dispersion.
It can be seen using a glass prism.
Colours Seen in Objects
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Objects appear coloured because they reflect some colours and absorb others.
A red object reflects red light and absorbs other colours.
A black object absorbs all colours.
A white object reflects all colours.
Rainbow
A rainbow is formed due to:
Refraction
Dispersion
Reflection
Colours always appear in the same order: VIBGYOR
6.5 GALAXY
What is a Galaxy?
A galaxy is a huge collection of:
Stars
Planets
Gas
Dust
held together by gravity.
Our Galaxy – The Milky Way
The Earth is part of the Milky Way galaxy
It contains billions of stars
The Sun is one of its stars
Types of Galaxies (Basic)
1. Spiral – swirl-shaped (Milky Way)
2. Elliptical – oval-shaped
3. Irregular – no fixed shape
Difference between Star, Planet & Galaxy
Star Planet Galaxy
Produces its own light Does not produce light Collection of billions of stars
Example: Sun Example: Earth Example: Milky Way
6.6 ROCKS IN SPACE
What Are Asteroids?
Large rocky objects that move around the Sun
Found mainly in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter)
What Are Meteoroids, Meteors & Meteorites?
Term Meaning
Meteoroid Small rock moving in space
Meteor Burning meteoroid in Earth’s atmosphere (shooting star)
Meteorite Rock that reaches the Earth’s surface
What Are Comets?
Made of ice, dust, and gas
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Have a bright tail when near the Sun
Move in long elliptical paths
Unit 8 – Chemical Reactions
8.1 Exothermic Reactions
What is a Chemical Reaction?
A chemical reaction is a process in which:
One or more substances (reactants) change into
New substances (products)
What is an Exothermic Reaction?
An exothermic reaction is a chemical reaction that:
Releases energy
Mostly in the form of heat
Sometimes as light
The surroundings become warmer.
Energy Change in Exothermic Reactions
Energy stored in reactants is greater
During the reaction, extra energy is released
This causes:
o Increase in temperature
o Sometimes flame , light and kinetic energy
Common Examples of Exothermic Reactions
1. Burning of fuels (wood, coal, petrol)
2. Respiration
3. Neutralisation reactions
4. Fireworks
5. Hand warmers
Simple Word Equation Example
Fuel + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy
Example:
Wood + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Heat
Temperature Change Test
A simple way to identify an exothermic reaction:
Measure temperature before and after reaction
If temperature increases, reaction is exothermic
Use of Exothermic Reactions
Cooking food
Heating homes
Engines in vehicles
Power generation
Unit 9 – Magnetism
9.1 Magnetic Fields
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What is a Magnet?
A magnet is an object that:
Attracts magnetic materials like iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt
Has two ends called poles
Magnetic Poles
Every magnet has:
North Pole (N)
South Pole (S)
Rules of Magnetic Poles:
Unlike poles attract (N–S)
Like poles repel (N–N or S–S
What is a Magnetic Field?
A magnetic field is the area around a magnet where its magnetic force can be felt.
We cannot see a magnetic field, but we can show it using iron filings.
Magnetic Field Lines
Magnetic field lines:
Show the shape and direction of a magnetic field
Move from North pole → South pole
Are closer together where the field is stronger
Never cross each other
Strength of a Magnetic Field
The magnetic field is:
Strongest at the poles
Weaker farther away from the magnet
Showing Magnetic Fields (Iron Filings Experiment)
Steps:
1. Place a magnet under a sheet of paper
2. Sprinkle iron filings on the paper
3. Gently tap the paper
4. The filings arrange themselves along the magnetic field lines
Earth as a Magnet (Intro Level)
The Earth behaves like a giant magnet
It has a magnetic North and South
This is why a compass works