Class 8 Science Notes
1. Force and Pressure
Force
A force is a push or pull that changes (or tries to change) the state
of rest or motion of an object, or changes its shape/direction.
Force can:
Move a stationary object
Stop a moving object
Change the speed of a moving object
Change the direction of motion
Change the shape of an object
Types of Force
1. Muscular force – exerted by muscles (e.g., lifting a bag)
2. Gravitational force – force of attraction exerted by Earth on
objects
3. Frictional force – opposes relative motion between two surfaces
in contact
4. Magnetic force – force exerted by a magnet
5. Electrostatic force – force exerted by a charged body
6. Muscular force is a contact force; gravitational, magnetic, and
electrostatic forces are non-contact forces.
Contact vs Non-Contact Forces
Contact Force Non-Contact Force
Requires physical contact Acts without touching
Muscular, Frictional Gravitational, Magnetic, Electrostatic
Pressure
Pressure = Force / Area (Unit: Pascal, Pa; or N/m²)
For the same force, smaller area → greater pressure (e.g., sharp
knife cuts better than blunt one)
Pressure exerted by liquids and gases: acts equally in all
directions; increases with depth (liquid pressure).
Atmospheric Pressure: pressure exerted by the air (atmosphere)
around the Earth; decreases with altitude.
Key Examples
Camel’s wide feet → less pressure on sand
Sharp needle → more pressure with less force → pierces easily
School bag with wide straps → less pressure on shoulders
2. Living World and Classification of
Microbes
Microorganisms (Microbes)
Organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye; visible only under
a microscope.
Major Groups of Microorganisms
1. Bacteria – single-celled; can be helpful (curd formation, nitrogen
fixation) or harmful (cholera, typhoid)
2. Fungi – yeast, moulds; used in bread-making, alcohol production;
some cause diseases (ringworm)
3. Protozoa – single-celled organisms like Amoeba, Paramecium;
some cause diseases (malaria - Plasmodium, dysentery -
Entamoeba)
4. Algae – found in water; mostly autotrophic (make their own food)
5. Viruses – not truly “living” outside a host cell; cause diseases like
flu, common cold, chickenpox, AIDS, COVID-19
Where Microbes Are Found
Air, water, soil, inside bodies of plants and animals — almost
everywhere, including extreme environments (hot springs, deep sea,
ice).
Friendly Microorganisms
In food: curd (Lactobacillus), bread/cake (yeast), cheese
In medicine: antibiotics (from fungi/bacteria), vaccines
In agriculture: biofertilizers, nitrogen fixation (Rhizobium in root
nodules)
In environment: decomposition of organic waste, sewage
treatment
Harmful Microorganisms
Pathogens – disease-causing microorganisms in humans, animals,
and plants
Food spoilage – microbes cause food to rot and produce toxins
Food poisoning – eating contaminated food
Communicable Diseases
Diseases that spread from an infected person to a healthy person
through air, water, physical contact, or vectors (e.g., mosquitoes,
houseflies).
3. Health and Disease
Health
A state of physical, mental, and social well-being — not just the
absence of disease.
Disease
A condition in which the normal functioning of the body is disturbed.
Types of Diseases
1. Communicable (Infectious) Diseases – caused by pathogens
and spread from one person to another
Examples: common cold, cholera, chickenpox, tuberculosis,
malaria
2. Non-Communicable Diseases – do not spread from person to
person
Examples: cancer, diabetes, heart disease, allergies
Causes of Diseases
Pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa
Deficiency: lack of nutrients (e.g., scurvy from Vitamin C
deficiency)
Genetic/hereditary factors
Lifestyle factors: poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking
Modes of Spread of Communicable Diseases
Air (coughing, sneezing) – common cold, TB
Water – cholera, typhoid
Direct contact – chickenpox
Vectors (mosquitoes, flies) – malaria, dengue
Prevention and Cure
Immunization/Vaccination – introduces a weakened/inactive
pathogen to build immunity
Personal hygiene – regular bathing, hand washing
Balanced diet – boosts immunity
Clean environment – proper sanitation, safe drinking water
Antibiotics – used to treat bacterial infections (not effective
against viruses)
4. Current Electricity and Magnetism
Electric Current
Flow of electric charge (electrons) through a conductor.
Unit: Ampere (A)
Measured using an Ammeter (connected in series)
Electric Circuit
A closed path through which current flows.
Components: cell/battery, wires, switch, bulb/resistor
Open circuit – broken path, no current flows
Closed circuit – complete path, current flows
Types of Circuits
1. Series circuit – components connected end to end; same current
flows through all; if one fails, all stop working
2. Parallel circuit – components connected across common points; if
one fails, others keep working
Heating Effect of Current
When current flows through a resistor, it produces heat (used in
electric heaters, bulbs, fuses).
Magnetic Effect of Current
A current-carrying conductor produces a magnetic field around it
(discovered by Oersted).
This is the basis of electromagnets.
Electromagnet
A temporary magnet formed by winding an insulated wire around a
soft iron core and passing current through it.
Strength depends on: number of turns of wire, amount of current,
and the core material.
Used in: electric bells, electric motors, cranes (for lifting heavy
iron objects), generators.
Magnetic Field
The region around a magnet (or current-carrying conductor) where
its magnetic force can be experienced.
Represented using magnetic field lines (from North pole to
South pole outside the magnet).
Electric Bell (Application)
Uses an electromagnet to attract an iron strip repeatedly, causing the
hammer to strike the gong and produce sound — works on the make-
and-break circuit principle.
Quick Revision Tips
Force = Push or Pull; Pressure = Force ÷ Area
Microbes: Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, Algae, Viruses — some
helpful, some harmful
Diseases: Communicable (spread) vs Non-communicable (don’t
spread)
Current = flow of charge; Magnetic effect of current → basis of
electromagnets