Science Exam Revision Notes
BIOLOGY — Unit 1: Photosynthesis & The Carbon Cycle
1.1 Photosynthesis
Definition: Process by which plants make food (glucose) using sunlight, CO₂, and
water.
Word equation:
CO₂ + H₂O → (light + chlorophyll) → Glucose + O₂
Importance: Produces oxygen and food for all living things.
Occurs in: Chloroplasts (contain chlorophyll).
1.2 More About Photosynthesis
Light intensity, CO₂ concentration, and temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis.
Limiting factors: The factor in shortest supply that slows the reaction.
Glucose uses: Energy (respiration), stored as starch, used to make cellulose, fats, and
proteins.
1.3 Carbon Cycle
Definition: Continuous movement of carbon between air, water, soil, and living things.
Main processes: Photosynthesis, respiration, feeding, death/decay, combustion.
Key idea: Keeps the amount of carbon dioxide balanced in the atmosphere.
1.4 Climate Change
Greenhouse gases (CO₂, methane, water vapour) trap heat — warming Earth.
Human causes: Burning fossil fuels, deforestation.
Effects: Global warming, melting ice caps, rising sea levels, extreme weather.
Solutions: Use renewable energy, plant trees, reduce emissions.
CHEMISTRY — Unit 2: Properties of Materials
2.1 Atomic Structure and Periodic Table
Atom: Smallest particle of matter.
Parts: Proton (+), Neutron (0), Electron (–).
Nucleus: Contains protons + neutrons.
Electron shells: Electrons move around nucleus in energy levels.
Atomic number = protons; Mass number = protons + neutrons.
Periodic Table: Arranged by atomic number; groups = columns, periods = rows.
Group tells valency (outer electrons); period tells number of shells.
2.2 Trends within the Periodic Table
Group 1 (Alkali metals): Soft, very reactive, reactivity increases down the group.
Group 7 (Halogens): Coloured gases/liquids, reactivity decreases down the group.
Group 0 (Noble gases): Unreactive, full outer shells, used in lights and balloons.
2.3 Why Elements React to Form Compounds
Goal: To get a full outer shell of electrons (stable).
Ionic bonding: Metal + non-metal; transfer of electrons → ions.
Covalent bonding: Non-metal + non-metal; share electrons.
Metallic bonding: Metal atoms share delocalized electrons.
2.4 Simple and Giant Structures
Simple molecules: Small (e.g., H₂O, CO₂), low melting/boiling points, weak forces.
Giant covalent: e.g., Diamond (hard), Graphite (soft, conducts).
Ionic lattice: e.g., NaCl; strong bonds, high melting point.
Metallic lattice: Layers of atoms with free electrons — conductors, malleable.
PHYSICS — Unit 3: Forces and Energy
3.1 Density
Formula: Density = Mass ÷ Volume
Units: g/cm³ or kg/m³
High density: Heavy for its size; Low density: light (e.g., air).
Floating: Object floats if its density < liquid’s density.
3.2 Heat and Temperature
Heat: Energy transfer due to temperature difference.
Temperature: Measure of how hot or cold something is (°C).
Particles: Hotter = faster moving particles.
Thermometer: Measures temperature.
3.3 Conservation of Energy
Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only changed form.
Types of energy: Kinetic, potential, heat, light, sound, electrical, chemical.
Example: Battery (chemical) → bulb (light + heat).
3.4 Moving From Hot To Cold
Heat always flows from hot → cold objects.
Thermal equilibrium: When both reach same temperature.
3.5 Ways of Transferring Energy
Conduction: Heat through solids (particles pass energy).
Convection: Hot fluids (liquids/gases) rise, cold sinks.
Radiation: Transfer by waves, no particles needed (sun’s heat).
3.6 Evaporation Causes Cooling
Evaporation: Fastest liquid particles escape into air.
Cooling: Remaining particles lose energy → lower temperature.
Examples: Sweat cools skin, water dries and cools surface.