CLASS IX SCIENCE - STUDY GUIDE
SEBA/NCERT Curriculum | Unit Test & Half Yearly Exams (2026-27)
St. Xavier's School
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Matter in Our Surroundings
2. Is Matter Around Us Pure
3. Atoms and Molecules
4. Structure of the Atom
5. The Fundamental Unit of Life (Cell)
6. Tissues
7. Diversity in Living Organisms
8. Motion
9. Force and Laws of Motion
10. Important Formulas & Key Points
CHAPTER 1: MATTER IN OUR SURROUNDINGS
KEY CONCEPTS
Matter: Anything that occupies space and has mass
Physical nature of matter: Composed of particles (atoms/molecules)
States of matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas
Particles in matter are in constant random motion
Intermolecular forces hold particles together
Intermolecular spaces vary in different states
IMPORTANT POINTS
Solids: Fixed shape, fixed volume, particles tightly packed, incompressible, cannot flow
Liquids: No fixed shape, fixed volume, particles loosely packed, slightly compressible, can flow
Gases: No fixed shape, no fixed volume, particles very loosely packed, highly compressible, can flow
TEXTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: 1. Define matter. What are its characteristics?
A: Matter is any substance that occupies space and has mass. Characteristics: (i) It occupies space (ii) It has
mass (iii) Composed of particles/atoms/molecules (iv) Particles are in constant motion (v) Particles have
intermolecular forces between them.
Q: 2. What is the difference between an atom and a molecule?
A: Atom: Smallest unit of an element that retains chemical properties. Cannot be broken by chemical
means. Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together chemically. Smallest unit of a compound. Example: H is
atom, H₂ is molecule.
Q: 3. Explain why a gas fills the entire container?
A: In gases, particles have very high kinetic energy and intermolecular forces are very weak. Particles move
randomly in all directions at high speeds, so they occupy the entire space available in the container.
Q: 4. How would you prove that air has mass?
A: Take a balloon, weigh it when empty. Inflate it with air. Weigh again. The inflated balloon weighs more
than the empty one, proving that air has mass.
Q: 5. Explain the phenomenon of diffusion.
A: Diffusion is the spontaneous mixing of particles of one substance with particles of another substance.
Example: Spreading of smell of perfume in a room. It occurs due to random motion of particles and
happens fastest in gases, slow in liquids, and very slow in solids.
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS
1. Why do we prefer to live in buildings made of solids rather than liquids or gases?
2. Explain evaporation with examples.
3. What is sublimation? Give examples.
4. Why do liquids have a fixed volume but no fixed shape?
5. How can you convert ice directly to water vapor?
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Which state of matter has a fixed shape and volume?
A) Gas
B) Liquid
C) Solid
D) Plasma
Answer: C) Solid
2. Diffusion is fastest in which medium?
A) Solid
B) Liquid
C) Gas
D) None
Answer: C) Gas
3. Sublimation is a process in which:
A) Solid changes to liquid
B) Solid changes directly to gas
C) Gas changes to liquid
D) Liquid changes to gas
Answer: B) Solid changes directly to gas
4. The SI unit of temperature is:
A) Celsius
B) Fahrenheit
C) Kelvin
D) None
Answer: C) Kelvin
5. Which of the following is a compound?
A) Oxygen
B) Iron
C) Water
D) Nitrogen
Answer: C) Water
CHAPTER 2: IS MATTER AROUND US PURE
KEY CONCEPTS
Pure substance: Only one type of particle, fixed composition
Mixture: Two or more pure substances mixed together
Homogeneous mixture: Uniform composition throughout (Solution, Alloy)
Heterogeneous mixture: Non-uniform composition (Suspension, Colloid)
Separation of components: Filtration, evaporation, distillation, chromatography
Solubility: Ability of a solute to dissolve in a solvent
IMPORTANT POINTS
Solution: Homogeneous mixture with solute and solvent. Particles < 1 nm. Cannot be separated by
filtration.
Suspension: Heterogeneous mixture. Particles > 1000 nm. Settles on standing. Can be separated by
filtration.
Colloid: Heterogeneous mixture. Particles 1-1000 nm. Does not settle. Shows Tyndall effect.
TEXTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: 1. Differentiate between a pure substance and a mixture.
A: Pure Substance: Only one type of particle with definite composition. Has fixed melting and boiling points.
Example: Pure water, NaCl. Mixture: Contains two or more substances with variable composition. No fixed
melting/boiling points. Example: Salt solution, air.
Q: 2. What is the difference between solutions and suspensions?
A: Solution: Homogeneous mixture, particles < 1 nm, does not scatter light, cannot be separated by
filtration. Suspension: Heterogeneous mixture, particles > 1000 nm, scatters light, settles on standing, can
be separated by filtration.
Q: 3. How would you separate a mixture of salt and water?
A: By evaporation. Boil the mixture gently until water evaporates completely. Salt crystals remain in the
evaporating basin.
Q: 4. Explain the Tyndall effect.
A: When a beam of light passes through a colloid, the colloidal particles scatter the light, making the path of
the light beam visible. This is called the Tyndall effect. It does not occur in true solutions.
Q: 5. What are alloys? Give examples.
A: Alloys are homogeneous mixtures of two or more metals or a metal and a non-metal. Examples: Brass
(copper + zinc), Bronze (copper + tin), Steel (iron + carbon).
MCQ QUESTIONS
1. A mixture that has a uniform composition is:
A) Heterogeneous
B) Homogeneous
C) Suspension
D) None
Answer: B) Homogeneous
2. Which technique is used to separate dyes in ink?
A) Evaporation
B) Distillation
C) Chromatography
D) Filtration
Answer: C) Chromatography
3. Milk is a:
A) Pure substance
B) Solution
C) Colloid
D) Suspension
Answer: C) Colloid
CHAPTER 3: ATOMS AND MOLECULES
KEY CONCEPTS
Atom: Smallest unit of an element
Molecule: Combination of two or more atoms bonded together
Atomic mass: Mass of an atom of an element
Molecular mass: Sum of atomic masses of atoms in a molecule
Mole: Amount of substance containing 6.022 × 10²³ particles (Avogadro's number)
Valency: Combining capacity of an element
Chemical formula: Shows types and numbers of atoms in a compound
IMPORTANT FORMULAS & DEFINITIONS
Avogadro's Number: 6.022 × 10²³ particles = 1 mole
Relative Atomic Mass (RAM): Ratio of mass of atom to 1/12 of C-12 mass
Relative Molecular Mass (RMM) = Sum of RAM of atoms in molecule
Mole = Mass of substance / Molar mass
Number of particles = Number of moles × 6.022 × 10²³
TEXTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: 1. Calculate the molecular mass of CO₂.
A: CO₂ = C + O + O = 12 + 16 + 16 = 44 g/mol (or 44 u)
Q: 2. Define valency. What is the valency of oxygen?
A: Valency: Combining capacity of an element i.e., number of electrons lost, gained, or shared. Valency of
Oxygen = 2 (as it forms 2 bonds or gains 2 electrons)
Q: 3. What is Avogadro's number?
A: Avogadro's number (Nₐ) = 6.022 × 10²³. It is the number of particles (atoms, molecules, ions) present in
one mole of a substance.
Q: 4. Calculate the number of molecules in 1 g of CO₂.
A: Molar mass of CO₂ = 44 g/mol. Moles = 1/44 = 0.0227 mol. Number of molecules = 0.0227 × 6.022 × 10²³
= 1.37 × 10²²
Q: 5. Differentiate between an atom and a molecule.
A: Atom: Single particle, smallest unit of element, cannot exist independently (except noble gases).
Molecule: Combination of atoms, can exist independently, smallest unit of compound.
EXAM PREPARATION CHECKLIST
Revise all key concepts and definitions
Practice all textual questions thoroughly
Solve additional practice questions
Complete all MCQs with proper understanding
Memorize important formulas
Practice numerical problems
Make your own notes from important points
Attempt mock tests
Clear your doubts before exam
Get proper sleep before exam day