Class 7 Science Chapter 2 Notes – Exploring Substances Acidic

Basic and Neutral Notes Class 7

→ Indicator: The substances that change their colour on coming in

contact with other substances, especially acids or bases, are called
indicators.

Natural Indicator: Natural indicators are made from plants or other natural sources.
For example, litmus (from lichens), red rose extract, and turmeric are all natural
indicators.

Synthetic Indicator: Synthetic indicators are man-made chemicals

prepared in laboratories.

→ Acidic Substances: The substances that taste sour because they

contain acids, are said to be acidic in nature. You may have tasted some
edible substances that taste sour. For example, grapes, unripe mango,
curd, vinegar, tamarind and lemon all contain acids.

Basic Substances: The substances which are bitter in taste and feel soapy to touch
are said to be basic in nature.

Neutral Substances: Substances that are neither acidic nor basic are
called neutral substances.

→ Litmus: Litmus is a natural indicator. It comes from lichens, which are

living things made up of a fungus and an alga. Lichens grow on rocks
and trees, especially in places with lots of rain and clean air. It is
available as a solution and red and blue litmus paper. When a red litmus
paper strip is dipped into a basic solution, it turns blue. When blue litmus
paper is dipped into the acidic solution, it turns red in colour. Since the
litmus shows different colours in acidic and basic solutions, it is called an
acid-base indicator.

Science textbooks for middle school

Red Rose: It is a natural acid-base indicator obtained from rose
extracts. It gives red colour in acidic solution and green colour in
basic solution. Some of the natural acid-base indicators are
beetroot, purple cabbage, turmeric, Indian blackberry (jamun), and
red hibiscus (gudhal) flower.

→ Hydrangea Flower: The colour of hydrangea flowers changes

depending on the nature of the soil. In acidic soil, the flowers turn
blue, while in basic soil, they become pink or red. The nature of the
soil affects how the plant absorbs certain nutrients, which is why
hydrangea flower can show different colours based on the soil’s
acidity or basicity.

→ Turmeric: Turmeric is also a natural indicator, but it is used mainly

to identify basic substances. It changes colour from yellow to red in
a basic solution, but shows no change in acidic or neutral solutions.
Turmeric, often called the “golden spice”, is a bright yellow spice
commonly used in cooking, especially in Indian dishes. It comes
from the root of the turmeric plant, which is a member of the ginger
family. With its warm, earthy flavour, turmeric is not only a popular
food ingredient but also known for its health benefits and natural
healing properties.

Olfactory Indicators: These are the substances that change their

smell when they come in contact with acids or bases. For example,
vanilla extract and onion are olfactory indicators.

→ Neutralisation: The reaction between an acid and a base is known

as neutralisation. In the process of neutralisation, salt and water are
produced, with the evolution of heat.
Acid + Base → Salt + Water (Heat is evolved)

Neutralisation in Daily Life:

 The ant sting contains formic acid, when injected into the skin,
causes pain and irritation. By applying moist baking soda, the
effect of the sting can be neutralised.
 When the soil is too acidic, it is treated with a base like lime
(calcium oxide). If the soil is too basic, organic matter (compost)
is added to make it neutral.
  The factory waste is acidic in nature, so it is neutralised by
adding basic substances before being released into water
bodies.
 Substances around us may be classified as acidic, basic, and
neutral in nature.
 → Extracts of lichen, red rose, red hibiscus, purple cabbage,
turmeric, etc., can be used to indicate the nature of
substances.

Substances that show different colours in acidic and basic solutions are
called acid-base indicators.

Acids turn the colour of blue litmus to red. Bases turn the colour of
red litmus to blue.

→ Extract of red rose gives red colour in acidic solutions and green
colour in basic solutions.

→ The yellow colour of turmeric turns red in basic solutions but

remains unchanged in acidic and neutral solutions.

An acid and a base neutralise each other, forming salt and water,
along with the evolution of heat.

→ Many day-to-day problems like a red ant bite, acidic or basic

nature of soil, and industrial waste can be attempted to be managed
by the process of neutralisation.

Class 7 Science Chapter 3 Electricity Circuits

and Their Components Notes
Class 7 Electricity Circuits and Their Components Notes
Class 7 Science Chapter 3 Notes – Electricity Circuits and Their
Components Notes Class 7

→ Torchlight: A torchlight is a portable light source that runs on batteries.

It uses electricity from the batteries to power a bulb or LED, providing
light in A torchlight places without electrical outlets.

→ Electric cell: An electric Positive Negative cell is a portable source of

electrical energy. All electric cells have two terminals; one is called a
positive terminal (+) while the other is negative terminal (-). The metal
cap serves as the positive terminal of the electrical cell, while the metal
disc acts as the negative terminal.

→ Battery: A battery consists of two or more electric cells connected to

each other. There is usually a thick wire or a metal strip connecting the
positive terminal of one cell to the negative terminal of the next. To place
the cells correctly in a battery compartment, “+’ and symbols are usually
printed there on the dry cell or storage battery.

→ Incandescent Lamp (Light Bulb): In an incandescent electric lamp, there

is a thin wire called the filament, which gets hot and glows to produce
light when an electric current passes through it. The thin wire inside the
glass bulb of the lamp glows. The glowing, thin wire is called the filament
of the lamp.

The filament is attached to two thicker wires that support it, as shown in
Figure (a). One thick wire connects to the metal case at the lamp’s base,
while the other connects to the metal tip at the centre of the base. These
form two terminals of the lamp and are fixed in a way that they do not
touch each other.

LED Lamp: An LED lamp is a type of light that uses a small electronic
component called an LED (Light Emitting Diode) to produce light. When
electricity passes through the LED, it lights up. Most of the torches that we
use today have an LED lamp instead of an incandescent lamp. Unlike
incandescent lamps, LEDs do not have filaments and have two terminals,
but one is positive (longer wire), and the other is negative (shorter wire).
Thus, a torch may use one or more LEDs and have different shapes.
→ Electric Current: The electric current flows through the lamp when the
circuit is complete, causing the lamp to glow. The direction of the electric
current flows from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the
electric cell in the circuit.

For incandescent lamps, it does not matter which terminal (positive or

negative) is connected to which terminal of electric cell. The lamp will
glow as long as the circuit is complete and current flows through its
filament.

→ Electric switch: A switch is a simple device that either completes or

breaks a circuit. The switches used for lights and the other devices at
home work the same way, though they are designed differently.

→ ‘ON’ Position: When the safety pin touches both drawing pins, it closes
the gap, completing the circuit and allowing current to flow. The current
flows from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the electric
cell, making the lamp glow.

→ ‘OFF’ Position: When the safety pin does not touch the second drawing
pin, there is a gap in the circuit, preventing current from flowing. This
means the lamp does not glow. The circuit is considered open in this
position.

→ All electrical circuits consist of four main components:

 A Source of Electric Current: It supplies electric current to the electric

circuit.
 A Load: It is a component for which an electric circuit is constructed.
The load may be an electric lamp, electric bell, electric iron,
television or any other electric appliances. When current flows
through the load, it performs some specific work.
  Metal Wires: These are used to connect the source of electric current
to the load. In electric circuits, we generally use copper or aluminium
wires.
 A Switch: It is used for switching on (start) and switching off (stop)
the flow of electric current in the circuit. We use many types of
switches.

→ Circuit Diagrams: A representation of

electric components in an electrical circuit
using symbols is called its circuit diagram.
The various components of an electrical
circuit can be represented by the symbols
shown:

→ In the symbol for

 An electric cell: The long line represents the positive terminal, while
the short line represents the negative terminal.

 An LED: The triangle points to the direction in which the current can
flow. The two arrows indicate that light is emitted by an LED.

→ Conductors: Through which electric current can pass easily are called
conductors or conductors of electricity. Metals are good conductors (e.g.,
silver, copper, and gold).
→ Insulators: Materials that do not allow electric current to pass through
are called insulators or poor conductors of electricity. Examples include
plastic, rubber, and ceramics.

→ Use of Conductors and Insulators

Metals like copper are used for making electrical wires because they are
good conductors and relatively inexpensive. Insulators (like plastic,
rubber, and ceramics) are used to cover wires because they stop
electricity from passing through and keeps us safe from electric shocks.

→ Application of Conductors and Insulators

Conductors are used in wires, switches, connectors, plugs, and sockets.
Insulators are used to cover wires, plug tops, and switches to prevent
electric shock.

→ The human body is a conductor of electricity. Electric current passing

through the body can cause severe injury or death. Always handle
electrical appliances with care.

→ Avoid touching switches or plugs with wet hands, and never use
electrical devices in wet areas or with damaged insulation or broken
plugs.

Class 7 Science Chapter 4 Notes – The World of Metals and Non

metals Notes Class 7

→ Metals and non-metals are the sub-categories of substances called

elements. Most of the elements are metals

Element: Substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.

They are the building blocks of all matter. Presently, there are 118
elements known. Some of them are naturally occurring, while some others
are artificially made in laboratories.

Some materials, such as plastic, glass, wood, rubber and paper, are not
classified as metals or non-metals because they are not elements.

→ Physical Properties of Metals:

 Lustre: Metals in the pure state generally shine. This shine on the
metallic surface is called metallic lustre.
 Malleability: The property of metals that allows them to be beaten
into thin sheets. For example, silver metal is beaten to make silver
foil for decorating sweets. Gold and silver are the most malleable
metals.
  Ductility: The property of metals that allows them to be drawn into
wires. For example, copper and iron can be drawn into wires. Gold
and silver are the most ductile metals.
 Sonority: The property of metals that allows them to produce a
ringing sound.
 Conductivity: The property of a material that allows heat or electricity
to pass through it.
 Physical state: All metals are solid at room temperature, except
mercury, which is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.
 Hardness: Most metals are hard, except sodium and potassium.
These two metals are so soft that they can be cut with a knife.
 Examples of metals: Iron, copper, gold, aluminium, silver, calcium
etc.

Physical Properties of Non-metals:

 Non-metals do not possess metallic lustre.

 Non-metals are neither malleable nor ductile.
 Solid non-metals are soft and dull.
 Non-metals are brittle. They break down into pieces when tapped
with a hammer. For example, coal and sulphur.
 Non-metals are non-sonorous.
 Non-metals are poor conductors of heat and electricity.
 Phosphorus, sulphur, carbon, oxygen, etc. are examples of non-
metals.

Chemical Properties of Metals:

Metals jewelry
Nonmetal-based paints

 Metals (except gold and silver, which are noble metals) react with
oxygen to form metallic oxides.
 Generally, metallic oxides are basic in nature. They turn red litmus
paper to blue.
 Sodium reacts vigorously with oxygen and water. Hence, it is stored
in kerosene oil.
 Rusting of iron: The process of formation of rust on objects made of
iron.

 Rust: A brown deposit that forms on the surface of iron Rusting

of iron objects due to moist air.
 The presence of both air and water is responsible for the
formation of rust,
 Rusting of iron can be prevented by using methods like painting,
oiling, greasing or galvanisation (applying a protective layer of
zinc on iron metal).
 Corrosion: The gradual deterioration of metal surfaces caused by air,
water or other substances.
  Discolouration of other metals in the open atmosphere: Silver
turns black, and copper turns green.

→ Chemical Properties of Non-metals:

 Non-metals react with oxygen to form non- metallic oxides.

 Non-metallic oxides are generally acidic in nature. They turn blue
litmus paper to red.
 Sulphur burns in air (oxygen), it forms sulphur dioxide gas. On
dissolving sulphur dioxide gas in water, it forms sulphurous acid.
 Some non-metals, like phosphorus, react with the air. It catches fire if
exposed to atmospheric air. Thus, phosphorus is stored in water.

→ Uses of Metals:

 Metals are used in making jewellery.

 Metals are used to make thin sheets and wires for various purposes.
 Metals are used in making electrical wires.
 Metals are used in making machinery, utensils, industrial gadgets,
electrical equipments, etc.

Uses of Non-metals in Everyday Life:

 Oxygen is essential for respiration, and we cannot survive without it.

 Carbon is the building block of all life forms. It is a key component of
proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which are needed for growth and
energy.
 Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for the growth of plants. It is used in
the manufacturing of fertilisers and other chemicals.
 Chlorine is used in water purification.
 A solution of iodine is used as an antiseptic for wounds.

Class 7 Science Chapter 6 Notes – Adolescence A Stage of Growth

and Change Notes Class 7

→ Adolescence: This is the period of change from childhood to adulthood.

Generally, adolescence begins around the age of 10 and continue upto the
age of 19.

→ Common Changes During Growing up are: A sudden increase in height,

changes in body structure, weight gain, strength, breast development (in
girls), change in voice (in boys), appearance of hair in different body
parts, change in facial skin (acne and pimples), etc.

→ Adam’s Apple: Boys develop larger voice boxes to form a protruding

part of the throat called Adam’s Apple. Boys have a deep voice. In girls,
the Adam’s apple is not visible. They have pitched voices.

→ Secondary Sexual Characters: Features that help to distinguish the

male from the female are called secondary sexual characters.

→ Puberty: The stage in which the body of adolescents become capable of

reproduction.

→ Menstruation and Menstrual Cycle: Adolescence in girls can be marked

by the onset of the menstrual cycle. Menstruation occurs once in about 28
to 30 days and is known as the period. It lasts for 3-7 days.

 The menstrual cycle is an important natural process and is a sign of

good reproductive health.
  Menstruation begins at puberty. By the age of 45 to 55, the
menstrual cycle stops naturally marking the end of reproductive
capability in women.

→ Adolescents not only go through physical changes and changes

associated with reproductive capability, but they also experience
emotional and behavioral changes. These may include mood swings, a
growing sense of independence, and the development of personal
identity.

→ Personal Hygiene: It is very important during adolescence. It can be

followed as:

→ If all body parts are not washed or cleaned every day, the chances of
catching a bacterial infection.

→ Girls should take special care of cleanliness during the time of

menstruation.

→ Balanced Diet: Adolescence is a stage of rapid growth and

development. Hence, a balanced diet is very important at this stage. A
balanced diet should include proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals and
vitamins in requisite proportion.

→ Science and Society: To support menstrual hygiene, government-run

several schemes.

→ Physical Activities: Physical activity and regular exercise are also

important during adolescence. They help keep both the body and mind fit
and healthy, support proper growth, and improve concentration and
emotional well-being.
→ Cyberbullying: This involves the use of digital devices such as phones,
computers, or online platforms to harass others by sending misleading
messages, spreading false rumours, teasing and making fun.

→ Addiction of Drugs: Adolescence is a period of much activity in the body

and mind which is a normal part of growing up. If anybody suggests that
you will get relief if you take some drugs, just say ‘No’ unless prescribed
by the doctor. Drugs are addictive. They harm the body if they are taken
in the long run. They ruin health and happiness.

→ Hormones: These are chemicals that are produced by different parts of

our body. These are released into the blood and help control different
functions, such as growth, changes during puberty, mood swings, and
development of the body.

 Seeking support and guidance help adolescents manage physical,

emotional, and behavioural changes effectively.

Class 7 Science Chapter 6 Notes Adolescence A Stage

of Growth and Change
→ Adolescence is the period of change from childhood to adulthood. It
generally begins around the age of 10 years and usually lasts until 19
years.

→ Adolescence is marked by significant and characteristic physical,

biological, and emotional changes.

→ Features that help to distinguish the male from the female but are not
directly involved in reproduction are called secondary sexual
characteristics.

→ Puberty is the stage in which the body of a child undergoes observable

and internal changes to develop into an adult capable of reproduction.

→ Adolescence in girls is also marked by start of the menstrual cycle,

during which there is a discharge of blood generally after every 28-30
days, a process called menstruation. Menstruation begins at puberty and
generally ends by the age of 45-55 years.

→ Adolescents face several emotional and behavioural changes.

→ Eating a balanced and healthy diet, maintaining good personal hygiene,

and participating in physical activities help adolescents to stay healthy.
→ Addictive substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, have
adverse effects on the body and mind. It is wise to say ‘NO’ to these
substances and stay away from them.

Changes that take place in the body during adolescence are primarily
controlled by certain chemicals produced in the body. These chemicals
are called hormones.

→ Proper guidance and awareness help adolescents manage physical,

emotional, and behavioural changes effectively.