Chapter 1 – Photosynthesis and the carbon cycle

1.1 Photosynthesis
1. Why do farmers in greenhouses use artificial lights at night?
→ To ensure photosynthesis continues even after sunset,
increasing crop yield.
2. How does planting trees in cities help reduce pollution?
→ Trees absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis, lowering carbon
dioxide levels.
3. Why do leaves look greener in summer than winter?
→ In summer, more chlorophyll is produced for higher
photosynthesis rates.
4. How can aquatic plants produce bubbles in bright sunlight?
→ Oxygen is released during photosynthesis when light
intensity is high.
5. Why do desert plants have fewer, smaller leaves?
→ To reduce water loss while still carrying out photosynthesis.
1.2 More about photosynthesis
1. Why do plants in shaded areas have larger leaves?
→ Larger surface area captures more light for photosynthesis.
2. Why do some farmers test leaves for starch at night?
→ To confirm starch made in the day is stored.
3. Why are variegated leaves useful in experiments?
→ They show only green parts with chlorophyll
photosynthesise.
4. Why does photosynthesis slow down in winter?
→ Less light and lower temperature reduce enzyme activity.
5. Why are nitrogen fertilisers important for plant growth?
→ Nitrogen makes proteins needed for enzymes in
photosynthesis.
1.3 The carbon cycle
1. Why do animals depend on plants for survival?
→ Plants fix carbon into glucose, passed through the food
chain.
2. Why does cutting forests increase global warming?
→ Less CO₂ absorbed, so more remains in the atmosphere.
3. Why does respiration return carbon to the atmosphere?
→ Glucose is broken down into CO₂ and energy.
4. How does burning fossil fuels disturb the carbon cycle?
→ It adds stored carbon back into the air as CO₂.
5. Why is composting garden waste better than burning it?
→ Decomposers recycle carbon slowly, avoiding sudden CO₂
spikes.
1.4 Climate change
1. Why are ice caps melting faster in recent years?
→ Rising CO₂ levels trap more heat, causing global warming.
2. How does climate change affect farmers?
→ Irregular rainfall reduces crop yield.
3. Why are coral reefs bleaching?
→ Warmer water stresses algae, removing their colour.
4. Why is using renewable energy helpful?
→ It reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
 5. Why are polar bears losing habitats?
→ Melting ice reduces their hunting grounds.

Chapter 3 – Forces and energy

3.1 Density
1. Why does a ship made of steel float but a steel ball sinks?
→ The ship’s average density is lower due to air spaces.
2. Why do hot air balloons rise?
→ Heated air inside is less dense than surrounding air.
3. Why do icebergs float in the sea?
→ Ice is less dense than liquid water.
4. Why is oil stored above water in tanks?
→ Oil is less dense and floats on water.
5. Why do submarines use ballast tanks?
→ They change density by adding/removing water.
3.2 Heat and temperature
1. Why does a metal spoon feel colder than a wooden one in the
same room?
→ Metal conducts heat faster from your hand.
2. Why do coastal regions have moderate climates?
→ Water heats/cools more slowly than land.
3. Why does fever increase body temperature?
→ Higher temperature helps fight infections.
4. Why do desert areas get very hot in the day but cold at night?
→ Sand heats and cools quickly.
5. Why does ice melt faster on metal than plastic?
→ Metal conducts heat better.
3.3 Conservation of energy
1. Why do LED bulbs save electricity?
→ They convert more energy into light, less into heat.
2. Why is a pendulum not a perpetual motion machine?
→ Energy is lost as heat and sound.
3. Why are insulated homes more energy-efficient?
→ Less heat energy is wasted.
4. Why do roller coasters start from a height?
→ Gravitational potential energy converts into kinetic energy.
5. Why does an electric car reduce energy wastage?
→ Less energy lost as heat compared to fuel engines.
3.4 Moving from hot to cold
1. Why does tea cool faster in a metal cup than a ceramic one?
→ Metal transfers heat quickly.
2. Why do we use woollen clothes in winter?
→ Wool traps air, slowing heat transfer.
3. Why are double-glazed windows used in cold countries?
→ They reduce heat loss by conduction and convection.
4. Why does a hot drink form steam?
→ Heat energy moves to air, causing evaporation.
5. Why is ice packed around fish in markets?
→ Heat moves into the ice, keeping fish cold.
3.5 Ways of transferring thermal energy
 1. Why does smoke rise from chimneys?
→ Hot air is less dense and rises (convection).
2. Why does the Earth feel warm on a sunny day?
→ Heat reaches Earth by radiation.
3. Why do shiny blankets keep athletes warm?
→ They reflect back body radiation.
4. Why are saucepans made of metal with plastic handles?
→ Metal conducts heat, plastic prevents burns.
5. Why do black cars heat up faster?
→ Black surfaces absorb radiation better.
3.6 Cooling by evaporation
1. Why do we sweat when exercising?
→ Sweat evaporates, removing body heat.
2. Why does alcohol feel cooler than water on skin?
→ Alcohol evaporates faster.
3. Why do wet clothes dry faster on a windy day?
→ Wind increases evaporation.
4. Why are earthen pots used to cool water?
→ Water evaporates through pores, lowering temperature.
5. Why does water cool in shallow dishes faster?
→ Larger surface area increases evaporation.

Chapter 4 – Maintaining life

4.1 Plants and water
1. Why do wilted plants stand upright after watering?
→ Water fills vacuoles, restoring turgor pressure.
2. Why are cut flowers placed in water immediately?
→ To prevent wilting by keeping cells turgid.
3. Why do desert plants have deep roots?
→ To reach underground water.
4. Why do farmers water crops in the morning/evening?
→ Less evaporation occurs.
5. Why does over-watering kill plants?
→ Roots lack oxygen in waterlogged soil.
4.2 Transpiration
1. Why are leaves smaller in hot, dry areas?
→ To reduce water loss through transpiration.
2. Why does wind increase transpiration?
→ It removes moist air around leaves.
3. Why do plants close stomata at midday?
→ To reduce water loss when sunlight is strongest.
4. Why are forests cooler than open fields?
→ Transpiration releases water vapour, cooling the air.
5. Why do plastic bags trap humidity around leaves?
→ They reduce transpiration by keeping air moist.
4.3 Excretion in humans
1. Why does urine become darker when you don’t drink water?
→ Less water dilutes the waste, so it looks darker.
2. Why do athletes drink water often?
→ To replace water lost through sweat and urine.
3. Why do doctors check urine samples?
→ To detect waste products or disease markers.
 4. Why does the skin excrete sweat?
→ To remove salts and regulate temperature.
5. Why does breathing remove carbon dioxide?
→ It’s a waste product of respiration.
4.4 Keeping a fetus healthy
1. Why do pregnant women avoid alcohol?
→ Alcohol can harm fetus growth and brain development.
2. Why is a balanced diet important in pregnancy?
→ Provides nutrients for fetus development.
3. Why should pregnant women avoid smoking?
→ Smoking reduces oxygen supply to fetus.
4. Why are vaccines given during pregnancy?
→ To protect both mother and baby from infections.
5. Why do doctors advise rest during pregnancy?
→ Stress can affect fetus growth and health.

Chapter 6 – Sound and space

6.1 Loudness and pitch of sound
1. Why does a guitar produce higher pitch when strings are tight?
→ Higher tension increases frequency of vibration.
2. Why do elephants communicate with low-pitch sounds?
→ Low frequencies travel longer distances.
3. Why do doctors use ultrasound?
→ To see images of internal organs or babies.
4. Why do police cars use loud sirens?
→ Loud sounds spread further to warn people.
5. Why do bats use echolocation?
→ To detect prey in the dark using reflected sound waves.
6.2 Exploring space
1. Why do astronauts wear space suits?
→ To provide oxygen, pressure, and temperature control.
2. Why are telescopes placed in space?
→ To avoid atmospheric distortion.
3. Why do space probes carry solar panels?
→ To generate electricity from sunlight.
4. Why do astronauts exercise in space?
→ To prevent muscle and bone weakening.
5. Why are rockets needed to launch satellites?
→ To overcome Earth’s gravity.
6.3 Formation of the Moon
1. Why do we always see the same side of the Moon?
→ The Moon rotates once for every orbit around Earth.
2. Why is the Moon important for Earth’s tides?
→ Its gravity pulls on ocean water.
3. Why does the Moon have craters?
→ It has no atmosphere to burn incoming meteors.
4. Why is studying Moon rocks useful?
→ They tell us about early solar system history.
5. Why do scientists believe the Moon formed from Earth debris?
→ Rock samples match Earth’s composition.