Science Notes Class 8th Study Hub
Science Notes Class 8th Study Hub
Science Notes Class 8th Study Hub
Cell:
➢ In the living organisms, Cells are basic structural units.
➢ Cells may be compared to bricks. Bricks are assembled to make a building. Similarly, cells are
assembled to make the body of every organism.
➢ It is the basic structural and functional unit of life. All organisms are made up of cells
➢ Sub cellular structures of cell include organelles, the plasma membrane, and, if present, the nucleus.
➢ Size of the cell is 1 to 100 micrometer.
➢ Cells are produced by the division of pre existing cell. Each cell contains genetic material that is
passed down during reproduction process.
➢ Cells in the living organisms are complex living structures unlike nonliving bricks.
➢ All basic chemical and physiological functions like repairing, growth, excretion movement,
immunity, communication, and digestion - are happen inside of cells.
• 1650-1700:- Anton Van Leeuwenhoek observed unicellular organisms and some minute
components within the cell like nucleus with the help of his improved microscope.
• 1831:- Robert Brown described the nucleus.
• 1838:- Schleiden and Schwan developed the “Cell Theory” which describes the cell as the basic
structural and functional unit of life.
• 1855:- Virchow showed that all cells are formed from pre-existing cells.
• 1930‟s:- With the development of the electron microscope, the detailed structure of cells
became known.
Types of cell:
a) Prokaryotic Cells: The cells having nuclear material without nuclear membrane are termed
prokaryotic cells. The organisms with these kinds of cells are called prokaryotes (pro: primitive;
karyon: nucleus). Examples: Bacteria and Blue Green Algae.
b) Eukaryotic cells: The cells having well organized nucleus with a nuclear membrane are designated as
eukaryotic cells. All organisms other than bacteria and blue green algae are called Eukaryotes. (Eu :
true; karyon: nucleus).
Variation of Cells:
Millions of living organisms have cells with different shapes and sizes. Their organs also vary in shape, size
and number of cells.
a) Human body has trillions of cells which vary in different size and shapes. Different groups of cells
perform a variety of functions. Organisms made of more than one cell are called multicellular
organisms. An organism with billions of cells Starts life as a single fertilized egg cell. The fertilized
egg cell multiplies by dividing process and the number of cells increases for development.
b) The single-celled organisms are made up of single cell called unicellular organisms. A single celled
organism performs all the necessary functions that multicellular organisms perform.
c) A single-celled organism, like amoeba, captures and digests food, respires, excretes, grows and
reproduces. Similar functions in multi-cellular organisms are carried out by groups of specialized
cells forming different tissues. Tissues, in turn, form organs.
Shape of Cells:
a) Generally, cell‟s shapes are rounding, spherical or elongated. Some types of cells are long and
pointed at both ends. They exhibit spindle shape. Some types of cells are branched like the nerve cell
or a neuron, which receives and transfers messages for helping to control and coordinate the working
of different parts of the body.
b) Components of the cell are enclosed in a membrane. This membrane provides shape to the cells of
plants and animals. Cell wall is an additional covering over the cell membrane in plant cells. It gives
shape and rigidity to these cells.
SPHERICAL RED BLOOD CELLS OF HUMANS, SPINDLE SHAPED MUSCLE CELLS,
LONG BRANCHED NERVE CELL
Size of Cells:
• The cell‟s size in living organisms may be as small as a millionth of a meter (micrometer or
micron) or may be as large as a few centimeters.
• Most of the cells are microscopic in size and are not visible to the naked eye. They need to be enlarged
or magnified by a microscope for seeing.
• The smallest cell is 0.1 to 0.5 micrometer in bacteria. The largest cell measuring 170 mm ×130 mm,
which is the egg of an ostrich.
• The size of the cells has no relation with the size of the body of the animal or plant.
Cell Organalles:-
1. Endoplasmic reticulum:-
GOLGI BODIES
3. Golgi Bodies:
• Smooth, flattened sac-like structures called Cisternae stack together in parallel rows to
form Golgi bodies. Golgi Cis face receives protein from Endoplasmic reticulum and modifies
packages and stores it.
• It also dispatches proteins in vesicles to various destinations.
4. Ribosomes:
Function of Lysosomes:
Lysosomes digest damaged cells and a variety of extra- and intra-cellular material. Since
they remove cell organelles that are worn out or are not functioning properly and may
even digest the entire cells (that are damaged or dead), they are also known as Suicidal
Bags.
6. Vacuoles:-
Vacuoles are organelles enclosed by a membrane and filled with fluid. Plant cells usually have a
large vacuole filled with a liquid called
„cell sap‟. Cell Sap contains dissolved sugar and salts.
Animal cells may or may not have vacuoles. If they do have vacuoles, they are much smaller than the
ones found in plant cells.
Function of Vacuoles in Plant Cells: Vacuoles in plant cells keep the cells firm or turgid. They store
various substances (including waste products of the cell). Function of Vacuoles in Animal Cells:
Vacuoles in animal cells store food, water, sugar, minerals and waste products of the cell. In
Amoeba, vacuoles that contain food particles are also referred to as food vacuoles.
7. Plastids
Plastids are also type of organelles that are found only in Plant Cells.
Types of Plastids
With double-layered membrane, these organelles are found in cytoplasm of the cells. They are of two
types (depending on the colour of the pigment they contain);
a) Leucoplasts: These colorless organelles store starch or other plant nutrients. For Example,
Starch stores in potato cells. Leucoplast are of different types:
Function of Chloroplast:
Chloroplasts are the sites where photosynthesis takes place. Here, carbon dioxide and water
combine in the presence of energy from the sunlight to produce food. Hence, chloroplasts
help in synthesis of food by green plants.
It contains chloroplast.
It does not contain chloroplast
Plant cells are larger in size. Animal cells are smaller in size.
Subunits of Golgi bodies are present Prominent Golgi bodies are present
The stored food is generally Starch. The stored food is generally Glycogen.
Plant cells cannot change their shape. Animal cells can change their shape.
EXERCISE
Q 1: Define a cell?
Ans 1: A cell is the structural & functional unit of all known living organisms. It carries out all the
basic functions of life metabolism, growth & reproduction. Q 2: Who discovered the cell?
Ans 3: The three unicellular organisms are Amoeba, Euglena and Paramecium.
Ans 4:
i. Cells could not be observed before the 17th century as the microscopes were not available
to us before the 17th century.
ii. Cork could not be seen as such by Hooke, as it is a solid structure. He then made thin
slices of cork and observed them under his microscope and concluded that it was made of
box like compartments which he named as cells.
iii. Robert Hooke demonstrated his observation on cork slice at ―Royal Society of London.
iv. The outermost layer of an animal cell is the cell membrane or plasma membrane.
v. Cell wall is present outside the plasma membrane in a plant cell. vi. Chromosomes are located
inside the nucleus of a cell.
vii. Plasma membrane has tiny holes which regulates the entry and exit of certain selected
substances across the cell.
viii. A plant cell has the following cell organelles – Endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes,
mitochondria, lysosomes, vacuoles, plastids and dictyosomes.
a) Cell Membrane
b) Chromosomes
Ans 5:
a) Cell Wall
b) Chloroplast
c) Mitochondria
d) Nucleus Ans 6:
a. Cell Wall
c. Mitochondria releases energy from the stored food in the cell by the process of
respiration. It also provides materials for the synthesis of chlorophyll.
d. Nucleus:
Ans7:
Ans 8:
PLANT CELL ANIMAL CELL
Plant cells are larger in size. Animal cells are smaller in size.
Q9: What features are possessed by both Plant cells & Animal cells?
Ans9: Following are the features are possessed by both Plant cells & Animal cells
Ans10: A nerve cell is long and branched because it has to conduct messages from one part of the
body to the brain and spinal cord and back.
Q 11: Why are Mitochondria known as the power house of the cell?
Ans 11: Mitochondria are known as powerhouses of the cell because they contain enzymes for the
total oxidation of food & for release of high amount of energy in the form of ATP
(Adenosine Tri Phosphate) molecules. This energy is then utilized by the body for synthesis
of
new chemical compounds & for mechanical work.
Q12: Which four basic elements constitute more than 90% of protoplasm?
Ans 12: More than 90% of protoplasm is made up of 4 elements – Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen &
Oxygen.
Q 13: Write in brief about the variation in shape & size of cells?
Ans13: The shape of cells differs not only in different organisms but also in different parts of the
same organisms. They may be oval, spherical, discoid, columnar, spindle – shaped etc. The
shape of a cell mainly depends on the function it carries. For example, Some types of cells
are long and pointed at both ends like Muscle Cells. They exhibit spindle shape. Some
types of cells are branched like the nerve cell or a neuron, which receives and transfers
messages for helping to control and coordinate the working of different parts of the
body.
The cells of animals and plants show a great variation in their size. Most cells are
extremely small, so we need a microscope to see them. However, a few are quite large and
can be seen with the naked eye.
E.g. Largest living cell is an Ostrich egg about 170 nm in diameter. The size of a cell
is measured in micrometer or micron and is represented by the symbol μm. One micron is
equal to the one millionth of a meter.
Q13: Name the different cell organelles & the function of these organelles?
Ans 13: The different cell organelles and their functions are:
a) Mitochondria : Mitochondria act as energy production sites and are hence,
known as the Powerhouses of the Cell.
b) Endoplasmic reticulum:
1. It forms a link between the cell and nuclear membrane.
2. It acts as a skeletal frame work of cell and keeps various organelles in
their position.
3. It is the site for protein & lipid synthesis and helps in transport of
substances within the cell.
c) Golgi apparatus:
1. It is involved in repair & synthesis of cell membrane.
2.
It packs material synthesized in the cell & dispatch them across the
plasma membrane.
d) Ribosome: Ribosomes are the sites where the protein synthesis takes place.
Q15: What is meant by protoplasm? How does it differ from Cytoplasm?
Ans15: Protoplasm is the living matter of the cells and made up of cytoplasm and nucleus. However,
cytoplasm is a semi fluid material between the nucleus and plasma membrane.
STUDY HHB AHMAD NAGAR
Tester
A tester is a piece of electrical equipment used to check the presence of electric current.
It is usually a conductor with a led/bulb to indicate that the current is present in the
circuit.
• The electric current often causes heating effect due to which the filament of the bulb
gets heated up and glows.
• However, some liquids are capable of conducting electricity but they are weak
conductors of electricity. Hence current passes through them but it is not that strong
STUDY HHB AHMAD NAGAR
enough to heat up the filament. As a result, the filament would not light up in the case
of such liquids.
• However, the LED bulbs can detect the flow of even a small amount of electric current
as well. Hence, LED bulbs are suitable for testing the electrical conductivity of liquids.
Electrolysis
The effect in which components of a compound get split due to passing an electric current through it
is called electrolysis.
H+ + e- → H2 gas
Applications of Electrolysis
• For instance, if we want to deposit copper on a material we need an electrolyte that contains
copper in it. Similarly, if we need gold on a material we need an electrolyte that contains gold in
it.
• Also, we should make sure that the electrode that we are choosing is completely clean.
• The electrodes used are made up of different materials. One of the electrodes is of the same metal
of which the electrolyte solution is. The second electrode needs to be the material on which we
want to coat another metal.
• For instance, in case we want to plate copper upon brass, one electrode should be of Copper and
the other electrode should be of Brass and the electrolyte solution should be any salt which
contains copper in it, for example, copper sulphate solution. Consider the diagram given below
that describes the process of electroplating of copper.
Applications of electroplating
• Medical equipment is made up of nickel which is harmful to the human body hence to avoid it
from coming in contact with our body a coating of platinum or gold is applied on the surface of
nickel.
• Many kitchen equipments, bath taps, parts of cars etc. are covered with chromium coating.
Chromium is an expensive metal hence the objects are created with the cheaper metal and
STUDY HHB AHMAD NAGAR
chromium coating is provided. Thus, to bring a shining over the objects and prevent them from
corrosion chromium coating is used.
• Jewellery makers often make ornaments of less expensive metals and provide a coating of gold
or silver upon them.
• The tin cans that are used to store food are actually made up of iron and have a coating of tin on
them. Iron can easily react with food and spoil it, however, tin prevents the food from getting
reacted with iron and therefore helps in preventing it from getting spoiled easily.
• Bridges and various parts of automobiles are made up of iron because it provides strength.
However in order to prevent iron from getting rusted a coating of zinc is provided over it. This
method is also called galvanization of iron.
4. Decomposition of compounds
STUDY HHB AHMAD NAGAR
The electrolysis method is also used to decompose a compound into its constituents. For
example, water can be decomposed using the process of electrolysis to obtain hydrogen and
oxygen.
Exercises
Q1: Fill in the blanks.
(a) Most liquids that conduct electricity are solutions of acids, bases andsalts.
(The solutions of acids, bases or salts are conducting in nature. They allow the current to pass
through.)
(b) The passage of an electric current through a solution causes chemical effects.
(When an electric current passes through a solution, the solution decomposes into its positive
and negative ions. This process of decomposition of the solution is a chemical effect.)
(c) If you pass current through copper sulphate solution, copper gets deposited on the plate
connected to the negative terminal of the battery.
(When an electric current passes through a copper sulphate solution, the solution decomposes
into positively charged copper ions and negatively charged sulphate ions. These positively
charged copper ions get attracted towards the plate which is connected to the negative terminal
of a battery.)
(d) The process of depositing a layer of any desired metal on another material by means of
electricity is calledelectroplating.
Q 2: When the free ends of a tester are dipped into a solution, the magnetic needle shows
deflection. Can you explain the reason?
The deflection in the compass needle shows that current is flowing through the wounded
wire and hence, through the circuit. The circuit is complete since free ends of the tester are
STUDY HHB AHMAD NAGAR
dipped in a solution. The solution is certainly a conducting solution. This is the reason why the
compass needle shows a deflection.
Q 3: Name three liquids, which when tested in the manner shown in Fig. 14.9, may cause the
magnetic needle to deflect.
Liquids like lemon juice, salt water and vegetable oil allow electricity to pass through them.
Hence, these liquids can be used as in the beaker to show the given effect.
Q4: The bulb does not glow in the setup shown in Fig. 14.10. List the
(i) Liquid in the beaker is non-conducting. In such case, the electric current would not be able to
pass through the liquid. Hence, the circuit is not complete.
(ii) Electric current in the circuit is very weak. This can happen if the material used for making
the circuit is not a good conductor of electricity or the battery does not have sufficient energy to
generate electricity.
Q 5: A tester is used to check the conduction of electricity through two liquids, labelled A
and B. It is found that the bulb of the tester glows brightly for liquid A while it glows very
dimly forliquidB. You would conclude that
(i) liquid A is a better conductor than liquid B. (ii) liquid B is a better conductor than liquid A.
The amount of current flowing through a conducting solution depends on the conductivity of
the solution. With more conductivity, more current passes through the solution and vice-versa.
Hence, the conductivity of liquid A is more than the conductivity of liquid B.
Q6: Does pure water conduct electricity? If not, what can we do to make it conducting?
STUDY HHB AHMAD NAGAR
No. Pure water does not conduct electricity. This is because pure water is devoid of any salts.
Pure water can conduct electricity when a pinch of common salt is added to it, as salt solution
is conducting in nature.
Q7: In case of a fire, before the firemen use the water hoses, they shut off the main electrical
supply for the area. Explain why they do this.
Water may conduct electricity. If the electrical supply for the area is not shut off and
water is poured over electrical appliances, then electricity may pass through water and harm
the firemen. That is why, in case of a fire, the firemen shut off the main electrical supply for
the area before they use the water hoses.
Q 8: A child staying in a coastal region tests the drinking water and also the seawater with
his tester. He finds that the compass needle deflects more in the case of seawater. Can you
explain the reason?
Sea water contains more dissolved salts than the drinking water. Hence, it is more
conducting than the drinking water. Because of this reason, the compass needle deflects more
in seawater than in the drinking water.
Q 9: Is it safe for the electrician to carry out electrical repairs outdoors during heavy
downpour? Explain.
No. It is not safe to repair electrical appliances outdoors during heavy downpour. This
is because rain water contains dissolved salts. Therefore, rain water can conduct electricity.
The electrician may get electrical shocks while working outdoors during rain.
Q 10: Paheli had heard that rain water is as good as distilled water. So, she collected some
rain water in a clean glass tumbler and tested it using a tester. To her surprise, she found
that the compass needle showed deflection. What could be the reasons?
Rain water contains dissolved salts. This makes it a conducting solution. There are no
dissolved salts present in the distilled water. Hence, rain water can allow electricity to pass
through it while distilled water cannot.
i. Chromium plating is done on different parts of cars, buses and motor cycles to give them
shiny appearance.
ii. A fine layer of gold is deposited on the silver ornaments and they are called gold-plated
ornaments.
ii. Iron used in constructing a building is coated with a layer of zinc. This protects iron from corrosion
and rusting.
STUDY HHB AHMAD NAGAR
Q12: The process that you saw in Activity 14.7 is used for purification of copper. A thin
plate of pure copper and a thick rod of impure copper are used as electrodes. Copper
from impure rod is sought to be transferred to the thin copper plate. Which electrode
should be attached to the positive terminal of the battery and why?
Copper ion is positively charged. It is attracted towards the plate which is connected to
the negative terminal of the battery. As copper ions are transferred to the thin copper plate, this
thin pure copper plate must be connected to the negative terminal of the battery. Consequently,
impure copper rod is connected to the positive terminal of the battery.
“FOOD PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT”
Class: 8th (Science) Page No. 1
Question 1:
Question 2:
Ans: The process of loosening and turning the soil is called tilling or ploughing. It is done by using
agricultural implements called ploughs and tillers.
Advantages:-
Question 3:
Ans: The process of placing seeds into the prepared soil for growing the crops is called ‘Sowing’. Clean,
healthy and disease free seeds are selected for sowing. Seeds are to be sown at the right depths and right
intervals.
because scattered seeds can be picked up by the birds and cannot ensure the right space and depth.
ii. Seed Drilling: seed drill makes the furrows along the filled and ensures the proper sowing of seeds
at the correct depth and spaces. Thus, is an efficient method of sowing. iii. Transplanting: The process
of transferring the seedlings from the nursery to the main field by hand is called transplanting or
transplantation. It allows proper penetrating of roots in soil and better shoot development.
Question 4:
Difference between; Question 5:
Why are weeds harmful?
i. Fertilizers and Manures Manures
Q1: -What are the requirements of farming which would lead to high yield of crops?
Ans: -The requirements of farming which would lead to high yield of crops are :-
Ans: -Tilling or ploughing is the process of loosening and turning the soil. For ploughing various types of ploughs
are used. Plough is used for tilling of soil, adding fertilizers to the crop, removing of weeds, supporting of soil
etc. It is made up of wood and drawn by a pair of bulls. It contains a strong triangular iron strip called plough
share. The main part of the plough is a long log of wood which is called plough shaft. There is a handle on one
end. The other end is attached to a beam which which is hung on the neck of bulls. One pair of bulls and a man
can easily operate the plough.
Q3: -Write a short note on process of sowing?
Ans: -Sowing is the process of putting seeds in the soil. There are two methods of sowing of seeds.
1.The first method is by scattering the seeds in the field by hand. This is known as broadcasting. In developed
countries seeds are not sown by hand .Even when it is broadcast, it is sown by a machine called broadcaster,
which is made up of a long Hopper ( to held the seeds ) and a series of spinning disk which scatter the seeds as
they fall through the bottom of the Hopper at a controlled rate.
2.The second method of sowing is by using seed drill. This method is widely used in India. The simplest seed
drills consist of a vertical tube with a seed bowl. This arrangement is tied to plough and the farmer drops the
seeds into the bowl as plough is often adapted to line sowing. There are number modifications in the seed drill.
The principle in all is the same.
Q4: - What are manures? Discuss their important types?
Ans:-Manures are the organic materials which supply the nutrients that a plant needs in small amounts
Manures add organic matter to the soil.
The important types of manures are farm yard (FYM), green manures and compost.
1. FYM:-it is the most valuable organic matter commonly applied to the soil. This usually consists of
remains of straw, leaves and other materials like the excreta of cattle.
2. Green manure: - The practice of turning or ploughing of green plants into soil for the purpose of
improving physical structure as well as soil fertility is called green manuring. Leguminous crops like cluster
beans, cowpea,horse gram etc are grown as green manure crops.
3. Compost: - It consists of all the cattle shed wastes and all the available refuse. All these are properly
mixed together together and can be used as manure after rottening.
Q5: -What is fertilizer? Explain its importance?
Ans:-Fertilizers are inorganic materials that are used mainly to increase the essential elements in the soil.
For example, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium fertilizers which are needed by the plants e.g.NPK, urea,
super phosphate etc. Importance of fertilizers: -They are used to increase the essential elements in soil and
make the soil rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium Q6:-What are broadcasting and transplanting?
Ans :-The method of scattering the seeds in the field by hand is known as broadcasting.
Transplanting is a process of taking young plants from nursery beds and transfer them to fields or seedlings
which require spacing, water and mineral for accurate growth.
Q7:-What is difference between manure and fertilizer?
Manure Fertilizer
1.They are organic substances prepared They are mixture of chemical compounds
from the decomposition of plants and rich in nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium
animal wastes. etc
2.They contain mixture of various Chemical fertilizers are nutrients specific
nutrients recycled from biomass wastes that is nitrogenous, phosphate etc
3.They are not in a concentrated form. They are in a concentrated form
4.They are never harmful to soil. They are easy to store and transport.
Q8: -Why are weeds harmful? What is used to remove them?
Ans: -Weeds are unwanted plants which grow in the field along with crop plants. They compete with the
crop plant for nutrients, sunlight and water.
Thus , they reduce the crop yield.
Methods of removal of weeds are: -
1.Tilling: - The process of loosing and turning of the soil is called tilling or ploughing. This is done by using
plough. Tilling helps in uprooting and killing of weeds.
2. Manure removal: -This method removes the weeds by physical methods by uprooting or cutting them close
to the ground. This is done with the help of khurpa or harrow.
3.Chemical method: - In this method, weeds are controlled by using some chemicals called weedicides like 2, 4-
D. The weedicides are sprayed in the field with the sprayers.
Q9: -What are insecticides? Give examples?
Ans :-Insecticides are the chemicals which selectively kill the pest or harmful insects as well as their eggs and
larva but do not affect the plants e.g.malathion, Dimecron etc.
Q10: - How do insecticides protect crops?
Ans: -Insecticides kill the insects like locusts, grasshopper as well as their larvae but the plants are not affected
by them.
Q11: -What are the two main seasons in India for cultivating crops?
Ans: - The two main seasons for the cultivation of crops are: -
Ans: - The four factors responsible for the improvement of the crop are :- a) Plant Breeding
b) Soil improvement
c) Protection from pests and insects
d) Storage.
Q14: - Write a short note on process of harvesting?
Ans:- Harvesting is a process of cutting and collecting the matured crops from the fields.This may be done
either by hand or with a sickle or with machines known as Combine harvesters .
Q15 :-Why does a farmer rotate crops in the fields?
Ans:-If the same crop is grown continuously, soil may be deprived of certain nutrient elements .In order to
prevent this depreciation and in order to maintain the fertility of the soil, two crops are grown alternatively.
E.g. Maize and wheat. This is called crop Rotation.
Q16: -What do you understand by mixed cropping?
Ans: - The practice of cultivating two crops simultaneously to save time and labour. This also helps the products
and waste materials of one crop to be utilized by another crop if choosen properly. This method is known as
mixed cropping e.g. groundnut and cotton are usually grown together as mixed crops.
Q17:-Why are fields sometimes allowed to remain fallow?
Ans:-Some fields are allowed to rest and regenerate for at least a season to support a crop. This is called field
fallow. The growth of humus picks up which in turn promotes the growth of soil microorganisms. During such
undisturbed period, it leads to rich replenishment of nutrients.
Q18: -List the importance of fish in our life?
Ans: - Fish forms the major source of animal protein. The oil obtained from fish can be used for various
purposes.
Q19 :- What is nutrient value of honey ?
Ans:- Honey contains 17 % of water and 78 % sugar with minerals and enzymes which helps in the digestion of
food.
Q20: - How are domesticated animals useful to us?
Ans:- 1. The domesticated animals are used for our own work and food.
2.sThe animals play a significant role in the welfare of mankind.
3. Hens are used for eggs, cows and buffaloes are used for milk.
4. Domesticated dogs are used for our home protection.
Friction
Friction
• Friction is a force that comes into play when two surfaces come in contact with each other.
• The Frictional force or the force of Friction acts in the opposite direction of the motion of the
object.
• The force of Friction opposes the relative motion between the surfaces of two moving objects.
Types of Friction
1. Static Friction: The Frictional force that comes into play until an object starts moving is called static
Friction. An object has to overcome the static Friction force in order to start its movement.
2. Sliding Friction: Sliding Friction comes into play whenever an object moves along the surface of
another object. Such a movement is called ‘slide’. Hence, sliding Friction is the force that opposes
the movement or slide of an object.
3. Rolling Friction: When an object is rolling on a surface the force of Friction which acts upon it is
called rolling Friction.
4. Fluid Friction: When an object moves in a fluid, the fluid exerts a fluid Friction upon the object. It
is also called air Friction (when the medium of travel is air) and viscous Friction (when the medium
of travel is water).
2. The tyres are treaded so that they can have a better grip over the ground and allow the smooth
movement of the vehicles.
3. Brake pads are used in bikes to stop them suddenly from moving by increasing the amount of Friction.
4. Kabaddi players rub their hands with soil which helps in increasing the Friction between the hands
and allows them to have an easy grip of the opponent.
5. Gymnasts also apply a coarse substance so that they can have a better grip due to increased Friction
in their hands.
Reducing Friction: Sometimes in order to have a smooth movement of an object we need to reduce
Friction. For example,
• The powder is sprinkled over the carrom board to decrease the Friction between the board’s
surface and the striker. In this way, the surface of the carrom board becomes smooth.
• Grease is used in bicycles and other motors or different parts of a machine to reduce Friction and
increase their efficiency.
• Oil is applied on the hinges of the door so that they can move easily.
Figure 9 Lubricants
How wheels reduce Friction?
• We know that when an object rolls over a surface rolling Friction is produced which resists its
motion on the surface. However, its magnitude is lesser than the static and sliding Friction.
• Wheels are circulating objects that turn around a center point.
• The wheels allow an object to roll over a surface rather than allowing them to slide over the
surface.
• This results in less Friction and hence easy movement of the object.
• Rolling Friction is also used in the parts of machines that are moving continuously.
• In this way, the sliding Friction is removed with the help of rolling Friction and therefore the
adverse effects of Friction such as the production of heat or wear and tear of the mechanical parts
are also reduced.
• For instance, ball bearings are being used in fans and bicycles to reduce Friction.
Figure 10 Ball Bearings
Fluid Friction
Figure 12 Objects can resist Fluid Friction because of their special Shape
Exercises
1. Answer the following questions:
(i) Why are the worn out tyres discarded?
Ans. When the tyres are worn out their groves disappear due to the constant use. This reduces the
friction between tyres and road. The reduced friction increased the speed of vehicles, resulting
the chances of accidents, that is why worn out tyres are discarded.
(ii) Why do carom coins move faster on carom board when dusted with talcum powder?
Ans. When carom board is, dusted with talcum powder, the friction between carom coins and the
surface of carom board reduces, thus the carom coins move faster on carom board.
(iii) Why is the surface of conveyor belt made rough?
Ans. Conveyor belts are used, in the mechanical machines at railway stations or air ports to carry
passenger’s luggage. The belts are made rough to increase the friction between belt and pulley
so that to slow down the speed of the machine. Due to slow speed, no luggage slides over
another and this makes passengers easy to collect his luggage.
(iv) Why is the sewing machine often oiled?
Ans. Constant use of sewing machine makes the surfaces of its moving parts irregular that increases
the friction resulting its slow speed and more energy wastage. A less viscous oil acts as a
lubricant in the machine that makes the surfaces smooth reducing the friction, less energy usage
but more and faster work. That is why sewing machine is often oiled.
(v) Why do new automobile tyres have deep grooves?
Ans. The tyres with deep groves are the kind of irregular surfaces, since the friction is, caused due to
the interlocking irregularities of two surfaces, the friction between the tyres and the road
increases; this slows down the speed of the vehicle, resulting in the less chances of accidents.
It also helps apply the brakes safely.
(vi) Why does a ball rolling on the ground slowdown?
Ans. When the ball rolls on the ground a part of the ball and the ground surface gets continuously
deformed thereby increasing the rolling friction between the two. The increase in the friction
reduces the speed of ball, since a limiting force is, applied to the ball it slows down after moving
a small distance.
(vii) Why are the boats and aeroplane, given special shape?
Ans. The boats and aeroplane is given a special shape so that friction between water (in case of boat)
or air (in case of aeroplane) is reduced to a large extent. This also offer the least resistance to
the air and water and help them to move or fly with a lot of speed.
(viii) Why do meteors burn on entering into the atmosphere?
Ans. The meteors enter the earth at a very high speed. At such speeds, the friction due to air is
extremely high. Due this high friction, the temperature of the meteor rises to such a high degree
that they catch fire and burn down while entering into the atmosphere.
(ix) Why do painters use sand papers in polishing doors?
Ans. Sand papers are used to make the surfaces smooth. In other words, it helps a painter held the
paint while polishing, with the help of sliding friction.
(x) Why is it easier to tie a knot with cotton string as compared to silk string?
Ans. Cotton string has rough surface while as silk string has smooth surface. While we knot a tie, the
friction between two end surfaces of cotton string increases, this makes it easy to knot a tie
with cotton string as compared to silk string, which has the reduced friction between two
smooth end surfaces.
2. Fill in the blank spaces by choosing words from the list given below:
List: movement, sliding, streamlined, static, opposite
(i) Friction always acts in the direction opposite to the direction of applied force.
(ii) Static friction is a self-adjusting force.
(iii) Friction is very useful as it helps in the movement of the bodies.
(iv) The sliding friction is 10 times the rolling friction.
(v) The boats and aeroplanes are streamlined so as, to reduce fluid friction.
When parallel rays of light fall on a When parallel rays of light fall upon an smooth surface,
they are reflected irregular surface, they are reflected back back as parallel rays only. This is
into all the directions. This is called called regular reflection. diffused reflection.
It is also called specular reflection. It is also called irregular reflection.
It enables us to view different objects It leads to
the formation of an image. present in our environment.
For example, the image formed by a For example, the reflection of rays of plane mirror. light
through a wall
Illuminated objects - Objects that do not produce light on their own but reflect the light that
falls upon them are called illuminated objects. For example, the moon.
Luminous objects - Objects which can produce light on their own are called luminous objects.
For example, tube light, bulb, the Sun and the Stars.
What is a Kaleidoscope?
• Dispersion of light through the soap Bubbles Dispersion of light on the CDs
4. Do not look at the sharp source of light like the sun directly. Excess of light can damage the
eyes.
5. If dust enters into the eye one should not rub them and rather wash them straightway.
6. Maintain a normal distance while reading or watching TV.
7. Take a balanced diet to ensure that you get the right nutrients.
Tactual Aids (using They include Braille writer Slate and Stylus which allow a person to
sense of touch) read and write.
Optical Aids
Bifocal Lenses
They all are used to rectify the limitations of the eyes.
Contact Lenses
Tinted Lenses
Magnifiers
Telescopic Aids They are used to view the chalkboard and class
demonstrations.
Braille system
• Braille is a tactual aid for visually challenged people that allow them to read and write.
• It was developed by a visually challenged person called Louis Braille. This system was
published by him in 1821 however the present Braille System was adopted in 1932.
• For many common languages including Hindi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Mathematics and
scientific notations a Braille code is present.
• In the Braille code, there are 63 Dots or 63 Characters.
• These are arranged in a cell of two vertical rows having three dots each.
• The patterns are embossed on a Braille Sheet that allows a person to read by touching the
pattern. Each character in the Braille system can represent:
1. a letter
2. a combination of letters or a word
3. a grammatical sign
Exercises
Q1. Suppose you are in a dark room. Can you see objects in the room? Can you see objects
outside the room? Explain.
If we are in a dark room, then it is not possible for us to see objects in the room. However,
objects outside the room are visible to us.
An object becomes visible when light reaches our eye after being reflected from the object. If
there is no light in the room, then the objects inside the room cannot reflect any light. Hence,
we cannot see in a dark room. If there is light present outside the room, then we can see the
objects outside the room.
Q2: Differentiate between regular and diffused reflection. Does diffused reflection mean the
failure of the laws of reflection?
Regular reflection takes place from a smooth or a regular surface. In regular reflection,
all reflected rays are parallel to each other for parallel incident rays. Irregular or diffused
reflection takes place from an irregular surface. In diffused reflection, the reflected rays are not
parallel to each other for parallel incident rays. This happens because of the presence of
irregular microscopic surfaces. Hence, parallel incident rays reflect in different directions.
However, each ray obeys the laws of reflection. Therefore, laws of reflections are not violated
in diffused or irregular reflections.
Q3: Mention against each of the following whether regular or diffused reflection will
take place when a beam of light strikes. Justify your answer in each case.
(a) Polished wooden table (b) Chalk powder
(c) Cardboard surface (d) Marble floor with water spread over it
(e) Mirror (f) Piece of paper
Q11: Gurmit wanted to perform Activity 16.8 using a laser torch. Her teacher advised her
not to do so. Can you explain the basis of the
teacher’s advice?
Laser light is harmful for the human eyes, because its intensity is very high. It can cause
damage to the retina and lead to blindness. Hence, it is advisable not to look at a laser beam
directly.
Q13: What is the angle of incidence of a ray if the reflected ray is at an angle of 90° to the
incident ray?
If the reflected ray is at an angle of 90° to the incident ray, then the angle of incidence
is 45 °. According to the law of reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of
reflection. Therefore, the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection both are = 45°.
Q14: How many images of a candle will be formed if it is placed between two parallel plane
mirrors separated by 40 cm?
Infinite or multiple images of the candle will be formed because of multiple reflections
between the mirrors. When two mirrors are placed parallel to each other, then infinite numbers
of images are formed.
Q15: Two mirrors meet at right angles. A ray of light is incident on one at an angle of 30°
as shown in Fig. Draw the reflected ray from the
second mirror.
The first law of reflection is used to obtain the path of reflected light. It can be observed
that the given ray of light will reflect from the second mirror at an angle 60°.
Q16: Yasir stands at A just on the side of a plane mirror as shown in Fig. 16.20. Can he
see himself in the mirror? Also can he see the image of objects situated at P, Q and
R?
A plane mirror forms a virtual image behind the mirror. The
image is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it. A cannot
see his image because the length of the mirror is too short on his side.
However, he can see the objects placed at points P and Q, but cannot see
the object placed at point R (as shown in the given figure).
Q17:
(a) Find out the position of the image of an object situated at A in
the plane mirror (Fig. 16.21).
(b) Can Saba at B see this image?
(c) Can Yasir at C see this image?
(d) When Saba moves from B to C, where does the image of A move?
Answers:
(a) Image of the object placed at A is formed behind the mirror. The distance of the image from
the mirror is equal to the distance of A from the mirror. Image
➢ Elements have been broadly divided into two main groups depending on their
properties:-
METALS NON METALS
They always tend to lose electrons. They always tend to gain electrons
➢ Another class of elements which show the properties of both metals and non-metals is
called Metalloids. All elements are arranged in the periodic table according to their
properties.
INTRODUCTION TO METALS
Those materials which possess the characteristic of being hard, shiny, malleable, fusible,
ductile, etc. are termed as metals. Few examples of metals are iron, gold, silver,
aluminium, copper, etc.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF METALS
These are the properties which we come to know by just touching, seeing, colour, etc.
1. Malleable: It is that property of metals which allows them to be beaten into the thin
sheets. Due to presence of this property, the shape of iron nail and aluminium wire
can be changed on beating. For example: The silver foils used for decorating sweets and
the aluminium foil used for wrapping food. Malleable metals are aluminium and copper.
Highly malleable metals are gold and silver.
2. Conductivity: It is that property of metals which allows the current and heat to pass
through them easily. For Example- Metals like iron rod, nail, copper wire, etc. are good
conductors of electricity.
3. Ductility: It is that property of metals which allows them to be drawn into the wires.
4. Lustrous: It is that property of metals which makes them shine and their structures
are capable of reflecting incident light.
5. Hardness: Due to the ductility and malleability properties, metals are very strong. For
Example: Iron metal is very hard & strong, so it is used in the construction of Bridges,
Railway Lines, Machines etc,.
6. Solid at room temperature: Most of the metals are solid (particles are tightly and
very closely packed) at room temperature. There are few exceptions like Mercury and
Gallium are the metals which are found in liquid state at room temperature.
7. High Melting and boiling point: Most of the metals have high melting and boiling
points. The metals which are solid in nature always have high melting and boiling
points because they are closely packed and have high attraction. There are few
exceptions like Sodium, potassium, Mercury, and Gallium have low melting and boiling
points.
8. High tensile strength: The metals which can bear the strain are termed as the high
tensile strength metals. There are few exceptions like Zinc, Arsenic, and Antimony have
low tensile strength.
3. Reaction of Metals with Dilute Acids: Generally, a metal reacts with acids to form
salts and releases hydrogen gas
For Example:
4. Reaction of metals with metals salt solution: Metals react with salt solution of
different metals. More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from their salt
solution. Such reactions are called Displacement reactions.
Example : When zinc is reacted with copper sulphate solution, then copper will be
displaced by zinc as zinc is more reactive than copper. The blue colour of copper sulphate
disappears and a powdery red mass of copper is deposited at the bottom of the beaker.
The reaction-
Copper Sulphate (CuSO4) + Zinc (Zn) → Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4) + Copper (Cu)
INTRODUCTION TO NON-METALS
Those materials which do not possess the characteristics of metals are termed as
nonmetal. Materials like coal and sulphur are soft and dull in appearance. They break
down into powdery mass on tapping with hammer. They are non-sonorous and are poor
conductors of heat and electricity. Few examples of non metals are sulphur, carbon, oxygen
etc.
Example:
C + O2 → CO2
(
carbon dioxide, which is an acidic oxide )
CO2 + H2O → H2 CO3
(Carbonic Acid )
S+O2 →SO2
SO2+H2O→H2SO3
2. Reaction with water: Non-metals do not react with water but are usually very
reactive in air, which is why some of them are stored in water. For example, one of
the highly reactive non-metals is phosphorus and it catches fire when exposed to air
that is why it is stored in water to prevent its contact with atmospheric oxygen.
4. Reaction with bases: The reaction between non-metals and bases is a very
complex one. Reaction of chlorine with bases like sodium hydroxide gives
products like sodium hypochlorite as well as water.
EXERCISE
Q1 Which of the following can be beaten into thin sheets?
Ans. a) Zinc
Some properties are listed in the following table. Distinguish between metals
Q5 and non- metals on the basis of these properties
I. Appearance II.
Hardness
III. Malleability
IV. Ductility
V. Heat Conduction
VI. Conduction of Electricity
Answer:
A
B
Gold Thermometer
Iron Electric wire
Aluminium Wrapping food
Carbon Jewellery
Copper Machinery
Mercury Fuel
Answer:
A B
Gold Jewellery
Iron Machinery
Aluminium Wrapping food
Carbon Fuel
Copper Electric wire
Mercury Thermometers
Q10 Sarish took a piece of burning charcoal and collected the gas evolved in a
test tube.
i) How will she find the nature of the gas?
ii) Write down word equations of all the reactions taking place in this
process.
Answer:
i. She will bring a wet litmus paper in contact with the gas. If the gas turns wet blue
litmus paper into red, the gas will be acidic.
ii. Carbon + Oxygen→Carbon Dioxide.
Carbon dioxide + Water→Carbonic Acid.
Q11 One day Reeta went to a jeweller’s shop with her mother. Her mother gave old
gold jewellery to the goldsmith to polish. Next day when they brought the
jewellery back, they found that there was a slight loss in its weight. Can you
suggest a reason for the loss in weight?
Answer: The jeweller dip the jewellery in the solution of acid, which reacted with the outer
covering of metals. Thus there is a net loss of weight in the metal of the ornament.
Q12 Why is phosphorus stored in water?
Answer: Phosphorus is a very reactive non-metal. It catches fire if exposed to air so, in
order to prevent contact of phosphorus with atmospheric oxygen, it is stored in water.
Q13 Why sodium metal is stored in kerosene?
Answer: Sodium metal is very reactive. It reacts vigorously with oxygen and water. A lot
of heat is generated in the reaction. It is therefore, stored in kerosene.
Microorganisms: Friend and Foe
INTRODUCTION:
• Microorganisms are too small and are not visible to the unaided eye.
• They are found in air, soil, water and in the bodies of plants and animals.
• Microorganisms play an important role in our lives. Some of them are beneficial in many ways whereas
some others are harmful and cause diseases. Some microorganisms can fix nitrogen from air into soil
and increase the soil fertility.
Bacteria: These are single-celled organisms with a rigid cell wall. They can only be seen under a
microscope which enlarges images from 100 to 1000 times.
Fungi: These are non-green plants and hence, cannot make their own food. They either live as parasites
(deriving nutrition from host organisms, or grow on the organic matter (such as bread mould).
Algae : These are simple plant- like organisms which are usually aquatic in nature. They contain a cell
wall and chlorophyll and can make their own food by photosynthesis. Algae can be unicellular or
multicellular. Some of the common examples are diatoms, Chlamydomonas, and seaweed.
Protozoa: Protozoa are unicellular are organisms. Some of them live independently while others live as
parasites. Many of the parasitic protozoan cause diseases in plants, domestic animals, and human beings.
Example of some protozoan are Amoeba, Plasmodium and Paramecium
MIND MAPS
Diseases caused by
Microorganisms
Microorganisms:
Organisms that are so small that they can only be seen through a microscope are called
microorganisms or microbes.
The study of microorganisms is known as microbiology.
Viruses:
• Viruses are also microscopic.
• They reproduce only inside the cells of the host organism, which may be a bacterium, plant or animal.
• Viruses can only be seen with an electron microscope.
• A virus is like a non- living thing outside the body of other organisms. Therefore, it is a borderline
between a living and a non- living thing.
Types of Viruses
Friendly Microorganisms:
Microorganisms are used for various purposes.
• Some microorganisms are used in the production of curd, bread and cake.
• Microorganisms have been used for the production of alcohol since ages.
• They are also used in cleaning up of the environment as composers. For example, the organic wastes
(vegetable peels, remains of animals, faeces, etc.) are broken down into harmless and usable substances
by bacteria.
• In agriculture fields, microorganisms are used to increase soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.
Commercial Use of Microorganisms:
• Microorganisms are used for large scale production of alcohol, wine and acetic acid (Vinegar).
• For commercial production of alcohol and wine, yeast is grown on natural sugars present in grains like
barley, wheat, rice, crushed fruit juices, etc.
Vaccine:
• When a disease-carrying microbe enters our body, the antibodies produced by our body fight with the
invader. If microbes enter again, the body also remembers that how to fight with the microbes.
• If dead or weakened microbes are introduced in a healthy body, the body fights and kills them by
producing suitable antibodies.
• The antibodies remain in the body for protecting from the disease-causing microbes. This is how a
vaccine works.
• Several diseases like cholera, tuberculosis, smallpox and hepatitis can be prevented by vaccination.
• Pathogens enter our body through the different way like air when we breathe, the water when we drink
or the food when we eat. They can also get transmitted by direct contact with an infected person or
carried through an animal.
• Microbial diseases such as cholera, common cold, chicken pox and tuberculosis that can spread from an
infected person to a healthy person through air, water, food or physical contact are called communicable
diseases.
• There are some insects and animals which act as carriers of disease causing microbes.
For example housefly is one such carrier that sits on the garbage and animal excreta. Pathogens stick to
their bodies. When these flies sit on uncovered food, they transfer the pathogens. Whoever eats the
contaminated food is likely to get sick. So, it is advisable to always keep the food covered. Some more
examples of carrier microbes are the female Anopheles mosquito, which carries the parasite of malaria.
Female Aedes mosquito acts as carrier of dengue virus.
• All mosquitoes breed in water. So, one should not let water collect anywhere like in coolers, tyres,
flower pots etc. By keeping the surroundings clean and dry we can prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
➢ Communicable
➢ Non Communicable
Communicable Disease
Microbial diseases that can spread from an infected person to a healthy person through air, water, food
or physical contact are called communicable diseases. Examples of such diseases include cholera,
common cold, chicken pox and tuberculosis.
Non-Communicable Disease
The diseases that do not spread through sick to a healthy person are called non – communicable
diseases. We can also say that the non-communicable diseases are those which cannot be transferred
from one person to another person. For example: Lung Cancer or liver damage.
✓ To keep the infected person separated from others and to advice him/ her to keep a handkerchief on the nose
and mouth while sneezing.
✓ To keep our environment or surrounding clean.
✓ Never let garbage collect in the neighbourhood.
✓ Timely vaccination against diseases.
✓ To prevent mosquitoes from breeding, we should not allow water to collect anywhere in our
neighbourhood.
The plants can be protected by using chemicals that kill these microbes.
Common Diseases in Plants caused by Microbes
Citrus Canker is caused by Bacteria and spreads through Air.
Rust of Wheat is caused by Fungi and spreads through Air or Seeds.
Yellow Vein Mosaic of Okra (Bhindi) is caused by Virus and spreads through Insects.
Food Poisoning:
Food poisoning in humans could be due to the consumption of food spoilt by some microorganisms.
Microorganisms that grow on our food sometimes produce toxic substances and make the food
poisonous causing serious illness and even death. So, it is very important that we preserve food to
prevent it from being spoilt by the microorganisms.
Food Preservation:
Microorganisms spoil our food. Spoiled food emits bad smell and has a bad taste and changed colour.
Some common methods to preserve food are as follows:
a. Chemical Method:
❖ Preservatives like Salts and edible oils are the common chemicals generally used to check the growth of
microorganisms.
❖ We add salt or acid preservatives to pickles to prevent the attack of microbes. Sodium benzoate and
sodium metabisulphite are common preservatives which are used in the jams and squashes to check
their spoilage.
b. Preservation by Common Salt:
❖ To preserve meat and fish for ages, common salt is used. Meat and fish are covered with dry salt to
check the growth of bacteria. ❖ Salting is also used to preserve amla, raw mangoes, tamarind, etc.
c. Preservation by Sugar:
❖ Sugar is used for preserving jams, jellies and squashes.
❖ It reduces the moisture content which inhibits the growth of bacteria which spoil food.
❖ Bacteria and blue green algae present in the soil fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and then convert it
into compounds of nitrogen.(Nitrogen fixation)
❖ After this, usable compounds can be utilised by plants from the soil through their root system. These
compounds are then used for the synthesis of plant proteins and other compounds. Animals feeding on
plants get these proteins and other nitrogen compounds.(Nitrogen assimilation)
❖ When plants and animals die, bacteria and fungi present in the soil convert their remains into ammonia
(Ammonification).
❖ The process of conversion of ammonia into nitrates that are to be used by plants again is called
Nitrification. Certain other bacteria convert some part of them to nitrogen gas which goes back into the
atmosphere (Denitrification). As a result, the percentage of nitrogen in the atmosphere remains more or
less constant.
QUESTION-ANSWERS
Q3. Match the organisms in Column I with their action in Column II.
Column I Column II
(i) Bacteria (e) Causing cholera
(ii)Rhizobium (a) Fixing nitrogen
(iii) Lactobacillus (b) Setting of curd
(iv)Yeast (c) Baking of bread
(v) A protozoan (d) Causing malaria
(vi) A virus (f) Causing AIDS
Q4. Can microorganisms be seen with the naked eye? If not, how can they be seen?
Micro-organisms are very small in size. They are so small that they cannot be seen with naked
eyes. A microscope has to be used to see these organisms. Therefore, they are called
microorganisms.
Q6: Name the microorganisms which can fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.
Bacteria such as Rhizobium and certain blue-green algae present in the soil can fix atmospheric
nitrogen and convert it into usable nitrogenous compounds. These nitrogenous compounds can be easily
utilized by plants for the synthesis of plant proteins and other compounds.
Q9: What are antibiotics? What precautions must be taken while taking antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medicines produced by certain micro-organisms to kill other disease-causing
micro-organisms. These medicines are commonly obtained from bacteria and fungi. Streptomycin,
tetracycline, penicillin, etc. are common antibiotics.
Precautions to be taken while using antibiotics:
a) Antibiotics should be taken under the supervision of a well qualified doctor.
b) Course (intake) of antibiotics should be completed as per the prescription given by the doctor.
c) Antibiotics should be taken in the right amount and at the right time. A wrong dose of antibiotics makes
the drug ineffective. Also, excessive consumption of drugs may kill the useful bacteria present in our
body.
Pollution of Air and Water
Pollution: Pollution is the introduction of harmful or poisonous substances into environment that
may cause adverse effects.
1. Air Pollution: It is the contamination of air, which takes place due to unwanted
substances which causes harmful effects on
both biotic and abiotic components.
may result from natural causes like smoke or dust from forest fires or volcanic eruptions and from
man-made causes like burning of fuels, smoke from factories etc. Effects of Air Pollution:
1. Many problems related to respiratory system might be caused due to air pollution.
2. Oxygen carrying capacity of blood reduces because of improper burning of vehicle fuels;
As the vehicles emit high levels of pollutants like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen
oxides and smoke into atmosphere.
Air pollution due to automobiles 3. Smog: It is comprises of smoke and fog. It contains oxides
of nitrogen and causes problems in breathing, cough, etc. Also, there are visibility problems
in affected areas.
Effect of smog
4. Sulphur dioxide resulting from burning of fuels such as coals might result in
respiratory problems.
5. Electronic devices like refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. emit
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
CFCs damage the ozone layer present in the atmosphere. And the ozone layer is responsible for
protecting us from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Depletion of Ozone layer due to CFCs Acid Rain:
Gases like Sulphur and nitrogen react with the water vapour present in the environment to form
sulphuric acid and nitric acid. The acids drop down with rain water, making the rain acidic. This
is called acid rain. Acid rain can be harmful for living beings and also for non-living things. Acid
rain corrodes the outer surface of buildings. This has caused the TajMahal becoming pale. The
Acid rain has corroded the marble of this monument. And this phenomenon is called “Marble
cancer”.
Greenhouse Effect:
It is the trapping of radiations inside the earth’s atmosphere. Along with other gases, CO 2
also gets trapped in the atmosphere which is responsible for Greenhouse Effect.
Because of human activities the amount of CO2 level has increased in the atmosphere which
traps heat and does not allow heat to escape into space. As a result, the average temperature of
the earth’s atmosphere is gradually increasing. This is called global warming.
1. Trees take up carbon dioxide and release oxygen. So, planting more number of trees will
reduce the amount of carbon dioxide responsible for Greenhouse Effect.
Public Transportation
5. Location of factories and industries must be in remote areas to avoid problems resulting from
air pollution.
6. Natural resources like solar energy, tidal energy, etc. should be used.
2. Water Pollution:
The addition of undesirable and unwanted material in water which makes water harmful for biotic
and abiotic components is called water pollution.
The things which pollute the water are known as water pollutants. Example includes washing of
clothes, industrial waste from factories, etc.
Potable Water: The water which is convenient for consumption is known as potable water.
1. Take a plastic bottle and cut it into 2 halves at the centre. 2. Use the upper half as a funnel by
putting it upside down in the lower half.
3. Make layers in it with paper napkin or a fine cloth followed by, cotton, sand and then gravel.
4. Now pour dirty water through the filter and observe the filtered water.
1. River Ganga is one of the ten most endangered rivers in the world. Large quantities of garbage,
untreated sewage, dead bodies, and many other harmful things are discharged into the river. All
these have resulted into adverse conditions for the aquatic animals residing in the Ganga.
4. Various diseases like cholera, diarrhea, jaundice, etc. results from water pollution.
5. Bacteria present in the faeces of mammals indicate the quality of water. If such fecal
contaminated water is consumed then it can cause many infections.
Key points to Prevent Water Pollution:
1. Some plans can be implemented for polluted rivers like Ganga Action Plan was launched in
1985 with the aim of reducing pollution levels in river.
2. Industries must treat the waste before discharging them into waters.
3. At household level, candle type filter can be used. Moreover, water must be boiled for
drinking as it kills the germs inside the water.
Soln:
The following are the measures taken by us to ensure the supply of clean water to our town
resident:
a) We clean the area around the water pipes.
b) The main water source has to be built in a clean surrounding and should be maintained
properly.
c) Chemical methods such as chlorination must be used for purifying water.
5. Explain the differences between pure air and polluted air.
Soln:
The composition of pure air contains 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 0.03% carbon dioxide.
Besides these, there are some other gases like methane, argon, ozone and water vapors’. The air
is said to be polluted when the composition of air is altered by the addition of harmful substances
or gases such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.
6. Explain circumstances leading to acid rain. How does acid rain affect us?
Soln:
Sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are the type of pollutants, which are released into the
atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels like diesel and coal. These pollutants react with the water
vapours present in the atmosphere to form nitric acid and sulphuric acid respectively. By
precipitation, these acids come down and form the acid rain.
Effects caused by the acid rain: a) It
destroys the crops.
b) Harmful for the building especially to those made of white marble like the TajMahal.
7. Which of the following is not a greenhouse gas?
(a) Carbon dioxide
(b) Sulphur dioxide
(c) Methane
(d) Nitrogen
Soln:
Answer is (d) Nitrogen
Adolescence: Adolescence is that period of life when many changes start taking place in the body; which
results in reproductive maturity. It usually begins at around age of 10 years and is seen till 18 or 19 years
of age.
Adolescents are also called as teenagers as teen age period is also covered up in adolescence.
Teenage: The number of years during adolescence span is counted as ‘teen’, e.g. thirteen, fourteen and
fifteen. Hence, this duration is also termed as teenage.
Puberty: The process of transformations taking place during adolescence period is known as puberty. The
onset of puberty points out the starting of adolescence. And the end of adolescence or puberty informs
about the completion of reproductive maturity.
1. IncreaSe in Height:
(ii) In the beginning, it is observed that the girls grow faster than boys, but, on reaching 18 years of age,
both gain their maximum height. Also, the rate of growth in height differs individually.
(iii) During these years, it is really significant to eat nutritious food for better development of bones,
muscles and other parts of the body.
(i) During puberty, boys will start having broad shoulders and wider chests while in case of girls the
region below the waist becomes broader.
(ii) Moreover, the muscles of boys will grow more prominently than in the girls.
3. Change in Voice
(i) During puberty, it is being noticed that voice of boys starts cracking and their voice box or larynx
starts to grow.
(ii) Adam’s apple: The increase in the size of voice box in boys is seen as a prominent protrusion in the
neck. This protrusion is called Adam’s apple.
Moreover, girls will usually have a high pitched voice while the boys will have deeper voice.
4. IncreaSed Activity of Sweat and SebaceOUS GlandS:
The Sweat glands present starts operating and produces more sweat. And the Sebaceous glands or oil
glands increased function results in pimples or acne.
(i) Growth of sex organs takes place and are found to be more active. In males, the testes start to produce
male gametes, called sperms. And in females, the ovaries start developing and releases one mature
ovum once in 28 days.
(ii) In males, the size of the penis increases with respect to ages. On the other hand, development of
breasts is observed in females.
(i) Brain becomes more active and so more learning take place.
1. In males, growth of hair is seen on face and body. And hair growth is seen in the under the arms
and in the region above the thighs or pubic region in females.
2. Shoulders get broad and chest gets widened in males. The waist gets wide and hips get narrow in
females.
4. Mood swings are seen in males as well as females. Mental and emotional maturity is attained by
both sexes. Brain gets more active and has capability of learning more.
HormoneS:
Hormones are the chemical substances secreted by endocrine glands for proper functioning taking place
during adolescence in the human body.
In males, at the beginning of puberty, the hormone or testosterone begins to get released by the testes. And
this results in some changes in boys like the growth of facial hair, deep voice and hair on chest.
In females, ovaries start to produce the female hormone or estrogen which results in breasts development
on reaching puberty. Also, milk secreting glands or mammary glands development takes place inside the
breasts.
The production of these hormones is under the control of another hormone secreted from an endocrine
gland called pituitary gland. The testes and ovaries secrete sex hormones. These sex hormones are
controlled by the hormones secreted from the pituitary gland. The pituitary secretes many hormones, one
of which makes ova mature in the ovaries and sperms form in the testes.
MenStRUAtion:
In females, each month one egg is set free by either of the ovaries. The uterus forms a thickening to support
a foetus to keep it ready in case of pregnancy. If fertilization of egg does not take place, then egg and
thickening in uterus are removed in small parts. As a result, bleeding in the vagina takes place for some
days. This bleeding through vagina at the end of menstrual cycle, is known as menstruation.
The sequence of events starting from the release of an egg and till egg gets removed is called menstrual
cycle. A menstrual cycle normally comprise of 28 to 30 days.
Menarche: It is the first menstrual bleeding in a girl’s life. And it indicates the beginning of puberty in a
girl.
Menopause: It is the ending of menstrual cycle. And it is observed at around 45 – 50 years of age.
Menopause indicates the end of reproductive phase.
HormoneS Other Than Sex HormoneS: Sex hormones are not the only hormones responsible for
changes during adolescence. There are few other hormones that act in the background.
1. Thyroxine: It is released by the thyroid glands and is present in the front part of the neck. In case
of improper secretion of thyroxine, it leads to swelling of the throat, a disease called goitre.
Gender of a child is dependent on the combination of chromosomes taking place in the zygote. In human
beings, normally a cell has 46 chromosomes, i.e. 23 pairs of chromosomes. Out of these 46 chromosomes,
22 pairs are identical. But chromosomes in the 23rd pair may be same or different.
There are two kinds of chromosomes in 23rd pair. They are known as X and Y chromosomes. The last
pair (i.e. 23rd) in a male has XY combination, while in case of female it has XX combination.
1. Birth of girl will take place when a sperm with X chromosome fertilizes the egg.
2. Birth of boy will take place when a sperm with Y chromosome fertilizes the egg.
Reproductive Health:
1. Balanced Diet: During adolescence there is need of proper balanced diet. Proper amount of
carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals must be included in food.
2. PeRSONal Hygiene: Many physical and psychological changes are observed during adolescence. If
good hygiene is not undertaken, it may result into skin diseases. And Girls need special attention
during menstrual period.
3. PhySical ExeRCISe: Physical exercise not only helps in making a strong body but also helps in
proper energy utilization.
4. Say ‘NO’ to DRUGS: During teen age, anyone might get affected by the negative energies
surrounding him. At such times, falling for drugs can ruin your life.
5. HIV (HUMan ImmUNodeficiency VIRUS): AIDS (Acquired
Immunodeficiency Disease) is caused due to this virus. It is incurable disease as yet no medicine can
cure it. It might spread due to sexual contact, because of infected needles and from an infected mother
to her unborn child. . Hence, prevention is the only way to keep away from this dangerous disease.
Question 1: What is the term used for secretions of endocrine glands responsible for changes
taking place in the body?
Ans: Hormones are chemical substances which are secreted by endocrine glands. They are responsible for
changes taking place in the body.
Question 5: Prepare a table having two columns depicting names of endocrine glands and
hormones secreted by them.
Endocrine gland Hormones
Testis Testosterone
Ovary Oestrogen
Thyroid Thyroxin
Adrenal Adrenalin
Pancreas Insulin
Question 6: What are sex hormones? Why are they named so? State their function.
Ans: Sex hormones are chemical substances produced by sex organs. For example, testosterone is the male
sex hormone produced by the testis, and oestrogen is the female sex hormone produced by the
ovary. These hormones affect the sexual features of an organism. Hence, they are known as sex
hormones.
Functions of sex hormones:
Testosterone: This hormone brings about secondary sex characters in boys such as the growth of a beard,
the voice becoming hoarse, development of reproductive organs, etc.
Oestrogen: This hormone is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characters in females
such as the enlargement of breasts, development of female reproductive organs, etc.
(a) Adolescents should be careful about what they eat, because (i)
proper diet develops their brains.
(ii) proper diet is needed for the rapid growth taking place in their body.
(a) (ii) Adolescents should be careful about what they eat, because proper diet is needed for the rapid
growth taking place in their body.
(b) (i) Reproductive age in women starts when their menstruation starts.
(c) (ii) The right meal for adolescents consists of chapatti, dal, vegetables.
Question 10: The table below shows the data on likely heights of boys and girls as they grow in age.
Draw graphs showing height and age for both boys and girls on the same graph paper. What
conclusions can be drawn from these graphs?
Age
(Years) Height (cm)
Boys Girls
0 53 53
4 96 92
8 114 110
12 129 133
16 150 150
20 173 165
Ans: The graph depicts the relation between the age and height of both boys and girls. During puberty,
there is a sudden increase in height of both boys and girls. On the basis of the above graph, it can
be observed that during the age of 4-8 years, girls have less height as compared to boys. However,
as soon as girls reach 12-13 years, their height shows a sudden increase and becomes more than
boys. In later years, growth in both sexes becomes stable. Growth during puberty is under the
control of hormones.
Reproduction in Animals
Introduction to Reproduction
Asexual reproduction
The type of reproduction in which only a single parent is involved is called asexual reproduction.
Sexual reproduction
The type of reproduction, which involves two parents to give rise to an offspring is called as sexual
reproduction.
Budding in Hydra
• Just like yeast, reproduction in hydra takes place through the process called Budding.
• The Hydra possesses different bulges on itself called Buds.
• These buds develop into individual Hydra. Each Hydra can possess a different number of buds.
Figure 8: Budding in Hydra
Vas Deferens
It is a tube that carries the sperms from the testicles to the urethra.
Prostate Gland
It a gland located under the urinary bladder. It secretes prostate fluid which makes the one third content
of semen. This fluid contains some enzymes, zinc and citric acid.
Seminal Vesicles
They have a pouch-like structure. They are located above the prostate gland and connect with the vas
deferens. They also secrete a fluid that provides nourishment to the sperms.
1. Ovaries
The female reproductive system comprises of a pair of ovaries. These are the main female sex organs and
are responsible for the production of female gametes called Eggs or Ova (ovum – singular) and female
hormones. The ova or female eggs also consist of a single cell.
Estrogen and Progesterone
These are hormones or chemical substances produced by the ovaries. These hormones are responsible for
the development of the female reproductive organs and the secondary sexual characteristics in women
such as development of breasts and body hair.
3. Uterus
It is an inverted pear-shaped organ that allows the development of the fertilized egg into a human baby.
The uterus connects with an opening called Cervix that connects it to the vagina. 4. Vagina
It is a muscular tube-like structure that connects with the cervix. It acts as the receptor of the penis and
allows the movement of sperms to the fallopian tubes and uterus. It also allows delivery of the foetus
during the birth of the child.
Fertilization
• Firstly, reproduction in animals begins when the sperm fuses with an ovum. This process is called
Fertilization.
• The nuclei of the sperm and egg combine together and form a single nucleus.
• As a result, the zygote is formed.
• Since the zygote is formed with the fusion of male and female gametes the new individual possesses
the characteristics of both the parents.
Figure 4: Fertilization and Zygote
The fertilization process takes place inside The fertilization process takes place outside the female body
the body of the females.
Less number of eggs are produced by such A large number of eggs are produced by females as there are
high chances of the such females as the chances of survival of survival of the offspring. the offspring are
very low.
Based on the way how the organisms give birth to their offspring, they are classified into two
categories:
Viviparous Oviparous
These are the organisms that give birth to their young These are the organisms that reproduce
ones directly. by laying eggs.
• The embryo whose parts can be identified individually is called a Foetus. The foetus then
completely develops and takes birth as a baby.
The period between fertilization and the birth of the baby is called Gestation. The women expecting the
baby is termed as pregnant. The gestation period is normally 40 weeks or around 9 months.
How is an embryo different from a zygote?
Zygote Embryo
A zygote consists of a single cell. An embryo consists of more than one cell.
It is formed as the fertilization process occurs. It is formed after the fertilization process.
It has no well-defined organs or tissues. The body parts and tissues are well defined in an embryo.
• Reproduction is termed to be a biological process in which organisms give birth to their off
springs.
• It helps in maintaining the continuity of a particular race and helps in increasing the population of
the species.
• Reproduction is meant for the survival of all living things.
2. Describe the process of fertilisation in human beings.
• Fertilization is defined as the process in which there is a fusion of male gamete and female gamete.
• The male gametes or sperms are released from the male reproductive organ called the penis
• The sperms released to enter the female body through the vagina.
• From the vagina, sperms travel through the fallopian tubes where they meet the eggs.
• From there on, the process of fertilization takes place in the fallopian tube.
• The male gamete cell (sperm) and female gamete cell (egg) fuse together to form a zygote.
• The zygote divides rapidly to form a group of cells called morula, which becomes the embryo
after approximately five days. The foetus is present for about eight weeks after the fertilization.
3. Choose the most appropriate answer.
(a) Internal fertilisation occurs (i) in
female body.
(ii) outside female body.
(iii) in male body.
(iv) outside male body.
(b) A tadpole develops into an adult frog by the process of
(i) fertilisation
(ii) metamorphosis
(iii) embedding
(iv) budding
(c) The number of nuclei present in a zygote is
(i) none
(ii) one
(iii) two (iv) four
a) (i) in female body.
b) (ii) metamorphosis
c) (iii) two
4. Indicate whether the following statements are True (T) or False (F).
(i) A zygote is formed as a result of fertilisation. ( ) (j) An embryo is made up of a single cell. (
) a) False
b) True
c) True
d) False
e) True
f) False
g) False
h) True
i) True
j) False
5. Give two differences between a zygote and a foetus.
Zygote:
• It is a kind of asexual reproduction in which one cell divides into two halves.
• It is a unicellular organism that has a cell membrane, cell wall and cytoplasm.
• The division of the cell can take place on any plane.
• In this process, the nucleus of the amoeba first divides to form two daughter nuclei by the process
called Karyokinesis.
• Finally, the division of the body into two halves having a nucleus respectively takes place.
Budding in hydra
• Organisms such as hydra, use regenerative cells for reproduction in the process of budding.
• The first step is the formation of buds, and it develops as a small outgrowth on the parent’s body.
• As the bud enlarges, it receives the characteristics of the parent organism.
• Once it is developed, it may be detached from the parent body and develop into a new individual.
• In some rare cases, the buds may not be detached forming interconnected buds. There are also
methods like fragmentation, multiple fission etc.
7. In which female reproductive organ does the embryo get embedded?
• In the female reproductive organ, the embryo gets attached to the uterus.
• Once it gets attached, there occurs the formation of body parts like legs, hands, eyes etc.
• The embryo is then called a foetus.
8. What is metamorphosis? Give examples.
• It is defined as the process in which an animal’s body structure abruptly changes through cell
growth and differentiation.
• It is a biological process.
• Examples of this kind are frog and insects. The life cycle of a frog:
The tadpole emerging from the egg will have gills, tail etc.
They can swim easily in water.
It undergoes abrupt changes and develops into a mature frog.
10. Complete the crossword puzzle using the hints given below.
Across
1. The process of the fusion of the gametes.
• A Natural Phenomenon is anything that occurs on its own in nature without any kind of
human intervention.
• For example, the weather of a place, fog, storms, winds, tides, volcanic eruptions and
cyclones all can be categorized as natural phenomena.
• However, there are some ways with which we can protect and prepare ourselves from
these natural disasters.
Lightning
• Lightning is an electric discharge or an electric spark that occurs in nature on a major
scale. It is caused by the accumulation of charges in the clouds.
• In ancient times people were unaware of the cause of lightning and hence they were
scared of it. Nowadays, scientists have evolved some precautions that can help us
prepare and protect ourselves from this natural phenomenon.
• Similarly, woollen clothes or polyester clothes also attract hair and can produce a little
spark or crackling sound when they are taken off from the body. This is because of
electric charges.
• Benjamin Franklin was an American scientist who in 1752 discovered and proved that
lightning and spark produced from these clothes are all same things.
What are electric charges?
• All these particles share a common property that they carry electric charges.
• Electrons have a negative charge on them while protons have a positive charge.
• We know that atoms carry a balanced charge however these charges may sometimes
become out of order.
Charging by rubbing
• When we rub two objects with each other they get charged due to a transfer of electrons
between them.
• For example, if we rub a rubber balloon with animal fur, the balloon is made up of rubber
attracts the electrons from the animal fur.
• This results in rubber having an excess of electrons while fur having a shortage of
electrons.
• In the same way, if we rub a plastic comb with dry hair the comb acquires some charge.
• Objects having an excess of electrons are called negatively charged while an object
having a shortage of electrons are called positively charged.
• For instance, when a glass rod is rubbed with silk cloth it becomes positively charged
while the silk cloth becomes negatively charged.
• These charged objects are now capable of attracting other charged and uncharged
objects.
• Objects having the same kind of charges repel each other while objects with different
kind of charges attract each other.
In opposite to static charge, there is an electric current. The electric current results when
the charges flow or move from one point to another. This electric current results in glowing
of bulb or working of all the electrical appliances.
of charges
Charges can transfer from one object to another with the help of conduction and induction:
• Conduction: when a charged object comes in contact with a conductor it results in the
transfer of charges through the conductor.
• Induction: When a charged object is brought near a neutral object, it results in shifting
in the position of the electrons in the other object.
• The process of induction does not involve any physical contact between the charged
and uncharged object while the process of conduction requires a physical contact
between them.
Figure 11 (a) Amber and Cloth both have net zero charge (b) Amber
and Cloth are rubbed together (C) Amber and Cloth together have net
zero
charge What
is an electroscope?
It is a device which can test if an object is charged or not. Abraham Bennet developed a
gold leaf electroscope in 1787.
Structure of an electroscope
• Generally, gold and silver are used to construct an electroscope because they are good
conductors of electricity. Otherwise, copper and aluminium can also be used.
• The brass rod has a brass disc or horizontal rod attached to it.
Figure 12 Electroscope
Working of an electroscope
When a charged object touches the brass disc, electric charges get transferred from the
brass rod to the gold leaves. As a result, the gold leaves move away from each other
depicting the presence of charges.
• When a charged object transfers its charges to the earth it is called earthing. Generally,
every building is provided with earthing to protect it from electrical shocks due to leakage
of electric current.
1. During a thunderstorm, the hot air moves upwards while the raindrops fall downloads.
3. As a result, negative charges get accumulated in the lower ages of the clouds while positive
charges accumulate at the upper edges.
5. These charges begin to multiply due to the increase in winds and rainfall.
6. Although the air is a poor conductor of electricity due to heavy charges it is unable to restrict
the electric flow after some time.
7. The negative charges and positive charges meet which results in the production of electric
sparks in the form of a streak of light accompanied by a sound.
8. The streak is called lightning and the whole phenomenon is called electric discharge. This
electric discharge can occur between two or more clouds.
Lightning safety
One should not stay at an open place during lightning and thunderstorm. Hence as soon as
we hear any alert about lightning or thunderstorm, we should rush to a safe place such as
a house or a building. If somebody is there in a car or bus, they should stay inside and keep
all the doors and windows closed. One should read inside the safe place until the storm
lasts.
1. One should not stay in an open place such as an open vehicle like a motorbike, tractor, or
open fields, elevated places, or tall trees.
2. One should not carry an umbrella during the storm.
1. Lightning is an electric discharge hence one should stay away from electrical wires
telephone, cables and metal pipes during a thunderstorm.
3. One should not come in contact with the running water hence one should avoid bathing.
4. One should unplug all the electrical appliances in the house, for example TV, computers or
music systems. Electrical lights do not cause any harm and hence can be kept on.
• When the building is being constructed a metallic rod having height more than the
building is placed in the walls of the building.
• One end of the rod is in the air while the other end is buried inside the Earth.
• This rod is a conductor and hence during lightning it allows the flow of electric charges
to the ground.
Figure 19 Lightning Conductor Working
of a lightning conductor
• The lightning conductor rod consists of pointed ends which are made up of copper wire.
• These copper wires are brought down along the building and are attached to a metallic
plate in the ground.
• If lightning hits the building the copper wires carry these charges quickly to the ground.
Earthquakes
• Some natural phenomena such as thunderstorms and cyclones can be predicted by
meteorologists. However, there are certain natural phenomena that are uncertain and
cannot be predicted accurately. One of them is an earthquake.
• The main cause of earthquake is disturbances inside the crust of the earth.
• Deep inside the earth, earthquakes occur all the time however they are not noticeable
on the earth’s surface. Sometimes major earthquakes occur on the earth surface which
can be destructive.
o Loss of life
o Landslides o Tsunamis
The outermost layer of the Earth is divided into several plates. These plates are always
moving.
As they move past each other or collide, disturbances are caused in the earth's crust. These
disturbances are called earthquakes or tremors.
1. Volcanic eruptions
Although the causes of an earthquake are clear the scientists cannot predict when the
earthquake would occur.
• A Richter scale is not a linear scale, that is, a magnitude of Richter scale 6 does not
imply that it is one and a half times more destructive than an earthquake with a
magnitude of 4.
• It rather means that an earthquake of a magnitude of 6 is 100 times more powerful than
an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.
Figure 25 Richter Scale and its
interpretation What are seismic waves?
The earthquakes produce waves on the earth surface which are called seismic waves.
These waves travel in all the directions on the Earth's surface.
What is an Epicentre?
The epicentre is a region on the earth’s surface that lies just above the focus of the
earthquake is called epicentre. The earthquake does not originate from the epicentre.
• It contains a metal rod or a pendulum which can vibrate as the earthquake occurs.
• The metal rod is attached to a pen which records the waves on the paper.
• Scientists study these waves and then construct a map of the earthquake.
Figure 27 Seismograph
• People should always consult architects and engineers before constructing a new
building.
• Timber or mud should be used in the construction of buildings rather than heavy
materials. The shelf and cupboard should be fixed to the walls so that they do not
• Things such as photo frames, geysers, clocks and other wall hangings should be placed
in a place that does not harm anybody if they fall off.
3. If one is in bed they should cover their head with a pillow instead of getting up.
Outdoor safety measures
1. One should find a place which has no tall buildings around or even trees.
2. If a person is inside a car or a bus they should drive slowly to a clear place and be inside
until the earthquake stops.
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS
Question 1: Which of the following cannot be charged easily by friction? (a) A plastic scale
(b) A copper rod
(c) An inflated balloon
(d) A woollen cloth
Question 3: Write T against true and F against false in the following statements.
(a) False, Like charges repel each other. It is the unlike charges that attract each other.
(b) True, A charged glass rod has positive charges on its surface while a charged plastic straw
has negative charges on its surface. Since unlike charges attract each other, a charged glass rod
attracts a charged plastic straw.
(c) False, During a lightning, the lightning conductor conducts all the atmospheric charges to
the Earth directly, leaving the building safe. Hence, lightning conductors protect a building from
lightning.
(d) False, Although the causes of earthquakes is known, but no instrument could be invented
to detect it till now. Hence, earthquakes cannot be predicted in advance.
Question 4: Sometimes, a crackling sound is heard while taking off a sweater during winters.
Explain.
When a sweater is taken off, the woollen sweater gets charged because of the friction
between the sweater and the body. Hence, one can hear a crackling sound during the given process.
Question 5: Explain why a charged body loses its charge if we touch it with our hand.
When we touch a charged object, our body conducts its charges to the earth. That is why a
charged body loses its charge, if we touch it with our hand. This phenomenon is known as electric
discharge.
Question 6: Name the scale on which the destructive energy of an earthquake is measured.
An earthquake measures 3 on this scale. Would it be recorded by a seismograph? Is it likely
to cause much damage?
The destructive energy of an earthquake is measured by the Richter scale. This scale has
the readings from 1 to 10.
The reading of magnitude 3 on the Richter scale would be recorded by a seismograph.
If the Richter scale gives a reading of magnitude 3, then the earthquake is not likely to cause much
damage. Generally, earthquake of magnitudes higher than 5 is considered destructive in nature.
Question 8: Explain why a charged balloon is repelled by another charged balloon whereas
an uncharged balloon is attracted by another charged balloon?
The nature of charges present on the surface of charged balloons are similar. Since like
charges repel each other, two charged balloons repel each other. When a charged body is brought
near an uncharged body, the uncharged body acquires charges on its surface caused by the
induction of charges. The charges are of opposite nature in relation to the charged body. Since
unlike charges attract each other, a charged body always attracts an uncharged body. Hence, an
uncharged balloon is attracted by another charged balloon.
Question 9:Describe with the help of a diagram an instrument which can be used to detect a
charged body.
An electroscope can be used to detect whether a body is charged or not. The following
figure shows a simple electroscope.
It consists of a metal rod. At one end of the rod, two leaves of aluminium foil are fixed and at the
other end, there is a metal disc. The leaves of aluminium foil are placed inside a conical flask and
the flask is corked to isolate the leaves from air.
When the metal disc is touched with a charged body, the aluminium strips move away from
each other. This happens because some of the charges of the body are transferred to the strips
through the metal rod. This method of charging a body is called charging by conduction. The
nature of charges on both the leaves and the charged body are the similar. Hence, both the leaves
of the aluminium foil will move away from each other. If the body was not charged, then the leaves
of the foil would remain as they were before. They would not repel each other.
Question 10: List three states in India where earthquakes are more likely to strike.
The three states in India where earthquakes are more likely to strike are Jammu and
Kashmir, Gujarat, and Assam.
Question 11: Suppose you are outside your home and an earthquake strikes. What
precaution would you take to protect yourself?
Ans: Some of the precautions are as follows:
(i) Try to find an open field away from tall buildings, installations, tall trees, and
electric wires and poles.
(ii) If travelling in a bus or a car, then do not come out when an earthquake strikes. Ask
the driver to drive in an open field.
Class 8th Coal and Petroleum Science
Q1: What are the advantages of using CNG and LPG as fuels?
The advantages of using compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified petroleum
gas (LPG) as fuels are:
(iii) They are clean fuels and do not give smoke when burnt.
Q3: Describe how coal is formed from dead vegetation. What is this process called?
Millions of years ago, dense forests got buried under the soil due to natural
processes like storms, floods, and earthquakes. These got compressed as more and more
soil got deposited over them. When they got buried deep in the soil, they were exposed to
very high pressure and temperature. Under these conditions, these slowly got converted
into coal. This process of formation of coal from dead vegetation is called carbonization.
(c) Least polluting fuel for vehicles is compressed natural gas (CNG).
Fossil fuels require millions of years to form from the dead vegetation and animals that
get buried deep inside the Earth. They require high temperature and pressure for their formation,
which cannot be provided in the laboratory. Thus, fossils are limited. Therefore, the use of fossil
fuels at this rate will lead to their exhaustion.
(i) Tough
(ii) Porous
Uses of coke:
Petroleum was formed from dead organisms that got buried in the sea millions of years
ago. These dead bodies got covered with layers of sand and clay. Lack of air, high temperature,
and high pressure transformed these dead organisms into petroleum and natural gas.
Q9: The following Table shows the total power shortage in India from 1991 − 1997.
Show the data in the form of a graph. Plot shortage percentage for the years on the
Y-axis and the year on the X-axis.
The resources which are limited in nature and can be exhausted by human activities are called
exhaustible natural resources. Examples: Forests, coal, petroleum, natural gas, minerals, etc.
The resources which are present in unlimited quantity in nature and are not likely to be
exhausted are called inexhaustible natural resources. Examples: sunlight, air, wind, etc.
Natural gas is called a clean fuel because it does not produce any toxic gas or smoke on burning
and is less polluting.
Coal is processed to get some useful products by a process called destructive distillation.
Q1. Fill in the blanks by choosing correct words from the following list: (Meteorite,
Pluto, moon, planets, universe, core, comet, constellation)
(i) The branch of science which deals with the study of Universe is called
astronomy.
(ii) The unburnt part of the meteor which reaches the earth is called
Meteorite.
(iii) The heavenly bodies which revolves around the sun are called Planets.
(iv) The heavenly bodies which revolves around the planets are called Moons.
(v) The orbit of Pluto is not in the same plane as that of the other planets.
(vi) A heavenly body with long tail, moving around the sun in an elliptical path is
called Comet.
(vii) In the Core of the sun, hydrogen gas fuses with the liberation of the energy.
(viii) A group of stars which resembles an animal or some other known object is
called Constellation.
Page 3
Chapter 15 – Stars and the Solar System:
Q2. Statements given below are incorrect. Write correct statements.
(ii) Helium gas contains most of the atmosphere of the sun and the stars. Ans.
Helium gas constitutes most hydrogen gas.
(iii) Pole Star is nearest to our solar system.
Ans. Pole Star is a part of constellation.
(iv) Astronomers have divided the sky into 68 constellations.
Ans. Astronomers have divided the sky into 88 constellations.
(v) Meteors on burning leave behind gold, dust and light. Ans.
Meteors after burning disappear.
(vi) The orbit of Neptune is different from the orbits of the other planets in the solar
system.
Ans. The orbit of Pluto is different from the orbits of the other planets in the solar
system.
(vii) Mars is the second planet nearest to the sun. Ans.
Venus is the second planet nearest to the sun.
(viii) Moon revolves around the earth in 21 ½ days.
Ans. Moon revolves around the earth in 27 days 7 hours 43 min 11.5 seconds.
Q3. Answer the following questions:
(i) What is universe? Name six different kinds of heavenly bodies found in the
universe.
Ans. The universe is the vast unimaginable space composing many heavenly bodies
such as, planets, stars, sun, constellations, comets, meteors etc.
(ii) With reference to the average distance of the sun, state:
(a) The serial number of the planet earth. Ans.
The serial number of planet earth is 3.
(b) The average distance of the earth from the sun.
Ans. The average distance of the earth from the sun is 149,600,000
kilometers.
(c) The time in which sunlight reaches the earth.
Page 4
Chapter 15 – Stars and the Solar System:
Ans. Sunlight takes 8 minutes to reach the earth.
Ans. Phobos and Deimos are the two moons of the Mars.
(vii) What is comet? Why does a comet develop a tail while approaching the sun?
Ans. The bright „Star like‟ object with a long tail approaching the sun in a highly
elliptical orbit is called Comet. It is a small icy celestial body. The nucleus of comet
consists of solid frozen ice, gas and dust. When the comet approaches the sun, the
particles with in the nucleus get deflected due to heat radiations of the sun and it
increases when it reaches close to the sun giving rise to a tail like structure.
(viii) What is star? What makes the star give about vast amount of energy?
Ans. A star is a giant ball of hydrogen gas with a bright light and heat. Due to the
fusion of hydrogen gas, a heavier gas, i.e., Helium, is formed which lubricates a
huge amount of heat and energy. So this is due to the fusion of hydrogen gas that the
star gives about a vast amount of energy.
(ix) (a) How are meteors different from stars?
Ans. Differences between meteors and stars are as under: Ans.
Differences between meteors and stars are as under:
Meteors
Page 6
Chapter 15 – Stars and the Solar System:
4. Stars last for billions of years.
Ans. Meteors are shooting stars that produce heat and light energy due to the friction
of earth‟s atmosphere.
The unburnt piece of a meteor, which reaches the surface of earth is called meteorite.
Its size is from size of small pebbles to several tons of rock and metal.
Additional Text Book Questions:
Q1. What are celestial bodies? Name any three celestial bodies.
Ans. Celestial bodies are the heavenly bodies found in the universe. Moon, planets,
sun, stars, meteors, comets etc. some celestial bodies.
Q2. Why do you classify the sun as star?
Ans. Stars emit heat and light due to the fusion of hydrogen. Sun also emits a huge
amount of light and energy due to the fusion of hydrogen and the formation of helium
gas. Hence sun is called a star.
Q3. Why do the stars appear like point objects?
Ans. The stars appear like point objects because they are very far away from us i.e.,
earth, on which we live. It is only the sun which appears bigger to us because it is
nearest to earth.
Q4. What is a constellation? How does a constellation differ from a star?
Page 7
Chapter 15 – Stars and the Solar System:
= 1800000 km = 18 x 106 km
Q7. How much time is involved from one new moon to another new moon as seen
from the surface of the earth?
Ans. 29 ½ days of time is involved from one new moon to another new moon.
Q8. In how much time does the moon complete one rotation about its own axis?
Ans. Moon completes one rotation about its own axis in 27 days.
Q1. What is a planet? How many planets revolve around the sun?
Ans. A solid heavenly body which revolves around the sun in well-defined orbit is
called Planet. Recent studies say that there are eight planets revolving around the
sun.
Q2. Name the planet which:
Page 8
Chapter 15 – Stars and the Solar System:
Q6. What is the solar system? Name all the planets of solar system in the
increasing order of distance from the sun?
Ans. The sun along with eight planets, three plutons, and their moons
constitute Solar System. Following are names of planets of the solar system:
1. Mercury, 2. Venus, 3. Earth, 4. Mars, 5. Jupiter, 6. Saturn, 7. Uranus, 8.
Neptune
Plutons are:
Page 9
Class: 8th
Chapter: sound
SOUND: It is a form of energy which causes sensation of hearing in our ears.it helps
us to communicate with each other.
PRODUCTION OF SOUND: Sound is produced due to vibration of objects which is
caused by the nature of materials. Vibration is a kind of rapid to and fro motion
of an object. For example; when we vibrate a tightly stretched string, it vibrates at
its central position and produces sound.
SOUND PRODUCED BY HUMANS: The sound in the humans Is produced by voice
box or larynx. The larynx has two vocal cords which are stretched across the voice
box, such that, a passage of air remains between the cords. When we speak, the
air passes through the opening and cords start vibrating to produce sound.
The frequency of sound produced by men is lower than the frequency of sound of
women and children because women have shorter vocal cords than men.
Children have very short vocal cords.
SOUND NEEDS A MEDIUM TO PROPAGATE: - The travelling of sound is called
propagation of sound. Sound is propagated by the to and fro motion of particles of
the medium .a medium is necessary for the propagation of sound.
The matter or substance through which sound is transmitted is called a medium.
Medium can be solid, liquid or gas. Sound cannot travel through vacuum.
The speed of sound is different in different mediums depending on temperature,
nature of the material and the physical state of substance.
Water 1482
Aluminum 6420
1. Electromagnetic Wave
2. Mechanical waves.
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES:- are those waves which can travel through solids,
liquids , gases and vacuum as well.
For example, all radiations, visible and non-visible rays ,light,heat,etc.
MECHANICAL WAVE:- are those waves which need medium to travel. Thy
cannot travel through vacuum. The speed of mechanical waves is slower as
compared to electromagnetic waves.
For example, water waves, string sound, etc. Mechanical waves
can be of two types.
TRANSVERSE WAVES: - In this wave, particles of the medium vibrate up
Class: 8th
Chapter: sound
and down at right angles to the direction in which a wave is moving. These waves
are produced only in solids and liquids. For example, string waves, water waves,
etc.
LONGITUDINAL WAVES:- In this wave particles of the medium vibrate back and
forth in the same direction in which the wave is moving.
Medium can be solid, liquid or gas. Therefore, sound waves are longitudinal waves.
For example, sound, spring waves, etc.
A longitudinal wave appears to move in the back and forth motion which causes
compressions and rarefactions. Sound propagates through a compressible
medium through which it travels. Sound waves travel faster in solids and slower
in gases.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND WAVES:-
1. Outer ear.
2. Middle ear.
Class: 8th
Chapter: sound
3. Inner ear.
OUTER EAR: - The outer part of ear is called pinna and it is attached to about 2-3
cm long passage called ear canal. At the end of the ear canal,a thin elastic and
circular membrane called ear drum is stretched tightly. The sound waves pass
through ear canal to vibrate ear drum.
MIDDLE EAR: - It has three small delicate bones called hammer, anvil and stirrup
which are interlinked together and attached to the ear drum and the inner ear.
These bones receive vibration through the ear drum and pass them to the inner
ear.
INNER EAR: - The inner part of ear has a coiled tube called cochlea. One end of
the cochlea is connected to middle part of ear through the elastic membrane
over the oval window and the other end is connected to auditory nerve which
goes to the brain. Cochlea is filled with the liquid which contains nerve cells
sensitive to sound.
When the inner ear receives vibration from middle ear, liquid in cochlea begins to
vibrate setting electrical impulses in the nerve cells present in it. These impulses
are carried by auditory nerve to the brain. The brain interprets the impulses and
we can hear the sound.
AUDIBLE AND INAUDIBLE SOUND:-The range of audible frequencies of sound for
human hearing is 20 hertz to 20000 hertz.
INFRASONIC SOUNDS:-The sounds having too low frequencies of less than 20hertz
which cannot be heard by human ear are called infra sonic sounds .Rhinoceros can
produce and hear infra sonic sounds .
ULTRASONIC SOUNDS:-The sounds having too high frequencies of more than
20000 hertz which cannot be heard by human ear are called ultra- sonic sounds.
Bats can produce and hear ultrasonic sounds .Dogs, Monkeys, Deer and leopards
can also hear ultrasonic sounds.
NOISE:-The unpleasant sound around us is called noise. Noise is
Class: 8th
Chapter: sound
produced by the irregular vibrations of the sound producing sources
.for example:-Running of mixer and grinder, burning of crackers, Blowing of horns
etc.
MUSIC:- The sound which is pleasant to hear is called music .It is produced by the
regular vibrations of the sound producing source
.Examples:-Sound produced by sitar ,violin , Guitar, flute, piano etc . If
however musical sounds becomes too loud it would become noise. MUSICAL
INSTRUMENTS:-
STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS:-these produce musical sound by the
vibration of stretched strings or wire. Frequency of sound is varied by varying the
length of the vibrating wire. For example: guitar, sitar, violin etc.
WIND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: these produce musical sound by the vibrations of
air columns inside them. The pitch of sound can be changed by changing the
length of air column. For example; Flute,shehnai, etc.
MEMBRANE TYPE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; These produce sound by the
vibration of thin stretched membrane. The loudness and pitch of the sound can
be changed by striking the skin harder or by stretching the skin lighter. For
example table, drum, dholak etc.
PLAY TYPE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT; These produce musical sound by the vibration
of thick plates. For example bell ,noot {matka} etc.
NOISE POLLUTION: The presence of loud ,un wanted and disturbing sounds in our
environment is called noise pollution. Some of the major sources of noise pollution
in the environment around us are as follows:-
The presence of excessive noise in the surroundings may cause many health
related problems.th various harms of noise pollution are as follows:
Lack of sleep,
Irritability.
Class: 8th
Chapter: sound
Loss of concentration
Hypertension
Headache
MEASURES TO CONTROL NOISE POLLUTION
Question answers
Q3: (a) True (b) False (c) False (d) True (e) False (f) False (g) True
Q4: (a) Time taken by an object to complete one oscillation is called time period.
Q5: A pendulum oscillates 40 times in 4 seconds. Find its time period and
frequency.
Frequency of oscillations is defined as the number of oscillations of a
vibrating body per second. It is given by
The time required to complete one oscillation is known as time period. It is given
by the inverse of the frequency.
Time period
Time period
Frequency of oscillations = 500 Hz Time
period
Class: 8th
Chapter: sound
Q7: Identify the part which vibrates to produce sound in the following
instruments.
(a) Dholak (b) Sitar (c) Flute
Answer
(a) Dholak is a musical instrument. It consists of a stretched membrane
called its head. When the head is beaten gently, the stretched membrane sets into
vibration. Since sound is produced when an object vibrates, the dholakproduces a
sound.
(b) Sitaris a musical instrument. It consists of stretched strings.
When a string is plucked, it sets into vibration. Since sound is produced when an
object vibrates, the sitarproduces a sound.
(c) Fluteis a hollow pipe. When air is blown over its mouth, the air inside the
pipe is set into vibration. As a result, a pleasant sound is produced.
Q8: What is the difference between noise and music? Can music become
noise sometimes?
Answer
The sound that is pleasing to the ear is called music. For example, the sound
produced by violins, pianos, flutes, pungs,etc.
The sound that is unpleasing to the ear is called noise. Some
examples of noise are as follows:
(i) Sound produced by horns of buses and trucks
(ii) Sound of electrical generators
(iii) Sound of a gun shot
(iv) Sound produced by jackhammers
Yes. Music can become noise when played at high volumes.
Class: 8th
Chapter: sound
Q 11:Your parents are going to buy a house. They have been offered one on the
roadside and another three lanes away from the roadside. Which house would
you suggest your parents should buy? Explain your answer. There will be more
noise in the house which is along the roadside.
This is because noise produced by transportation vehicles may cause trouble to the
residents. The intensity of noise decreases with the distance between the source
and the listener. Hence, it is better to take the house that is three lanes away from
the roadside.
Q12: Sketch larynx and explain its function in your own words.
8th CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS Science
Larynx is a part of the throat. It is responsible for production of
sound. A sketch of a human larynx is shown in the following figure.
Larynx moves when we swallow something. Inside the larynx, there are two
vocal cords. There is a small gap between them. This small gap allows air to
pass through. When we speak, air is forced into this small gap by the lungs.
This prompts vocal cords to vibrate. Since vibrating objects produce sound,
sound is produced due to the vibration of vocal cords.
Q13: Lightning and thunder take place in the sky at the same time and at the same
distance from us. Lightning is seen earlier and thunder is heard later. Can
you explain?
Answer
The speed of sound is less than the speed of light. Hence, light reaches
us before the sound during a lightning, which is accompanied by thundering.
20
8th CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS Science
habitat for a particular time period every year for a specific purpose like breeding.
We should save, reuse and recycle paper to save trees, energy and water.
Reforestation is the restocking of destroyed forests by planting new trees.
Flora: Different types of plants belonging to an area. Example: Silver ferns, sal, teak, mango,
etc.
Fauna: All animals found in an area. Example: dog, frog, insects, bull, jackal, etc.
Endemic Species: Species of plants and animals found exclusively in a particular area. These
are not naturally found anywhere else.
Extinct Species: Species of plants and animals which have already been lost. Example: Dodo,
Indian cheetah, Pink-headed duck, etc.
Threatened Species: Species that is liable to become extinct if it is not allowed to realise its
full biotic potential by removed the cause of threat.
Type of Threatened Species:
(i) Endangered Species: A species of animal or plant that is seriously at risk of extinction. Example:
Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic lion, Asiatic wild ass, etc
(ii) Vulnerable Species: A vulnerable species is a species of animals or plants which are likely to
become endangered unless something changes. Example: Chinkara deer and black buck, golden
langur, etc
(iii) Rare Species: Species whose population are originally small and scattered in the world.
National Parks: Protective areas reserved exclusively for the betterment of the wildlife. These
are established at the approval of legislature.
Example: Hazaribagh National Park in Jharkhand, Desert National Park in Rajasthan, etc.
Sanctuaries: Hunting prohibited areas set up by government are known as sanctuaries. These
are only for the protection of wild animals. Example: Jaldapara in Madarihat (West Bengal),
Keoladeo Ghana in Bharatpur (Rajasthan)
Migration: The regular, periodic, two way movements of birds and some animals from their
place of residence to some other place along well defined routes. It is linked to seasonal
factors, breeding, shortage of foods, etc. The Bharatpur bird sanctuary is known for the
migratory birds.
21
8th CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS Science
Q1: Fill in the blanks:
(a) A place where animals are protected in their natural habitat is called a sanctuary.
(c) Migratory birds fly to far away places because of climatic changes.
(a)
It is an area within which animals are protected from It is a large protected area constructed for
possible dangers such as hunting. Their habitat is the conservation of biodiversity.
also conserved in this area.
It provides protection and suitable living conditions It helps in the conservation of various life
to wild animals. forms such as plants, animals, and micro-
organisms.
(b)
It is a facility in which animals It is an area within which animals are protected from possible
are kept for public exhibition. dangers such as hunting. Their habitat is also conserved in
this area.
It is an artificial habitat. It conserves the natural habitat of animals.
(c)
Flora Fauna
It refers to all living plants in a particular It refers to all animals living in a particular area.
area.
Sal, teak, mango, etc. form the flora of Leopard, wolf, wild dog, etc. form the fauna of
Pachmarhi biosphere reserve. Pachmarhi biosphere reserve.
(b) Environment
(e) Earth
Deforestation is the removal of trees or other vegetation from an area for industrial,
agricultural, or other purposes. Trees and other vegetation form the habitat of many animals.
Hence, if the habitat of wild animals is destroyed, then their numbers would automatically
decline.
Plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere to perform photosynthesis. If plants are destroyed,
then the level of CO2 in the atmosphere will rise. As a result, CO2 will trap more heat
radiations, thereby adding to global warming. An increase in the temperature of the Earth will
disturb the natural water cycle. As a result, there will be a change in the rainfall pattern. This
could lead to floods or droughts.
Roots of plants hold soil particles together. In the absence of plants, the top layer of the soil
will be easily removed by the action of high speed winds or water flow. Thus, deforestation
increases the chances of soil erosion. As a result, soil loses humus and become less fertile.
5
8th CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS Science
Hence, a fertile land, which is a source of living for farmers in villages, gets converted into a
desert.
Deforestation in cities can increase the risk of many natural calamities such as floods and
droughts in that area. Also, it can lead to global warming due to an increase in the level of CO 2 in
the atmosphere as a result of vehicular and industrial pollution. This increase in temperature can
disturb the natural water cycle of an area
If we go on cutting trees, the natural habitat of many animals will get completely
destroyed. As a result, the biodiversity of many areas will be severely affected. Also, there will
be an increase in the temperature of the Earth as a result of global warming, which can disturb
the natural water cycle. As a result, there will be a change in the rainfall pattern. This could lead
to floods or droughts. This will also increase the risk of soil erosion, desertification, and natural
calamities.
The habitat of an animal provides it with necessities such as shelter, food, and protection.
If the habitat of an animal is disturbed, then it will be forced to go to other places in search of
food and shelter. The animal could get killed by other animals in this process.
If the top layer of soil is exposed, then it will gradually expose the lower layer of soil,
which is hard and rocky in nature. This type of soil is less fertile as it contains less humus.
Continued soil erosion will make the land barren or infertile.
6
8th CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS Science
Q5: Answer in brief:
(a) Why should we conserve biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the number and variety of various life forms such as plants,
animals, and micro-organisms in an area. Plants and animals depend on each other for
survival. This means that the destruction of either of the two will affect the life of the other.
Hence, we need to conserve biodiversity to maintain the balance of nature.
(b) Protected forests are also not completely safe for wild animals. Why?
Protected forests are not completely safe for wild animals because people who live near
or adjacent to forests use resources from forests to fulfil their own requirements. In this
process, wild animals are killed and sold for lucrative amounts of money.
Tribals gather food, fodder, and fallen branches of trees from forests. Hence, they depend
on forests for their daily requirements.
Causes of deforestation:
(i) Forests are cleared for accommodating expanding urban areas and for fulfilling their
ever-increasing requirements.
(ii) Forests are destroyed to clear land for crops and cattle grazing.
(iii) Trees are cut down to be used for firewood.
Consequences of deforestation:
Red Data Book is a source book that maintains an international list of all endangered animal
and plant species. This book is maintained by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of
Nature and Natural resources).
Migration refers to the movement of an organism or a group of organisms from its natural
habitat to another place at a particular time every year. Organisms migrate from one place to
another to avoid inhabitable climatic conditions or for breeding.
7
8th CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS Science
Q6: In order to meet the ever-increasing demand in factories and for shelter, trees are
being continually cut. Is it justified to cut trees for such projects? Discuss and prepare a
brief report.
No. It is not at all justified to cut trees to meet the ever increasing demands of human
population. Forests are the habitat of several organisms including wild animals. They provide us
with good quality air as they give out O2 and absorb the harmful CO2 gas from the atmosphere.
In the process, they prevent the excessive heating of the atmosphere. They prevent soil erosion
and natural calamities such as floods and droughts. They increase the fertility of the soil and help
conserve biodiversity. The cutting of forests to meet the demands of growing human population
will lead to global warming, soil erosion, greenhouse effect, droughts, floods, and many more
problems. The destruction of forests will disturb the balance of nature. Hence, forests must be
conserved.
Q7: How can you contribute to the maintenance of green wealth of your locality? Make a
list of actions to be taken by you.
I can help in maintaining the green wealth of my locality by taking care of the plants and
trees growing in or around my locality. I can plant more and more trees. I can also encourage the
people in my locality to plant more trees by informing them about the importance of growing
trees. I can make young children aware of the effects that deforestation has on our environment
and on our planet. I can also ask them to water the plants daily, which will take very little of their
time. I believe planting new trees is as important as taking care of the existing trees.
Deforestation is the removal of trees or other vegetation from an area for industrial,
agricultural, or other purposes. Plants or trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. If plants are
destroyed, then the level of CO2 in the atmosphere will rise. The high levels of CO2 in the
atmosphere will trap more heat radiations, leading to global warming. This increase in
temperature of the Earth will disturb the natural water cycle. As a result of disruption in the
water cycle, there will be a change in the rainfall pattern. The reduced amount of rainwater can
cause droughts.
Q9: Find out about national parks in your state. Identify and show their location on the
outline map of India.
8
8th CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS Science
One of the national parks located near Delhi is the Corbett National Park.
Q10: Why should paper be saved? Prepare a list of ways by which you can save paper.
Paper should be saved because it takes around seventeen full grown trees to make one
tonne of paper. Trees, as we know, are important to maintain a balance of nature. Therefore, in
order to save trees and prevent the impact of their loss on living organisms, we need to save
paper.
Down
1. ENDANGERED
5. DESERTS
Across
1. EXTINCT
9
8th CONSERVATION OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS Science
3. ENDEMIC
4. BIODIVERSITY
10
CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
Force:
Force is a push or a pull. To apply a force over an object interaction between object and
source of force is necessary. Whenever force act two object are involved. One which
applied force, the other which receive force.
Examples: To kick ball we need to push it, to pick the book we need to pull it, to hit the
ball we need to push it and to lift the box we need to push it. Force is a vector quantity. It
is represented by an arrow.
Represented by letter “N” while as in C.G.S system its values are represented in dynes.
Effects of force:-
A force can change the speed of a body. For example, when a ball is
dropped from a certain height, the speed of the ball goes on increasing
due to gravitational pull of the Earth on the ball, in the downward
direction. Thus force applied by the Earth in the direction of motion of
the ball increases the speed of the ball.
Page 1
CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
A force may change the direction of a moving body. For example, when a moving cricket
ball is hit by a bat, the cricket ball moves in a different direction. The force applied by the
bat changes the direction of the moving cricket ball.
Types of Force:
1. Contact Force:
Muscular force:
Examples: When we push the object like school bag or lift the bucket of water we use the
muscular force. Animals also use of muscular force to carry out their task.
Page 2
CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
The Friction Force:
Force due to without interaction between two objects is called non-contact force. For
example; a magnet can pull an iron nail from a distance.
Magnetic force, Electrostatic force and Gravitational force are examples of non-contact
force.
Magnetic Force:
A magnet can exert a force on another magnet without being in contact with it.
The force exerted by a magnet is an example of a non-contact force.
Example: Opposite pole of two magnets attract each other and same pole repel each
other.
Page 3
CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
Electrostatic Force:
When a charged body exert a force on another charged or uncharged body is called
electrostatic force.
Gravitational Force:
Gravitation force is exerted by earth, moon, sun and other planets to others.
Earth and other planets attract all objects towards them. Since, earth attracts all objects
even without coming in contact, thus gravitational force is a non-contact force.
Example: When we release an object from a height, it falls over the ground because of
gravitational attraction of earth.
Page 4
CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
Pressure:
The force acting on per unit area of a surface is called pressure. We can say force per unit
area is called pressure.
From above formula, we can say that with same applied force, Pressure is indirectly
proportional to the area, thus pressure decreases with increase in area and increases with
decrease in area.
Example:
When we cut an apple, we need to use the sharp edge of the knife instead of blunt knife
because the sharp edge of knife has small surface area and we need to exert less force
with high pressure to cut the apple.
When we put a nail into a wooden board, the pointed end of the nail is kept at the front.
The pointed end of the nail has very small surface area and this enables us to apply a
1. Pressure increases with an increase in depth. Like if we take a container filled with
water. Suppose A is placed at the bottom and B is placed at the top of container.
As per this property, the point A has high pressure.
2. Pressure decreases with height. Like the one person who stands on plane
experiences high pressure with respect to the one who stands on the top of a hill.
Thus we can say that pressure decreases with depth.
Page 5
CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
3. Pressure applied at any point is equally transmitted in all directions. Like we see
water coming out from leaking pipes and taps flows in all directions. In case of a
bath shower and fountain, water comes out tiny holes and flows in all directions.
Atmospheric Pressure:
Our atmosphere is made of different types of gases. Since gases exert pressure, thus
Pressure exerted by air (present in atmosphere) is called atmospheric pressure.
The weight of air in a column of the height of the atmosphere and area 10 cm × 10 cm is
as large as 1000 kg. The reason we are not crushed under this weight is that the pressure
inside our bodies is also equal to the atmospheric pressure and cancels the pressure from
outside.A pressed rubber sucker on a plane surface does not come off because of
atmospheric pressure.
Page 6
CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
Question 1:
Give two examples each of situations in which you push or pull to change the state of
motion of objects.
A heavy box at rest is pushed to move it from one room to another. This changes
the state of motion of the box.
A player pushes a football using his foot. This changes the state of motion of the ball.
Rope is pulled to draw water from a well. This changes the state of motion of
the water bucket.
A drawer is pulled to open it. This changes the state of motion of the drawer.
Question 2:
Give two examples of situations in which applied force causes a change in the shape of
an object.
Two examples of forces that cause a change in the shape of an object are as
follows:
Page 7
CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
Question 3:
The north pole of a magnet repels the north pole of another magnet.
Question 4:
An archer stretches her bow while taking aim at the target. She then releases the
arrow, which begins to move towards the target. Based on this information fill up
the gaps in the following statements using the following terms.
To stretch the bow, the archer applies a force that causes a change in its shape
.
The force applied by the archer to stretch the bow is an example of muscular force.
The type of force responsible for a change in the state of motion of the arrow is an
example of a contact force.
While the arrow moves towards its target, the forces acting on it are due to
gravity and that
due to friction of air.
Question 5:
Page 8
CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
In the following situations identify the agent exerting the force and the object on
which it acts. State the effect of the force in each case.
Ans: In squeezing a piece of lemon, we make use of muscular force to extract its
juice. This muscular force acts on the lemon. As a result, the shape of the lemon gets
changed.
Ans: We use our muscular force to take out paste from a toothpaste tube. The
muscular force acts on the toothpaste tube. As a result, the shape of the tube gets
changed.
A load suspended from a spring while its other end is on a hook fixed to a wall.
Ans: Here, the suspended load exerts a force on the spring and pushes the spring
downwards. As a result, the spring gets stretched. Hence, its shape gets changed.
Ans: An athlete pushes the ground with his feet. His feet exert a muscular force on
the ground. This allows him to jump over the bar. As a result, his state of motion gets
changed.
Question 6:
A blacksmith hammers a hot piece of iron while making a tool. How does the force due
to hammering affect the piece of iron?
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CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
When a blacksmith hammers a hot piece of iron, he uses his muscular force.
This muscular force changes the shape of the iron so that it can be given a desired
shape.
Question 7:
An inflated balloon was pressed against a wall after it has been rubbed with a piece of
synthetic cloth. It was found that the balloon sticks to the wall. What force might be
responsible for the attraction between the balloon and the wall?
Question 8:
Name the forces acting on a plastic bucket containing water held above ground level
in your hand. Discuss why the forces acting on the bucket do not bring a change in its
state of motion.
We make use of muscular force to hold a bucket of water above the ground.
This muscular force acts against the force of gravity that pulls the bucket towards the
ground. The two forces are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. Therefore,
the net force on the bucket is zero. Hence, there is no change in its state of motion.
Question 9:
A rocket has been fired upwards to launch a satellite in its orbit. Name the two forces
acting on the rocket immediately after leaving the launching pad.
The two forces acting on the rocket are the force of gravity, which pulls
the rocket towards the ground, and the force of friction due to earth‟s
atmosphere, which opposes its motion.
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CLASS 8TH FORCE AND PRESSURE PHYSICS
Question 10:
When we press the bulb of a dropper with its nozzle kept in water, air in the dropper is
seen to escape in the form of bubbles. Once we release the pressure on the bulb, water
gets filled in the dropper. The rise of water in the dropper is due to
The rise of water in a dropper is due to atmospheric pressure. When all the air escapes
from the nozzle, the atmospheric pressure, which is acting on the water, forces the
water to fill the nozzle of the dropper.
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Combustion and Flame
What is Combustion?
Combustion is a chemical process in which a substance reacts with oxygen and generates
heat in the process.
Burning of a substance in presence of air is also known as Combustion.
Example :- Carbon + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Heat and Light
C + O2 → CO2 + Heat
Therefore, burning substances undergo Oxidation. So, Combustion is oxidation with
evolution of heat and light.
Combustible substances are those substances that undergo combustion. It means that
these substances give off heat and sometimes light (as a flame or glow) when they react
with oxygen. Example ; wood, paper, kerosene, diesel etc
Materials which do not burn readily are called Non-Combustible materials. Example ;
glass, ceramics, some metals etc
Inflammable substances are substances which have low ignition temperature and catch
fire easily. They burn with a flame. For example; petrol, LPG etc.
Why do we say that food is fuel for our body?
When we eat food, it gets broken down in simpler substances which react with oxygen and
generate energy (or heat). Hence, food is referred to as ‘fuel’ for our body.
A candle keeps burning in open air. However, when we cover it with a glass or a jar, it only
burns until the oxygen inside it is consumed. Once the oxygen is exhausted, the flame of
the candle flickers off.
Contents of Matchstick
Matchsticks are made of suitable wood. These wooden sticks have a mixture of an
antimony trisulphide and potassium chlorate. The rubbing surface present on the
matchbox has powdered glass and a little red phosphorous.
When the head of matchstick is rubbed against the rubbing surface, some red
phosphorous is converted to white phosphorous which reacts with antimony trisulphide
and starts burning.
Types of Combustion
Slow Combustion: Combustion which takes place at moderate speed. E.g burning of
wood, coal etc. In this combustion, fuel is not completely burnt up. The result is the
production of smoke containing unburnt carbon particles
Rapid Combustion: Combustion in which a gas burns quickly producing heat and light
in the process. E.g. LPG
Spontaneous Combustion: Combustion in which a material bursts into flames
suddenly without applying heat. E.g. Phosphorus which burns at room temperature.
Spontaneous combustion of coal dust often causes accidental fires in coal mines. Heat
from the sun or lighting may also cause spontaneous forest fires.
Explosion: When a material bursts suddenly to produce heat, light and sound on the
application of heat or pressure, it is called an explosion. E.g. Crackers and fireworks
which release a large amount of gas too.
How do We Control Fire?
We can control the fire by one or more of the following:
1. ‘Dry Powder’ Fire Extinguisher: This type of fire extinguishers contain a mixture of baking
soda (sodium bicarbonate) and sand. When you throw it over the fire, the baking soda
decomposes by its heat to produce carbon dioxide. Since CO2 is heavier than air, it
descends to envelop the burning flame and cuts off its contact with air (and the oxygen
supply).
2NaHCO3 → Na2CO3 + H2O + CO2
2. ‘Soda-acid’ Fire Extinguisher: This fire extinguisher is a metallic cylinder which contains
the sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) solution. At the bottom of the cylinder, the concentrated
sulphuric acid (H2SO4) is placed in a thin sealed glass tube. A fixed wire gauze surrounds
this tube.
Below the tube, a plunger is placed with its sharp end touching the thin glass tube.
On the top of the cylinder, there is a nozzle which is sealed with wax.
When the plunger hits against the floor, its sharp end breaks the thin glass tube and the
acid inside it reacts with sodium bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide. CO 2 forces the wax
seal open and rushes out of the nozzle to put out the fire in the direction where the nozzle is
pointed.
3. ‘Foam-type’ Fire Extinguisher: Like the soda-acid fire extinguisher, it uses sodium
bicarbonate solution. However, in this case, a substance called Saporin or Turkey Red
Oil is added to the solution to produce foam along with the gas from the nozzle. Since this
foam is lighter than oil, it floats on the surface of the oil and cuts off its air supply. Hence, it
is very effective in putting out oil fires.
When should we use (or not use) water to extinguish the fire?
When wood, paper and clothes are on fire, we can use water to extinguish them. Water
lowers the temperature of burning material below ignition temperature and thus, the fire
stops burning.
We should not use water when electrical equipment is on fire as water may conduct
electricity and give a shock to people dousing the fire. Also, it should not be used when oil
or petrol catches fire as water is lighter than oil and petrol and sinks down. Oil and petrol
keep floating on the top and keep burning.
What should we do when electrical equipment or inflammable materials (like petrol)
catch fire?
Carbon Dioxide is the best fire extinguisher in such cases. CO2 is heavier than oxygen and
hence, covers the burning material like a blanket and cuts off its oxygen supply. Also, it
does not harm the electrical equipment.
CO2 can be stored as a liquid in cylinders at high pressure. When it is released, it
immediately expands, cools down, and envelopes the fire - bringing down the temperature
of the fuel. One can also pour dry chemicals like sodium bicarbonate (or baking soda) or
potassium carbonate on the fire as they release CO2 near a fire.
Flame
Flame is a hot glowing body of ignited gas which is produced when something is on fire. A
region of burning gases is called Flame.
Flame is a zone of combustion of gaseous substances accompanied by evolution of heat
and light. Only those substances which burn and vapourise produce flame. The combustible
substance and the supporter of combustion both are in gaseous state to produce flame.
Structure of a Flame
1. Outermost zone is blue in colour and is the hottest part of the flame. This is also the zone
where complete combustion takes place.
2. Middle zone is yellow in colour and is moderately hot. In this zone, partial combustion takes
place.
3. Innermost zone is black in colour and least hot. Here, we can find the unburned wax
vapours of a candle.
Note: Kerosene oil and molten wax vapourise during burning but charcoal does not
produce flame or vapourise when it burns.
Why do goldsmiths blow at the outermost zone of a flame for melting gold and
silver?
The outermost zone of a flame is its hottest part. Gold and silver have high melting points
and hence, goldsmiths blow at the outermost zone of the flame to melt gold and silver
quickly.
What is a Fuel?
Fuels are substances that give us heat which we use for domestic and industrial purposes,
such as wood, kerosene, and petrol.
What will an ideal fuel or good fuel look like?
Ideally, a good fuel is one which:
has proper ignition temperature (neither too high nor too low),
is cheap,
is readily available,
If we look at the table, we will see that hydrogen seems to be the most efficient fuel followed
by LPG. CNG and Methane come next, closely followed by Kerosene, Diesel and Methane.
Cow dung cake seems to be the least efficient fuel here.
Uses of Fuels
Some of the ways in which common fuels are used are:
1. Gasoline is used in cars, scooters and other vehicles we use every day.
2. Natural gas is used in heating systems, water heaters, dryers, and stovetops in our homes.
3. Oil and natural gas are used in making several things that we use every day. Hydrocarbons,
for example, are used in making plastics, pharmaceuticals and several other items we use
daily.
4. Coal is the primary fossil fuel used in many thermal power plants to produce electricity.
Types of Fuels
Fuels can mainly be divided into three groups:
Liquid Fuels: Petroleum (which is a fossil fuel), crude oil (from which we get petrol or
gasoline), diesel, kerosene oil etc.
Solid Fuels: Firewood, charcoal, coal (fossil fuel which is mined as steam coke or soft
coke), dung cakes, tallow (animal fat), straw and other agricultural wastes, paraffin wax,
camphor etc.
Gaseous Fuels: Most commonly used gas is LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) which we use
as cooking gas at home. Some of the other commonly used gaseous fuels are:
o We get CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) from natural oil wells.
o Natural gas (or methane) gets released from the putrefying organic matter.
o In the villages, animal dung and farm waste are used to produce biogas. Biogas is
also collected from sewage plants.
o When hard coke is heated and converted into coke, coal gas is produced.
o Acetylene used a gas produced by adding calcium carbide to water. Its smell is a bit
unpleasant but the flame it produces is so hot that it is used for cutting metals and
welding purposes.
2. Incomplete combustion of fuels (such as coal, gasoline and other fossil fuels) releases
carbon monoxide gas which is very poisonous and can kill people sleeping in the room
where coal is burning. CO combines with haemoglobin in our blood to form
carboxyheamoglobin and renders it incapable of transporting oxygen. These fuels also
release unburnt hydrocarbons, many of which are carcinogenic (cause cancer) and pose
serious health hazards.
3. Carbon dioxide released by most fuels during combustion is causing an imbalance in the
atmosphere. Deforestation is also leading to a situation where there are fewer trees to
absorb the carbon dioxide. This is leading to global warming.
4. Burning of coal and diesel releases sulphur dioxide gas which is corrosive in nature and
causes irritation in nose, throat and airways. It also causes shortness of breath, wheezing,
and a feeling of tightness around the chest. Petrol engines release gaseous oxides of
nitrogen. These sulphur and nitrogen oxides dissolve in rainwater to form acids and cause
acid rain.
TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS
Ans: Combustion is a process of reaction of a substance with oxygen. There are certain
conditions required for combustion to take place. They are:
(c) Fuel must be heated to its ignition temperature before it starts burning.
Question 3:Explain how the use of CNG in automobiles has reduced pollution in our cities.
Ans: Combustion of fuels like petroleum causes formation of un-burnt carbon particles along
with carbon monoxide gas. These harmful pollutants enter the air and cause respiratory diseases.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) produces these harmful products in very less quantity. It is a
comparatively cleaner fuel. Therefore, the use of CNG has reduced pollution in our cities.
Ans: Wood has been a traditional fuel for both domestic and industrial use. However, it produces
a lot of smoke that can cause respiratory problems. Also, wood is obtained from trees. Thus,
using wood as a fuel causes deforestation. Therefore, slowly wood is replaced by LPG, which is
a liquefied form of petroleum gas. It does not give out smoke and other pollutants and is a
cleaner fuel. Again, fuel efficiency of LPG is more than that of wood. The calorific value of LPG
is 55000 kJ / kg, while that of wood is between 17000 to 22000 kJ / kg. Hence, LPG is favoured
over wood.
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(b) LPG is a better domestic fuel than wood.
(c) Paper by itself catches fire easily whereas a piece of paper wrapped around an
aluminium pipe does not.
Ans: (a) Water is a good conductor of electricity. If it is used for controlling a fire involving
electrical equipments, then the person dousing the fire might get an electric shock. Also, water
can damage electrical equipments.
(b) LPG is a better domestic fuel as it does not produce smoke and un-burnt carbon particles,
which cause respiratory problems.
(c) A piece of paper wrapped around aluminium pipe does not catch fire easily. This is because
aluminium, being a metal, is a good conductor of heat. Therefore, heat is transferred from the
paper to the metal and the paper does not attain its ignition temperature.
Question 7:Name the unit in which the calorific value of a fuel is expressed.
Ans: The calorific value of a fuel is expressed in kilojoules per kilogram (kJ/kg).
(i) Since it is heavier than oxygen, it covers the fire like a blanket and cuts off the contact
between oxygen and fuel.
(ii) In cylinders, CO2 is kept in the liquid form. When released, it expands enormously and cools
down. This brings down the temperature of the fuel, which helps in controlling the fire.
Question 9:It is difficult to burn a heap of green leaves but dry leaves catch fire easily.
Explain.
Ans: Green leaves have a lot of moisture in them. This moisture does not allow them to catch
fire easily. However, dry leaves have no moisture in them. Therefore, they catch fire easily.
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Question 10:Which zone of a flame does a goldsmith use for melting gold and silver and
why?
Ans: Goldsmiths use the outermost part/zone of the flame to melt gold and silver. This is
because the outermost zone of the flame undergoes complete combustion and is the hottest part
of the flame.
Question 11:In an experiment 4.5 kg of a fuel was completely burnt. The heat produced
was measured to be 180,000 kJ. Calculate the calorific value of the fuel.
Ans: The calorific value of fuel is the amount of heat produced by the complete combustion of
1 kg of fuel.
Now,
= 40,000 kJ/kg
Combustion is a chemical process in which a substance reacts with oxygen and gives out energy
during the process in the form of either heat or light or both. Rusting of iron is an exothermic
process as heat is released during rusting. Hence, it is a kind of slow combustion.
Question 13:Abida and Ramesh were doing an experiment in which water was to be heated
in a beaker. Abida kept the beaker near the wick in the yellow part of the candle flame.
Ramesh kept the beaker in the outermost part of the flame. Whose water will get heated in
a shorter time?
Ans: The water in the Ramesh‟s beaker will heat up in a shorter time. This is because the
outermost zone of a flame is the hottest zone, while the yellow zone (in which Abida had kept
the beaker) is less hot.