Science Department
Year 8 into 9
Summer Pre-reading Work
Name:______
Instructions:
- Read through the key points for each of the topics.
- Complete some of your own research to answer the quick quiz questions for each section (tick the correct answer).
Remember to hand this booklet into your teacher when you return to school in September.
Record Sheet
Ask your parents to complete the page below as a record of the completion of your work.
Topic / Task Completed / Parent Signature / DateAdaptation & Inheritance / Key Point pre-reading
Quick Quiz
Reactions / Key Point pre-reading
Quick Quiz
Metals & Acids / Key Point pre-reading
Quick Quiz
Energy / Key Point pre-reading
Quick Quiz
Motion & Pressure / Key Point pre-reading
Quick Quiz
Biology-Adaptation & Inheritance - Key Points
- Animals compete for food, water, mates and space. Plants compete for light, water, space and minerals.
- Adaptations are characteristics that help an organism to survive and reproduce.
- Predator and prey species are interdependent – a change in the population of one animal directly affects the population of the other.
- Difference in characteristics within a species are known as variation. Inherited variation comes from characteristics inherited from our parents. Variation caused by your surroundings is called environmental variation. Many characteristics are affected by both.
- Characteristics that can only have certain values show discontinuous variation.
- Characteristics that can be any value within a range show continuous variation.
- You inherit characteristics from your parents in your DNA.
- DNA is arranged into long strands called chromosomes. Each chromosome is divided into sections of DNA. The sections of DNA that contain the information to produce a characteristic are called genes.
- Watson, Crick, Franklin and Wilkins worked together to produce a model of the structure of DNA.
- All living organisms have evolved from a common ancestor, through the process of natural selection.
- Fossils provide evidence for evolution.
- If a species is not adapted to its environment, it will not survive. Eventually a species can become extinct.
- Gene banks store genetic samples from organisms. This may help to prevent extinction.
Biology- Adaptation & Inheritance - Quick Quiz
- Who produced the first X-ray pictures of DNA?
□Crick
□Watson
□Franklin
- Which of these is smallest?
□Gene
□Chromosome
□Genome
- Where are chromosomes found?
□In the cytoplasm
□In the nucleus
□In the membrane
- Which two scientists discovered the shape of DNA?
□Franklin and Wilkins
□Darwin and Wallace
□Watson and Crick
- What shape is DNA?
□Double helix
□X-shaped
□Spherical
- Which scientist did not win the Nobel prize for their work on DNA?
□Watson
□Franklin
□Wilkins
- How many chromosomes do normal body cells have?
□46 pairs
□23
□23 pairs
- How many chromosomes do sperm and eggs have?
□46
□23 pairs
□23
- What is the definition of a gene?
□One copy of all our DNA
□A section of DNA that gives a characteristic
□A coiled-up, x-shaped section of DNA
- How many genes do we have?
□23 pairs
□23
□Around 20,000
- What occurs when a sperm meets an egg?
□Variation
□Fertilisation
□Menstruation
- Which of these features is an example of continuous variation?
□Gender
□Blood group
□Weight
- Which of these features is an example of discontinuous variation?
□Length of forearm
□Blood group
□Height
- Which of these features shows inherited variation?
□Brown eyes
□Having a scar
□Pierced ears
- Kathryn has bright blue hair. What kind of variation has caused this?
□Inherited variation
□Environmental variation
□Inherited and environmental variation
- Which of these features shows environmental variation?
□Scars
□Blood group
□Eye colour
- Which of these factors can be changed by both environmental and inherited variation?
□Tattoos
□Weight
□Scars
- What shape graph do you see for many examples of continuous variation?
□A straight line downwards
□A straight line upwards
□A bell-shape
- Where is most variation found?
□Between different species
□Within one species
□Between lions and tigers
- What type of graph do we use for discontinuous variation?
□A bell-shape
□Bar chart
□Line graph
- Why did Darwin's ideas cause the most controversy?
□The Church did not agree with him
□Other scientists disagreed with him
□He was wrong
- What explains evolution?
□Extinction
□Natural selection
□Global warming
- Which scientist first proposed the theory of natural selection?
□Watson
□Darwin
□Crick
- What is the name for changes in organisms over long periods of time?
□Photosynthesis
□Respiration
□Evolution
- What can ultimately occur if species do not change?
□Extinction
□Natural selection
□Evolution
- Which animal is now extinct?
□Panda
□Dodo
□Rhino
- What does biodiversity mean?
□Species at risk of extinction
□Having as narrow a range of organisms as possible
□Having as wide a range of organisms as possible
- What is a possible reason for extinction?
□The number of habitats falls below a critical level
□Too many resources
□Less competition
- Which British species is endangered?
□White rhino
□Red squirrels
□Panda
- What are seed banks?
□Buildings in which seeds are sold
□Buildings in which seeds are loaned
□Buildings in which seeds are stored
Quiz Score: /30
Chemistry – Reactions – Key Points
- Physical changes are reversible. They include changes of state and dissolving.
- Chemical reactions are not reversible.
- Ina chemical reaction, atoms are re-arranged to make new substances.
- In a chemical reaction, the total mass of reactants is equal to the total mass of products. This is conservation of mass.
- In a chemical reaction, the starting substances are called reactants. The substances that are made in the reaction are called products.
- Word equations represent reactions simply. They show reactants on the left and products on the right. The arrow means reacts to make.
- In a balanced symbol equation, chemical formulae represent the reactants and products. The equation shows how atoms are re-arranged. It gives the relative amounts of reactants and products.
- Chemical reactions can make useful products and transfer energy.
- In oxidation reactions, substances join with oxygen to form oxides.
- Oxidation reactions include burning and resting. Burning is also called combustion.
- In a thermal decomposition reaction, a compound breaks down when it is heated. The products are simpler compounds, and elements.
- Exothermic changes transfer energy to the surroundings.
- Endothermic changes transfer energy from the surroundings.
- A hazard is a possible source of danger.
- A risks is the chance of damage or injury from a hazard.
Chemistry – Reactions – Quick Quiz
- When methane burns in oxygen, carbon dioxide and water are made. Which is a reactant?
□Oxygen
□Carbon dioxide
□Water
- Copper oxide and carbon dioxide are made when copper carbonate is heated strongly. Which is a product?
□Heat
□Copper carbonate
□Copper oxide
- What name is given to the force that holds atoms together in a compound?
□Chemical bond
□Gravity
□Electrostatic attraction
- What is another name for combustion?
□Reduction
□Burning
□Displacement
- Combustion reactions always release energy. What word can be used to describe them?
□Endothermic
□Exothermic
□Reversible
- Which of these is found in the fire triangle and is therefore essential for combustion?
□Oxygen
□Water
□Carbon dioxide
- What is a hydrocarbon?
□A compound that contains carbon and hydrogen
□A compound made from carbon and hydrogen only
□A compound that has been obtained from crude oil
- What is produced when a hydrocarbon fuel burns in a very good supply of oxygen?
□Carbon monoxide and water
□Carbon and water
□Carbon dioxide and water
- Which type of combustion releases the most energy?
□Complete combustion
□Incomplete combustion
□Thermal decomposition
- What name is given to a substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up or chemically changed?
□Reducing agent
□Catalyst
□Oxidising agent
Quiz Score: /10
Chemistry – Metals & Acids – Key Points
- The reactivity series lists metals in order of how vigorously they react. The most reactive metals are at the top. The table summarises some reactions.
Metal / Reaction with dilute acid / Reaction on heating in air / Reaction with water
potassium / Explode.
Products are metal salts and hydrogen. / Burn vigorously.
Products are metal oxides. / React vigorously.
Products are a metal hydroxide and hydrogen.
sodium
lithium
calcium / React, making bubbles.
Products are metals salts and hydrogen.
magnesium / React with steam.
Products are hydrogen and a metal oxide.
zinc
iron
lead / Do not burn. Form oxide layer on surface.
copper / Do not react. / Do not react.
silver / Do not react.
gold
- More reactive metals displace less reactive metals from compounds.
- Zinc, and metals below it in the reactivity series are extracted by heating their oxides with carbon.
- Ceramic materials include pottery and brick. They are hard and brittle, with high melting points.
- Polymers have long molecules. There are hundreds of polymers. Each has unique properties that make it suitable for particular purposes.
- A composite material is a mixture of materials. It has properties that are a combination of the properties of the materials in the mixture.
Chemistry – Metals & Acids – Quick Quiz
- Which of these three metals is the most reactive: potassium, iron or gold?
□Potassium
□Iron
□Gold
- Which of these three metals is the least reactive: iron, copper or platinum?
□Iron
□Copper
□Platinum
- Which gas is produced when magnesium reacts with hydrochloric acid?
□Carbon dioxide
□Oxygen
□Hydrogen
- What is the test for hydrogen?
□A burning splint goes out
□A burning splint burns more brightly
□A burning splint makes a squeaky pop sound
- What are the products when calcium reacts with nitric acid?
□Calcium chloride and hydrogen
□Calcium oxide and carbon dioxide
□Calcium nitrate and hydrogen
- What are the products when magnesium reacts with sulfuric acid?
□Magnesium sulfate and hydrogen
□Magnesium nitrate and hydrogen
□Magnesium sulfate and water
- What type of reaction involves a more reactive metal pushing a less reactive metal out of a compound?
□Oxidation
□Combustion
□Displacement
- What happens when zinc is added to a solution of copper sulfate?
□Nothing happens
□The zinc displaces the copper
□The mixture catches on fire
- What happens when copper is added to a solution of magnesium chloride?
□Chlorine is produced
□Nothing happens
□The copper displaces the magnesium.
- What are the products when zinc is added to lead nitrate solution?
□Zinc nitrate solution and lead
□There is no reaction
□Hydrogen and zinc nitrate
- How are ceramic materials made?
□By heating and cooling a substance
□By adding many small molecules together
□Using electricity
- Which of the following is a typical use for a ceramic?
□Car
□Bathroom sink
□Clothing
- What type of material is a house brick?
□Polymer
□Ceramic
□Composite
- What type of material is reinforced concrete?
□Polymer
□Ceramic
□Composite
- Which of the following properties applies to most ceramics?
□Lightweight
□Brittle
□Flexible
- What name is given to a very long molecule made from smaller repeating units?
□Polymer
□Ceramic
□Composite
- Which of the following is a polymer?
□Nylon
□Zinc
□Sulfur
- Why is poly(ethene) used for plastic bags?
□It is strong and flexible
□It is a good conductor of heat
□It is a bad conductor of electricity
- Why is disposing of polymers difficult?
□They are poisonous
□They do not biodegrade easily
□They are very heavy
- Why is reinforced concrete a good building material?
□It is waterproof
□It is strong and flexible
□It is very lightweight
Quiz Score: /20
Physics – Energy – Key Points
- There is energy in the chemical stores associated with food and fuel. Energy is measured in joules. You need different amounts of energy for different activities.
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be transferred between stores. This the law of conservation of energy. Light, sound and electricity are ways of transferring energy between stores.
- Temperature is measured using a thermometer. The temperature doesn’t depend on the amount of material, but the amount of energy in the thermal store does.
- When a hot object is in contact with a colder one, energy is transferred from the hot object to the colder one. Energy will be transferred, and the temperature difference will decrease, until the objects are in equilibrium.
- Energy is transferred by conduction in solids and by convection in liquids and gases.
- Energy is transferred by radiation, which does not need a medium to travel through. All objects emit radiation. Infrared radiation can be detected by your skin or a thermal imaging camera. If the energy transferred to an object is less than the energy transferred from it, the object will cool down.
- Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas are formed over millions of years and are non-renewable. They can be used to drive a generator in a thermal power station. Wind, wave and solar sources are examples of renewable energy resources.
- Power = energy/time, and electrical power = potential difference x current. You can work out the energy transferred by appliances in your home using the unit of kilowatt hours.
- You calculate work by multiplying force by a distance. Simple machines like levers and gears can make it easier to do work but you do not get more energy out than you put in.
Physics – Energy – Quick Quiz
- What is another name for burning?
□Combustion
□Respiration
□Thermal decomposition
- What is the correct unit for energy?
□Calorie
□Joule
□Gram
- Which of these foods has the most energy per 100 grams?
□Apple
□Omelette
□Bread
- Around how many kJ of energy does an adult need per day?
□8400
□4800
□840
- What is the term that means the rate at which energy is used?
□Speed
□Power
□Joule
- What are the units of power?
□Newtons
□Watts
□Joules
- How can energy be released from food?
□Combustion and respiration
□Combustion only
□Respiration only
- How many watts are in a kilowatt?
□10
□100
□1000
- Which of these electric items uses the most power?
□Clock
□Drill
□Oven
- What units do electrical suppliers use for energy?
□kWh
□kWmin
□Joule
- Which of the following is a non-renewable energy resource?
□Wind power
□Biomass
□Natural gas
- Where did the energy stored in fossil fuels originally come from?
□Plants
□Sunlight
□Animals
- What is an advantage of wind power?
□It doesn't work unless there is wind
□It uses large wind turbines
□It is a renewable energy resource
- Which of the following is a good way to reduce the use of fossil fuels?
□Leaving the lights on when we leave a room
□Leaving the TV on standby all night
□Walking instead of going in a car
- Which of these is a fossil fuel?
□Biomass
□Coal
□Nuclear
- When talking about fuels what does finite mean?
□Will run out
□Won't run out
□May run out
- What is an explanation for global warming?
□Greenhouse effect
□Respiration
□Combustion
- What gas causes acid rain?
□Carbon monoxide
□Sulphur dioxide
□Carbon dioxide
- What is a disadvantage of nuclear fuels?
□They produce heat
□They don't produce carbon dioxide
□Disposing of waste
- What is a disadvantage of geothermal energy?
□It can only be used in certain places
□It produces carbon dioxide
□It is a non-renewable energy resource
- An object at rest on top of a shelf is likely to have:
□No energy
□Gravitational potential energy
□Hydroelectric power
- Batteries are stores of:
□Chemical energy
□Electrical energy
□Light energy
- Energy is usefully transferred from a personal audio player as:
□Kinetic energy
□Thermal energy
□Sound energy
- Which is likely to contain the most thermal energy?
□A red hot horseshoe
□A spark from a firework
□An ice cube
- Which is likely to have the highest temperature?
□A red hot horseshoe
□A spark from a firework
□An ice cube
- Which type of energy transfer requires particles?
□Conduction
□Temperature
□Radiation
- Thermal energy is transferred by conduction from:
□The hot end to the cold end
□The cold end to the hot end
□The Sun to the Earth
- Which type of energy transfer can occur though a vacuum?
□Conduction
□Radiation
□Convection
- What type of energy is stored in a windup toy?
□Elastic potential
□Gravitational potential energy
□Heat
- What type of diagram shows the efficiency of energy transfer?
□Flow
□Arrow
□Sankey
Quiz Score: /30
Physics – Motion & Pressure – Key Points
- Speed = distance/time, measured in metres per second (m/s). Average speed is the total distance travelled/total time taken.
- You can show what is happening to the position of an object on a distance-time graph. The slope of the distance-time graph is the speed.
- Gas pressure is due to the collisions of gas molecules with the sides of the container or object. If the gas is hotter, or compressed into a smaller volume, or if there are more gas molecules in the same space, there will be more collisions and the pressure will be greater.
- Atmospheric pressure is due to the collisions of air molecules with objects. Atmospheric pressure decrease with height because there are fewer air molecules higher up.
- Liquids are incompressible. The pressure at a particular depth in a liquid depends on the weight of water above it. Pressure increases with depth.
- Pressure = force/area, measured in N/m2 or N/cm2. The pressure tells you how the force is spread out over an area.
- The turning effect of a force is called a moment. You calculate a moment by multiplying the force by the distance from a pivot.
- If the clockwise moments acting on an object equal the anticlockwise moments the object will be in equilibrium. This is how see-saws balance.
- The centre of gravity is the point at which all the weight of the object appears to act.
- The weight of an object acting through the centre of mass can produce a turning force.