Download S1 Unit One Science in Everyday Life Revision notes

An element is a substance
made from the same type of
atom.
A periodic table shows all the
elements known to exist.
Elements are arranged in rows called
periods and columns called groups.
The periodic table has 8 groups:
•Group 1 = Alkali Metals
•Between Groups 2 & 3 = Transition Metals
•Group 7 = Halogens
•Group 0 = Noble gases
The basic pieces of science equipment we use
are:
•Bunsen burner
•Tripod
•Gauze mat
•Heat mat
•Beaker
•Test tube
•Boiling tube
•Test tube holders
•Conical flask
•Test tube rack
•Evaporating dish
•Filter funnel
Elements
Elements can be either
metals or non-metals.
Noble gases are unreactive.
The Halogens are also very
reactive e.g. Chlorine and
Fluorine.
Alkali metals are very reactive and
have to be stored in oil e.g.
Potassium, Sodium and Lithium.
Metals conduct electricity and
heat and non-metals do not.
Malleable means the metal
can be shaped easily e.g.
into a candlestick holder.
Metals can be both
malleable and ductile.
Carbon is the only nonmetal to conduct electricity.
Ductile means the metal can be
beaten flat e.g. gold foil and tin
foil.
An electrolyte is the name given
to a liquid that conducts
electricity in a circuit
In a series circuit there is only one
possible route for the electricity to
travel around
In a parallel circuit there is more than
one route for the electricity to travel
around – there are branching loops
Circuit symbols
Switch
Lamp
Cell
Voltmeter
Battery
Ammeter
Electricity
Resistor
Variable
resistor
Motor
In a series circuit the current is
the same at every point
Buzzer
Bell
Wire
A voltmeter is connected
to a circuit in parallel
An ammeter is used to measure the
current in a circuit. Current is
measured in Amps.
An ammeter is connected to a
circuit in series
Household appliances that are
connected to parallel circuits
can be switched on and off
separately
In a parallel circuit the current
from the branches add up to the
current from the battery
A voltmeter is used to measure voltage.
Voltage is measured in volts.
The voltage in each branch of a branches in
a parallel circuit is equal to the voltage
coming from the battery.
The voltage is divided between all the
components in a series circuit so there
is none to return to the battery.
Heat is the total amount of
heat energy in an object
Heat flows through a
solid by conduction
Air is a good insulator
Temperature is the
average speed of vibration
of the particles
Vibrating particles make other particles
vibrate around them as this spreads
through an object we say that heat is
being conducted
A substance that lets heat flow through it
easily is called a conductor
Some examples of good conductors of heat are:
• Metals
• Copper pipes
• Single glazed windows
Heat
A substance that does not let
heat flow through it is called an
insulator
Some examples of good insulators in the
home are:
• Double or triple glazed windows
• Wall insulation
• Silver backed board
Convection currents can be used everyday by:
• Birds to gain altitude
• Inside the Earth magma flows
• The Gulf Stream ocean currents
The faster a particle vibrates
the hotter it gets
Radiant heat travels
by Infra-red waves
Heat may be transferred through a
vacuum by radiation
A black surface will absorb more radiant heat
and a white or silver surface will reflect more
Heat flows through liquids and gases
by convection currents
As the particles heat they rise and as they move up and
away from the heat they cool and sink again, this creates a
current
A dull surface will absorb more radiant heat and
a shiny surface will reflect more