Download SUP1111 11 - The Open University

S240 Analytical Science: Health, heritage and
environments
Are You Ready For S240?
Contents
1 Introduction
2
2 Suggested prior study
3
3 Self-assessment test
4
3.1 Mathematics (Questions 1 - 12)
4
3.2 Biology (Questions 13 - 15)
7
3.3 Earth Sciences (Question 16)
8
3.4 Physics and astronomy (Questions 17 - 18)
8
3.5 Chemistry (Questions 19 - 25)
9
4 Other skills
11
5 Answers to self-assessment test
11
6 If more preparation is needed before studying S240
16
7 Further reading
17
8 Your score sheet
17
Copyright © 2011 The Open University
Printed in the United Kingdom
SUP 11111 1
1.1
*SUP1111
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1
Introduction
S240 Analytical Sciences: Health, heritage and environments covers a number of
topics that draw upon knowledge and understanding of the basic scientific
disciplines of biology, chemistry, Earth sciences, and physics and astronomy
such as might be gained through successful study of The Open University’s main
Level 1 science course (S104 Exploring science). You should therefore be
interested in the whole range of scientific disciplines rather than, for example,
primarily biology or the physical sciences. Moreover, many of the topics covered
in the module demand an interdisciplinary approach to science rather than
treating the different scientific disciplines as separate entities.
As with any study of science, a certain level of competence in numeracy and
other mathematical skills is required to study S240. Again, this level is indicated
by the treatment of these skills in S104.
It is necessary to have access to the computing equipment to participate in
computer-mediated conferences, be prepared to both contribute to ‘discussions’
and to ‘listen’ to the contributions of others and possess a basic level of ICT
literacy. Some of the resources and/or teaching are delivered online so access to
a computer with an online connection will be required. If you are unsure whether
you have the necessary computer equipment, check the Personal Computing for
OU Study webpage for S240. There is a link to this on The Open University’s
Courses and Qualifications webpage for S240.
You are expected to be able to write clearly, correctly and logically about
important contemporary issues that have an underlying scientific basis, drawing
upon both the science itself and the module themes. Activities embedded within
the materials and tutor-marked assignment (TMA) questions provide
opportunities to develop this important skill.
Thus, in order to assess whether you are ready for S240, you need to consider a
number of questions:
•
Do you have the necessary knowledge and understanding of science?
•
Do you have the necessary skills of numeracy and mathematics?
•
Are you motivated by a range of scientific disciplines?
•
Are you interested in an interdisciplinary approach to science?
•
Do you accept that disciplines outside the natural sciences have
legitimate contributions to make to many topics that have an underlying
scientific basis?
•
Are you prepared to work with others to test and clarify your own
understanding of such topics?
This document provide opportunities for you to test whether your current
knowledge and understanding of the individual scientific disciplines and your
skills of numeracy and mathematics are at least at the level assumed at the start
of S240. The answers are given in Section 5. In addition to deciding which
answers are correct, you ought to consider whether the questions and answers
include more than just a few technical terms whose meanings elude you.
If you have passed S104 (or any of its predecessor courses, S100–S103), then
you should have little or no difficulty in understanding and answering the
questions. If you have a different background in science, these questions should
help you judge whether this is at least equivalent to having studied S104. Of
course, some or all the material may be familiar to you but, in trying to answer the
2
questions, you might discover that you are a little ‘rusty’. If this is the case, then it
would be as well to look back over the relevant parts of your previous module(s)
and then try the questions again. However, S240 includes a very succinct ‘primer’
outlining aspects of science that are essential for and assumed by what follows.
Section 6 gives some advice about what you might do if you appear to need more
preparation in one or more areas before you begin S240.
Assuming that you are academically ready to commence S240, Section 7 makes
some suggestions about further reading that you might undertake while you wait
for the module to begin.
2
Suggested prior study
This module is for you if you have already studied a fairly broad range of science
disciplines (that is, not only life sciences or the physical sciences) at Level 1.
You should have studied either:
•
Exploring science (S104) (or the discontinued module S103)
•
Introducing health sciences: A case study approach (SDK125),
Or a combination of 3 science short modules covering the physical, chemical and
biological sciences. Particularly relevant OU science short modules are:
•
Science starts here (S154) is specifically for students who have done
little or no science before, and whose maths is rusty (or non-existent!).
•
Maths for science (S151) is for anyone wanting to take a Level 2 science
module with The Open University, but lack confidence in using
mathematics as a tool in science.
•
Empire of the microbes (S171) explores the intriguing world of bacteria,
viruses, and other microscopic organisms. It enables students to try out a
new area of study before you commit to a longer module, or top up
knowledge and skills between longer modules.
•
Elements of forensic science (S187) is for people who have a basic
knowledge of chemistry, DNA and genetics and who want to understand
how this science is applied to crime scene investigations.
•
Molecules, medicines and drugs: a chemical story (SK185) describes the
development of a variety of drugs and explores chemical strategies to
minimise the risk of infection and disease.
•
Introducing astronomy (S194) covers the exploration of our solar system;
the discovery of planets orbiting other stars; the birth, life and violent
death of stars; and the creation of the Universe itself.
•
Archaeology: the science of investigation (SA188) develops an
appreciation of the processes involved in the discovery, investigation and
interpretation of artefacts and archaeological sites, and apply scientific
techniques used in the field and laboratory.
Alternatively you could have studied equivalent courses at another institution.
You should be able to understand a number of basic mathematical concepts and
have mathematical skills to at least GCSE level.
3
3
Self-assessment test
Try to answer the following self-assessment questions (the answers are given in
section 5 of this document; there is a score sheet in section 8 to record your
scores). This will help you to judge your level of knowledge of some of the key
concepts listed above. We’ve included a score sheet in the answers section
where you can note down your own assessment of how well you demonstrated
your understanding.
3.1 Mathematics
Question 1
Work out the answers to the following sums, using your calculator as appropriate:
(a) 6998 − 15774
(b) (−5) + (−9)
(c) (8 + 6) × (5 − 2)
(d) Find x and express its value to three significant figures.
(a = 15 and b = 81)
x=
a
× 100%
b
Question 2
Calculate to two significant figures the volumes of boxes with the following
dimensions:
3
(a) 2.0 m × 8.0 cm × 9.0 mm (express the answer in cm );
3
(b) 87 cm × 9.0 cm × 8.0 m (express the answer in m ).
Question 3
The following figure shows a general plot of temperature change with altitude
where the temperature at sea-level is 20.0 °C.
(a) What is the temperature at a height of 300 m above sea-level?
height above sea level/metres
(b) How much would you expect temperature to drop when ascending from sealevel to a height of 1 km?
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
12
14
16
18
temperature/ C
20
4
22
Question 4
If the amount of rainfall collected in a rain gauge, expressed in mm, for 5
consecutive days are:
22.4, 13.5, 12.6, 23.3, and 4.0
what is the average rainfall over these 5 days, to one decimal place?
Question 5
The volume V of a sphere of radius r is given by the formula:
V =
4 3
πr
3
What is the volume of a sphere of radius 5 m?
(a) 105 m
3
(b) 167 m
3
(c) 500 m
3
(d) 524 m
3
Question 6
−1
The concentration of a chemical in solution is 50 µg l . Given that a cubic metre
−3
is equivalent to 1000 litres, express this concentration in mg m .
Question 7
Rearrange the following equation:
h = gk − f
to give an equation for g.
Question 8
number of cases/103
Reading from the following graph:
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
year
5
(a) How many cases were there in 1993?
(b) In which year was there the lowest number of cases?
(c) What was the mean rate of change in the number of cases between 1996
and 2001 inclusive?
Question 9
This question deals with some of the conventions and skills associated with using
graphs.
(a) If the scale on the vertical axis (y-axis) is temperature in degrees Celsius,
how would you write this?
(b) The Figure below shows the travel time of a seismic wave from its origin to a
point on the Earth’s surface, plotted against distance from the earthquake’s
epicentre.
(i) Which of these quantities is the independent variable?
(ii) How long does it take for the seismic wave to travel 150 km?
(iii) Why does the line of the graph not go exactly through all three
points?
travel time after earthquake occurred/s
(c) Work out the gradient of the line. Give your answer in s/km to 2 significant
figures.
40
30
20
10
0
100
200
distance from epicentre/km
Question 10
The diameter of the common marine phytoplankton Emiliania huxleyi is
0.00000015 m. Express this number in scientific notation.
Question 11
In science, the Kelvin temperature scale (abbreviated to K) is often used in
preference to the more well-known Celsius temperature scale. 0 Kelvin is
equivalent to –273.15 °C, and a change in temperature of 1 K is equal to a
change of 1 °C. Which one of the following is equivalent to 10 °C?
(a) –283.15 K
6
(b) –263.15 K
(c) 263.15 K
(d) 283.15 K
Question 12
–2
A substance contains 3.5 × 10 particles per cubic metre. How many particles
4
3
will there be in a volume of 10 m ?
–2
(a) 3.5 × 10
(b) 350
(c) 35
(d) 3.5
3.2 Biology
Question 13
Use the list of words below to fill in the gaps in the following passage.
All living cells are surrounded by a selectively permeable ____________. Most
cells in ____________ organisms possess an organelle called the
____________ in which are located the _____________ that carry most of the
genetic information of the organism. These structures consist of a long doublestranded molecule called _______________________ (abbreviated to____) and
various _____________ molecules. In _______________ organisms (such as
bacteria) the circular molecules that carry the genetic information lie naked in the
____________. Bacteria and viruses which infect humans are known as
____________. The immune system produces ________________, which try
and eliminate invading organisms._ ___________ bind tightly and specifically
with antigens to produce a complex which can be removed by the immune
system. The biochemical processes in the body responsible for ___________are
mediated by proteins called ________. These are very specific and bind
compounds called ___________.
Some of the words are not used at all while others may be used more than once:
DNA, cell wall, chloroplasts, chromosomes, eukaryotic, cytoplasm,
deoxyribonucleic acid, enzymes, substrates, cell membrane, antibodies,
mitochondria, nucleus, photosynthesis, prokaryotic, pathogens, metabolism,
nucleotides, protein
Question 14
Identify and correct the two wrong statements among the following.
(a) Mitosis is the process of cell division that gives rise to gametes.
(b) Gametes are haploid.
(c) A homozygote possesses two copies of the same allele of a particular
gene.
(d) Meiosis is the process of cell division that gives rise to gametes
(e) Chromosomes are made of protein.
7
Question 15
Identify and correct the two wrong statements among the following.
(a) Adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine (A, C, G and T) are RNA
nucleotides.
(b) The ‘central dogma’ in biology is ‘DNA makes RNA makes protein’.
(c) The appearance of an organism is one aspect of its phenotype.
(d) There are only 23 chromosomes in each cell in our bodies
(e) Enzymes are biological catalysts
3.3 Earth Sciences
Question 16
Identify and correct the two wrong statements among the following.
(a) Rocks are categorised as igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic.
(b) Metamorphic rocks have had their minerals altered by high temperature
and/or pressure.
(c) The Earth is about 4600 billion years old.
(d) The more rapidly magma cools, the larger the resulting crystals.
(e) Quartz, feldspar and mica are the principal minerals of granite.
3.4 Physics and Astronomy
Question 17
Identify and correct the two wrong statements among the following.
(a) The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite.
(b) Although comets pass through the Solar System, they do not orbit the
Sun.
(c) A meteor is a fragment of a meteorite that has reached the Earth’s surface.
(d) Planets and other bodies rotate around the Sun in elliptical orbits.
Question 18
Identify and correct the two wrong statements among the following.
(a) Monochromatic light consists of photons, all of which have exactly the
same energy.
(b) The energy of a photon of light is proportional to the frequency of the light.
(c) If an atom undergoes a transition from one energy state to a lower energy
state, a photon will be absorbed.
(d) When an atom is in its ground state, it has its maximum possible energy.
(e) The atomic spectrum of each element is unique.
8
3.5 Chemistry
Question 19
Carbon dioxide has the chemical formula CO2. Which one of the following
statements is correct?
(a) The carbon dioxide molecule has 2 carbon atoms and 2 oxygen atoms.
(b) The carbon dioxide molecule has 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms.
(c) The carbon dioxide atom always comes in pairs.
(d) The carbon dioxide atom is made up of a carbon atom and an oxygen
molecule.
Question 20
Complete the following table of common chemical elements and their chemical
symbols.
Element
Symbol
Al
C
sodium
Si
calcium
oxygen
sulfur
Fe
magnesium
Question 21
Use the list of words below to fill in the gaps in the following passage.
A chemical ___________ is a substance that consists of one type of
___________ that has a unique _____________ corresponding to the number of
____________ charged ______________ in its nucleus. A neutral atom has the
same number of ____________ charged ___________. Atomic ___________
also contain varying numbers of uncharged _____________. Atoms with the
same numbers of protons and neutrons belong to the same _____________of an
element. The total number of protons and neutrons (which together are called
______________) in an atom gives its ____________. A _____________ is
created by the ___________ of one or more electrons from a neutral atom. If an
atom should ______________ one or more electrons it becomes a
_______________.
atom, atomic number, electrons, element, gain, isotope, loss, mass number,
negative ion, negatively, nuclei, neutrons, nucleons, positive ion, positively,
protons.
Question 22
Methane (CH4), also known as natural gas, burns in the presence of oxygen to
yield carbon dioxide and water. The reaction also releases energy.
Balance the overall chemical equation for this reaction:
CH4 + O2 = CO2 + H2O
9
Question 23
Identify and correct the two wrong statements among the following.
(a) A neutral solution has a pH of 7.
(b) pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution.
(c) Acidic solutions have a higher pH than solutions that are alkaline.
(d) A solution can be made less alkaline by the addition of an acid.
(e) If carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolves in water, the water becomes more alkaline.
Question 24
Oxidation is said to occur when the proportion of oxygen in a compound
increases. Conversely, reduction occurs when the proportion of oxygen
decreases. The term oxidation is also used more generally to include any
reaction in which an atom loses electrons. Conversely, reduction involves a gain
of electrons. For example, on going from left to right in Reaction 7, a magnesium
ion is reduced to magnesium metal by gaining two electrons. At the same time, a
molecule of hydrogen gas loses two electrons, and by so doing is oxidized to
2+
+
hydrogen ions. Mg (aq) + H2(g) = Mg(s) + 2H (aq)
In a reaction, the oxidation of one species must be accompanied by a
corresponding reduction of another species involved in the reaction.
For the following reactions, say which species are being oxidized and which are
being reduced:
2+
3+
4+
2+
(i) Sn (aq) + 2Fe (aq) = Sn (aq) + 2Fe (aq)
+
2+
(ii) Mg(s) + 2Ag (aq) = Mg (aq) + 2Ag(s)
+
2+
(iii) Zn(s) + 2H (aq) = Zn (aq) + H2(g)
In an organic chemistry context an oxidation reaction is one that involves the
addition of oxygen atoms to, or the removal of hydrogen atoms from, a particular
compound. A reduction reaction is the opposite of oxidation, in that it involves the
addition of hydrogen atoms to, or the removal of oxygen atoms from, a
compound.
Question 25
Many reactions of organic molecules can be predicted from a knowledge of the
functional groups they contain. Match the name of the functional group with the
chemical representations below.
(a) ester
OH
(b) carboxylic acid
R
NH 2
X
(c) aromatic
(d) amino acid
O
C
C
R1
C
(e) alkene
OH
(f) amide
O
(g) haloalkane
(h) alcohol
(i) amine
R
O
O
C
H2N
NH 2
R
R1
C
OH
C
OR 2
The symbols R, R1 and R2 are used to represent different hydrocarbon groups,
or the rest of the molecule.
10
4
Other skills
You will find it useful to have acquired, or begun to acquire, the following skills.
Basic study skills: organising the time for your studies; learning to pace your
study; effective reading to identify and extract relevant information from irrelevant
or redundant material; and retrieving data from scientific texts and accounts.
Writing skills: the ability to write coherently; structuring and presenting
arguments in a logical sequence; writing a scientific account with appropriate
diagrams.
Problem-solving skills: the ability to solve problems using given evidence
(including negative evidence), and using more than one source of information.
5
Answers to self-assessment test
3.1 Mathematics
Question 1
(a) -8776
(b) -14
(c) 42 (8 + 6 = 14, 5 − 2 = 3, 14 × 3 = 42)
(d) x = 18.5%
15


× 100% = 0.1852 × 100% = 18.52% 
x =
81


Question 2
3
3
(a) 1400 cm ; (b) 0.63 m .
3
The answer to (a) is 200 cm × 8 cm × 0.90 cm = 1440 cm . To two significant
3
figures, this is 1400 cm .
3
3
Similarly in (b), 0.87 m × 0.09 m × 8.0 m = 0.6264 m , which is 0.63 m when
expressed as two significant figures.
Question 3
(a) Reading off the plot, the temperature at 300 m is between 18.0 and 18.5 °C.
(b) Reading off the plot, the temperature at the surface is 20 °C and the
temperature at 1 km (1000 m) is 14 °C. You would therefore expect the
temperature to drop by 20 – 14 = 6 °C.
Question 4
15.2 mm
22.4 + 13.5 + 12.6 + 23.3 + 4.0
= 15.2
5
11
Question 5
(d) 524 m
V =
=
3
4 3
π5
3
4
π (125 )
3
= 523.60, which is the same as 524 to three significant figures
Question 6
50 mg m
−3
Question 7
g=
h+ f
k
Question 8
4
(a) 1.3 × 10
(b) 1996
3
−1
(c) (+) 1.1 × 10 cases y
Question 9
(a) Conventionally this is written as temperature/°C
(b) (i) Distance from the epicentre is the independent variable.
(ii) 28.5 s
(iii) The line is the straight line that best fits all of the data plotted. The points
plotted show that although the wave has travelled at a fairly constant speed
(hence an almost straight-line graph), at certain times the seismic wave has
travelled slightly faster or slightly slower than the mean, i.e. at 25 seconds it has
travelled slightly further than expected and at 35 seconds it has travelled slightly
less far than expected.
(c) The gradient of a straight-line graph is calculated by dividing the ‘rise’ by the
‘run’: For example:
y2 − y1
x2 − x1
=
37 − 2
= 0.185 s/km
200 − 0
= 0.185 s/km, which is the same as 0.19 to 2 significant figures
Where y relates to the y-axis and x relates to the x-axis.
Question 10
–7
1.5 × 10 m
The superscript ‘–7’ shows how many times 1.5 has been divided by 10.
12
Question 11
(d) 283.15 K
The relationship is that temperature in Kelvin (Tk) is equal to temperature in
Celsius (Tc) plus 273.15. That is:
Tk = Tc + 273.15
Therefore, for a temperature in Celsius (Tc) of 10 °C:
Tk = 10 + 273.15
Tk = 283.15
Question 12
(b) 350
–2
3.5 × 10 particles m
–2
3.5 × 10
–3
3
× 104 m =
2
× 104 particles = 3.5 × 10 particles = 350 particles.
3.2 Biology
Question 13
Use the list of words below to fill in the gaps in the following passage.
All living cells are surrounded by a selectively permeable cell membrane. Most
cells in eukaryotic organisms possess an organelle called the nucleus in which
are located the chromosomes that carry most of the genetic information of the
organism. These structures consist of a long double-stranded molecule called
deoxyribonucleic acid (abbreviated to DNA) and various protein molecules. In
prokaryotic organisms (such as bacteria) the circular molecules that carry the
genetic information lie naked in the cytoplasm. Bacteria and viruses which infect
humans are known as pathogens. The immune system produces antibodies,
which try and eliminate invading organisms. Antibodies bind tightly and
specifically with antigens to produce a complex which can be removed by the
immune system. The biochemical processes in the body responsible for
metabolism are mediated by proteins called enzymes. These are very specific
and bind compounds called substrates.
cell membrane, chromosomes, cytoplasm, deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA,
eukaryotic, nucleus, prokaryotic, protein, pathogens; antibodies, antigens,
metabolism, epitopes; nucleotides; enzymes; particles, substrates.
Question 14
The two wrong statements are (a) and (e). Meiosis and not mitosis is the type of
cell division that gives rise to gametes. Chromosomes are made mostly of DNA
and not protein, although there are proteins called histones around which the
DNA is wrapped.
Question 15
The two wrong statements are (a) and (d). A, C, G and T are DNA nucleotides; in
RNA, T is replaced by U (uracil). There are 23 pairs, or 46 chromosomes in each
cell in our bodies, apart from egg and sperm cells which have 23 chromosomes.
13
3.3 Earth Sciences
Question 16
The two wrong statements are (c) and (d). The age of the Earth is 4.567 billion
years. The more rapidly magma cools, the smaller the resulting crystals as the
crystals do not have time to grow.
3.4 Physics and Astronomy
Question 17
The two wrong statements are (b) and (c). Comets do orbit the Sun. When
meteoroids, which are relatively small stony and/or metallic bodies orbiting the
Sun, enter the Earth’s atmosphere they heat up and become visible meteors (or
‘shooting stars’). Meteorites are meteoroids that reach the Earth’s surface.
Question 18
The two wrong statements are (c) and (d). A photon is emitted when an atom
undergoes a transition from one energy state to a lower energy state. An atom in
its ground state has its minimum possible energy.
3.5 Chemistry
Question 19
The correct answer is (b)
Question 20
This is the complete table:
Element
Al
C
Na
Si
Ca
O
S
Fe
Mg
Symbol
aluminium
carbon
sodium
silicon
calcium
oxygen
sulfur
iron
magnesium
Question 21
A chemical element is a substance that consists of one type of atom that has a
unique atomic number corresponding to the number of positively charged protons
in its nucleus. A neutral atom has the same number of negatively charged
electrons. Atomic nuclei also contain varying numbers of uncharged neutrons.
Atoms with the same numbers of protons and neutrons belong to the same
isotope of an element. The total number of protons and neutrons (which together
are called nucleons) in an atom gives its mass number. A positive ion is created
14
by the loss of one or more electrons from a neutral atom. If an atom should gain
one or more electrons it becomes a negative ion. [Although the last two
sentences could be exchanged, where the electrons might be gained from to
create a negative ion is not particularly relevant.]
Question 22
CH4
+
(1 x C, 4 x H)
2O2
=
(4 x O)
CO2
+
(1 x C, 2 x O)
2H2O
(1 x C, 2 x O)
1xC
1xC
4xH
4xH
4xO
4xO
Question 23
The two wrong statements are (c) and (e). The more acidic a solution, the lower
its pH (in particular, the pH of acidic solutions is below 7 and that of alkaline
solutions is above 7). When CO2 dissolves in water, carbonic acid is formed
+
2−
(CO2 + H2O → 2H + CO3 ) which makes the water more acidic.
Question 24
(i) Tin is oxidized from valency +2 to valency +4; iron is reduced from valency +3
to valency +2.
(ii) Magnesium is oxidized from valency 0 to valency +2; silver is reduced
from valency +1 to valency 0.
(iii) Zinc is oxidized from valency 0 to valency +2; hydrogen is reduced from
valency +1 to valency 0.
Question 25
a) ester
O
R1 C
OR 2
b) carboxylic acid
O
R1
C
OH
c) aromatic
15
d) amino acid
O
H2N
R
C
OH
e) alkene
C
C
f) amide
O
R
C
NH 2
g) haloalkane
R
X
h) alcohol
OH
i) amine
NH 2
6
(X= F, Cl, Br or I)
If more preparation is needed before
studying S240?
If you had trouble correctly answering more than 50% of the questions in Section
3 or were unfamiliar with more than a few of the technical terms used in the
questions, then you should probably formally study the Open University’s main
Level 1 science module (S104 Exploring science) before embarking on S240.
If you had difficulty mainly with the maths then you should probably formally study
the Open University’s main Level 1 science short module (S151 Maths for
science) either before embarking on S240 or alongside.
If you had trouble with some of the science disciplines and answered between
50-70% of the questions correctly, then you will probably be ready to study S240,
however we suggest you read the S240 Primer in the 2 weeks prior to the module
start date (it will be available to you on the module website once you have
registered for S240). Alternatively, if you have previously studied S104 (or S100–
S103), or equivalent material elsewhere, it should be sufficient to just re-read the
relevant material before beginning S240.
The Open University offers a number of Science Short Modules on a range of
topics, such as Science starts here (S154) and Elements of forensic science
(S187). Not only do these modules cover particular subject matter, they also
serve as useful introductions to distance education for students who are new to
Open University study.
16
7
Further reading
If you find yourself well-prepared to study S240 both scientifically and
mathematically, then it would be useful to develop the habit of reading popular
science periodicals – such as New Scientist and Scientific American – regularly
and also looking to see how science is reported in the more serious newspapers.
You will find that many of the scientific topics covered in S240 frequently come up
in these publications. There are also many popular books on aspects of science
relevant to S240. If there is sufficient time before S240 begins, then you might
also consider studying a Science Short Module on a topic that interests you, or
from the list in Section 2.
8 Your score sheet
Subject
Question
Maths
1
I answered this
well
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Biology
13
14
15
Earth Science
16
Physics & Astronomy
17
18
Chemistry
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
17
I need to
revise this
I didn’t do
well on this