Basic Science

Standard VII
Part 1

Government of Kerala
Department of General Education
ST-275-1-BASIC SCI. (E)-7-VOL-1

Prepared by

State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Kerala

2024
 THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
Jana-gana-mana adhinayaka, jaya he
Bharatha-bhagya-vidhata
Punjab-Sindh-Gujarat-Maratha
Dravida-Utkala-Banga
Vindhya-Himachala-Yamuna-Ganga
Uchchala-Jaladhi-taranga
Tava subha name jage,
Tava subha asisa mage,
Gahe tava jaya gatha
Jana-gana-mangala-dayaka jaya he
Bharatha-bhagya-vidhata
Jaya he, jaya he, jaya he,
Jaya jaya jaya, jaya he.

PLEDGE
India is my country. All Indians are my brothers and sisters.
I love my country, and I am proud of its rich and varied heritage. I
shall always strive to be worthy of it.
I shall give respect to my parents, teachers and all
elders, and treat everyone with courtesy.
To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion. In their well-
being and prosperity alone, lies my happiness.

State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Kerala

Vidyabhavan, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - 695 012
Website www.scert.kerala.gov.in
e-mail [email protected]
Phone : 0471 - 2341883, Fax : 0471 - 2341869
Typesetting and Layout : SCERT
First Edition : 2024
Printed at : KBPS, Kakkanad, Kochi-30
© Department of General Education, Government of Kerala
Dear friends,
I‘m sure this science textbook will prove to be your bosom companion.
It will provide you with numerous opportunities for pure enjoyment by
leading you to the heights of wisdom through a variety of activities such as
observation, experimentation, construction, study tour, seminar, interview,
quiz and project. This companion enables you to behold the diversity of
nature by putting questions to you and empowering you to ask questions.
This book has been envisioned to give you the chance to develop your own
Science Kit and engage in investigative activities with your friends. How
delightful such learning experiences can be ! These experiences will add
wings to your imagination, raising you into the world of extra reading. You
can also explore new avenues of knowledge with the help of ICT. You are
also being given the opportunity to experience the country‘s development
directly and also to participate in the local development activities. Activities
enabling self assessment and leading to further inquiries are included
at the end of each lesson. I believe that this book will provide learning
experiences to elevate all the learners to higher levels of enlightenment.
Your active participation is essential in all the learning activities specially
designed for you. I‘m sure you will enrich your Science Diary with the
concepts you have imbibed through the different learning activities,
scientific curiosities, scientific imagination and your vision for national
development. I hope you will show interest in planning and implementing
various activities of the Science Club in your school. May you be able to
move ahead by engaging in scientific inquiries on your own and in the
company of your friends, with the help of your teachers.
It will give me immense pleasure to get valuable comments and suggestions
from you.
Warm regards,

Dr. Jayaprakash R.K.

Director
SCERT Kerala
 Textbook Development Team
Advisor
Dr. Salahudheen Kunju
Principal (Rtd.), University College, Thiruvananthapuram
Chairperson
Prof. (Dr.) Rajeswari K.
Principal (Rtd.), IASE Thrissur
Experts
Dr. Prasannakumar R. Dr. Jayasree S.
Principal (Rtd.), DIET H.S.S.T. Zoology, G.H.S.S., West Kallada, Kollam

Members
Sri. Vasudevan P. Sri. S. Pradeepkumar
U.P.S.T., V.P.A.U.P.S., Vilayil, Malappuram U.P.S.T., U.P.S., Adayaman, Kilimanoor,
Sri. Ilyas Priyambalam Thiruvananthapuram
P.D. Teacher, G.B.H.S.S., Manjeri, Malappuram Sri. Suresh A.
Sri. Manoj Kottakkal P.D. Teacher, G.H.S.S., Kunnakkavu, Malappuram
P.D. Teacher, G.H.S.S., Puthupparamba, Smt. Smitha Aravind
Malappuram H.S.T., G.G.H.S.S., Mattanjeri, Ernakulam
Sri. Prasad P.V. Sri. Santhosh K.
U.P.S.T., M.U.P.S., Mattool, Kannur Drawing Teacher, (H.S.), G.H.S.,
Dr. Satheesh Chandran J.G. Neduva, Parappanagadi, Malappuram
Lecturer, DIET, Thiruvananthapuram Sri. Sreenivasan P.K.
Sri. Sreekumar G. Drawing Teacher, G.V.H.S.S., Eravipuram,
Trainer, S.S.K., B.R.C., Varkala, Thattamala, Kollam
Thiruvananthapuram

English Translation
Experts
Dr. Anju I. Dr. Lalitha M.
Associate Professor, Govt. College of Librarian (Rtd.), SCERT Kerala
Teacher Education, Thiruvananthapuram
Members
Dr. Jayasree S. Smt. Famila E.R.
H.S.S.T., G.H.S.S., West Kallada, Kollam State Programme Officer, Samagra Shiksha Kerala
Sri. Suresh Kumar K. Smt. Sabeena Jalal
H.S.T. (Rtd.), A.M.H.S.S., Thiruvananthapuram H.S.S.T., English, G.H.S.S. Pookkottur, Malappuram

Academic Co-ordinator
Dr. Sobha Jacob
Assistant Professor, SCERT

State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Kerala

Vidyabhavan, Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 012
 Contents

1. Towards A Hundredfold Yield 07

2. Acids and Bases 27

3. The World of Electricity 43

4. When Light Reflects 62

5. Human Body: A Wonder

Digestion and Respiration 81

Additional information related to the concepts

in the textbook is given under the heading
'For Further Reading'. It is not subjected to
assessment. Please note the icon given to it.
 Towards A Hundredfold Yield

When will my mango

tree bear mangoes
like that big tree?

Have patience…
Your mango tree will
also give you lots of
mangoes within eight
to ten years.

You may have seen different types of mango trees in your home and
surroundings. Ask the elders in your home how long it will take for the mango
saplings to grow and produce mangoes.
What are your expectations while planting and nurturing a mango sapling?
 Basic Science

Should get a Mangoes

Must start should be
lot of mangoes yielding at the sweet
earliest

Aren’t our goals the same while cultivating fruits, vegetables or cereals too?
• Should yield quickly
• Must yield plenty
• Yield should have good quality
What things are to be taken care of to achieve this? Discuss with your friends
and write in your Science Diary.
• Good seeds/planting materials should be used.
•

Seeds and Planting Materials

Haven’t you heard the proverb, ‘vithu gunam pathu gunam’?
What does it mean?
Observe the pictures and answer the questions given below.

Plant Fruit Seeds

Where are seeds formed? What about fruits?

What factors should be considered while selecting the best seeds?

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 Class - VII

Look at these plants.

Which of these plants would you choose to collect seeds from? Why?
You know that a single plant can
produce many fruits. Fruits from
which harvesting stage should be
selected to get good seeds?
Are the fruits formed at the initial
and final stages of the lifespan of
Plant 1 Plant 2 plants ideal for seed collection?

Seeds should be collected from the ripened fruits produced during the middle
of the plant’s lifespan. Plants like ladies finger and pea contain numerous
seeds in a single fruit. Can all these seeds be used for the production of
seedlings? How can we select the best seeds from them?
Take a few pea seeds. Select the best seeds from them based on the following
factors.
● Shape ● Size
● Weight ● Seed coat
Factors to be considered while selecting seeds are given below. Put a tick mark
() in the appropriate box.

Plant selected for Fruit selected for seed Seeds selected

seed collection collection
Low yielding Fruits formed at the initial Have definite shape
stage of plant’s lifespan
High yielding Fruits formed at the end Have normal weight
of the plant’s lifespan.
Healthy plant Fruits formed at the Have damaged
middle of plant's lifespan. seed coat
Infected plant Fully ripened Light weight
Stunted growth Not ripened Normal size

Good quality seeds should be selected for better yield. For this, the
respective plant and fruit should also have good quality.

9
 Basic Science

Are new plants formed only from seeds? Observe the pictures given below.
From which parts of these plants do saplings form?

Curry leaf plant Ginger plant Bryophyllum Pepper plant

● Curry leaf plant - .............................

● Ginger plant - .............................
● Bryophyllum - ............................
● Pepper plant - .............................

Haven’t you understood that new plants are formed from parts like root, stem, leaf
and underground stem? Saplings can be formed not only from seeds but also from
these parts. Hence, these parts are also planting materials.

Vegetative Propagation and Sexual Reproduction

The process of production of new saplings from the vegetative parts of

plants like root, stem, leaf and underground stem is called vegetative
propagation. This is a kind of asexual reproduction. Seeds are formed
through sexual reproduction. Seedlings are germinated from seeds too.

Find out examples for plants which reproduce through vegetative

propagation and sexual reproduction. Write them in the Science Diary.

Vegetative propagation Sexual

reproduction
Root Stem Leaf Underground stem Seed
Bread fruit Moringa Bryophyllum Dioscorea Moringa

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 Class - VII

In Moringa, young plants are produced from seeds and by planting stem
cuttings. Can you find more examples of plants which can reproduce both
through sexual reproduction and vegetative propagation?
• Sheemakonna (Gliricidia)
•
•
•
Selection of proper planting material is as important as selection of good
quality seeds for cultivation. Care should be taken to choose planting materials
from plants that have superior quality.
Listen to the conversation of these children.

Sure. I will give you

Wow! both the stem cutting and the fruit.
The guava is big ! But, can the stem of guava plant sprout?
It is ripe also! Can I Won’t it take years for the
have its stem cutting seeds to grow into a tree and
for planting? yield fruits?

What can be done to produce saplings that have all the qualities of this guava
plant and can bear fruits in a short span?
You have already learnt that fruits and seeds are formed through pollination.
Do the plants thus formed possess only the qualities of the mother plant?
What if a new plant is formed from stem cutting? Won’t it have the same
qualities as the mother plant?
Stem cuttings of shoe flower, tapioca, sweet potato etc. sprout easily. But it is
difficult for guava to sprout from a stem cutting. What if we can grow roots
from stem? If it can be done, won’t the guava plant grow and bear fruits much
earlier? Let’s do it.

11
 Basic Science

Layering
In plants such as guava, sapota, java apple (jampa), almond and fig rooting
can be induced in the stem of mother plant. This stem with roots can be cut
and planted. Let’s get familiar with the stages of layering in a guava plant.

Stage 1
Select a pencil-sized stem of the mother plant. It is
better to select it from the main stem. Make a cut of
2-3 cm length in a circular shape on the bark in
between two nodes of this stem.

Stage 2
Apply a slightly wet mixture of cocopeat, soil and
cow dung powder to this area. Wrap this area with a
polythene bag. Water the area if required.

Stage 3
Roots will sprout in the area of layering within two
months. Cut the stem just below the area of layering
and this can be planted in a flower pot or grow bag.
When it starts growing, it can be replanted in the soil.

Layering
Layering is the practice of producing plantlets by cutting and planting the
stem of a mother plant after generating roots from it.

Serpentine Layering
In plants like pepper, layering can be done by bending the long branches into
the soil and covering the branches with soil at intervals (nodes).
In this way, multiple saplings can be produced simultaneously from a single
branch.
Plants with different layering methods
Air layering Serpentine layering
Guava, Cashew tree, Sapota, Rose, Bougainvillea, Jasmine, Betel,
Java apple, Fig, Almond Pepper, Grapes, Chrysanthemum

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 Class - VII

Consider some peculiarities of plants produced

For Further Reading
by layering.
• Possess the qualities of mother plant Rooting by dipping!!
• Small size and short lifespan Dipping the tip of stem
cuttings in solution
• Early flowering and fruiting containing plant
• Absence of taproot system hormones like auxin
• Require more care speeds up root
formation. This practice
List out the advantages and disadvantages of is widely used now a
plants produced through layering. Record it in days to enhance the
the Science Diary. success rate of
vegetative propagation
Grafting using stem cuttings.
Look at the picture. You need a sapling of this
mango tree. Is it possible to make it through
layering? It is difficult to induce roots in the stem
of a mango tree. What about planting seeds? It
takes years for the tree to yield mangoes. It need
not have all the qualities of this mango tree. Then
how is it possible to produce a sapling with all
the qualities of this mango tree? Let’s check.
The characteristics of two varieties of mango
trees are given in the table. Analyse the table.

Indigenous mango tree Neelam mango tree

 Relatively small mango  Big sized mango

 Sour or sweet mango  Very sweet mango
 Grows well in our soil  Doesn’t grow well in our soil
 Doesn’t need special care  Needs special care

13
 Basic Science

Which variety is better in terms of quality of fruits?

Does indigenous variety have any advantages over Neelam variety?
If a sapling is produced by joining the stem of Neelam mango with the young
plant of indigenous variety, what specialities will it have?
● Grows well in our soil
● Yields mangoes of Neelam variety
●

Let’s see how such a sapling is produced.

Grafting
Choose a mango plant of Moovandan variety of six
months to one-year. This plant with roots is called root
stock.
Root stock
Cut a stem that has the same size as the root stock from a
high yielding tree of Neelam variety. This is called scion.
A stem which has newly formed buds should be selected
as scion.
Cut the root stock at 15cm from the bottom to join the Scion
scion. Make a 4cm deep cut along the centre of this root
stock using a knife.
Make tapered cuts on both sides at the bottom of the scion
as shown in the figure.
Insert the scion into the gap made in the
root stock and bind it with a polythene
tape. Once the scion gets joined with the
stock and begins to grow, the sapling can
be replanted at a more convenient place.

Grafting
Grafting is a method of production of saplings by joining the stem of a
superior quality plant with another plant that has roots and belongs to
the same species. Plant that has roots selected for grafting is called root
stock and the stem which is joined to it is called scion.

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 Class - VII

What are the advantages of producing saplings through grafting? Discuss

and write them in the Science Diary.
● Early flowering and fruiting
●

What is the reason for early flowering and fruiting of

mango saplings produced through grafting?
Will it take a longer period for fruiting if the stem selected
as scion is not mature enough?
Observe the picture given below.
Haven’t you seen the bud growing beneath the grafted area?
Will the quality of the plant be affected if this bud is not
removed? Write in the Science Diary.
We have discussed the method of grafting the stem of Neelam
mango tree with Moovandan mango tree. Is there any
advantage in making a new mango variety by grafting the
scion of a mature Moovandan mango tree with the root stock
of another Moovandan mango tree?
Isn’t the stem used as scion here of the same age as the mother plant? Will it
help in early fruiting?
A sapling is to be produced in the same way using Malgoa and Gomav which
is an indigenous variety of mango tree. Which should be the root stock? Which
would be the scion? Write the reason for this in the Science Diary.
Budding
How about choosing a bud instead of the stem?
Haven’t you seen the rubber
Quality saplings at
saplings for sale in nurseries? reasonable price
Look at the advertisement of saplings
produced through budding.
What are the advantages of these
over the rubber saplings of native
origin?
Higher productivity
How are saplings produced through Thicker latex
budding?

15
 Basic Science

Here the bud of superior quality rubber plant is selected as scion instead of
stem. This is joined with the stock.

Budding
Budding is the method of producing superior quality planting material by
joining the bud of a superior quality plant with another plant that has roots
and belongs to the same species.
Let’s produce a sapling of a jack fruit tree in this way.
Different steps of budding are given below.

Stage 1
Chisel off a bud along with the bark from the
branch of a superior quality jack fruit tree. This is
the scion.

Stage 2
Peel off bark from the area where the bud is to be
inserted in the native jack fruit tree sapling (root
stock) which is grown in a pot/growbag.

Stage 3
Attach the scion with a polythene tape to the area of
the root stock from where the bark was removed,
keeping the bud exposed.

Stage 4
When the bud starts to grow well, remove the upper
portion of the stock. The sapling can be replanted in
soil when the bud is grown.

Have you understood the stages of budding? Grow a native rose plant in your
Biodiversity Park in a similar way after budding it with different types of rose
plants.
We are now familiar with different methods for producing superior quality
saplings. How can we produce better seeds?

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 Class - VII

Hybridization
Observe the pictures of chilli plants given below.

Variety 1 Variety 2
What are the characteristics of each plant?
Write them in the Science Diary.
If we can produce a chilli plant which has the qualities of both the varieties,
what qualities will it have? Note them in the Science Diary.
How can we produce such a sapling? Are the methods that we have learnt so
far suitable for this?
What if we can produce seeds that have qualities of both the plants?
Seeds are formed through pollination. You are familiar with different types of
pollination. Observe the illustration of pollination in a pumpkin plant.
ST-275-2-BASIC SCI. (E)-7-VOL-1

Self pollination Cross pollination

Is it in self pollination or cross pollination that the qualities of both the plants
are combined? Why?
What kind of pollination should be carried out to produce a chilli plant that
will have the qualities of both the chilli plants?
If pollination takes place through insects, can we be sure that it happened
between the chilli plants we have selected?
If not, can cross pollination be done artificially?

17
 Basic Science

Artificial Pollination
Examine the stages of artificial pollination shown below.

To prevent self pollination, remove

stamens from the flowers in which
artificial pollination is to be done.

The flower is wrapped well to prevent

the pollen grains from other
flowers falling on it.

Pollen grains from flowers of a plant

belonging to the same species, but
having different qualities, are collected
using a brush.

Pollen grains thus collected are

deposited on the stigma of the flower
which is to be pollinated artificially.

The flower is wrapped again to

prevent pollination from other flowers.

When should these activities be performed? Put a tick () mark. Discuss the
reason.
Immediately after blooming After the flower has fully bloomed
When the flower begins to wither
Hybridization
Hybridization is the method of production of seeds by artificially pollinating
two plants which have different qualities and belong to the same species.
From the seeds thus produced, those with superior quality are collected.
These are the hybrid seeds.

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 Class - VII

Let’s get familiar with certain hybrid seeds.

Plant Hybrid seeds

Chilli Ujjwala, Jwalamukhi
Pea Jyothika,
Bhagyalakshmi
Paddy Pavithra, Annapoorna
Coconut Chandralaksha,
Chandrasankara
Chandralaksha Bhagyalakshmi
Lady’s Salkeerthi, Kiran
finger
It is in agricultural research centres that superior quality seeds are produced
through hybridization.
The seeds thus produced are distributed to farmers.

Agricultural Research Centres

Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), Mannuthi,Thrissur
Kerala Agricultural
University is an
important
agricultural
research centre in
Kerala.
The main activities
are conducting researches on varieties of crops, animals, birds etc. and
knowledge dissemination programmes. Regional research centres of Kerala
Agricultural University are functioning in different parts of the state.
Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI), Sreekaryam, Thiruvananthapuram
Cultivation and researches on tuber crops are conducted here.
Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), Kottayam
Develops high yielding varieties of rubber plants suited for different
geographical areas.
Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod
Conducts researches on coconut, arecanut and cocoa.

19
 Basic Science

CPCRI Kasaragod
Is there any agricultural research centre in your locality? Organize a study
tour to an agricultural research centre or a plant nursery.
Discuss the collected data in the classroom.
Seed and Yield
Listen to the conversation of children

This variety
is Salkeerthi. See, the
plant is full of fruits!
Do you see that?

I had also
planted Salkeerthi.
But the yield
is low.

Both of them planted the same variety of lady’s finger. Even then the yield
from the plant of one child is low. What may be the reason?
Can good quality seeds alone give a better yield? What other things are to be
considered for a better yield? Write them in the Science Diary.
• Fertile soil
• Pest control
•
•

20
 Class - VII

Fertile soil
Proper application of fertilizers is required for better yield. Which are the
fertilizers commonly used by the farmers of your locality? List them after
conducting an interview with farmers of your locality.
• Cow dung
• Urea
•
•
• Urea
Classify the fertilizers into organic and chemical by examining your list and
the pictures given below.

Compost NPK mixture Bonemeal

For Further Reading

Father of Green Revolution

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan is an agricultural
scientist, known as Father of Green Revolution
in India. He had developed high yielding seeds
and popularized them among farmers and
Chicken manure thereby achieved a leap in the area of food
production. The efforts made by him helped to
Organic Chemical overcome poverty in most of the South East
Fertilizer Fertilizer Asian countries. He was awarded with
Cow dung Urea Magsaysay, World Food Prize and
Padmabhushan.

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan (1925-2023)

21
 Basic Science

The characteristics of organic fertilisers and chemical fertilizers are given in

the table below. Analyze the table and record your observations in the Science
Diary.
Organic fertilizers Chemical fertilizers
Obtained from organic matter Produced from chemicals industrially

Required in higher quantity Required in lesser quantity

Not harmful to soil Excess use destroys soil structure

Cannot be supplied as a single Components can be supplied as per

component requirement

Organic and chemical fertilizers have their own

merits and demerits. Farmers of our state follow a
For Further Reading
mixed method of applying more of organic
fertilizers and lesser quantity of chemical Microbial Fertilizer
fertilizers. Farmers also use microbial fertilizers In this method of
for better yield. application of fertilizer,
microbes are used as
Pest Control fertilizers. Pseudomonas
Pest infestation in plants is a major issue faced by and Azospirillum are
examples of microbial
farmers. How can pest infestation be controlled?
fertilizers.
Listen to the conversation given below.

I spray chemical I spray tobacco

pesticide well. So not decoction. I could
a single pest in my control pests to
crops. some extent.

Pests can be
controlled by using I love pests.
light trap too. I will eat as many
as I can.

Haven’t you listen what each of them said? Write down the different methods
of pest control in plants.

22
 Class - VII

Pest Control Measures

Biological Control
Lady bug is an insect which eats the pests that grow on
plants. Trichogramma is another friendly insect of this
kind. Similarly Frog, Mabuya, Calotes, Bug etc. feed
on pests which infest crops. This kind of pest control is
called biological control. When pesticides are applied,
these friendly agents also get destroyed along with the Lady bug
pests.
Mechanical Control
Have you noticed the gold coloured fly which destroys
the fruits of certain vegetable plants? Let’s learn a trick
to control these flies.
Crush a handful of basil leaves and put it in a steel
plate. Observe the plate after a while. Can you see the
gold coloured flies approaching the plate, attracted by
the smell of basil leaves? Vegetable plants can be
protected by destroying these flies. This method of controlling pests by
removing them manually or using traps is called mechanical control.
Pheromone trap is an example for this. It is available in the market.
Pesticides
Pesticides are of two types: chemical pesticides and organic pesticides.
Chemical pesticides
These are pesticides prepared using chemical substances.
Organic pesticides
Organic pesticides are comparatively less harmful than chemical pesticides.
Tobacco decoction, neem oil emulsion, garlic- kanthari (Chilli) mixture etc.
are some organic pesticides. Many organic pesticides are available in the
market nowadays. Let’s prepare an organic pesticide.
Tobacco Decoction
Chop 100 gram of tobacco and soak it in one and half litres of water for a day.
Squeeze it and filter it. Dissolve 10 gram of washing soap in it. Tobacco
decoction is ready now. Dilute it by adding twice the quantity of water and
spray on plants.
23
 Basic Science

Shouldn’t weeds also be controlled

For Further Reading
for getting a good yield?How can
weeds be controlled? Write in the Artificial Intelligence and Agriculture
Science Diary. Technology based on Artificial
Intelligence is being used nowadays
• Application of weedicides.
to detect pests and to destroy them
• using lasers. The advantage is that it
• is not harmful to the environment.

Suitable climate also influences agriculture. Therefore, we need to cultivate

crops that are suitable to the climate.
So far we have discussed various factors which help in getting better yield.
Hope you will consider them while farming.

I too
want to become
a good farmer.
Where shall I
farm?

• Kitchen garden at home

• Terrace
• Vegetable garden in the school
• Biodiversity Park in the school

Which are the methods you have learnt so far to produce saplings? Hope you
will try to develop the Biodiversity Park in your school by producing high
quality saplings through these methods. Record the activities you have done
for this in the Science Diary.

24
 Class - VII

My Green Diary
Name .................................................. Class ...................................................
Stages of growth
Saplings I have Method of
July- September- November-
produced production
August October December

Other Agricultural Sectors

Does agriculture mean growing plants alone? Analyse the illustration given
below. Find out various agricultural sectors and write them in the Science
Diary. Collect maximum information related to this and conduct a quiz in
your class.

re Flo
ultu ricu
Seric ltu
re
g Gr
e a rin m Fl owin
R wor ow g
ers
Silk
ure

Ap
ult

Fish ing

icu
es
cic

Rearing
ltu
r
Rea
Pis

Honeybee
re

Agricultural
Sector Rearing
Rea ttle

Cun

Rabbits
Liv aring

Ca
Re

ring
esto

ltur icu

Rea ting
ck

Pou ring l tiva om

e

l u
C shro
Pou try Mu
l oom
far try
min u shr ure
g M ult
c

Hope you have understood different agricultural practices, preparation of

high quality seeds and planting material, aspects to be considered in farm
management and other agricultural sectors. Let’s love farming and farmers
and move ahead with modern agricultural practices.
25
 Basic Science

Let’s Assess
1. Identify the statement which does not suit organic fertilizers.
a. Can be prepared at home b. Required in large quantities
c. Destroy soil structure d. Can't apply the required component alone
2. Match the following
a. Apiculture - Rearing of fish
b. Cuniculture - Rearing of silkworm
c. Sericulture - Rearing of honey bees
d. Pisciculture - Rearing of rabbits
3. You have learned about layering.
a. Identify the type of layering shown
in the figure.
b. While layering in this way, at which position
should we cut the plant, A, B or C? A B
C
4. Look at the picture.
a. Identify stock and scion from A and B.
b. What is the advantage of attaching the stem
of Malgoa to the local variety of
mango tree?
c. Is there any merit in attaching the stem
of a local variety of mango tree to the
same variety?
5. List different methods of pest control.
Give examples for each type. A B

Extended Activities
1. Prepare an agricultural edition on the
topic ‘Agriculture : Yesterday and Today ’
by including proverbs and pictures related
to agriculture and information collected
from farmers.
2. Observe the picture. In some places
plastics is used for mulching in farms.
Record its benefits in your Science Diary. Mulching

26
 Acids and Bases

03.07.24
Wednesday
Our Science teacher usually tumblers on the table. She
comes to the class with some asked me to pour the pink
science experiments that liquid from the first tumbler
kindle the curiosity of the into the empty glass tumbler.
children. Today the teacher I did the same. And then,
had brought two transparent something amazing happened!!
glass tumblers. One of them The pink liquid that was
contained a pink liquid. The poured into the second
second tumbler was empty. tumbler turned yellow! We
The teacher placed both the were thrilled by this magic.
 Basic Science

Haven’t you read Jinu’s diary entry? What could be the secret behind the
experiment conducted by the teacher in Jinu’s class?
We need some materials for finding it. Let’s get them from the Science Kit.

Science Kit
You can collect many materials that are required to
conduct science experiments from your home and
surroundings. Science Kit is a collection of such
materials. Materials to be kept in the Science Kit to
conduct the experiments in this unit are transparent
glass tumblers, pink coloured water obtained by
water boiled with pathimugam, vinegar, tamarind
water, lemon juice, salt, ash, lime, baking soda and
buttermilk. You can expand your kit by adding more
materials required to conduct experiments in each unit.

Take out the glass tumblers from your Science Kit and arrange them on the
desk. Add two or three drops of vinegar, tamarind water, lemon juice, salt
solution, ash suspension and baking soda solution into separate tumblers.
Pour half a glass of pathimugam water into each tumbler. Does the water in
any of the tumblers turn yellow? What is your observation? Record it in your
Science Diary.
Now you know what the pink liquid mentioned in Jinu’s diary is.
In the experiment mentioned in Jinu’s diary, the teacher must have added
something to the second tumbler. Which among the following did the teacher
add to turn the pink liquid into yellow? Put a tick () mark on the appropriate
boxes, based on the experiment you have done.
● Ash suspension
● Lemon juice
● Salt solution
● Vinegar
● Tamarind water
● Baking soda solution

28
 Class - VII

Do the substances that turned For Further Reading

pathimugam water into yellow have Litmus Paper
anything common in their taste?
They all have a sour taste. The sour
taste is due to the presence of some
acids in them. Let’s do some more
experiments to know the properties of
acids. Place everyone’s glass tumblers
on the desk. Fill half portion of each Litmus is a dye made from the
glass with a different liquid from the extract of lichens which grow on
list given below. trees, rocks etc. It helps to identify
● Soap water the nature of substances by
changing their colour. The extract
● Lemon juice of lichens is applied on paper to
● Clear baking soda solution make litmus paper and dissolved
● Clear lime water in water to make a litmus solution.
Litmus papers and litmus
● Vinegar solutions of blue and red colours
● Buttermilk are available in school laboratories.
● Tamarind water
● Clear ash suspension

Take blue and red litmus papers from the school laboratory. Dip blue and red
litmus papers in these liquids. Tabulate your observations in the Science
Diary.

29
 Basic Science

Colour Changes Observed

Liquid
Blue litmus Red litmus

Vinegar

Lemon juice

Clear Lime water

Which liquids turned blue litmus into red?

● Lemon juice
●

Which liquids turned red litmus into blue?

● Lime water
●

Acids and Bases

Acids are substances that turn blue litmus into red.
Substances that turn red litmus into blue are bases.
Classify the liquids you have experimented into acids and bases. Record it in
the Science Diary.

Alternative for Litmus

Rub a red Hibiscus flower thoroughly on both sides of a white paper. What is
the colour of the paper now? This paper can be dried and cut into strips. It can
be used instead of blue litmus paper. Dip this paper in acidic liquids.

30
 Class - VII

Didn’t the colour of the paper change? This

paper that turned red can be used instead of red
litmus paper. This paper can be tested on the
liquids in the Science Kit. Record your
observations in the Science Diary.

Indicators
Indicators are substances that help to identify acids and bases
by changing their colour. Litmus paper is an indicator.

Laboratory Indicators
In addition to the blue and red litmus papers that you
are now familiar with, two other indicators that are
commonly used in laboratories are Phenolphthalein
and Methyl Orange.
Observe the change in colour when two or three
drops of Phenolphthalein are added to various acids
and bases. Similarly, add two or three drops of Methyl
Orange in acids and bases and observe the change.
Tabulate the colour change.
Liquid Tested Phenolphthalein Methyl Orange

Vinegar
Clear Lime water
Lemon juice
Soap water
Clear baking soda
solution
• Which substances can be used as indicators of acids?
• Which substances can be used as indicators of bases?
You have now realised that acids turn blue litmus into red and bases turn red
litmus into blue. Do they have any other common properties?
How do vinegar, lemon juice, buttermilk and tamarind taste?

31
Basic Science

For Further Reading

Have you ever happened to taste soap while
taking bath? How does it taste? Soap and
baking soda taste the same. They have an
Universal Indicator alkaline taste. Soap is basic in nature.

All acids have sour taste.

All bases have alkaline taste.

Dip your fingers in each liquids in the Science

Universal indicator is Kit and rub the fingers as shown in the picture.
used to identify both Which liquids feel slippery? List them.
acid and base. It is a • Soap water
mixture of many
indicators. When a few • Baking soda
drops are added to acids solution
or bases, it gives •
different colours
according to their nature
and concentration. It can
Which common
be determined by
property of bases did
comparing with the
you identify here?
colour chart on the
bottle. You have now
identified the common properties of acids
and bases. Tabulate them.

Acids Bases

● ●

●
● Turn blue litmus red
Slippery
●

32
 Class - VII

Substances that turn

Blue Litmus Red For Further Reading

You have tested and found out some

substances that turn blue litmus red. Behind the Name
‘Acidus’ is the Latin word
Which among the following substances can for sour taste. The term acid
turn blue litmus red? List them. is derived from this.
• Orange juice
• Rice soup
• Black tea
• Bilimbi (Irumban puli) juice
• Grape juice
• Tomato juice
• Coconut water
Bilimbi

In my opinion, liquids that

Reason
can turn blue litmus red
ST-275-3-BASIC SCI. (E)-7-VOL-1

Experiment and check whether your assumptions are right.

Acids in Food Items

All food items with sour taste have acids
in them. Most fruits contain more than
one acid.
Let’s get familiar with some acids that are
found in food items.

33
 Basic Science

For Further Reading

Food item Main acid present
Acid in Gooseberry!!
Buttermilk, Lactic acid
Curd
Vinegar Acetic acid
Lemon Citric acid
You have learnt that
gooseberries are rich in Tamarind Tartaric acid
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is Apple Malic acid
Ascorbic acid. The sour
taste of gooseberry is due Gooseberry Ascorbic acid
to the presence of Tomato Oxalic acid
ascorbic acid.

When Milk Curdles

Curd is a food product made from milk. What is the reason for the sour taste
of curd?
You know that sour taste indicates the
presence of acid.
How does milk turn acidic when it
becomes curd? Don’t we add a little curd
to the milk which is boiled and cooled in
order to turn it into curd? Curd contains a
bacteria called Lactobacillus. The lactic
acid that is produced when these bacteria
Lactobacillus bacteria
nourish themselves with milk, gives curd
its sour taste.

Acids and Bases in Laboratories

Acids in food items are weak. But many acids and bases commonly used in
laboratories are strong. Let's get familiar with some acids and bases used in
laboratories.

34
 Class - VII

Acids Bases
● Hydrochloric acid ● Calcium hydroxide (Lime)
● Nitric acid ● Sodium hydroxide (Caustic soda)
● Sulphuric acid ● Potassium hydroxide ( Caustic potash)
● Acetic acid

Acid Spill Causes Eye Injury

Anakkayam: A rubber tapping worker suffered severe eye injury due
to acid spill. The accident occurred when he was trying to open a tin
containing formic acid used for thickening latex.

Have you read the above news? Many chemical substances are dangerous.
Yet we have to use them for various industrial and experimental purposes.
What precautions should we take to avoid accidents while handling chemicals?
• Avoid spilling on body parts
• Don't touch with hands
• Don't smell
• Don't taste
• Use a dropper while taking out
acid from a bottle For Further Reading
• Use a holder while using a test tube
Ant Bite
If Acid Spills
Strong acids can absorb water and
liberate heat. They can cause burns if
There is formic acid in the body
they get spilled on the body. Pouring
of ants. When ants bite, this acid
cold water on the affected area for a
enters our body. This reacts
long time is the first aid for this. If the
with human body and this is
burn is severe, the person should be
why ant bite causes pain.
taken to hospital.

35
 Basic Science

So far, you have done experiments using acids and bases found in household
items. Now let’s do experiments by diluting some acids and bases in the
laboratory.
• Which acids and bases can be taken?
• Which indicators are to be taken?
Take acids and bases in separate test tubes. Observe and tabulate the colour
changes that occur when various indicators are added to them.
Colour change on adding indicators
Indicators Hydrochloric Sulphuric Sodium Potassium
acid acid hydroxide hydroxide
Methyl Orange
Phenolphthalein
Blue litmus paper
Red litmus paper

For Further Reading

Acid in the Body?
Hydrochloric acid is produced in the stomach
to facilitate digestion of food. Some persons
may have enhanced production of this
acid in their body, resulting in a condition
called acidity. Abdominal pain, heartburn,
nausea and constipation are the symptoms
of acidity. As a remedy for this condition,
doctors prescribe medicines called antacids
Stomach that can neutralize acids.

Acids and Metals

So far you have identified two properties of acids. One more property can
also be identified through experiments.
In the previous class, you have carried out the experiment of burning
magnesium ribbon in air. Magnesium is also a metal like iron and copper.

36
 Class - VII

Fill a quarter of a test tube with

vinegar (dilute acetic acid). Put three
or four small strips of magnesium
ribbon into it. Note down your
observation. Close the mouth of the
test tube with your thumb for a while.
What do you feel?
Which is the gas that bubbles up and
pushes at your thumb?
Let’s do another experiment to identify this gas.
Tilt the test tube slightly. Remove your thumb after bringing a burning
matchstick to the mouth of the test tube. What do you observe? Record it in
your Science Diary.
Here a gas was produced when the acid reacted with metal. Identify it.
The gas which burned up with a pop sound in the presence of fire is hydrogen.
Will we get the same result if the
experiment is repeated with For Further Reading
other metals and acids? Let’s
find out. Repeat the experiment Hydrogen
with dilute hydrochloric acid A British scientist named
and zinc. Henry Cavendish
discovered hydrogen.
Haven’t you got the same Hydrogen is the lightest
observations as in the previous gas. Hence hydrogen
experiments? filled balloons can rise high. Hydrogen
When acids react with metals, is used as fuel in rockets. Nowadays
there are motor vehicles using hydrogen
hydrogen is produced.
as fuel. In September 2023, a hydrogen
Hydrogen is a flammable gas.
bus was introduced experimentally
General properties of in New Delhi. The meaning of the
word Hydrogen is “Producing water”.
Acids Hydrogen reacts with Oxygen to form
How many general properties of water. Water can be dissociated into
acids have you identified from hydrogen and oxygen. Hence hydrogen
the experiments done so far? is a promising energy source of the
future.
Record in the Science Diary.

37
 Basic Science

● Has sour taste

●

You have understood that acids react with metals. Based on this, can you
explain the reason for the following situations ?
● Metal containers are not used to store pickles.
● Earthen vessels are commonly used to cook dishes with curd and
buttermilk.

Uses of Acids
You know that vinegar is acidic in nature.
What are the uses of vinegar at home?
● In pickles
●

You already know the use of formic acid. Some acids and their uses are listed
in the table below. Complete the list.

Acid Uses
Acetic acid ●

Formic acid ●

Citric acid To make drinks

Sulphuric acid In motor vehicle batteries and for manufacturing
chemical fertilisers
Nitric acid To make chemical fertilizers, paints and dyes
Tannic acid To make leather and ink
Carbonic acid ●

38
 Class - VII

Uses of Bases
Base Uses
Calcium hydroxide Glass manufacturing, to reduce the
acidity of soil
Sodium hydroxide To make soap, paper and rayon
Potassium hydroxide To make soft soap
Aluminium hydroxide, In medicines
Magnesium hydroxide
Analyse the table and find out the following.
● Which is the base used to make soap?
● Which are the bases used in medicines?
Soap making is one of the uses of bases. Shall we make soap?

Let’s Make Soap

Materials required (To make 20 soaps) :
Caustic soda 180 gram, coconut oil 1 Kilogram, water 350 millilitre, Sodium
silicate 100 gram, stone powder 100 gram, colour and perfume.

Method of preparation
Take water in a steel bowl and dissolve caustic soda in it. A large amount of
heat is liberated when caustic soda dissolves in water. After the solution cools
down, slowly pour it in a flat vessel containing coconut oil. Stir it well while
pouring. Then add sodium silicate and stone
powder one by one to increase the hardness and
quantity of the soap. Colour and perfume can be
added to the soap to make it more attractive and
fragrant. Stir the mixture continuously till it gets
thickened. Pour the thick mixture into the mould.
After solidification, remove the soap from the
mould. It can be used after two weeks.
Prepare soap as part of Science Club activities in
your school. Take care not to touch the caustic soda
and soap mixture with your hands.

39
 Basic Science

You can also make soap at home under the supervision of your parents. You
may use pieces of PVC pipes instead of mould.

Turmeric: A Natural Indicator

We have identified acids by using paper rubbed with hibiscus flowers which
is a natural indicator. Similarly shall we find an indicator for identifying
bases? Add either soap solution or baking powder solution to the following
substances.
● Paper rubbed with turmeric
● Turmeric water
Observe the colour change.
Have you understood that turmeric is an indicator of bases? Is it possible to
make use of coloured parts of plants to identify acids and bases? Let's do an
experimental project.
Which are the coloured parts of plants that you know? List them.
● Red spinach
● Blue coloured
clitoria
(Sanghupushpam)
● Red cabbage
● Beetroot
●

Prepare either paper strips rubbed with each of the above vegetables, their
juices or the coloured liquids obtained by boiling them in water. Test them
with the acids available at home. Repeat the experiment with the bases also
available at home. Write down the observations.
Part of plant Natural colour Colour in acid Colour in base

40
 Class - VII

Analyse the results of your observations based on these experiments. Record

your inferences in the Science Diary.
Prepare a brief report of the project you have done and present it in your class.

Let’s Assess
1. Which among the following can be used as an indicator of acid?
a. Turmeric
b. Pathimugam
c. Red litmus paper
d. Phenolphthalein
2. Which acid is used in automobile batteries?
a. Hydrochloric acid
b. Nitric acid
c. Sulphuric acid
d. Formic acid
3. Among the liquids in the three beakers placed on the table,the first
one is water, the second is an acid and the third is a base. Is it right
to identify them by touching , tasting or smelling? Why? Suggest a
method to identify each of them.
4. In the laboratory metalic caps are not used for glass bottles containing
acids. Explain the reason for this.
5. Examine the statements given below. Classify them on the basis of
properties of acids and bases.
a. Has sour taste
b. Turns to pink when phenolphthalein is added
c. Slippery
d. Turns to pink when methyl orange is added
e. Turns the colour of Pathimugam water into yellow
f. Red litmus turns blue
g. Reacts with metals to produce hydrogen
h. Has alkaline taste
6. You have learnt about various indicators to identify acids and bases.
Complete the table below.

41
Basic Science

Indicators of acids Indicators of bases

Natural Used in lab Natural Used in lab

● Paper rubbed ● Methyl Orange ● Turmeric ● Phenolphthalein

with Hibiscus ● ●
●
flower ● ●

●
●

Extended Activities
1. You have identified the colour changes produced in acids and bases
when various natural indicators and indicators used in the laboratory
are added to them. Use this information to design science magic and
present them in your class as well as in the Science Club. After the
presentation, explain the scientific principle behind the magic.
2. You have understood that hydrogen is released when acids react with
metals. Using this principle, fill a balloon with hydrogen with the help
of your teacher and let it fly.

42
 Class - VII

The World of Electricity

Oh!
The power is off.
There is an
Can’t see anything.
emergency lamp.
Just switch it on, Grandpa.

Above is a scene from home. Haven’t we experienced There is an

similar situations at our home as well? emergency
What do we usually do to get light when there is lamp in my
home.
a power failure?
• Candles are used
•

Haven’t you realized that people take different measures

when there is power failure? Using an emergency lamp is one
among them.
Do you have an emergency lamp at your home?
Shall we make one?
43
 Basic Science

Making an
What things are
emergency lamp? Wow,
needed to make an
what a good idea!
emergency lamp?

How to construct?
What are the things needed to make an emergency lamp? Write
them in the Science Diary based on the following indicators.
• How will we get the electricity to make the emergency
lamp work?
• Don’t we need a bulb to get light?
• How will we connect each part?
• How will we make a stand?
You may have such questions. Discuss your idea in the group
and present it.

Availability of Electricity
You know that electricity is a form of energy. It is a form of energy that can be
easily converted into many other forms.
Let’s check some facts related to electrical energy.
Where do we get electricity from? Pictures of some devices are given below.
Observe them.
Where does each of these devices get its electricity from? Write it down in the
Science Diary.

44
 Class - VII

Observe the pictures of some devices that supply electricity.

We use them on different occasions in our daily life. Let’s learn more about
them.

Sources of Electricity
You know that electric cells, generators, solar cells etc. are the devices that
provide electricity. Devices that provide electricity are termed as sources
of electricity.
You have learned that electric cells are devices that can convert chemical
energy into electrical energy. Electrical energy is stored as chemical energy in
them. This chemical energy is converted into electrical energy when we use
them.
Cell and Battery
Have you heard of cell and battery? What is the difference between cells and
batteries?
Look at the pictures below.
ST-275-4-BASIC SCI. (E)-7-VOL-1

_ _ _
+ + +

Figure 1 Figure 2

What is the difference between them?

A battery is an arrangement made by connecting more than one cell into a
single unit. Observe the pictures (A, B, C) in which the cells are connected in
three different ways. Do all of them represent the right way for making a
battery? Which among them is wrong? Which one will give more electricity?

45
 Basic Science

_ _ _ _ _
+ + + + +
A B

_ _ _
+ + +
C
Observe the pictures given below.

From which source do these two devices get

electricity?
What is the difference between the sources of
electricity used in these devices?

Cells – Rechargeable and Non-rechargeable

What would you do if the cell in a clock is not working? What if your mobile
phone runs out of charge? A cell in a clock cannot be used again when its
charge is completely used up. But the battery in mobile phones can be
recharged and used again.
You may be using rechargeable and non-rechargeable cells in different devices
at home. Classify them and write in your Science Diary.

For Further Reading

A Brief History of Electricity

Electricity, light, heat, sound etc., are different forms of energy. Electricity
is a form of energy widely used for various purposes. The ancient Greeks
understood that amber (a kind of thickened resin) could attract substances
like hair when it was rubbed against wool. Subsequently numerous
experiments conducted by a number of people over the years led to the
production and use of electricity as seen today.

46
 Class - VII

Lighting a bulb with a battery

Usually we depend on electric bulbs for getting
light. Different types of bulbs are in use. Observe
this picture. What kind of bulbs are used in
emergency lamps?
What are the advantages of using LED?

L E D (Light Emitting Diode) helps to save energy considerably.

CFL requires less energy compared to filament lamps. CFL was widely used
till recently. But nowadays CFL is not commonly used. LED bulbs require
less energy than CFL. New generation LED bulbs have also been invented
recently. Inquire about them.

Filament bulb Compact Fluorescent Lamp Light Emitting Diode

(CFL) (LED)

LED module is an arrangement of more than

one LED bulb in a strip.
Don’t you have connecting wires, LED
module, 9 V battery and a connector in your
Science Kit? Try to light up the LED module
using them. Do this experiment in groups and
present in the class. Could all the groups light
up the bulb? Draw the mode of connection in
your Science Diary.
Haven’t you lighted the LED bulb. Write down the electric source and electric
device used for this other than the connecting wire.

Electric Circuit
Electric circuit is an arrangement that passes electricity from an electric
source to a device. A circuit requires at least an electric source, connecting
wire and an electric device.

47
 Basic Science

Observe the following pictures. Parts of certain circuits are represented in the
pictures given below.

Circuit 1 Circuit 2 Circuit 3

Will the bulbs in these circuits glow? Why? Analyse the pictures and record in
the Science Diary.

Closed Circuit and Open Circuit

A circuit is a closed one, if it is complete. If the circuit is not complete, it is
an open circuit. Electric devices can work only in a closed circuit.

Are the following circuits closed or open? Why? Analyse the figures and write
down in the Science Diary.

Circuit 1 Circuit 2

We use bulbs and fans while we are in a room. Then are the circuits of the bulb
and fan closed or open? Don’t you switch off the bulb and fan when you leave
the room? How can we make circuits open and closed as required?

48
 Class - VII

Observe the picture. What arrangement do you see Bulb

in the picture to turn the bulb on and off whenever
Switch
required?

Switch
Switch is a device used to make a circuit closed or
open when required. A circuit becomes closed
when switch is turned on. It becomes open when
switch is turned off.
Battery
Can you include a switch also in the circuit you
have made? Do it in groups and present it in the class.

For Further Reading

Different Types of Switches

We use different types of switches in different situations. Let’s get familiar
with them.

Ordinary Two - Way Bell

Switch Switch Switch

Push Button Sliding Main

Switch Switch Switch

49
 Basic Science

Flow of Electricity
In the circuit you have made, electricity from the battery reaches the bulb only
when you switch it on. How does electricity reach the bulb from the battery?
Do all substances allow electricity to pass through?
You might have noticed substances which conduct electricity and do not
conduct electricity. Design an experiment to distinguish them and present it
in the class.
Take the 9 V battery, connecting wire and the LED module from your Science
Kit. Arrange them as shown in the figure.
Will the LED module glow in this circuit? LED Module
Why? Connect the ends marked A and B
using different materials. A
Materials: Safety pin, a piece of wood, B
paper, steel scale, charcoal, pencil graphite,
plastic bangle, metal bangle, wet paper,
copper wire.
Tabulate your observations.
Material used Observation Inference

Paper The LED module did does not conduct

not glow electricity

Which of the materials you used made the LED glow? What could be the
reason? Isn’t it due to the passage of electricity through those materials?
Which materials conduct electricity?
Which materials do not conduct electricity?
Write your observation in the Science Diary.
Place your fingers over the ends of A and B in the device made for the
experiment. Does the LED glow? Repeat the experiment with wet fingers.
What change did you notice? Give reason.
Do not operate a switch with a wet hand. Find out the reason behind it and
write it down in the Science Diary.

50
 Class - VII

Conductors and Insulators

Conductors are the substances that allow electricity to pass through them.
Insulators are the substances that do not allow electricity to pass through.
Iron, gold, copper, steel, graphite and water are electric conductors. Dry
wooden block, paper, plastic, cloth etc., are insulators.
When we turn on a switch do we touch the parts through which electricity
passes? The parts we touch in electrical appliances are made of insulators.
What about the parts that conduct electricity? There are many situations
where conductors and insulators are used. Tabulate such situations you are
familiar with.
Situations in which Situations in which
conductors are used insulators are used
The copper wire through Plastic coating over
which electricity passes copper wire
through

Insulation Tape

Let’s repeat the experiment that you have done to distinguish conductors and
insulators. Connect the ends A and B using each of the following substances.

A
Materials: iron nail, copper wire, silver
B ornament, gold ornament, aluminium
wire, a piece of zinc, lead wire, magnesium
ribbon, a piece of tin sheet.

Do all substances conduct electricity?

Do these substances have any common characteristics?
You have understood that all metals are conductors of electricity.

51
 Basic Science

For Further Reading

Metals
Metals are lustrous, hard and strong substances. Many metals like iron,
copper, silver, gold, aluminium, zinc, lead, mercury, nickel, etc., have been
discovered. Usually metals are in solid state under normal atmospheric
temperature. But mercury exists in liquid state. All metals are conductors
of electricity. The discovery and use of metals have brought remarkable
changes in human life. You might have understood the changes that
occurred in agriculture tools and social life from the Paleolithic to the
Bronze Age.

In the circuit you have made, the electricity from the battery reaches the bulb
through the metal wire coated with plastic.
We use different types of metallic wires in our home. Remove the insulation
and examine the metallic wires inside.

Which metal do we normally use to transmit

electricity through electric lines?
What is the reason for not using copper wire in
electric lines? Inquire.

52
 Class - VII

Let’s get to know more electric circuits

So far we have made electric circuits using LEDs. Can you make more circuits
by including other devices? Observe the picture.
You may be familiar with the materials shown in
the picture. Let’s try to make different circuits
using them. Work in groups and arrange circuits
in any boards like hard board, card board or cork
sheet. Present these circuits before the class. Let
each group examine the circuits made by other
groups.

Circuit Bottom of the board Top part of the board

Haven’t you prepared separate circuits for operating LED module and mini
motor? What will happen if you include all of them in the same circuit? Do all
the devices in your home start function when a single switch is turned on? If
so, how many circuits will be needed in the house? Check how many circuits
are there in your classroom. What tools did you use to make the circuits?
Haven’t you seen electricians use different tools for different purposes such as
cutting wire, stripping off insulation and testing electric current. Observe the
pictures.

Cutting pliers Stripper Screw driver Tester

Find out the uses of each of the above tools from an electrician.

53
 Basic Science

Symbols
How many circuits did each group make? Write down the materials used in
each circuit. Certain signs are used to indicate the components in circuits.
These are symbols. Some commonly used symbols are given below. Let’s get
familiar with them.

Material /Object Figure Symbol

Conducting wire

Switch off mode

Switch on mode

Cell

Battery

An unlit bulb

A glowing bulb

Buzzer

Mini motor

LED

54
 Class - VII

Observe the given circuits. Identify the parts marked A, B, C and D.

A
A

B D
D
B
C C

Circuit 1 Circuit 2

Circuit 1 A ........................ B ........................ C ........................ D ........................

Circuit 2 A ........................ B ........................ C ........................ D ........................
What are the differences between the two circuits?
Draw the circuits you have already made using the symbols.

From Circuit to Device

We can use 9 V battery and LED module for making an emergency lamp.
How will you connect them to make a circuit? Try to draw it.

Connecting wire

LED Module Switch Battery

After arranging the circuit, check whether the LED glows.

Now we need a stand also. The easy way of making a stand is given in the
figures (1, 2, 3 and 4). Examine them and find out the materials used.

Construction of Stand
Take a half -litre bottle with a wide mouth as shown in Fig 1. Fill it with sand.
Put two holes in the cap as shown in Fig 2. Make holes in the pipe also as
shown in Fig 3. Fix the PVC pipe in the hole on the cap. Arrange the circuit as
shown in Fig 4.

55
 Basic Science

End cap ¾ inch

PVC pipe 30 cm
Hole for
placing the
switch

Plastic bottle
Hole for
fixing PVC
pipe

Figure - 1 Figure - 2

The hole for inserting the

wire from the LED through PVC LED Module
the pipe pipe

Switch
Battery
The hole for fixing wire
from pipe to the switch
Plastic
bottle
PVC pipe

Figure - 3 Figure - 4

Pay attention to the following points while making the emergency lamp.
• The circuit should be made in such a way that the wire
from LED to the switch and from the switch to the
battery are not exposed.
• Battery should be fixed firmly in the sand.
• The emergency lamp should be lifted only by holding the
bottle.
More than one LED module can be used for getting light in all
directions. Insulation tapes of different colours can be used to
make the emergency lamp more attractive. Exhibit the
emergency lamp made by each group before the class. Select
the best one based on the indicators given below.

56
 Class - VII

What are the things to be assessed?

• Efficiency
• Attractiveness
• Durability
•
Household Electricity
We have used a 9 V battery to make an emergency
lamp. Will we get an electric shock if we touch the
wire connected to the battery?
If, somehow the electricity used at home passes
through our body, it can cause electric shock.
What is the reason? The electricity we used at home
is of 230 V. It is not safe to use high voltage electricity
while conducting experiments.

Electric Shock
We get an electric shock when electric current passes through our body.
Our body is an electric conductor since water is present in the living cells.
Electric shock occurs when a broken power line or an external electric
source, like an uninsulated circuit comes into contact with the body.
Sometimes this causes severe burns. Cardiac arrest is the major reason
for death due to electric shock.

Observe the given situations. Find out the situations in which there is a chance
for electric shock and put a tick mark (√ ) in the appropriate boxes.
Using devices of good Removing the plug pin
quality without switching off

Changing bulb when the Using wires without proper

switch is on insulation
Turning on a switch with Repairing devices while
wet hand switches are turned on
Removing the fan from the Using footwear while ironing
ceiling after turning the clothes
main switch off

57
 Basic Science

Haven’t you found out the situations in which you are likely to get an electric
shock? Has anyone in your house experienced a severe shock? If so, in what
context did it happen? Share your experience with the class.
What are the precautions to be taken while handling electrical appliances?
Write them down in the Science Diary.

For Further Reading

Lightning and Electricity

Haven’t you noticed the lightning during rainy season? Clouds have a
very high electrical charge. Lightning is caused by the transfer of charge
in clouds to nearby clouds or to the earth. Lightning strikes cause accidents
because it is a very powerful electric current.

In Case of Electric Shocks

What happens if you try to touch or
move someone who is experiencing an
electric shock? Won’t we also get the
shock? Hence one should never touch a
person who has an electric shock.
What are the things to be done
immediately to save a person who has
suffered an electric shock?
• The first thing to be done is to
disconnect the electric contact. You can switch off or remove the fuse for
this. If it is not possible, separate the person from the electric circuit using
a dry wooden stick or some other good insulator.
• In the case of heart failure, perform chest compressions. Place one hand
on top of the other and apply continuous pressure on the victim's chest.
This should be done until the heart starts beating again.
• If breathing stops, give artificial respiration. Keep the body warm by
massaging.
• Take the person immediately to a hospital if the shock is severe.

58
 Class - VII

Generator
Don’t we use a generator at school when some
fairs or PTA meetings are held? Why is it used?
Which fuel is used to operate a generator?
The generator produce electricity making use
of energy from fuels like petrol, kerosene,
diesel etc. You have learned in the previous
class that in a generator chemical energy first
gets converted into mechanical energy and
then into electrical energy. Can generators be
used regularly to get electricity at home and school? Discuss on the basis of
cost of diesel, pollution etc. What is the solution?

Hydroelectric Power Station

You might have seen metallic wires stretched over tall poles. From where do
these lines bring electricity? How this electricity is generated?
The power we use at home is generated by huge generators in hydroelectric
power stations.
How do generators in a hydroelectric power station work?
Generators in hydroelectric power stations work using the energy obtained
when water stored in reservoirs of dams falls from a height. In dams, water
which is stored in reservoirs is carried through pipes and made to fall forcefully
on to the turbines connected to the generators. The force of falling water
rotates the turbines. The generators connected to the turbines start to work
and produce electricity. This electricity is transmitted to various places
through electric lines.

Dam

Turbine

59
 Basic Science

A major part of electricity produced in Kerala is from the hydroelectric power

station in Idukki. Discuss the merits of hydroelectric power stations as
compared to diesel generators based on cost of fuel, pollution etc.

Other Possibilities for Electric Power Generation

Observe these pictures.

Thermal power station Nuclear power station Windmill

You have already understood that electricity is produced in our country by

using fuels like coal and diesel. We also use the power of wind and tidal waves
as well as nuclear energy.
Observe the pictures given below.

Solar panel Chandrayan 3 Solar car

Solar cell is a device that converts solar energy into electrical energy. Solar
panel is a combination of two or more solar cells. Solar energy is a solution for
the future energy crisis. Cost effective technologies for harnessing solar energy
are to be developed. Researches are going on for this
purpose.

Don’t Waste Electricity

The production of electricity has to be increased when
there is higher consumption. Doesn’t the generation of
more electricity require more fuels? Observe this poster.

60
 Class - VII

What message does this poster convey? Which are the circumstances in which
electricity is wasted? Discuss. Do the fans and bulbs left working even when
there is nobody in your class room?
We have to adopt certain measures to prevent wastage of electricity and to
ensure its judicious use. Prepare a poster highlighting these factors and
display it in the class room.

Let’s Assess
1. What is the energy change in a battery when it is connected to an
emergency lamp?
a. Electrical energy changes into light energy
b. Light energy changes into chemical energy
c. Chemical energy changes first into electrical energy and then into
light energy
d. Chemical energy changes into electrical energy
2. Of the following, which is in an open circuit?
a) Rotation of fan
b) A damaged bell is switched on
c) Working of a mixie
d) Glowing of a bulb
3. From where do the artificial satellites get electricity for its working?
a) Solar panel b) Diesel c) Petrol d) Coal
4. Sometimes there is power shortage in Kerala during summer season.
Why?
5. A person is standing in water. An electric line breaks and falls into
the water. Is the person likely to get an
electric shock? Give reason.
6. Observe the diagram of an open circuit.
Convert it to a closed circuit using
appropriate symbols and draw it.

Extended Activities
1. Construct electric circuits using different devices and battery.
2. Construct a model of a hydroelectric power station and explain its
working.

61
 When Light Reflects
Oh!
The scorching sunlight
is coming through the
window! Close the
curtain dear…

But the
window is closed!
Then how can the
sunlight enter the
room?

This is the doubt expressed by a little girl.

You know that the light can enter the room through glass window even if it is
closed.
Why did grandma ask the girl to close the curtain when light entered the
room through the window?
What are the things that can be used instead of a curtain to prevent sunlight
from entering a room through a glass window? List them.
Let’s find out through an experiment.
 Class - VII

Point a lighted torch at different objects such as scratched glass sheet, glass
filled with pure water, wooden block, a piece of cloth, white paper, black
chart paper, butter paper, window glass, a coin, a mirror, a piece of reading
glass, marble, polythene cover and a colourless plastic bottle.
What do you observe? Record your observations in the Science Diary.

Objects that Objects that do not

transmit light transmit light
Window glass Wooden block

There are substances that transmit light and substances that do not transmit
light.

Objects that Transmit Light

Didn’t light pass through the butter paper? What about the glass used in
spectacles? Do both of these substances transmit light in the same manner?
Record it.
Repeat the experiment using butter paper, window glass, scratched glass
piece, oiled paper, glass piece, polythene cover, pure water taken in a glass
tumbler and colourless plastic bottle.
On the basis of the experiment, classify them as those which transmit light
completely and those which transmit light partially.
Objects which transmit light Objects which transmit
completely light partially

● ●

● ●

● ●

● ●

63
 Basic Science

You have found that there are three types of objects based on transmission of
light.

Transparent Object, Translucent Object and Opaque Object

Objects that transmit light very well are called transparent objects. Objects
which transmit light partially are called translucent objects. Objects which
do not transmit light are opaque objects.
Repeat the experiment using more objects. Classify them as transparent,
translucent and opaque objects and record them in the Science Diary.

Converting Transparent Object into Opaque Object

Can you change a transparent glass sheet into a
translucent or opaque one? How? Discuss. What
methods can you suggest? Record them in the
Science Diary.
Make a transparent glass sheet sooted as shown
in the figure. What change do you observe?
What happens to the light transmitting property
of transparent glass sheet when it becomes
sootier? Do an experiment to find it out.
What other methods can be adopted to make the glass sheet translucent or
opaque? Write down your suggestions in the Science Diary.
You have found that pure water is transparent. What about air?
Can we convert pure water and air to translucent? Design an experiment for
this.
Pay attention to the clues in the following pictures.
You can use ink and incense stick for doing this activity.

64
 Class - VII

What other substances can you use for this? Design an experiment using the
materials you have identified.
Record the details and findings of the experiment in your Science Diary.
Haven’t you understood that some transparent substances can be converted
to opaque substances?
Transparency and Opacity of Objects in Daily Life
We have understood the difference in transmission of light by different objects.
How does the opacity and transparency of objects benefit us?
How do you know when the ink in a refill pen is completely used up?
Don’t you use oil paper to trace pictures and maps?
Imagine the situation if the walls and doors of houses were transparent!
Haven’t you realised that we utilise the transparency, opacity and translucency
of objects in everyday life?
Find out more situations through group discussion and present them in the
class.
Situations in which transparent •
objects are used •
Situations in which translucent •
objects are used •
Situations in which opaque objects •
are used •

For Further Reading

Suppose if
the human body
is transparent The Invisible Man
‘The Invisible Man’ is a famous
science fiction by the English writer
H.G. Wells. Griffin, a scientist, is a
character in the novel. Griffin's
body becomes transparent as a result of his
experiments. This novel portrays the
experiences of Griffin who became invisible.

65
 Basic Science

Can you write a science fiction with a transparent man or any other organism
as a character?

The Light that Returns

We have understood that some objects are transparent and some are opaque.
What happens when light falls on opaque objects?
Dim the light in your class room by closing the doors and windows. Hold a
mirror facing the wall and let the light from a torch fall on it. What happens to
the light? Haven’t you noticed that the light rays fall on the wall after hitting
on the mirror? Repeat
the experiment by
holding the following
objects against the wall Screen
and allowing light from
the torch to fall on each
of them.
Materials required: Torch
smooth tile, new steel
plate, bronze, Mirror
hardboard, paper,
wooden block.
Record your
observations in the
table given below. Smooth Tile Paper New Steel Wooden
plate block

The object on Difference in the returning of

which light fell light after falling on the surface
Mirror Light returns well

Paper Very little light returns

66
 Class - VII

Reflection of Light
Reflection of light refers to the returning of light when it strikes on an object.

Touch and feel the surfaces of the objects which reflect light very well. What
do you feel?
What about the surfaces of objects that do not reflect light much?
Haven’t you found that smooth surfaces reflect light very well and that it is
less in the case of rough surfaces?
Why is it that rough surfaces cannot reflect light well?
The reflection of light from a mirror and a sand paper are depicted below.
Analyse the figures and write the inferences.

Mirror Sandpaper

Doesn’t the light that fall on the mirror undergo a

regular reflection? What about the light falling on
the sandpaper?
Arrange a comb, a torch, a mirror and a sheet of
A4 size paper as shown in the figure and light the
torch. Observe the regular reflection of light.

Regular Reflection and Diffused Reflection

Light falling on smooth surfaces reflects with regularity. This is regular
reflection. Mirrors give a regular reflection.
When light falls on rough surfaces, it gets scattered in different directions.
This is irregular reflection or diffused reflection.

67
 Basic Science

When Light Reflects

Kick a ball to a particular point on a wall from different places. Doesn’t the
ball hit the wall and bounce back? Does it always bounce back in the same
manner? Similarly, are there any peculiarities in the light rays falling on and
bouncing off a mirror? Let’s examine. Observe the figure.
The figure given below shows four children sitting at equal distances on two
benches in front of a mirror. Listen to their conversation.

No, Megha is
I see Riya there on the
through the mirror. I see Nikhil. But I see Anu.
mirror.

1 2 3 4

Anu Nikhil Megha Riya

Why is it that the child who is sitting first can’t see those sitting at the second
and the third positions? Similarly, why can’t the other children see all others
through the mirror?
Write down your assumptions in the Science Diary.
Let’s do an experiment using some materials in the Science Kit to verify the
assumptions.
Materials required: A small piece of mirror, a protractor made as shown in
the figure, a transparent plastic box, double-sided tape, laser torch, an incense
stick and a match box.
Fix the small piece of mirror on one side of the transparent plastic box using
the double sided tape. Fill up the box with smoke from the incense stick.

68
 Class - VII

Small piece of mirror

Point where light
falls

Laser torch

Normal
Arrange the protractor you have made under the plastic box as shown in the
figure. Draw a perpendicular line from this protractor to the mirror at an angle
of 900. This is the normal. Allow the light from the laser torch to fall through
different angles of the protractor on the point where the normal touches the
mirror. Observe the reflected light. Measure the angle between the ray of light
from the laser torch and the normal. Similarly measure the angle between the
reflected ray of light and the normal. Record them in the table.

Angle between the light ray Angle between the reflected

from the torch and the normal light ray and the normal
400
550
700

Analyse the completed table. Is there any relation between the angle made by
the light ray from the torch with the normal and the angle made by the
reflecting light ray with the normal?
You have seen the light ray falling on the mirror and the reflected ray. Observe
the diagram given below.
Normal The ray of light falling on the
mirror is the incident ray. The
on
In

point at which the incident ray

ci

nc

cti
de

e
cid

fle
nt

falls on the mirror is the point of

y
ra
ra

re
in
y

ed

incidence. The line drawn

of
f
eo

ct
fle
gle

perpendicular to the mirror at the

gl

Re
An

An

point of incidence is the normal.

The light ray reflecting from the
mirror is the reflected ray.
Plane mirror
69
 Basic Science

Angle of Incidence and Angle of Reflection

The angle between the incident ray and the normal is the angle of
incidence. The angle between the reflected ray and the normal is the
angle of reflection.

What did you find out regarding the reflection of light from the experiment
you have conducted?
You also have to know the concept of plane to understand more about the
laws of reflection.

Plane
The two sheets of paper inserted into each other are
on two planes. Each wall in your classroom is a plane.
We will learn more about planes in higher classes.

Laws of Reflection
• The angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are equal.
• The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal at the point of
incidence are on the same plane.

Light and Sight

Source of
In the previous class we have learnt that we see light
objects when their images are formed on the
retina of our eye.
Eye
Observe the picture. The light from the bulb
reaches the book and the eye. How does light
reach the eye so that we see the book? Observe
the picture showing the path of the light ray
from the bulb falling on the book and reflecting
to our eyes. Complete the flow chart. Object
Light Light
Bulb

70
 Class - VII

Haven’t you understood that we see a book when

the light falling on it gets reflected and reaches our Source of
eyes? But we see a glowing bulb when the light light
from the bulb reaches our eyes directly.
Eye
How Do We See Things?
We see an object when light coming from
any source of light falls on that object, gets
reflected and reaches our eyes. But we see a
source of light when the light from it reaches Object
our eyes directly.

Don’t we see many beautiful sights every day? How are these sights possible?
Haven’t you understood that we see all sights on Earth due to the reflection of
light?

Plane Mirror and Image

Why can’t we see our own face?
We see objects when the reflected light reaches
our eyes. Will the light falling on our face get
reflected to our eyes?
What is the device we use to see our face? What
are the different surfaces from which light gets
reflected and reaches our eyes while seeing our
face in the mirror?
Observe the figure and identify the path of
light. Complete the flow chart and record it in
the Science Diary.
Reflected Reflected
Light Light light
Sun Eye

On which surfaces other than the mirror, can you see your face?
•

71
 Basic Science

Look at the picture below. Haven’t you seen mirrors of different shapes?

What are the peculiarities of the surfaces of these mirrors?

A mirror with a flat surface is a plane mirror. We can see our images in plane
mirrors. Stand before a plane mirror and raise your left hand. Which hand of
the image is raised? Write down your name in English using capital letters on
a white paper and show it in front of the plane mirror. Can you read your
name in the mirror?
If so, how should the word BASIC SCIENCE be written on a paper so as to
read it on a plane mirror?
Try to write down the names of your friends in such a way that you can read
it correctly from a plane mirror.
On which side of the image will a mole on one’s left cheek be seen?
What property of the image formed in the plane mirror can be understood
here?

Lateral Inversion
In a plane mirror, the left side of an object appears as the right side of the
image and the right side of the object appears as the left side of the image.
This phenomenon is lateral inversion.

Haven’t you seen this vehicle? What would be the reason for writing like this
on the vehicle? Discuss and record it in the Science
Diary.

Distance to the Image

Stand in front of a plane mirror. At what distance is
your image seen?
Move a little forward and backward. Doesn’t the
position of the image also change?

72
 Class - VII

If we take reflective glasses used in windows instead of plane mirror, we can

measure the distance of an object from the mirror and the distance to the
image from the mirror. Let’s do an experiment.
Fix a reflective glass vertically on a table using a double sided tape.
Tear an A4 size paper lengthwise into two pieces. Draw lines at equal distances
on both pieces of papers and mark the numbers 1 to 5 on each. Place the
papers in front of and behind the reflective glass as shown in the figure.
Place a lighted candle at the area marked 3 as shown in the figure.

Place a coin at the area marked 3 on the other side. What will be the position
of the image formed on the mirror? Repeat the experiment by placing the
candle at different positions. Move the coin to the positions where the images
are seen.
Is there any relation between the distance to the object from the mirror and
the distance to the image from the mirror? Record your inference in the Science
Diary.

Size of the Image

Repeat the activity you have done using another candle of the same size. Place
each candle at position 3 on both sides. If you look at it from one side, don’t
you see both the reflection and the candle on the other side at the same
position? Observe the sizes of both. Compare the size of the object and the
image by changing the position. Record it in the Science Diary.
Light up the candle on one side of the mirror. Measure the height of the candle
upto the tip of the flame using a scale. Similarly, measure the height of the
image on the other side with the help of your friends. Repeat the experiment
by changing the size of the candle. Do the object and the image have the same
size?

73
 Basic Science

Characteristics of Images in a Plane Mirror

• The image undergoes lateral inversion.
• In a plane mirror, the distance between the object and the mirror is
equal to the distance between the image and the mirror.
• In a plane mirror, the size of the object will be equal to the size of the
image.

Number of Images
So far we have discussed the features of the image formed in a plane mirror.
When a burning candle is placed in front of a plane mirror, we get only one
image. How many images will you see if a burning candle is placed in between
two parallel plane mirrors? What is your assumption? Write it in the Science
Diary.
Let’s do this experiment using the following materials.
A wooden block sized 6 inch x 4 inch x 1 inch/small box, small candle, match
box, two plane mirrors of different heights having the same breadth as that of
the wooden block, double-sided tape.
Using the double side tape, fix the mirrors on either side of the wooden block
in such a way that their reflecting surfaces come face to face. Place the lighted
candle in between the mirrors on the wooden block.

Observe it from the side of the short mirror. How many images do you see on
the mirror on the opposite side?
Why do we see such a large number of images?

74
 Class - VII

Multiple Reflection
A large number of images of the lighted candle
placed in between the parallel mirrors are
formed due to multiple reflection of light.
Repeat the above experiment using some
other materials and pictures instead of candle.
Observe the images. Won’t you be able to
create images of endless railway lines and
rows of flowering trees?

The picture given depicts a situation

involving multiple reflection in
daily life. Find more examples.
• Barber shop
•

Angle between the Mirrors and the Number of Images

Let’s do an experiment. Glue two plane mirrors of equal size together with
cellotape as shown in the above figure. Place a small ball in the middle and
observe the number of images formed. Change the angles in between the
mirrors. Observe whether there is a change in the number of images formed.

75
 Basic Science

Make a protractor and place it below the mirrors

as shown in the figure. Find out the angle between
the mirrors and the number of images formed
and complete the table.

Angle Number of images

300

600 5

900

1200

Is there any relation between the angle between the mirrors and the number
of images formed?
For Further Reading
What happens to the number of images when
the angle between the mirrors increases?
Angle and the
What if the angle decreases? Note the inferences number of images
in the Science Diary. If the angle is x, then
the number of images
Illusions in the Mirror is 360 − 1 .
𝑥𝑥
Shall we make some interesting devices with
mirrors that make use of the principle of multiple
reflection?
1. Kaleidoscope
Materials required: Three plane mirror pieces of
6 inch x 2 inch, insulation tape, transparent plastic
sheet.
Method of construction: Using the insulation tape, fix the three plane mirrors
in a triangular pattern as shown in the figure. Cover one of the open ends with
the transparent plastic sheet using the insulation tape. Put some coloured
bangle pieces or beads inside this device and observe. What do you see?

76
 Class - VII

Tilt the device and enjoy the different patterns.

We can also make a kaleidoscope using three plastic scales of the same size.
2. Periscope
Materials required: A cardboard piece of size 25 cm x 30 cm, two plane mirror
pieces of size 3 inch x 2.5 inch (Sunpack sheet can also be used instead of
cardboard piece).
A B C D E

5 cm

20 cm

5 cm

25 cm

Figure - 1 Figure - 2 Figure - 3

Method of construction
Stage 1 : Cut a cardboard/sunpack sheet of size 25 cm x 30 cm.
Stage 2 : Draw lines on it with the same measure as shown in Figure 1.
Stage 3 : Cut off the unshaded parts of the figure along the lines. Didn’t you
get a shape as shown in Figure 2 now?
Stage 4 : Fold this shape as shown in Figure 3 and glue it up.
Stage 5 : Cut two pieces of plane mirrors of size 3 inch x 2.5 inch. While
fixing them on the slanting ends of the device you have made,
make sure that the reflecting surface faces
the inner side of the device.
Isn’t it the upper view that we get when we look
through the lower end of periscope? Why is it so?
By observing the path of light shown in the figure,
will you be able to explain how this view is possible?

77
 Basic Science

Discuss how a periscope is useful for the submarines in the Navy and for
soldiers observing enemies from trenches in the battle field.

What if the periscope you have made is similar to the

one as shown in the figure? The view from which part
can be seen? Try to draw the path of light. Construct
the device and examine its working.
We have learnt a lot about light. We cannot imagine a
world without light. Can you believe that excess of
light creates problems for human beings and many
other living organisms?

Even though it is night,

I can’t see anything due to
the intense light on the road.
How can I go out?

Didn’t you notice how worried the owl is? When do owls go out for preying?
How does the intense light at night affect them? Are the owls alone affected
by the artificial light at night?

Light Pollution
Today, we use many sources of light that dispel darkness. You’ve probably
seen in cities and parks neon bulbs and the likes that are kept lit up throughout
the night. This light is harmful to many organisms that hunt for prey in the
dark. They are also the heirs of this earth. Intense illumination at night also
causes people to miss many of the sky views that can only be seen on clear
nights.
Didn’t you realize some problems caused by light pollution? Too much light
at night causes many difficulties for human beings as well as animals. Discuss
them in the class and record in the Science Diary.

78
 Class - VII

Let’s Assess
1. Examine the following table and find the odd one out.

Transparent Objects Translucent Objects Opaque Objects

• Clear water • Soil • Stone
• Air • Tiles • Mirror
• Box filled with • Turbid water • Clear water
smoke • Hardboard
• Screen guard of a • Fog
mobile phone

2. Observe the pictures. Which type of reflections do you see here?

Picture 1 Picture 2

Explain both views based on the reflection of light.

3. Observe the following situations. Find out which type of reflection
takes place in each.
Situation Reflection

● Ornaments shine
● We get light inside the home during day time
● A polished furniture shines
● See reflection of trees on stagnant water

79
Basic Science

Extended Activities
Arrange three benches in a room as shown in the figure given below.
Arrange one of them perpendicular to the wall and keep the others at
a particular distance from the wall. Fix a nail on the bench at the end
which touches the wall. Place a mirror vertically behind the nail fixed
on the bench. Mark A, B at equal intervals at one of the benches placed
away from the wall. Similarly mark C, D on the other bench. At the end
of the bench perpendicular to the wall, mark X as shown in the figure.
Make four children sit on the bench at position A, B, C and D. Wrap
a thread around the nail and give the two ends of it to the children in
positions A and D. Similarly, wrap another thread around the nail and
give the ends to the children in positions B and C.

A B C D

• Light a torch on to the mirror through the thread held by child A. Where
does the reflected light fall?
• Similarly, let child D also light the torch on the mirror. Where does the
reflected light fall?
• Let the children B and C repeat the activity. Write down your
observations.
• Where will the reflected light fall, if the torch is lighted on to the mirror
from X?

80
 Human Body: A Wonder
Digestion and Respiration

All living organisms need food. The food and

the method of obtaining food vary from
organism to organism.
Rabbits eating tender
grass, parrots pecking
at and flying away
with the grains,
snakes swallowing
rats, bears climbing
trees to gobble up the
honey laden combs….
How diverse
these sights
are!
Haven’t you
observed the diverse food of organisms
around you and the methods they adopt to
collect it? Compile a list of the organisms
you have observed, and their respective
food. Present it in the class room.
 Basic Science

Name of the
Food
organism
Cow ● Grass
●

Goat ● Leaves
●

Cat ● Mice
●

Bear ● Honey
●

Rabbit ●
●

Human ● Cooked rice

●

Add more organisms and expand the list. With the help of the list, classify the
living organisms into herbivore, carnivore and omnivore. Write it in the
Science Diary.
Haven’t you understood that each animal’s food is different? All living
organisms obtain food and utilize it.

Nutrition
Nutrition is the process by which organisms obtain and utilize food.

Every organism obtains the energy necessary for its vital activities from their
food. The food we consume undergoes various changes within our body.
How is the ingested food utilized by the organisms?
Let’s examine what happens to the food we consume and how it is utilized.

Ingestion
There are 5 stages in nutrition. The first stage is ingestion. The food first
reaches the mouth. What are the changes that occur to food in the mouth?

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 Class - VII

● It mixes with saliva.

●

What is the role of lips, tongue and teeth in ingestion?

Observe the experiences on your own while consuming food.

Teeth
Teeth are used to masticate food. The structure and arrangement of teeth is
suitable for biting, chewing and grinding food.
Observe the picture.
Enamel

Transverse section of a tooth

Enamel is the outer most layer of the tooth. It is also the hardest substance in
the human body.

Milk Teeth and Permanent Teeth

Do you still have your first set of teeth?
Will an infant’s first set of teeth last throughout its life?

Milk Teeth
In infants, teeth development starts around
the age of six months. These teeth are known
as milk teeth. Ten milk teeth each develop at
the upper and lower jaws (in total-20).

Permanent Teeth
Permanent teeth are those that replace milk teeth when they fall off. If
permanent teeth break or fall off, new teeth will not grow in its place.

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The food we eat - are they

the same? Some are large Molars
and hard while some
others are soft. Various Premolars
types of teeth assist us in
biting and tearing, Canines
chewing and grinding
different food items. Incisors

Observe the picture and

try to understand the different types of teeth and their position.
Observe the table depicting different types of teeth, their position, numbers
and uses. Analyse the table and record in the Science Diary the position and
use of different types of teeth.

Different types of teeth Position and number Uses

Eight incisors in front;

four in the upper jaw To bite and tear
Incisor and four in the lower food items.
jaw.

Four canines adjacent to

incisors on both sides; To tear and
Canine two in the upper and cut food.
two in the lower jaws.

Eight premolars adja-

cent to canines; two on To chew
Premolar both sides, in the upper and grind food.
and lower jaws.

Twelve molar teeth near

the premolars on both To chew
Molar sides at the back. Six in and grind food.
the upper jaw and six in
the lower jaw.

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 Class - VII

The generic name for molars and premolars is molars.

How many teeth does an adult have? Examine the table and write the use and
number of each type of tooth in the Science Diary.
Observe the picture below. Find out the distinctive features of teeth in
carnivorous and herbivorous animals and understand how closely the shape
of the teeth is related to their food habits.

The canines of
carnivores are
much developed
and it helps in
biting and tearing
meat.

Incisors in herbivores help to bite and tear the food and premolars
and molars, to masticate the food.

Tooth Decay
Teeth play a major role in masticating food. Hence
they should be protected with care. But in many
people tooth undergoes decay.
Examine the picture.
Damaged teeth
Let’s do an experiment to find out how tooth decays.
Marble is a hard material made of calcium compound. Take a small piece of
marble and observe using a hand lens. Put it in dilute hydrochloric acid. After
some time take it out and again observe using the hand lens.
What change do you observe in the marble piece?
It is seen that the marble has started to corrode. The reason is that acid has
reacted with the calcium compound in marble.
Similarly tooth enamel is also a calcium compound. It reacts with acid and
gets damaged gradually.

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 Basic Science

Let’s listen to a conversation between a child and her dentist.

Doctor, my sister has dental caries. What is the

reason for this?

If you don’t clean the mouth properly after having

food, bacteria will feed on the food particle struck
between the teeth. This will result in lactic acid
production. This is what damages the teeth.

Lactic acid is a very weak acid. How does it cause

tooth decay?

You know marble piece started to corrode when it

reacted with hydrochloric acid; likewise enamel,
which is a calcium compound, reacts with lactic
acid and causes tooth decay in the long run.

I clean my teeth thoroughly at night. But sometimes

after eating sweets I skip it. Is there anything wrong
in it, doctor?

No matter what food you eat, you should clean

your mouth well, especially after consuming sweet.
Otherwise it will accelerate the bacterial action.
Brush your teeth in the morning before breakfast
and at night, after dinner. Always clean your mouth
whenever you eat something.

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 Class - VII

I understood many
things. I will follow these
things and will definitely
share this information
with friends and family.

Wouldn’t you like to know more about dental care?

Discuss in group and prepare questions to conduct an interview with a dentist.
Prepare a note based on the information obtained from the interview and
record it in your Science Diary.
So far we have discussed the importance of teeth in digestion. Now let’s
discuss the role of tongue.
Tongue
You have already learned in your previous classes that the taste buds on the
tongue help us to sense taste.
What are the other functions of the tongue?
• Helps in swallowing.
• Tongue helps to move food inside the mouth so that teeth can chew it.
•
There is saliva in the mouth. Saliva also plays an important role in the digestive
process. Observe the picture and identify from where it is produced.

Salivary glands

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 Basic Science

Food through the Oesophagus

Look at the picture and identify to which part
Oesophagus
of the digestive system does the chewed food
reach next?
Let’s go on a journey with food.
To which part of the digestive system does
food first reach from the mouth?
Look at the picture. Locate the position of the
oesophagus through which the chewed food
reaches the stomach.
What is oesophagus?

The oesophagus is a long tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. It is
made of muscles.The wave-like movement of the oesophageal wall helps food
to reach the stomach. This movement is called peristalsis.

Food in the Stomach

You know that digestion of food begins in the
mouth and it reaches the stomach through the
oesophagus.
Digestion is the second stage of nutrition. It
takes place partially in the stomach where food
remains for 4 to 5 hours. Due to the peristaltic
movement of the stomach wall, the food is
turned into a paste form. Gastric juice, produced
by glands in the stomach wall facilitates
digestion. Stomach wall also produces small
Stomach amount of hydrochloric acid. This helps in
protein digestion and pathogen destruction.
The partially digested food in the stomach then moves on to the small intestine.

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Food in the Small Intestine

Human small intestine is five to six meters long. It is here that the second stage
of nutrition (digestion) is completed. Absorption of
nutrients also takes place in the small intestine.
Bile produced by the liver and the pancreatic juice
produced by the pancreas are mixed with partially
digested food in the first part of the small intestine.
This completes the digestion of food.

Small intestine

Pancreas
Liver

How do the nutrients in the digested food get absorbed into the blood?
Villi are the small finger-like projections present in the wall of small intestine.
Nutrients in the digested food are absorbed into the blood through the villi.
This is the third stage in nutrition and the
Villi
process is called absorption.
The nutrients that reached the blood become
part of the body. This is the fourth stage of
nutrition and this process is called assimilation.
The digested food will also have substances
not needed by the body.
Let’s see how they are eliminated.

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After the absorption of nutrients, the residues

Large intestine in the digested food move to the large intestine.
Water and some salts are absorbed into the
large intestine from the digestive waste as
needed by body. Later the digestive waste
stored in the rectum is egested through the
anus. This is the fifth stage of nutrition and this
process of digestive waste removal from our
body is called egestion.
Rectum Let’s complete the flow chart showing the
various stages of nutrition.

Ingestion Assimilation

Observe the diagrammatic representation of human digestive system. Write in

your Science Diary the names and functions of the labelled parts.

D
E

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Nutrition in other Organisms

The picture illustrates the process of nutrition in the single-celled amoeba.
Analyze the picture and record in the Science Diary the various stages of
nutrition in amoeba.

Food particle Ingestion Digestion

Absorption Assimilation Egestion

Let’s observe the pictures of the digestive system of some animals.
Digestive System

Hen Cat Cow

Do the digestive system of these animals have any similarity with our digestive
system? Discuss.
Humans can survive without food for
some days. But can we sustain life
without breathing?
Observe the picture.
A man and some fishes are swimming in
the water. How long can this man remain
in water without the support of an
oxygen cylinder? Why are we unable to take oxygen from water, like fish?
You can easily guess the reason. It is due to the difference in the respiratory
system of man and fish.

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Human Respiration
How long can you hold your breath? Let’s do a simple activity.
Please stand up. Take a deep breath. Now try to hold your breath as long as
you can. Who has been able to hold breath for long? Couldn’t hold your breath
even for a minute, could you?
Let’s learn more about breathing.
Press your hand on your chest and take a deep breath in and a deep breath
out. What are the changes that your body is experiencing? Don’t you feel the
air coming in and going out? What else do you feel?
Inhalation and Exhalation
Inhalation is the process of taking air into the lungs. Exhalation is the
process of movement of air from lungs to outside.
How does respiration occur in humans?
Let’s construct a model to understand the working of lungs.
Materials required
Y tube, one big balloon, 2 small balloons, a plastic bottle with its bottom part
cut off, string, rubber band, paper ball.

Plastic bottle

Y tube
Rubber band

Small balloon

Big balloon

String

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 Class - VII

Method of construction
Let's make a model as shown in the picture.
Fix the two small balloons in the Y tube and insert it through the lid of the
bottle as shown in the figure. Place a small paper ball tied to a rubber band, in
the middle of the big balloon and tie it with a long string. Attach the other end
of the rubber band to the Y tube. Invert the big balloon and attach at the bottom
of the bottle with the free end of the string outside.
Prepare the model with the help of your teacher.
Procedure
Gently pull down the string tied to the big balloon.
Don’t the smaller balloons expand when the larger balloon is pulled down?
What happens when the string is released?
(While pulling the string it will be better to hold the Y tube so as to keep it
steady.)
• When the string attached to the large balloon is pulling down, the two
small balloons inside the bottle begin to expand. Why?
• Why do the small balloons shrink when the string attached to the large
balloon is released?
Isn’t there a similarity between the model you have made and the functioning
of human lungs.
Observe the picture.

Trachea
Nostril

Bronchi

Bronchiole

Alveoli

Diaphragm

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Human lungs are placed in a space inside the chest called the thoracic cavity.
Below it is the abdomen. Diaphragm is the muscular wall that separates the
thoracic and abdominal cavities. It is slightly bent upwards and is dome-
shaped. In the above model, the big balloon stretched over the bottom of the
bottle can be imagined as the diaphragm and the two smaller balloons, as the
two lungs.
The contractile activities of human lungs and of the model you made are
almost similar.
The diaphragm and the muscles attached to the ribs play a role in the
contraction and expansion of human lungs.
Observe the picture and find answers to the questions given below. Write
them in the Science Diary.

• What happens to the

diaphragm during
inhalation and
exhalation?
• When does the thoracic
cavity increase in volume-
during inhalation or
exhalation?

During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and flattens. This increases the
volume of the thoracic cavity. The atmospheric air enters the lungs and the
lungs expand.
During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and both the diaphragm and the
lungs return to their previous positions. The air from the lungs moves out.

Respiratory Tract
Air entering through the nostrils reaches alveoli of the lungs. Respiratory tract
is this air passage from nostrils to lungs.
Complete the flowchart of the respiratory tract using the indicators.

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 Class - VII

Indicators
Alveolus, Trachea, Bronchioles, Nostrils, Bronchi.

Nostrils

Alveolus

How is the passage of air through the respiratory tract made possible? Examine
the illustration below.

Inhalation Exhalation

The diaphragm contracts and

The air from the lungs
flattens slightly.
moves out.
Rib cage lift upwards.

The volume of the thoracic The volume of the thoracic

cavity increases. cavity decreases and lungs
The lungs expand. contract.

The diaphragm returns to the

Atmospheric air enters
previous state and the rib cage
the lungs.
moves down.

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Write in the Science Diary the different stages of inhalation and exhalation.
Observe the table showing the levels of various components in the inhaled
and exhaled air.

Level Level
Inhaled air (in percentage) Exhaled air (in percentage)

Oxygen 21 Oxygen 15

Carbon dioxide 0.04 Carbon dioxide 4

Nitrogen 78 Nitrogen 78

Moisture 0.96 Moisture 3

Is the level of all components in inhaled and exhaled air the same? Which all
components show difference in percentage?
Which of the components are in higher level and lower level in exhaled air
than in inhaled air?
Analyze your findings and find out which gas is utilized by us in respiration.

Incidents of Food Getting Stuck in the Trachea

Have you come across news items in the newspaper about breast milk getting
stuck in the trachea, causing harm to small children. What first aid should be
given in such cases of choking on food or breast milk?

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● If the food is stuck in the trachea, that person

should be asked to cough forcefully. With the
force of cough the food will be ejected.
● As shown in the picture, keep the person who has
difficulty in breathing in a slightly bent position.
With both hands, press firmly on the affected
person's stomach from behind. If necessary,
repeat this process for a few more times.
● If the affected person is a baby, place the baby
face down on your forearm as shown in the
picture. Your arm should be resting on your
thigh. With the palm of your other hand, give the
child forceful blows between the shoulder blades.
Provide medical attention if necessary.

For Further Reading

Smoking and Health Issues

Smoking impairs the functioning of lungs. Carbon, tar, and other toxic
substances present in the cigarette smoke can remain in the lungs. This
can cause persistent cough. Tobacco contains chemicals that cause
cancer.

Diversity in Breathing
Paramecium is an aquatic unicellular organism that cannot be seen with the
naked eye. Analyze the picture and find out how gas exchange takes place in
a protozoan like paramecium.
Paramecium

Cell membrane

Oxygen
Carbon dioxide

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Paramecium takes in oxygen dissolved in the surrounding water through the

cell membrane and gives out carbon dioxide.
Analyze the table and understand the diverse types of respiration in organisms.
Diversity in Respiration
Organism Part that helps in respiration
Earthworm Moist skin

Fish Gills

Frog Lungs (while on land)

Moist skin (under water)

Spider Book lungs

Respiration
The process through which organisms receive oxygen from their
environment and eliminate carbon dioxide is called respiration.

You have learned that plants also respire like other organisms.

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Read the note given below and find the answer to the questions

Respiration in plants
Plants also absorb oxygen from the atmosphere and release carbon
dioxide. Stomata are fine pores, found in leaves and tender stem
that help in gas exchange in plants.

• Which gas do plants take in during respiration?

• Name the gas released by plants during respiration?
• Where does the gas exchange take place in plants?
From this unit we have understood two important activities that take place in
our body such as digestion and respiration. You are also convinced about the
importance of maintaining healthy habits that will help in proper functioning
of digestive and respiratory systems. Follow them in your daily life.

Let’s Assess
1. Which of the following combination is correct?
a. Goat, Horse, Crow, Pigeon (Herbivores)
b. Leopard, Vulture, Elephant, Lizard (Carnivores)
c. Man, Hen, Monkey, Peacock (Omnivores)
2. In which of the following organ digestion is completed?
a. Mouth b. Small intestine c. Large intestine d. Stomach
3. What are the precautionary steps to be taken to prevent tooth decay?
4. Compare the dentition of a six year old child and that of an adult.
5. A person is lying down and eating food. Do you think the food will
reach the stomach? Why?

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Extended Activities
1. Like man, other organisms also breathe. Observe the body movements
of cat, cow etc during inhalation and exhalation.
2. Breathe into a mirror. What do you see? What is the reason?
3. List out the ideas to be covered in the seminar to be organized in the
school on the topic, “Respiratory System and Health” and display them
on the bulletin board.
4. Have you ever noticed air pump in the aquarium? Find out its
significance.
5. With the help of your teacher organize a medical camp at school to get
more information about dental care.

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NOTES
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