Week 1
In our very first lesson, we were being introduced to science and how it would help us in our daily lives. We also learnt or various types of variables, namely the independent variable- the variable that would affect the result; the dependent variable- the variable that we observe and record; and lastly the constant variable- the variable that remains constant.
I learnt that there could only be one independent variable but multiple constant variables.
Week 3
One key lesson was lab safety as our first lesson was at the lab. To ensure that we experiment in the lab safely, this lesson was important. Here are some of the things I had learnt:1. Some don't's such as- Rough play in the lab; eating and drinking in the lab; looking directly over a test tube, beaker or flask; and even pouring substances down the sink.
2. Some do's such as- Tying long hair when you use the Bunsen burner; pointing the test tube away from your eyes as well as other pupil's eyes; and lastly reading the hazard sign written on the container.
(See Below)
1. Explosive(4th /second row)- explodes when in contact with certain chemical
2. Flammable(1st/fourth row)- easily flamed
3. Toxic(1st/first row)- poisonous
4. Corrosive(1st/second row)- harmful; destructive
5. Radioactive(2nd/first row)- causing radiation
In the lab, we were briefed of its resources (e.g. Fire Blanket in case of fire, First Aid Box in case of injuries.......) ; we also learnt about the Bunsen burner and tried it out.
When I was young, I thought that the green flame was the 'hottest', the orange flame was the 'second hottest', and the blue flame was the 'least hot'. I also thought that ' blue flame +heat --> orange flame +heat --> green flame'.
After some self-study, I found out that the blue flame was more steady and hotter than the orange one, only the orange one is luminous, and the blue flame is produced when the air-hole is opened; green flame is produced when there is a strike-back (air-hole opened before gas flows through).
Week 4
This week, I learnt about the scientific tools used in the laboratory.
- Pipette- For transferring liquid into a flask
- Thistle funnel- For measuring very accurately a specific volume of liquid
- Retort Stand- For holding an object (e.g. thermometer) very firmly
- Filter funnel- For separating and insoluble liquid from a liquid with the help of a piece of filter paper
- Bell jar- For separating an experiment set-up from the outside environment
- Tripod stand- For supporting apparatus during heating
- Beaker- For collecting liquids or containing chemicals
- Flat-bottomed flask- For containing chemicals when preparing gases if the process requires no eating
- Test tube- For containing or heating small amount of substances
- Measuring cylinder- For measuring a volume of liquid
- Burette- To measure a volume of liquid ( accuracy > 0.01cm"3)
- Conical flask- For containing chemicals or collecting liquids
- Water trough- For containing water when collecting gases
- Evaporating dish- For evaporating a liquid from a solution
- Gas jar- For collecting gases
- Crucible- For heating solids directly over a flame
It was tiring memorising the names of these tools and their uses. But after lots of practices in class, I finally could somewhat memorise them. I felt that learning this was important as it would be easier to know what tools to use in the lab.
Then, we added copper sulfate to sodium carbonate, and tried to make the copper sulfate dissolve by shaking the other test tube. But, a suspension was observed. Hence, we could infer that copper sulfate is insoluble in sodium carbonate.
We also did other mini-experiments like dropping methylated spirit on our hand (cooling sensation is felt), blowing into limewater (limewater turns milky) and adding iodine into starch (starch turns dark blue).
After this lesson, I learnt how to infer and observe better and also learnt more about chemical reactions. I thoroughly enjoyed this lesson. But ... I still wonder why copper sulfate cannot dissolve in sodium carbonate.............
Week 5
Week 6
The test. The test was harder than I had expected, but its format was similar to the revision exercises given; although the questions were much 'advanced' and I realised that I had not studied enough. As it was our first science test, the teacher was much more lenient and hence, I managed an 'A1', much to my relief.
Week 7
This week, we learnt about the metre rule, the vernier calipers and the micrometer screw guage. I found out that the accuracy of the metre rule was 0.1cm, while the accuracy of the vernier calipers was 0.01cm and micrometer screw guage 0.01 mm.
We also learnt about 'zero error' occurring in the vernier calipers and the micrometer screw guage, when the first reading of the objects are lower or above zero. Hence, the correct measurement taken down should be reading - zero error.
Below shows the image of the vernier calipers ( left ) and the micrometer screw guage ( right )
We also did experiments involving them, such as calculating the thickness and diameter of a 50-cent coin and the period and oscillation of a pendulum .
Week 8
This week, I learnt even more about graphs and how to plot it, using the 'Y' and 'X' axis. I also learnt about giving a graphs its title and techniques when plotting a graph. Then we were given more practices on plotting graphs.
Week 12
This week's lesson was on physical quantities.Scientist and engineers from all over the world use the SI (International System) Units. The SI Units for each base quantity (cannot be expressed in terms of other physical quantities) are as follows:
- Length- Metre; m
- Mass- Kilkogram; kg
- Time- Second; s
- Temperature- kelvin; K
- Current- ampere; A
- Amount of substance- mole; mol
We also learnt about derived quantity, its derived unit and their relationship.
- Area- m"2 - l x b
- Volume - m"3 - l x b x h
- Density - kg/m"3 - mass/v
- Velocity - m/s - displacement/time
- Acceleration - m/s"2- velocity/time
- Force - N - mass x acceleration
- Pressure - Pa - force/area
- nano - 10"-9 - n
- micro - 10"-6 - unable to key in...
- milli - 10"-3 - m
- centi - 10"-2 - c
- deci - 10"-1 - d
- kilo - 10"3 - k
- mega - 10"6 - M
- giga - 10"9 - G
Week 13
This was the most memorable week in Term 1. Some practices before the quiz.... and then, the quiz. When Mrs Chia, our science teacher, was briefing us on the test, I was busy chitchatting away with my friend. After I had received the test paper, I quickly finished it in the next 30 minutes...... done! But, unfortunately, I found another paper underneath the main paper with a heading "Extra Practice". Phew! So I need not do it after all! I lay my head onto the table to rest.
"Students, remember to staple the two pieces of paper together before handing them up!" I heard Mrs Chia say. What? The extra practice was part of the quiz??? I was done for!!
Sure enough, I got an E8 for the quiz and my parents were called up. Fortunately, the quiz was not part of my Term 2 results. I would never forget this fateful day, and I vowed not to be so lazy and make the same mistake again.
It was also this fateful day which marked the end of Term 1. I looked forward to the holidays... and of course, the next term.........
