LEARNHOW TO EXPLAIß1

SCIEßíCE COßíCEPTS CLEARLY

A í'•I D Y L I fśt G
Hi there, ScienceShifu.com

Glad you downloaded this free Ebook.

After reading this book, you are one step closer to conquering
the explain-type questions in science exams.

How to use this guidebook:

1) There are 13 MUST KNOW concepts.

2) Remember the underlined key words in each concept.

3) Apply the keywords in your open-ended questions.

4) For explaining and describing science concepts, I have

provided the sentence structure to write the answers clearly.
Apply them in your exams.

To the kids:

I understand your parents might have forced you to read

through this so I have kept this short for your easy reading.

Read the scientific thinking process behind each question.

You need to spot the clues and link them to the correct
science concepts.

Take this book as a supplementary reading material before

entering the exam.

Note:
Do not use this ebook with a “must fit all the words into the
question” approach.
The phrase/sentence MUST answer the question.

Happy reading!
 Table of contents

Must Know Heat and Temperature Concepts..........................- 1 -

Must Know Evaporation and Condensation Concepts..............- 6 -
Must Know Three states of matter Concept ...........................- 13 -
Must Know Reproduction in plants Concept ..........................- 16 -
Must Know Light and shadows Concept .................................- 18 -
Must Know Digestion Concepts ...............................................- 19 -
Must Know Circulatory System Concepts................................- 20
- Must Know Food Chains and Food Web Concepts .................- 21
- Must Know Electricity Concepts ..............................................-
22 -
Must Know Brightness of Bulbs Concept ................................- 25 -
Must Know Electromagnetic Concepts....................................- 27 -
Must Know Forces Concepts ....................................................- 29 -
Must Know Energy Concepts ...................................................- 30 -
About the Author .....................................................................- 31 -
To All Concern Parents .............................................................- 32 -
You Might Be Interested In These ...........................................- 33 -
 ScienceShifu.com

Must Know Heat and Temperature Concepts

Explain the heat flow process

1) O bject 1 gains/loses heat to o bject 2

Example: The i ron rod g ains heat from the c andle

flame.
OR
The g lass rod loses heat to the s urrounding air.

Explain why an object is hotter than the other object

(with changes in temperature shown)

2) O bject 1 has a h igher temperature than o bject 2.

Example: Water has a higher temperature than air.

Result: Water is hotter than air.
-1-
 Explain why an object is not hot after applying heat.

3) Poor conductor of heat gains/loses heat slowly

Example: Glass is a poor conductor of heat and takes

in heat slowly.

Result: Temperature of glass does not rise a lot.

Explain why an object turns hot quickly after applying

heat

4) Good conductor of heat gains/loses heat quickly

Example: As steel cup is a good conductor of heat and

takes in heat quickly.

Result: The temperature of steel cup rises a lot.

 Steel plate
Combining Concepts 1 to 4

Glass plate

Both plates are placed in the fridge for a few hours.

Mary then take them out and touch the two plates.
Explain why her hand feels colder when she touches
the steel plate.

Scientific thinking process:

The question is showing different materials.
This means question wants you to use the science concepts 3 and 4: Good and poor conduct
Also, the question mentions Mary hands feel colder when she touches the metal plate.
Question wants you to use concepts 1 and 2: Heat flow
 Answer:
Concept:
Steel is a better conductor of heat than glass.

Explanation:
The steel gains heat from Mary’s hands faster than
glass.

OR

Mary’s hand l oses heat f aster to the steel plate than

the glass plate.

End result:
Mary’s hands will feel colder when she touches the
steel plate.

Object expands and contracts

5) The object gains heat and expands on a hot day.

Note: It is recommended to use the complete phrase

as underlined.

6) The object loses heat and contracts on a cold day.

Note: It is recommended to use the complete phrase

as underlined.
 Identify Concept 5 or Concept 6

The diagram below shows a steel rod before heating up.

Before heating

Original length of the steel rod: 15cm

The steel rod is heated and the length of the steel rod is
measured.

After heating

Length of the steel rod after heating: 17cm

tific thinking process:

tion has given you clues.
ength of the steel rod increases after heating up. You should use the correct science concept: Co

Explain why did the final length of the steel rod increase after
heating?

When the steel rod is h eated up, the steel rod g ains heat and
expands.
Must Know Evaporation and Condensation Concepts

Factors affecting rate of evaporation

7) Exposed surface area to surrounding air.

Take note: Water cannot evaporate when there is no

exposed surface area.
 Apply concept 7
Layer of oil

300ml of Water 300ml of Water

Setup A Setup B

Both setup A and B are placed in room beside the

window for 3 hours.

Mary observed the amount of water in setup B

decreases to 230ml whereas the amount of water in
setup A remains the same. Explain Mary’s
observation.

Scientific thinking process:

See the clues in the diagram: Setup A has layer of oil and
Setup B does not.

Also, the question mentions amount of water has

decreased. This means there is evaporation of water.

After analysing the clues, which science concept can be

used to answer this question?

Concept 7: Exposed surface area.

There is a layer of oil in setup A. There is no exposed

surface area for water to evaporate into water
vapour in setup A.
Result: water will not evaporate in setup A.
 8) Higher temperature of the liquid will increase rate of
evaporation.

Combining concepts 3, 4 and 7, 8

Beaker A is made of steel and Beaker B is made of

glass. Both set-ups are placed in the open field with
direct sunlight for 20 minutes. David then measures
the amount of water. The amount of water in Beaker
A drops to 280ml and the amount of water in Beaker
B drops to 290ml. Explain David’s results.

300ml of Water

Beaker A Beaker B

Scientific thinking process:

The question is showing different materials.
This means question wants you to apply the science concepts of 3 and 4:
Also, question also mentions amount of water decreases. This means the
Apply Science concept 8: Higher temperature will cause water to evapora
Answer:
Beaker A is made of steel which is a better conductor
of heat than glass. The water in beaker A gains heat
from the steel at a faster rate.

Result:
T emperature of water in beaker A will r ise faster
than the water in beaker B. Rate of evaporation is
faster in beaker A than in beaker B
 ScienceShifu.com

Describing the process of evaporation of water

9) G ains heat and e vaporates into water vapour

Example: Water gains heat from the (heat source)

and evaporates into water vapour.

Describing the process of condensation of water

vapour.

10) W ater vapour rises, t ouches the cooler surface of the

c ontainer, l oses heat and condenses to form water
droplets.

- 10 -
 ScienceShifu.com

Combining Concepts 9 and 10

The setup below is placed in the open field under
direct sunlight for a few hours. Explain why water
droplets are formed in the glass container after a few
hours?

Sun

Glass container

Water droplets

300ml of water in beaker

Scientific thinking process:

Look at the clues in the diagram.
Liquid water in a beaker
Water droplets form on the inner surface of the glass container
Question wants you to apply concepts 9 and 10: Evaporation and condensation of water.

- 11 -
 Answer:
Water in the beaker gains heat from the sun and
evaporates into water vapour.
W arm water vapour rises, t ouches the cooler inner
s urface of the glass l oses heat and
container,
condenses to form water
droplets.

Note:

- Please write “warm” in this type of question.

- Please remember to write “the sun” in this

question.
(If the water is hot in the first place, you don’t
have to mention heat source)

- You have to mention “inner surface”.

- To communicate clearly, use the labels in the

diagram. Don’t use your own words.
Must Know Three states of matter Concept

11) The object has f ixed shape and f ixed volume.

Example: Glass has a fixed shape and volume

Recommended not to write: “Definite” to reduce
spelling error.

12) The object has n o fixed shape but it has a f ixed

volume.

Example: Water has no fixed shape and but has a fixed

volume

13) The object has n o fixed shape and n o fixed volume.

Example: Air has no fixed shape and volume.

 Combining Concepts 11, 12 and 13

Example
Study the sealed container as shown below. The
sealed container has a total volume of 1000cm 3.
500cm3 of rocks is added and 100cm3 of air is pumped
into the container.

Sealed container

200cm3 of water in sealed container

What is the final volume of air inside the sealed

container? Explain your answer.

Answer:
1000 - 500 (rocks) - 200 (water) = 300cm 3.

Air has n o fixed volume and will occupy the r emaining

space inside the container.
 Explain process relating to occupying space

14) S ubstance A f lows into the container to o ccupy

the s pace when s ubstance B flows out/escapes.

Example: Air f lows into the container to o ccupy the

space when water flows out/escapes from the
container.

Describing balloons taking in/removing air

15) The balloon is inflated.

Meaning: the balloon is filled with air.

16) The balloon is deflated.

Meaning: the balloon has lost all its air.
Must Know Reproduction in plants Concept

Animal pollination

17) Pollen grains land on the sticky stigma. Pollination

occurs.

Fertilisation of flower

18) Removed stigma, style, ovary, ovule (remove any one

of them) and fertilisation will not take place.

Explain the importance of dispersion

19) To prevent overcrowding and competition for

resources such as sunlight, minerals and water.
 Identify concept 17

Study flower A
Sticky stigma

Large colourful petals

Anther

Based on the information above, which method of pollination for

flower A?

Scientific thinking process:

Look at the clues in the diagram.
Bright and colourful petal
Sticky stigma found inside the flower.
These are enough clues to help you determine the flower is animal pollinated.

Answer: Animal pollination

Must Know Light and shadows Concept

Explaining how shadows are formed

20) Shadows are formed when light rays are blocked by

opaque objects.
OR
Light rays cannot pass through the opaque object.

Explaining how we see objects.

21) Light is reflected from the object into our eyes.

Example: We see a water bottle because light is

reflected from the water bottle into our eyes.
Must Know Digestion Concepts

Describe the digestion process

22) The saliva b reaks down food into s impler substances.

23) The teeth c uts/chews the food into s maller pieces.

Take Note: You have to know the difference between

smaller pieces and simpler substances.

Glucose and digested food are simple substances.

Starch and undigested food are complex substances.

Explain how churning food speeds up digestion.

24) Stomach walls c hurn the food so the d igestive

juices will mix with the food and b reaks down the s
oft food into smaller pieces.
 ScienceShifu.com

Must Know Circulatory System Concepts

Describe how are substances transported.

25) Blood t ransports oxygen, d igested food and water

to the body cells.

26) Blood t w aste substances and c arbon

ransports
dioxide to the organs for removal from the body.

Take note: Blood does not remove substances.

Take note: Blood is found inside the blood vessels

Describe what happens to food substances after

reaching the body cells

27) Body cells take in d igested food and oxygen d uring

r espiration to release energy for l ife processes.

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 ScienceShifu.com

Must Know Food Chains and Food Web Concepts

Understanding population

28) Different/types of population species

Example: There are three different population of
insects living in the garden community.

Note: This means 3 different species of insects.

29) Total Population.

Example: Total population of butterflies in a garden

community is 25.

Note: This means there are 25 organisms of butterflies

in a garden community.

- 21 -
Must Know Electricity Concepts

Explain why other bulbs will not light up when a bulb

is fused in a series circuit

30) In s eries circuit, there is o ne path for electricity to

flow.

Example: When a bulb fused in a series circuit, the

other bulbs will not light up as there is no other path
for electricity to flow.

OR

Example: The bulbs are arranged in a series circuit.

When one bulb is fused, it becomes an open circuit
and no electricity can flow.
 Explain why other bulbs will light up when a bulb is
fused.

31) In parallel circuit, there are a few/more than one

paths for electricity to flow in a circuit.

Example: When one bulb is fused in a parallel circuit,

the other bulbs r emain lit as there are o ther paths
for
electricity to flow.

Connection of bulbs to the wires.

32) One end of the wire is connected to the metal casing

and the other end of the wire is connected to the
metal tip. The bulb will light up.
 Identify the correct concepts
Switch

Bulb A battery
Bulb B

The bulbs, switch, wires and battery are working

properly.
Which bulb, A or B, is lit when the switch is closed?

Answer: bulb B.

Scientific thinking process:

Both ends of the wire are connected to the metal casing in bulb A.
Take note: one end of the wire must be connected to the metal casing, the other end to the me
Concept 32 is used.
Bulb A does not light up.
Metal casing is an electrical conductor. Electricity can flow through the metal casing into bulb B
Must Know Brightness of Bulbs Concept

33) Bulb added in series.

Example: As more bulbs are added in series, all the
bulbs are dimmer.

34) Bulbs added in parallel.

Example: As more bulbs are added in parallel, there is
no change in brightness.

35) Batteries added in series.

Example: As more batteries are added in series, the
bulbs shine brighter.

36) Batteries added in parallel.

Example: As more batteries are added in parallel,
there is no change in brightness of the bulbs.
 Explain why one bulb is brighter than the other.

37) There are more batteries supplying electricity to

Bulb A than Bulb B. Hence bulb A is brighter as
there is
more electricity flowing through Bulb A.

OR

There is more electricity flowing through Bulb A than

Bulb B. Hence Bulb A shines brighter than Bulb B.

Explain why one bulb is dimmer than the other.

38) There are less batteries supplying electricity to Bulb

B than Bulb A. Hence bulb B is d immer as there is l
ess
electricity flowing through Bulb B.

OR

There is lesser electricity flowing through Bulb B than

Bulb A. Hence Bulb B shines dimmer than Bulb A.
Iron core

Must Know Electromagnetic Concepts

Describe how the iron core becomes an

electromagnet.

39) In a closed circuit, e lectricity flows through the c oils

o f wire around the i ron core, the iron core is
m agnetised and becomes an e lectromagnet.
 Applying concept 39

Closed switch

Iron core

Steel nails

Explain how does adding more batteries in series

attract more steel nails?

Answer: When more batteries are added in series,

m ore electricity flows through the c oils of wire around
the iron core, the iron core is magnetised and
becomes a stronger electromagnet.

Describe the process of electromagnet losing its

magnetism

40) In an open circuit, n o electricity flows through

the
c oils of wire around the i ron core, the electromagnet
l oses its m agnetism and no longer a ttracts the
magnetic material.
Must Know Forces Concepts

41) The compressed spring exerts an elastic spring force

on the object.

Do not write: the object has elastic spring force.

42) The magnet will attract the magnetic material.

Don’t write: the magnet will pull the magnetic

material.

43) There is frictional force between the object and

another object.

Example: There is frictional force between the

w ooden block and the s andpaper. Hence the wooden
block stops moving down the slope eventually.

Note: Since frictional force is a contact force. It is good

to mention the two objects/surfaces involved.
 ScienceShifu.com

Must Know Energy Concepts

Explain conversion of energy.

44) T ype of energy from O bject is c onverted to t ype of

energy.

Example: c hemical potential energy from the b attery

is c onverted to e lectrical energy.

45) Useful energy

Example
State the useful energy conversion of the Computer
when Tom is watching a video.

E lectrical energy is c onverted l ight and sound

energy. to

Don’t write: Heat energy. This is not a useful form of

energy.

Take Note: Watching video has both Light and Sound

energy.

- 30 -
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To All Concern Parents

Does your child have problems understanding certain

concepts?

Does your child frequently write out of point in open ended

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