Introduction Welcome to the third stage of your Cambridge Secondary 1 Science course! This book covers the third year, Stage 9, of the Cambridge Secondary 1 Science curriculum. At the end of the year, your teacher may ask you to take a test called a Progression Test. You may also take a test called Checkpoint. This book will help you to learn how to be a good scientist, and to do well in the tests.
The main areas of science The book is divided into three main sections, each one dealing with one of three main areas of science. These are: Biology – the study of living organisms
Chemistry – the study of the substances from which the Earth and the rest of the Universe are made Physics – the study of the nature and properties of matter, energy and forces.
There are no sharp dividing lines between these three branches of science. You will find many overlaps between them.
Learning to be a scientist During your course so far, you have learnt a lot of facts and information. You have also been learning to think like a scientist. You have learnt how to observe carefully, and how to do experiments to try to find out answers to questions. You have learnt how to record results, and how to use them to make a conclusion. This book will help you to continue to improve these skills. When you see this symbol SE , it means that the task will help you to develop your scientific enquiry skills.
Using your knowledge It’s important to learn facts and scientific ideas as you go through your science course. But it is just as important to be able to use these facts and ideas. When you see this symbol A+I , it means that you are being asked to use your knowledge to work out an answer. You will have to think hard to find the answer for yourself, using the science that you have learnt. (A+I stands for Applications and Implications.)
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