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Program · High School

Grade IX - Science (SC905)

The Science syllabus for Grade IX is organised into 21 focused units covering Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Each unit has separate marks and together they form a 3-hour examination of 100 marks.

Total Marks: 100Time Allowed: 3 HoursSeparate marks are given with each unit.

Across all units, learners develop: conceptual understanding of scientific ideas, ability to interpret data and graphs, practical investigation skills, and applications of Science in everyday life and the environment.

Note: Separate marks are allotted for each unit.

Unit-wise Summary

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UnitKey Learning AreaMarksRead More
Unit 1Kinematics5Read more
Unit 2Force and Motion5Read more
Unit 3Gravitation5Read more
Unit 4Floating Bodies5Read more
Unit 5All About Matter5Read more
Unit 6Materials5Read more
Unit 7Elements5Read more
Unit 8The Fundamental Unit of Life5Read more
Unit 9Cell Division3Read more
Unit 10Tissues3Read more
Unit 11Diversity in Living Organisms5Read more
Unit 12Sound4Read more
Unit 13Work, Energy and Power5Read more
Unit 14Thermal Physics5Read more
Unit 15Compounds5Read more
Unit 16Mixtures5Read more
Unit 17Chemical Calculations5Read more
Unit 18Why Do We Fall Ill5Read more
Unit 19Biogeochemical Cycles5Read more
Unit 20Human Influence on Environment and Repair5Read more
Unit 21Improvement of Food Resources5Read more
Time: 3 HoursTotal Marks100

Grade IX · Science · Unit 1

Kinematics (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Understand rest and motion, and distinguish between uniform and non-uniform motion.
  • Define speed, velocity and acceleration with their SI units.
  • Interpret displacement-time, distance-time and velocity-time graphs.
  • Use graphs to derive equations of motion and recognise uniform circular motion.
  • Solve simple numerical problems related to motion.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 2

Force and Motion (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Define force and identify common types of forces in nature.
  • Use vectors to explain balanced and unbalanced forces.
  • State and explain Newton’s three laws of motion with everyday examples.
  • Express Newton’s second law mathematically and apply it to problems.
  • Define inertia and momentum, state their SI units and conservation of momentum.
  • Describe basic ideas of collisions and simple experiments related to force and motion.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 3

Gravitation (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • State and explain the universal law of gravitation and its mathematical form.
  • Explain gravitational field strength and use equations of motion in a gravitational field.
  • Understand escape velocity and orbital velocity in simple terms.
  • Relate gravitation ideas to basic concepts of satellite launch.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 4

Floating Bodies (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Explain thrust and pressure with examples.
  • Define density and relative density.
  • Recognise forces acting on floating bodies and the idea of buoyant force.
  • State and apply Archimedes’ principle to simple problems.
  • Calculate buoyant force using density and volume data.
  • Relate buoyancy to common situations and simple demonstrations.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 5

All About Matter (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Distinguish between solids, liquids and gases.
  • Explore interconversion of states of matter.
  • Understand key points of kinetic particle theory.
  • Read heating and cooling curves and relate them.
  • Recognise evaporation, factors affecting its rate and its cooling effect.
  • Describe diffusion and factors that influence its rate.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 6

Materials (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Classify materials using physical properties such as shape, size, texture and state.
  • Identify good and poor conductors of heat.
  • Compare conduction, convection and radiation as heat transfer modes.
  • Study clothing materials in relation to heat, colour and origin.
  • Recognise insulating properties of different materials.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 7

Elements (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Recall basic structure of the atom.
  • Show electron arrangement in simple atoms.
  • Relate electronic configuration to periodic table position.
  • Define isotopes and isobars and classify given examples.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 8

The Fundamental Unit of Life (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Recall that all living organisms are made of cells.
  • Identify main parts of a compound microscope and prepare a simple slide (e.g. onion peel).
  • Compare organisms based on cell size and shape; unicellular vs multicellular.
  • Relate structure and function of cell organelles.
  • Describe plasma membrane and cell wall and their roles.
  • Explain diffusion, osmosis and plasmolysis through activities.
  • Differentiate prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cells; plant vs animal cells; recall cell theory.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 9

Cell Division (3 Marks)

3 Marks
  • Appreciate why cell division is essential.
  • Outline stages of the cell cycle and preparation for division.
  • Identify features of prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.
  • Define mitosis and recognise it as equational division with key locations in plants and animals.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 10

Tissues (3 Marks)

3 Marks
  • Recall ‘division of labour’ in living systems.
  • Define tissue as a group of similar cells with a common function.
  • Differentiate plant and animal tissues and compare complexity.
  • Describe meristematic, simple permanent and complex permanent plant tissues.
  • Outline major types of animal tissues and classify them by structure, location and function.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 11

Diversity in Living Organisms (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Explain the need for classification of living organisms.
  • Relate similarities and differences to grouping and evolution.
  • Understand the link between simple/primitive and complex/advanced organisms.
  • Recognise the importance of scientific names.
  • List the five-kingdom system (Whittaker) and arrange taxonomic groups in order.
  • Highlight key features of major plant and animal groups.
  • Given features, identify likely groups and match organisms to their classification.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 12

Sound (4 Marks)

4 Marks
  • Explain how sound is produced, travels and is detected.
  • Describe structure and function of the human ear.
  • Distinguish between audible and ultrasonic waves.
  • Explain echo and the idea of SONAR.
  • Relate speed of sound in different media to practical uses.
  • Define frequency, wavelength and speed and use v = λf.
  • Explain wave motion and compare transverse vs longitudinal waves.
  • Differentiate sound and noise; define pitch, loudness and quality.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 13

Work, Energy and Power (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Define work, energy and power and give suitable units.
  • List common forms of energy and examples of energy transformation.
  • State the law of conservation of mechanical energy.
  • Classify energy sources as renewable and non-renewable.
  • Describe basic features, uses, advantages and limits of solar, wind, geothermal and nuclear energy.
  • Solve simple numerical problems on work, energy and power.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 14

Thermal Physics (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Explain thermal expansion in solids, liquids and gases.
  • Understand ideas of specific heat capacity and latent heat.
  • Compare conduction, convection and radiation as heat transfer mechanisms.
  • Suggest ways to improve insulation and conserve energy at home and in buildings.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 15

Compounds (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Explain how elements combine to form compounds.
  • Define valency for metals and non-metals.
  • Identify acidic and basic radicals in simple compounds.
  • Write basic chemical formulae from radicals.
  • Differentiate ionic, covalent and metallic bonding with key properties.
  • Practise balancing simple chemical equations.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 16

Mixtures (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Distinguish homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
  • Differentiate colloids and suspensions.
  • Compare mixtures and compounds.
  • Describe common methods of separating mixtures.
  • Understand criteria used to judge purity of substances.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 17

Chemical Calculations (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Explain relative atomic mass and relative molecular mass.
  • Recall Avogadro’s constant and define mole.
  • Use mole concept in simple chemical calculations.
  • Define limiting reagent and identify it in a reaction.
  • Estimate excess reagent and calculate percentage yield in basic problems.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 18

Why Do We Fall Ill (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Explain what it means to be healthy and how it differs from merely being disease-free.
  • Define disease and distinguish between acute/chronic and infectious/non-infectious.
  • Describe ways infectious agents spread and factors affecting infection.
  • Define immunity and list internal and external factors affecting it.
  • Relate tissue/organ-specific infection to signs and symptoms.
  • Compare treatment vs prevention and stress importance of immunisation.
  • Appreciate that community health is as important as individual health.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 19

Biogeochemical Cycles (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Recognise interdependence of biotic and abiotic components.
  • Describe main processes in water, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen cycles.
  • Define ammonification, nitrification and denitrification.
  • Discuss how human activities disturb natural biogeochemical cycles.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 20

Human Influence on Environment and Repair (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Explain how human activities affect the environment.
  • Describe greenhouse effect and roles of carbon dioxide and methane.
  • Explain ozone layer depletion and its causes and effects.
  • Identify major pollutants and list measures to control them.
  • Discuss why alternate energy sources are needed despite high costs.
  • Appreciate the value of environment-friendly practices.

Grade IX · Science · Unit 21

Improvement of Food Resources (5 Marks)

5 Marks
  • Relate growing food demand to population increase.
  • Outline crop variety improvement, crop production and protection methods.
  • Explain why organic farming is preferred over heavy chemical use.
  • Define animal husbandry and types of animal farms.
  • Suggest ways to increase productivity of animal farms.
  • Recognise use of genetic manipulation in agriculture and compare indigenous, exotic and hybrid breeds.