Jacaranda Science Quest 7 for the Victorian Curriculum 2E LearnON & Print.

Preface viii

About the authors ix

About this title xi

Access all of your online resources xii

Acknowledgements xv

Science Inquiry

1 Discovering science 1

1.1 Overview 2

1.2 Branches of science 4

1.3 The science laboratory 8

1.4 SkillBuilder—Measuring and reading scales

1.5 SkillBuilder — Using a Bunsen burner

1.6 Scientific inquiry 21

1.7 SkillBuilder — Writing an aim and forming a hypothesis

1.8 Controlled investigations 24

1.9 SkillBuilder — Controlled, dependent and independent variables

1.10 Analysing data 29

1.11 SkillBuilder — Constructing a pie chart

1.12 SkillBuilder — Creating a simple column or bar graph

1.13 SkillBuilder — Drawing a line graph

1.14 Reporting on investigations 36

1.15 SkillBuilder — From observation to conclusion

1.16 Extended investigation 45

1.17 Project — Bigger, better beans 51

1.18 Review 52

2 Learning Keys

2.1 Overview

2.2 Understanding learning and thinking

2.3 Types of intelligence

2.4 Thinking keys

2.5 Learning together

2.6 Unlocking learning

2.7 Question keys

2.8 Feeding your brain

2.9 Discovering your brain

2.10 Thinking tools — Making thinking visible

2.11 Review

Biological Sciences

3 Classification 63

3.1 Overview 64

3.2 Classification systems 66

3.3 Patterns in scientific language 74

3.4 Understanding scientific names 81

3.5 Keys to unlock identity 87

3.6 Classifying animals 96

3.7 Vertebrates 104

3.8 Mammals 112

3.9 Invertebrates 119

3.10 Classifying plants 127

3.11 The unique flora of Australia 134

3.12 Algae, fungi and lichens 140

3.13 Thinking tools — Tree maps 143

3.14 Project — Snakes alive 145

3.15 Review 146

4 Ecosystems 157

4.1 Overview 158

4.2 What are ecosystems? 160

4.3 Relationships in ecosystems 170

4.4 Food chains and food webs 179

4.5 The importance of flowering plants 188

4.6 Decomposition and nature’s recycling 195

4.7 The connection of Indigenous Australians to their ecosystems 205

4.8 Human impact on ecosystems 209

4.9 Extinction 220

4.10 Ecological footprints and sustainability 225

4.11 Thinking tools — Relational diagrams 232

4.12 Project — Small acts, big changes 235

4.13 Review 236

Chemical Sciences

5 Separating mixtures 245

5.1 Overview 246

5.2 Mixtures and solutions 249

5.3 Separating solids from mixtures 256

5.4 Other separating techniques 262

5.5 Separating solutions 266

5.6 Separation in industry 274

5.7 Removing contamination from water 279

5.8 Separating our waste 284

5.9 Thinking tools — Single bubble maps 290

5.10 Project — The diamond flush 292

5.11 Review 293

Earth and Space Sciences

6 The Earth in space 303

6.1 Overview 304

6.2 The Earth in orbit 306

6.3 The Moon 314

6.4 Phases of the Moon 317

6.5 Eclipses 320

6.6 Tides 327

6.7 Explaining the night sky 331

6.8 Thinking tools — Mind maps 337

6.9 Review 340

7 Precious resources 347

7.1 Overview 348

7.2 The Earth’s mineral resources 350

7.3 Fossil fuels 356

7.4 Renewable energy 364

7.5 Water in motion 372

7.6 Water as a resource 380

7.7 Soil as a resource 386

7.8 Thinking tools — Plus, Minus, Interesting charts 396

7.9 Review 398

Physical Sciences

8 Forces in action 405

8.1 Overview 406

8.2 Forces 408

8.3 Gravity 413

8.4 Friction 422

8.5 Keeping afloat 428

8.6 Magnetic fields 432

8.7 Electric fields 443

8.8 Staying safe 449

8.9 Thinking tools — Cluster maps 456

8.10 Review 458

9 A world of machines 465

9.1 Overview 466

9.2 Using levers 469

9.3 Pushing uphill using ramps, wedges and screws 476

9.4 Wheels, axles and pulleys 480

9.5 Getting into gear 487

9.6 Compound machines 491

9.7 Thinking tools — Venn diagrams 496

9.8 Project — Paper, Scissors, Robot 498

9.9 Review 499

Glossary 505

Periodic table 514

Index 516