Conductivity Basics
What is a conductor?
A conductor is a material that allows heat or electricity to pass through it.
Why are electrical wires made of metal?
Because metals conduct electricity.
What is a habitat?
The place where an organism lives.
What is an acid?
A substance with a pH less than 7.
What is an indicator?
A substance that changes colour to show if something is an acid or base.
What is an insulator?
A material that does not allow heat or electricity to pass through it easily.
Why are wires covered in plastic?
Because plastic is an insulator and prevents electric shock.
What is interdependence?
When organisms depend on each other for survival.
What is a base?
A substance with a pH greater than 7.
What colour does litmus turn in an acid?
Red.
What is the correct term for the transfer of heat through a material?
Thermal conductivity (or conduction of heat).
Why are saucepan handles made of plastic or wood?
Because they are insulators and do not conduct heat.
What is a food chain?
A sequence showing how energy is passed from one organism to another.
What happens when an acid reacts with a base?
A neutralisation reaction occurs, producing salt and water.
What colour does litmus turn in a base?
Blue
s metal the only type of conductor? Explain with example
No. Metals are good conductors, but they are not the only ones. - Graphite is a non metal
What would happen if a wire had no plastic covering?
You could get an electric shock.
Give an example of a food chain.
Grass → rabbit → fox.
What is the pH of a neutral substance?
pH 7.
How can you use an indicator to test if a substance is neutral?
It shows a neutral colour (e.g. green with universal indicator).
Name a non-metal that conducts electricity and explain why this is unusual.
Graphite — it is unusual because it is a non-metal that conducts electricity.
You are designing a kettle. Which materials would you use for the base and handle? Explain.
Base: metal (conducts heat).
Handle: plastic (insulator, safe to hold).
What would happen if one organism in a food chain was removed? Explain.
It would affect other organisms; for example, predators may have no food and populations could decrease.
Name an acid and a base and describe what happens when they react.
Hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide → salt and water.
You are given a mystery liquid. How would you test if it is an acid, base, or neutral?
Add an indicator and observe colour change (red = acid, blue/purple = base, green = neutral) or Universal Indicator Paper