Agniveer (Agnipath Scheme) Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) Syllabus

What are the three common states of matter and their key properties?

Solid: definite shape and volume. Liquid: definite volume but takes the shape of its container. Gas: neither definite shape nor volume, fills its container.

Name the changes of state for melting, boiling, condensation and sublimation.

Melting: solid to liquid. Boiling/vaporisation: liquid to gas. Condensation: gas to liquid. Sublimation: solid directly to gas (e.g. camphor, dry ice).

What is the difference between evaporation and boiling?

Evaporation occurs only at the surface at any temperature; boiling occurs throughout the liquid at a fixed boiling point with bubble formation.

Name the three subatomic particles and their charges.

Proton (positive), neutron (no charge), electron (negative).

Define atomic number and mass number.

Atomic number (Z) = number of protons in an atom. Mass number (A) = total number of protons + neutrons.

What are isotopes? Give an example.

Atoms of the same element with the same atomic number but different mass numbers (different numbers of neutrons). Example: Carbon-12 and Carbon-14.

On what basis is the modern periodic table arranged, and what are its rows and columns called?

Arranged in order of increasing atomic number. Horizontal rows are called periods; vertical columns are called groups.

What is the difference between an ionic bond and a covalent bond?

An ionic bond forms by transfer of electrons between atoms (metal + non-metal), creating ions; a covalent bond forms by sharing of electrons between atoms (usually non-metals).

What is a balanced chemical equation and why must equations be balanced?

One in which the number of atoms of each element is equal on both sides, satisfying the law of conservation of mass (matter is neither created nor destroyed).

Name the four main types of chemical reactions.

Combination (synthesis), decomposition, displacement (single), and double displacement. (Also redox: oxidation-reduction.)

Define oxidation and reduction in terms of oxygen and electrons.

Oxidation: gain of oxygen or loss of electrons. Reduction: loss of oxygen or gain of electrons.

What is the difference between an acid and a base, including their pH values?

Acids release H+ ions in water, taste sour, turn blue litmus red, pH below 7. Bases release OH- ions, taste bitter, turn red litmus blue, pH above 7.

What is the pH scale and what does pH 7 indicate?

A scale from 0 to 14 measuring acidity or alkalinity. pH 7 is neutral (pure water); below 7 is acidic, above 7 is basic/alkaline.

What is a neutralisation reaction? Give the general equation.

The reaction between an acid and a base to form salt and water. Acid + Base -> Salt + Water (e.g. HCl + NaOH -> NaCl + H2O).

State three general physical properties of metals.

Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, malleable and ductile, and lustrous (shiny); most are solid with high melting points (except mercury).

How do non-metals generally differ from metals in properties?

Non-metals are poor conductors (insulators), brittle (not malleable/ductile), usually dull, and may be solid, liquid or gas; they tend to gain electrons to form negative ions.

What is the chemical formula and common name of: common salt, baking soda and washing soda?

Common salt: NaCl (sodium chloride). Baking soda: NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate). Washing soda: Na2CO3.10H2O (sodium carbonate).

What is rusting and what conditions are needed for iron to rust?

Rusting is the slow oxidation of iron to form reddish-brown iron oxide. It requires both oxygen (air) and moisture (water).

What is the basic structural and functional unit of life?

The cell.

State two major differences between plant and animal cells.

Plant cells have a rigid cell wall and chloroplasts and usually a large central vacuole; animal cells lack a cell wall and chloroplasts and have small or no vacuoles.

What is the function of the mitochondria and the nucleus in a cell?

Mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, producing energy (ATP) through respiration. The nucleus controls cell activities and contains the genetic material (DNA).

What is a tissue, and name the four basic types of animal tissue.

A tissue is a group of similar cells performing a common function. The four animal tissues are epithelial, connective, muscular and nervous tissue.

Define photosynthesis and give its word equation.

The process by which green plants make food using sunlight. Carbon dioxide + Water --(sunlight, chlorophyll)--> Glucose + Oxygen.

What is the difference between respiration and photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis stores energy by making glucose and releasing O2 (uses CO2, occurs in light). Respiration releases energy by breaking down glucose, using O2 and producing CO2 (occurs all the time).

What is transpiration in plants?

The loss of water vapour from the aerial parts of a plant, mainly through the stomata of leaves.

Name the main organs of the human digestive system in order.

Mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus (with liver and pancreas as associated glands).

What are the four chambers of the human heart?

Two upper chambers called atria (right and left atrium) and two lower chambers called ventricles (right and left ventricle).

State the basic function of the respiratory, circulatory and nervous systems.

Respiratory: exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide (breathing). Circulatory: transport of blood, nutrients and oxygen. Nervous: control and coordination via electrical signals.

Name the components of blood and one function of each.

Red blood cells (carry oxygen via haemoglobin), white blood cells (fight infection/immunity), platelets (help blood clot), and plasma (liquid that transports cells and nutrients).

What is the difference between a communicable and a non-communicable disease, with one example of each?

Communicable diseases spread from person to person by pathogens (e.g. tuberculosis, malaria). Non-communicable diseases do not spread and are often lifestyle/genetic (e.g. diabetes, cancer).

Name the six main classes of nutrients required in a balanced human diet.

Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water (dietary fibre/roughage is also essential).

Which deficiency diseases are caused by lack of Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Iron?

Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy; Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets; iron deficiency causes anaemia.