CBSE 8th Class Science Syllabus

Course Structure

Course Syllabus

Unit 1: Exploring Forces

• Define the term force

• Explore the effects of force in our daily life

• Name different kinds of forces such as gravitational force, impact force, muscular force, magnetic force, electrostatic force and frictional force

• Classify forces into contact and noncontact forces

• Describe the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on moving objects

• Explore the force of friction

• Investigate the factors affecting friction

• Analyze situations to decide whether friction is desirable or undesirable

• Explain how lubricants and ball bearings reduce friction

• Suggest ways of reducing /increasing friction in daily life

• Perform simple activities related to different kinds of forces

Unit 2: Understanding Pressure

• Understand the concept of pressure as force per unit area
• Explore the situations where high or low pressure is useful
• Name the units of pressure like N/m and Pascal
• Solve numerical based on pressure
• Investigate the effect of pressure exerted by liquids at varying depths
• Explore the impact of pressure on construction of dams and fountains
• Apply the concept of atmospheric pressure to explain real life examples

Unit 3: Sound

• Understand and explore the production of sound

• Investigate the conditions under which sound travels

• Understand and explain the characteristics of sound

• Explore the effect of amplitude on loudness and frequency on pitch of a sound

• Understand the working of human ear

• Explore that all the vibrations are not audible

• Understand the difference between noise and pleasant sound

• Analyse the effects of noise pollution on human health

• Explore the methods to reduce noise pollution

Unit 4: Language of Chemistry

• Recall the meaning of the terms-atoms and molecules

• Explain the formation of cations and anions

• Define the term radical

• List acidic and basic radicals

• Differentiate between acid and basic radicals

• Explain the formation of salts

• Comprehend the concept of atomicity

• Deduce the formula of salts using displacement reaction

• Write chemical equations from word equations

• Explain balancing of chemical equations

• Infer that balancing of chemical equation justifies that mass remains conserved during a chemical reaction

• Carry out an activity to show balancing of chemical equations

Unit 5: Metals and Non-Metals

• Define the terms: displacement reaction, minerals and ores

• Explain briefly the position of metals and non-metals in the periodic table

• Identify the substances around you as metals and non-metals

• Study the physical properties of metals and non-metals highlighting the exceptions

• Differentiate between the physical properties of metals and non-metals

• Investigate the effect of air, water, acids and bases on metals and nonmetals and compare their chemical properties

• Recall the burning of magnesium ribbon in air and identify the nature of the oxide formed by using litmus solution

• Study the reactivity of different metals such as zinc and copper with the salt solution selected as Ferrous Sulphate

• Recognize the uses of metals and nonmetals in day to day life

• Investigate the factors causing corrosion in metals

• Carry out an activity to show the liberation of Hydrogen gas on reaction of Zinc metal with dilute Hydrochloric acid

Unit 6: Chemical Effects of Electric Current

• Recall different materials which conduct electric current

• Define the terms: electrodes, electrolytes, electroplating and electrolysis

• Devise a tester to test the conducting ability of liquids, using magnetic effects of current

• Comprehend that the solutions of acids, bases and salts conduct electricity

• Describe the process of electrolysis through examples

• Infer that passage of electric current through a conducting solution causes chemical reactions

• Justify that electrical appliances should not be touched with wet hands

• Test whether fruits and vegetables also conduct electricity

• Explain the applications of electroplating in day to day life

• Describe the process that is used to carry out purification of copper

• Appreciate how the process of electroplating helps to coat a layer of more expensive metal over an object made of a cheaper metal thus giving it an expensive look. For example, silver plating on an artificial flower vase made up of ordinary metal

• Carry out an activity to show that liquids conduct electricity

• Carry out an activity to show that acidified water breaks down to form hydrogen and oxygen gas on passing current through it

Unit 7: Cell – A Coordinator

• Familiarize with biographies of scientists and their work in discovering the cell

• Understand the term structural and functional unit of a living organism

• Define a 'cell'

• Explore different shapes, sizes and number of cells that make an organism(s)

• Comprehend that cell is a unit of structure and function of an organism

• Analyze the role of a cell as a coordinator

• Identify the role of parts of a cell and relate it to the function of an organism

• Differentiate between unicellular and multicellular organisms

• Compare and illustrate plant and animal cells

Unit 8: Managing Interdependence

• Relate the existence of flora and fauna in a given area

• Comprehend that different climatic conditions determine the flora and fauna

• Recognize inter –relationship between living and non-living components of the habitat

• Describe Interdependence between living organisms

• List and examine how unfavorable conditions affect lives of the organisms

• Identify and categorize man – made and natural disasters

• Relate man-made disasters to natural disasters

• Justify how human action can create conditions for natural disasters

• Prioritize responsibility to conserve wildlife

• Design campaigns for conservation of wildlife

• Classify the organisms according to their status (Endangered species)

• Illustrate with examples the role of adults, children, students for Reuse, Recycle, Reduce

• Restate that natural disasters happen more infrequently as compared to man-made disasters

• Comprehend the need to maintain a balance in the Ecosystem

Unit 9: Exploring Microorganism

• Recognise the presence of organisms which are not visible to the naked eye

• Explore diversity in the world of microbes and classify them on the basis of their distinctive features

• Identify the role of microbes in various spheres of life. (medicine, industry, environment, agriculture, etc.)

• Establish active and passive unique position of viruses in nature

• Comprehend the importance of microbes as recyclers

• Cite examples of microbes becoming a threat to the living world – animals and plants

• List some methods of curtailing food spoilage by microbes and relate them to the day to day activities which prevent food spoilage

Unit 10: Light Exploration

• Understand the phenomenon of refraction of light

• Explore the factors that cause refraction of light

• Trace the path of a ray of light through different transparent media like a rectangular glass slab

• Apply the concept of refraction to real life examples

• Differentiate between convex and concave lens

• Perform experiments to show the formation of image by convex and concave lenses

• Analyse the use of different lenses for different purposes

• Understand the structure and function of human eye

• Explore common defects of vision and their correction

• Understand the need/importance of taking care of eyes

• Explore how visually challenged persons read or write and empathise with them

• Perform simple activities related to refraction of light

Unit 11: Some Natural Phenomena

• Recall the structure of an atom

• Understand the production of static charges on rubbing

• Explore how charges are acquired on different objects

• Investigate the behavior of charges

• Understand the working of an electroscope

• Understand how accumulation of charges in clouds causes lightning

• Explain the precautions which need to be taken during a thunderstorm

• Understand the working of a lightning conductor

• Understand the causes of an earthquake

• Collect information on different earthquake zones

• Explore the measures taken to minimize the destruction caused by an earthquake

Unit 12: The Night Sky

• Explore the phases of the moon to explain its formation

• Explain why we always see the same face of the moon

• Describe the surface of the moon

• Identify some common constellations in the night sky

• Name the planets in the solar system in order of distance from the Sun and state some facts about these

• Differentiate between a star and a planet

• Explain with diagrams how eclipses of the Sun and the Moon occur

• Describe some other members of the solar system like the asteroid, comets, meteor and meteorites

• Differentiate between natural and artificial satellite

• List the uses of artificial satellite

• Locate and use information about the universe from different sources

Unit 13: Synthetic Fibres and Plastics

• Recall the meaning of the terms: natural fibers and fabrics

• Define the terms: monomers, polymers, plastics and polymerization

• Comprehend the transformation from fiber to fabric

• Explain the meaning of synthetic fibers

• Name various synthetic fibers

• Distinguish between natural and synthetic fibers

• Describe the properties of various synthetic fibers

• Appreciate the knowledge of the properties of synthetic fibers before selecting a fiber for a particular purpose

• Learn the effect of heat on various fibers

• State the uses of synthetic fibers in daily life

• Explain different types of plastics

• Differentiate between different types of plastics

• Appreciate the importance of biodegradable plastics over non-biodegradable ones

• Recognize different linkages of monomers in plastics

• Describe the properties and uses of plastics

• Explore the harmful effects of excessive use of plastics on environment

• Discuss the ways to reduce usage of plastics

• Carry out a survey in your area and name the marts where use of plastic bags is totally prohibited

Unit 14: Coal and Petroleum

• Recall the meaning of the term natural resources
• Explain the term refining of Petroleum
• Classify natural resources as exhaustible and inexhaustible resources
• Appreciate the historical background of the formation of coal
• Classify different types of coal based on their carbon content
• Appreciate the uses of the products of destructive distillation of coal
• List the uses and properties of coke, coal tar and coal gas
• Describe the process of combustion of coal
• List the products of combustion of coal
• Relate the process of combustion of petroleum with coal
• Name various fractions of petroleum
• Comprehend the uses of various fractions
• Explain the process of Fractional distillation
• Describe the principle of Fractional distillation
• Infer the importance of non-renewable sources of energy
• Explore the harmful effects of excessive combustion of coal and petroleum
• Carry out an activity to study the process of destructive distillation of coal

Unit 15: Combustion and Flame

• Recall the process of Combustion

• Define the term ignition temperature

• Appreciate the significance of air for combustion

• Differentiate the types of combustion on the basis of availability of oxygen

• Compare Rapid, Spontaneous and Explosive combustion

• Classify different examples of combustion observed in daily life

• Recognize the necessary conditions of combustion

• Explain the methods of controlling fire

• Recognise that attainment of ignition temperature can be made easier or difficult

• Explore the working of a simple fire extinguisher

• Appreciate the aesthetic sense of chemistry behind fire extinguisher by writing the chemical equation

• Identify different zones of a candle flame

• Explain the fuel efficiency in terms of calorific value

• Describe the causes of burning of fuel

• Carry out an activity to prepare a simple fire extinguisher

• Carry out an activity to deduce the necessary conditions required for combustion

Unit 16: Air and Water Pollution

• Recall the composition of air

• Define the terms: pollution and pollutants

• Explain air pollution

• List some air pollutants

• Discuss the sources of air pollutants

• Examine the harmful effects of air pollutants

• Classify different types of smogs

• Develop an understanding of Green house effect and Global warming

• Name various green house gases

• Explore the ways to reduce air pollution

• Predict the meaning of water pollution

• Enlist the factors responsible for water pollution

• Describe the meaning of potable water

• Determine various ways to reduce pollution

• Carry out a survey of your local area by rising factories to find out the measures taken by them to reduce air and water pollutions

• Carry out simple activities to purify water which lead to reduction in air and water pollutions

Unit 17: Cell to Organism

• Recall the characteristics of living beings

• Comprehend the importance of reproduction in the continuation of species

• Categorize reproduction as Asexual and Sexual reproduction

• Describe and draw the structure of male and female reproductive system

• Relate the structure of reproductive organs with their functions

• Describe the process of fertilization

• Identify male and female gametes

• Define the term fertilization

• Outline the steps of development of foetus from a zygote

• Diagrammatically present the steps of development of a zygote

• Differentiate between external and internal fertilization

• Distiguish between ovipary and vivipary

• Understand that asexual reproduction takes place in microscopic organisms

• Describe and draw the process of Budding and Binary Fission

• Appreciate the contribution of technology in medicine (e.g., IVF) and childless couple

• Imagine the impact of cloning of different organisms on society

Unit 18: Landmark in the Human Development

• Identify different physical, emotional and mental changes that occur during teenage

• Define and understand the term 'puberty' and 'adolescence and secondary sexual characters

• Discuss the difference between secondary sexual characteristics of human male and female

• Differentiate endocrine glands from exocrine glands

• Locate the functions of different endocrine glands in a human body

• Describe the main functions of each glands and the role of hormones in maintaining homeostasis

• Correlate the role of pituitary gland as master gland

• Identify different disorders/diseases caused due to malfunctioning of different glands and interpret their symptoms

• Recognise the importance of reproductive health and importance of nutritional needs of adolescents

• Discuss the possible role of hormones in life cycle of animals other than humans. Example - butterfly and frog

Unit 19: Technology in Food Production

• Recognize agriculture as the biggest industry in the world

• Distinguish between various categories of crop plants on the basis of season and the part which is used the most

• Identify the benefits that horticulture has brought to the farmers as well as the economy of a country

• Compare the conventional and modern methods of agricultural practices and relate them to the progress made in the field of agro sciences and technology

• Interpret the link between scientific advancement and the development of high yielding methods using scientific methods

• Describe the role of different agricultural revolutions in making the countries self-sustainable

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