Class 6 Science · Chapter 1

1. The Wonderful World of Science

Answers to Activities 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 and the in-text questions. NCERT Curiosity, Class 6 Science (CBSE).

In-text Questions

What is Science?

Science is a way of thinking, observing and doing things. It helps us understand the world we live in.

It also helps us uncover the secrets of the universe. For this, the most important thing is curiosity.

What will we explore with the help of this book?

We will explore:

Our planet Earth and the variety of plants and animals on it.
The food we eat and what it is made of.
Water, rain, and hot and cold things.
Materials around us, magnets and how to separate materials.
Measurement of length and motion.
The Sun, the Moon and the stars beyond the Earth.

How can we try to find answers to our questions on our own?

We can find answers by following the scientific method. Its steps are:

1. Observe — notice something interesting or something we do not understand.

2. Question — wonder and ask a question about it.

3. Guess — think of a possible answer.

4. Test — check the guess through experiments or more observations.

5. Analyse — study the results to see if they answer the question.

Why did the pen stop writing? How is finding this out an example of the scientific method?

First we guess that the ink is finished. We test it by opening the pen and checking the refill.

If the ink is not finished, we make another guess. Perhaps the ink has dried up. We test this guess too.

Guessing and testing again and again till we find the answer is the scientific method.

Activities

1.1Let us think and write: Write about a similar problem that you tried to solve. What steps did you take?

Problem: My torch did not glow.

Guess 1: The batteries are weak. I put new batteries. The torch still did not glow. So my guess was wrong.

Guess 2: The bulb is fused. I changed the bulb. Now the torch glowed.

Result: The fused bulb was the problem.

Write about a problem from your own life. Show the guess, the test and the result.

1.2Let us think and write: Describe a daily life situation where you think someone was following a scientific method.

A bicycle repair person found that a tyre was flat. He asked, “From where is the air leaking?”

He guessed that there was a hole in the tube. He filled air in the tube and dipped it in a tub of water.

Bubbles came out from one spot. So his guess was correct. He put a patch on that spot.

He observed, asked a question, guessed, tested and found the answer. So he followed the scientific method.

1.3Let us think and write: If you have to ask “Why?” about something, what would you ask about? Try to write down how you would attempt to find an answer to your question.

My question: Why does milk turn sour faster in summer?

My guess: Heat makes milk turn sour quickly.

My test: I will take two bowls of the same milk. I will keep one bowl in the refrigerator and the other in a warm place.

Result: I will check both bowls after one day. If only the milk in the warm place turns sour, my guess is correct.

What is the first and foremost thing needed to learn science well?

We must be curious and observe our surroundings keenly. A curious person asks “how?” and “why?”.

To be a wise person, you must be a “whys” person!

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