NCERT Class 7 Science Curiosity: Chapter 5 — Changes Around Us: Physical and Chemical
This chapter, 'Changes Around Us,' from NCERT's Class 7 Science Curiosity textbook, introduces students to the concept of changes occurring in their surroundings. It begins with relatable examples like melting ice, a bud turning into a flower, and a banana ripening, prompting reflection on different types of transformations. Through Activity 5.1 and Table 5.1, students are encouraged to observe and record various changes, such as chopping vegetables, boiling water, burning wood, and drying clothes. The chapter emphasizes that these changes can affect the size, shape, smell, or other properties of a substance. It highlights the role of our senses in observing these phenomena and poses the question of categorizing these diverse changes, setting the stage for further exploration of physical and chemical transformations in subsequent sections. This foundational understanding is crucial for grasping scientific principles in Class 7 and beyond.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | Science |
| Book | Curiosity |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — Changes Around Us: Physical and Chemical |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 289 |
Learning outcomes
- Identify and observe various changes happening in the surroundings.
- Recognize that changes can affect properties like size, shape, and smell.
- Understand the role of senses in observing changes.
- Begin to categorize different types of changes.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Melting | Changing from a solid to a liquid state. |
| Ripening | The process of becoming ripe, especially of fruit. |
| Boiling | The process of heating a liquid until it turns into a gas. |
| Burning | The process of combustion, producing heat and light. |
| Drying | Removing moisture or liquid from something. |
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Practice questions
- Name two changes you observe in your home daily. Answer: Examples: Melting of ice, drying of clothes, boiling of water.
- How do we observe changes around us? Answer: We observe changes using our senses of sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste.
- What properties of a substance can change? Answer: Size, shape, smell, or other properties can change.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main topic of NCERT Class 7 Science Chapter 5?
The chapter 'Changes Around Us' introduces students to various changes occurring in their environment and how to observe them.
What are some examples of changes mentioned in the chapter?
Examples include melting ice, a bud turning into a flower, ripening of a banana, boiling water, and burning wood.
How do we perceive changes around us?
We perceive changes using our senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste.
What aspects of a substance can change?
Changes can occur in the size, shape, smell, or other properties of a substance.
What is the purpose of Activity 5.1?
Activity 5.1 encourages students to observe and record various changes happening around them in Table 5.1.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 7 Science — Curiosity — Chapter 5 — Changes Around Us: Physical and Chemical. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.