For Class 8, 9 & 10

Master the basics - and everything after gets easier

Concept-first questions with clear model answers in Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology, all NCERT-aligned. Start early, build the habit, and walk into your boards, NEET and JEE already ahead.

Interactive lessons

learn by playing

Drag, slide and build - watch each concept come alive, then reveal the answer.

200 interactive lessons

Interactive

Ohm's law

Class 10 Physics

Slide V & R, watch the bulb glow

Open
Interactive

pH scale

Class 10 Chemistry

Slide across acids and bases

Open
Interactive

Atomic number and mass number

Class 9 Chemistry

Add protons & neutrons, build shells

Open
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Laws of reflection

Class 8 Physics

Change the angle, watch it bounce

Open
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Volume of a sphere

Class 9 Maths

Grow the radius, see the volume

Open
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Area of a trapezium

Class 8 Maths

Drag the sides, read the area

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Interactive

Power of a lens

Class 10 Physics

Move the object, trace the rays

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Food chain and energy flow

Class 10 Biology

Follow the energy as it flows

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Speed

Class 8 Physics

Slide distance & time, watch the speed

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Density

Class 9 Physics

Pack mass into volume, float or sink

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Work done

Class 9 Physics

Push harder or farther, watch work grow

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Interactive

Kinetic energy

Class 9 Physics

Speed it up - energy grows with the square

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Interactive

Power of a lens

Class 10 Physics

Shorten the focal length, boost the power

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Mole concept

Class 9 Chemistry

Weigh out grams, count the moles

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Avogadro's number

Class 9 Chemistry

Add moles, count the particles

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Microscope magnification

Class 8 Biology

Grow the image, read the magnification

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Population density

Class 10 Biology

Add individuals, shrink the land, see crowding

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Simple interest

Class 8 Maths

Slide money, rate & time, watch interest

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Interactive

Pythagoras theorem

Class 9 Maths

Stretch the two sides, get the hypotenuse

Open
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Probability of an event

Class 10 Maths

Change the outcomes, watch the odds

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Newton's second law

Class 9 Physics

Push a mass, pick an acceleration

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Momentum

Class 9 Physics

Slide mass & velocity, build momentum

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Pressure

Class 8 Physics

Shrink the area, feel the pressure rise

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Interactive

Weight

Class 9 Physics

Change the planet's gravity, watch your weight

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Refractive index

Class 10 Physics

Slow light in the medium, raise the index

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Resistors in series

Class 10 Physics

Add two resistors in a line

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Mass percentage of a solution

Class 9 Chemistry

Dissolve solute, read the strength

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Concentration of a solution

Class 9 Chemistry

Pack solute into less liquid

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Population change

Class 10 Biology

Balance births against deaths

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Compound microscope

Class 8 Biology

Combine eyepiece & objective lenses

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Area of a circle

Class 8 Maths

Grow the radius, watch the area square

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Volume of a cuboid

Class 8 Maths

Stretch length, breadth & height

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Electronic configuration and valency

Class 9 Chemistry

Slide the atomic number, build the atom

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Homologous series (alkanes)

Class 10 Chemistry

Add carbons, name the compound

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Mass number

Class 9 Chemistry

Add protons & neutrons, get the mass number

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Power

Class 9 Physics

More work in less time = more power

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Potential energy

Class 9 Physics

Lift a mass higher, store energy

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Wave speed

Class 9 Physics

Tune frequency & wavelength, set the speed

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Electric current

Class 10 Physics

Push charge per second, get the current

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Percentage

Class 8 Maths

Compare part to whole as a %

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Electron dot structure

Class 9 Chemistry

Draw valence electrons as dots

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Acceleration

Class 9 Physics

Speed up over time, find acceleration

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Distance, speed and time

Class 8 Physics

Set speed & time, cover the distance

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Frequency and time period

Class 9 Physics

Shorten the period, raise the frequency

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Heating effect of current

Class 10 Physics

Raise the current, watch heating soar

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Area of a triangle

Class 8 Maths

Set base & height, halve the rectangle

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Area of a rectangle

Class 8 Maths

Set length & breadth, fill the area

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Mean (average)

Class 9 Maths

Share the total equally across items

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Discount

Class 8 Maths

Slide price & % off, see the saving

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Heart rate

Class 10 Biology

Set heart rate & time, count the beats

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Resistors in parallel

Class 10 Physics

Wire two resistors side by side

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Electric charge

Class 10 Physics

Flow current over time, collect charge

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Electrical energy and units

Class 10 Physics

Run appliances, add up the units

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Kelvin temperature scale

Class 9 Chemistry

Slide Celsius, read the Kelvin

Open
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Moles from number of particles

Class 9 Chemistry

Divide particles by Avogadro's number

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Ten percent law

Class 10 Biology

See 10% of energy reach the next level

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Area of a square

Class 8 Maths

Grow the side, square the area

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Volume of a cube

Class 8 Maths

Grow the edge, cube the volume

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Circumference of a circle

Class 8 Maths

Grow the radius, roll out the rim

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Surface area of a cube

Class 9 Maths

Grow the edge, cover six faces

Open
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Potential difference

Class 10 Physics

Share work across charge, get volts

Open
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Resistance from Ohm's law

Class 10 Physics

Divide voltage by current, get resistance

Open
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Echo and SONAR

Class 9 Physics

Time the echo, find the distance

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Mass from moles

Class 9 Chemistry

Multiply moles by molar mass

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Breathing rate

Class 10 Biology

Set breathing rate & time

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Volume of a cylinder

Class 10 Maths

Set radius & height, fill the can

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Compound interest

Class 8 Maths

Compound money over years

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Profit and loss percentage

Class 8 Maths

Set cost & selling price, see profit %

Open
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Perimeter of a rectangle

Class 8 Maths

Set length & breadth, walk the border

Open
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Surface area of a sphere

Class 10 Maths

Grow the radius, wrap the ball

Open
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Time period

Class 9 Physics

Raise the frequency, shrink the period

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Relative velocity

Class 9 Physics

Two objects approach - add their speeds

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Average velocity

Class 9 Physics

Average the start and end speeds

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Equations of motion (v = u + at)

Class 9 Physics

Accelerate from u for a time t

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Kelvin to Celsius

Class 9 Chemistry

Slide Kelvin, read the Celsius

Open
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Population growth rate

Class 10 Biology

Balance births vs deaths per population

Open
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Perimeter of a square

Class 8 Maths

Grow the side, walk four edges

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Perimeter of a triangle

Class 8 Maths

Add the three sides

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Area of a parallelogram

Class 8 Maths

Set base & height, slide the shape

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Area of a rhombus

Class 8 Maths

Set the two diagonals

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Equations of motion (distance)

Class 9 Physics

Start, accelerate, cover ground

Open
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Joule's law of heating

Class 10 Physics

Raise current, resistance or time

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Electric power (P = VI)

Class 10 Physics

Multiply voltage by current

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Average atomic mass of isotopes

Class 9 Chemistry

Mix two isotopes by abundance

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Seed germination percentage

Class 9 Biology

Count sprouted seeds out of the total

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Volume of a cone

Class 9 Maths

Set radius & height, fill the cone

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Surface area of a cylinder

Class 9 Maths

Wrap the side and both ends

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Surface area of a cuboid

Class 9 Maths

Cover all six rectangular faces

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nth term of an AP

Class 10 Maths

Step from the first term by d

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Sum of an AP

Class 10 Maths

Add up the first n terms

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Focal length of a mirror

Class 10 Physics

Halve the radius to find the focus

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Speed of light in a medium

Class 10 Physics

Raise the index, slow the light

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Percentage purity

Class 9 Chemistry

Weigh the pure part of a sample

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Slope of a line

Class 10 Maths

Rise over run gives the steepness

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Percentage change

Class 8 Maths

Compare a new value to the old

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Volume of a hemisphere

Class 9 Maths

Grow the radius of half a ball

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Area of a sector

Class 10 Maths

Cut a slice of angle from a circle

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Length of an arc

Class 10 Maths

Measure the curved edge of a slice

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Slant height of a cone

Class 9 Maths

Combine radius & height for the slant

Open
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Unit conversion (km/h to m/s)

Class 9 Physics

Convert km/h into m/s

Open
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Equations of motion (v^2 = u^2 + 2as)

Class 9 Physics

Accelerate over a distance, find v

Open
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Impulse

Class 9 Physics

Hit harder or longer, change momentum

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Wavelength

Class 9 Physics

Speed over frequency gives wavelength

Open
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Oscillations

Class 9 Physics

Vibrate at a frequency for a time

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Cost of electricity

Class 10 Physics

Units times rate gives the bill

Open
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Number of neutrons

Class 9 Chemistry

Take protons away from the mass number

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Curved surface area of a cone

Class 9 Maths

Wrap the slanted side of a cone

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Total surface area of a cone

Class 9 Maths

Add the base circle to the cone's side

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Curved surface area of a hemisphere

Class 9 Maths

Cover the dome of a hemisphere

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Diagonal of a square

Class 9 Maths

Cross a square corner to corner

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Unit conversion (m/s to km/h)

Class 9 Physics

Convert m/s into km/h

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Distance from velocities

Class 9 Physics

From two speeds, find the distance

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Diagonal of a rectangle

Class 9 Maths

Cross a rectangle corner to corner

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Diagonal of a cuboid

Class 9 Maths

The longest rod that fits in a box

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Area by Heron's formula

Class 9 Maths

Area from just the three sides

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Interior angle sum of a polygon

Class 8 Maths

Add up a polygon's inside angles

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Exterior angle of a regular polygon

Class 8 Maths

Share 360 among a polygon's corners

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Number of diagonals of a polygon

Class 8 Maths

Count the diagonals of a polygon

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Discriminant

Class 10 Maths

Test how many roots a quadratic has

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Sum of roots

Class 10 Maths

Sum of a quadratic's roots

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Punnett square (monohybrid cross)

Class 10 Biology

Cross two parents, predict the offspring

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Balancing chemical equations

Class 10 Chemistry

Slide coefficients until atoms balance

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Writing chemical formulae (valency)

Class 9 Chemistry

Criss-cross valencies into a formula

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Current from power

Class 10 Physics

Divide power by voltage for current

Open
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Power (P = V^2 / R)

Class 10 Physics

Voltage squared over resistance

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Interactive

Sine ratio

Class 10 Maths

Opposite over hypotenuse

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Cosine ratio

Class 10 Maths

Adjacent over hypotenuse

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Tangent ratio

Class 10 Maths

Opposite over adjacent

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Area of an equilateral triangle

Class 9 Maths

Area of an equilateral triangle

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Curved surface area of a cylinder

Class 9 Maths

Wrap only the curved side

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Loss percentage

Class 8 Maths

Sell below cost, find the loss %

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Amount with simple interest

Class 8 Maths

Principal plus its simple interest

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Distance formula

Class 10 Maths

Straight distance between two points

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States of matter

Class 9 Chemistry

Heat particles solid → liquid → gas

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Parts of a plant cell

Class 8 Biology

Tap a cell part to see its job

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Diagonal of a cube

Class 9 Maths

Longest diagonal through a cube

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Total surface area of a hemisphere

Class 9 Maths

Dome plus its flat circle

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Interactive

Sum of first n natural numbers

Class 10 Maths

Add 1 + 2 + ... + n instantly

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Range of data

Class 9 Maths

Spread from smallest to largest

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Class mark

Class 9 Maths

Midpoint of a class interval

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Selling price from profit percent

Class 8 Maths

Mark up cost by a profit %

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Perimeter of a sector

Class 10 Maths

Two radii plus the curved arc

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Circumference from diameter

Class 8 Maths

Circumference straight from diameter

Open
Interactive

Power (P = F x v)

Class 9 Physics

Force times velocity gives power

Open
Interactive

Percentage of a number

Class 8 Maths

Find a percentage of a number

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Interactive

Series and parallel circuits

Class 10 Physics

Break a bulb in series vs parallel

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Interactive

Symbols of elements

Class 9 Chemistry

Match each element to its symbol

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Interactive

Free fall (velocity)

Class 9 Physics

Drop from a height, hit this speed

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Free fall (time)

Class 9 Physics

How long a drop takes

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Free fall (distance)

Class 9 Physics

Distance fallen in a given time

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Complement of an event

Class 10 Maths

Chance an event does NOT happen

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Product of roots

Class 10 Maths

Product of a quadratic's roots

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Exterior angle theorem

Class 9 Maths

Exterior angle = sum of remote interiors

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Complementary angles

Class 10 Maths

What adds to 90 degrees

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Supplementary angles

Class 9 Maths

What adds to 180 degrees

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Perimeter of a semicircle

Class 10 Maths

Curved half plus the diameter

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Area of a semicircle

Class 10 Maths

Half the area of a circle

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Turning effect (moments)

Class 9 Physics

Balance the see-saw with moments

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Interactive

Reflex arc

Class 10 Biology

Step through a reflex, stimulus to action

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Interactive

Buoyant force (upthrust)

Class 9 Physics

Displace liquid, feel the upthrust

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Relative density

Class 9 Physics

Compare a density to water's

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Interactive

Power in lifting a load

Class 9 Physics

Lift a load, faster needs more power

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Cosecant ratio

Class 10 Maths

Hypotenuse over opposite

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Secant ratio

Class 10 Maths

Hypotenuse over adjacent

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Cotangent ratio

Class 10 Maths

Adjacent over opposite

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Height from angle of elevation

Class 10 Maths

Height from an angle of elevation

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Area of a quadrant

Class 10 Maths

A quarter of a circle's area

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Interior angle of a regular polygon

Class 8 Maths

One inside angle of a regular polygon

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Interactive

Sum of first n odd numbers

Class 10 Maths

Add the first n odd numbers

Open
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Sum of first n even numbers

Class 10 Maths

Add the first n even numbers

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Interactive

Quadratic formula (a root)

Class 10 Maths

Larger root of a quadratic

Open
Interactive

LCM from HCF

Class 10 Maths

LCM from the product and HCF

Open
Interactive

Depreciation

Class 8 Maths

Value drops by a % each year

Open
Interactive

Cost price from selling price

Class 8 Maths

Work back to the cost price

Open
Interactive

Downstream speed

Class 8 Maths

Row with the current

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Upstream speed

Class 8 Maths

Row against the current

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Average speed for a round trip

Class 8 Maths

Average speed there and back

Open
Interactive

Sales tax / GST

Class 8 Maths

Tax added on a price

Open
Interactive

Area of a ring (annulus)

Class 10 Maths

Area of a ring between two circles

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Edge of a cube from volume

Class 9 Maths

Edge back from the volume

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Radius from area

Class 10 Maths

Radius back from a circle's area

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Side from area of a square

Class 8 Maths

Side back from a square's area

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Interactive

Height of a triangle from area

Class 9 Maths

Height back from area and base

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Interactive

Rate from simple interest

Class 8 Maths

Rate back from the interest

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Interactive

Time from simple interest

Class 8 Maths

Time back from the interest

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Principal from simple interest

Class 8 Maths

Principal back from the interest

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Mean proportional

Class 10 Maths

Geometric mean of two numbers

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Fourth proportional

Class 8 Maths

Complete the proportion a : b = c : ?

Open
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Marked price from selling price

Class 8 Maths

Marked price back from the sale price

Open
Interactive

Chambers of the human heart

Class 10 Biology

Tap a heart chamber to see its job

Open
Interactive

Equation of a line (y = mx + c)

Class 9 Maths

Read y off a straight line

Open
Interactive

Average term of an AP

Class 10 Maths

Average of first and last term

Open
Interactive

Number of terms in an AP

Class 10 Maths

How many terms in an AP

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Midpoint of two points

Class 10 Maths

x-coordinate of a midpoint

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Interactive

Empirical mode

Class 10 Maths

Estimate the mode from mean & median

Open
Interactive

Length of a shadow

Class 10 Maths

Shadow from height and sun angle

Open
Interactive

Train crossing a pole

Class 8 Maths

Speed to cross a pole

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Time and work

Class 8 Maths

More workers, fewer days

Open
Interactive

Dividing in a ratio

Class 8 Maths

Split a total in a ratio

Open
Interactive

Unitary method

Class 8 Maths

Cost of a single item

Open

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Showing 14 questions for Class 9. Tap a card to reveal the answer.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

State the law of conservation of mass with an example.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

In any chemical reaction the total mass stays the same - atoms are only rearranged, never lost.

Answer

The law of conservation of mass states that mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; the total mass of the reactants equals the total mass of the products. For example, when 12 g of carbon burns completely in 32 g of oxygen, exactly 44 g of carbon dioxide is formed (12 + 32 = 44).

mass of reactants = mass of products

  • Mass is neither created nor destroyed
  • Total mass of reactants = total mass of products
  • Example: 12 g C + 32 g O2 -> 44 g CO2

Why learn this

It's why every chemical equation must be BALANCED - the foundation of all of chemistry.

💡 Memory trick

Atoms in = atoms out. Nothing vanishes, it just rearranges.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

How many moles are there in 36 g of water (molar mass 18 g/mol)? Slide to explore.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

The mole links the mass of a substance to the number of particles it contains.

Moles = mass ÷ molar mass
Amount2.00 mol

Answer

Number of moles = given mass / molar mass = 36 / 18 = 2 mol. The molar mass is the mass of one mole of the substance, so dividing the given mass by it gives the number of moles.

n = mass / molar mass

  • Moles = given mass / molar mass
  • Molar mass = mass of 1 mole (g/mol)
  • 18 g of water = 1 mole

Why learn this

Chemists weigh substances but react them in whole numbers of particles - the mole bridges the two.

💡 Memory trick

Moles = given mass / molar mass. 18 g of water = 1 mole.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

How many molecules are there in 1 mole? And in 2 moles? Slide to explore.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

One mole of any substance contains a fixed, huge number of particles - Avogadro's number.

Particles = moles × 6.022 × 10²³
Particles6.02 × 10²³

Answer

Number of particles = moles x 6.022 x 10^23. So 1 mole contains 6.022 x 10^23 particles, and 2 moles contain 1.2044 x 10^24 particles. This count, 6.022 x 10^23 per mole, is Avogadro's number and is the same for every substance.

N = n x 6.022 x 10^23

  • Particles = moles x 6.022 x 10^23
  • Avogadro's number = 6.022 x 10^23 per mole
  • Same count for every substance

Why learn this

It lets us count atoms and molecules by simply weighing a sample.

💡 Memory trick

Particles = moles x 6.022 x 10^23, the same count for every substance.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

How many moles are 6.022 x 10^23 particles? And 1.2 x 10^24? Slide to explore.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

The number of moles equals the number of particles divided by Avogadro's number.

Moles = particles ÷ (6.022 × 10²³)
Amount1.00 mol

Answer

Moles = number of particles / (6.022 x 10^23). So 6.022 x 10^23 particles = 1 mole, and 1.2044 x 10^24 particles = 2 moles. Avogadro's number is simply the number of particles in one mole.

n = N / (6.022 x 10^23)

  • Moles = particles / (6.022 x 10^23)
  • 6.022 x 10^23 particles = 1 mole
  • Reverse of particles = moles x Avogadro's number

Why learn this

It lets us convert a count of atoms or molecules into moles for calculations.

💡 Memory trick

Moles = particles / (6.022 x 10^23).

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

What is the mass of 2 moles of water (molar mass 18 g/mol)? Slide to explore.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

The mass of a sample is the number of moles multiplied by the molar mass.

Mass = moles × molar mass
Mass36.0 g

Answer

Mass = moles x molar mass = 2 x 18 = 36 g. This is simply the mole formula rearranged: since moles = mass / molar mass, mass = moles x molar mass.

mass = moles x molar mass

  • Mass = moles x molar mass
  • Rearranged from moles = mass / molar mass
  • 2 mol of water (18) = 36 g

Why learn this

It lets chemists weigh out an exact number of moles for a reaction.

💡 Memory trick

Mass = moles x molar mass - the reverse of moles = mass / molar mass.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

How do you write the formula of calcium chloride? Pick the ions to criss-cross their valencies.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

A chemical formula is written by criss-crossing the valencies of the cation and anion, then simplifying.

Build a formula (valency criss-cross)

Cation (metal)

Anion (non-metal / radical)

CaCl2

Calcium Chloride

Criss-cross the valencies: the cation's valency (2) becomes the anion's subscript and the anion's valency (1) becomes the cation's, then simplify. Brackets group a radical that repeats.

Answer

Calcium is Ca with valency 2 and chloride is Cl with valency 1. Criss-crossing, the calcium valency (2) becomes the chloride subscript and the chloride valency (1) becomes the calcium subscript, giving CaCl2. For a radical that repeats, such as (NO3), we put it in brackets: calcium nitrate is Ca(NO3)2.

criss-cross valencies, then simplify

  • Criss-cross the valencies into subscripts
  • Simplify the subscripts where possible
  • Ca(2) + Cl(1) -> CaCl2; Al(3) + O(2) -> Al2O3
  • Use brackets for a repeating radical

Why learn this

It lets you write the correct formula of any ionic compound from the valencies.

💡 Memory trick

Criss-cross: each ion's valency becomes the other's subscript, then simplify. Brackets group a radical.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculeseasy

Can you match each element to its correct symbol? Tap the right symbol to score.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

Each element has a one or two letter symbol, often from its English or Latin name.

Match the symbol1 / 8

Symbol for Hydrogen?

Tap the correct symbol.

Answer

Element symbols use a capital first letter and, if needed, a small second letter: Hydrogen is H, Helium He, Carbon C, Nitrogen N, Oxygen O. Some come from Latin names - Sodium is Na (natrium), Iron is Fe (ferrum) and Gold is Au (aurum). Learning them is essential because every chemical formula is written using these symbols.

  • First letter capital, second letter small
  • H, He, C, N, O for common non-metals
  • Latin names: Na (sodium), Fe (iron), Au (gold)

Why learn this

Symbols are the alphabet of chemistry - every formula and equation is built from them.

💡 Memory trick

First letter capital, second small: Sodium = Na (from natrium), Iron = Fe (ferrum), Gold = Au (aurum).

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

State the law of conservation of mass with an example.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

In a chemical reaction, mass can neither be created nor destroyed; the total mass of reactants equals the total mass of products.

Answer

The law of conservation of mass states that mass can neither be created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction; the total mass of the products is always equal to the total mass of the reactants. For example, when carbon burns in oxygen, 12 g of carbon combines with 32 g of oxygen to form exactly 44 g of carbon dioxide (12 + 32 = 44). This is why chemical equations are balanced.

Mass of reactants = mass of products

  • Mass of reactants = mass of products
  • Mass is neither created nor destroyed
  • Atoms are only rearranged
  • Basis for balancing equations

Why learn this

It is why chemical equations must be balanced.

💡 Memory trick

Mass in = mass out. Atoms are only rearranged, never lost.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

State the law of constant proportions with an example.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

A chemical compound always contains the same elements combined in the same fixed proportion by mass.

Answer

The law of constant (definite) proportions states that a pure chemical compound always contains the same elements combined together in the same fixed proportion by mass, whatever its source or method of preparation. For example, in pure water the ratio of the mass of hydrogen to the mass of oxygen is always 1:8, whether the water comes from a river, rain or a laboratory.

Fixed mass ratio of elements in a compound

  • Elements combine in a fixed mass ratio
  • Ratio is the same from any source
  • Water: hydrogen to oxygen = 1:8
  • Given by Proust

Why learn this

It is why water is always H2O with hydrogen and oxygen in a fixed 1:8 mass ratio.

💡 Memory trick

Same compound = same fixed ratio, no matter the source or amount.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

Define a molecule and atomicity. What is the atomicity of oxygen and ozone?

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

An atom is the smallest particle of an element; a molecule is a group of atoms bonded together; atomicity is the number of atoms in a molecule.

Answer

A molecule is the smallest particle of an element or compound that can exist independently and shows all the properties of that substance. Atomicity is the number of atoms present in one molecule of an element. The atomicity of oxygen (O2) is 2, so it is diatomic, and the atomicity of ozone (O3) is 3, so it is triatomic. Noble gases such as helium are monatomic (atomicity 1).

Atomicity = number of atoms in one molecule

  • Atom: smallest particle of an element
  • Molecule: group of atoms that exists independently
  • Atomicity: number of atoms in a molecule
  • O2 diatomic, O3 triatomic, He monatomic

Why learn this

It explains how oxygen exists as O2 and ozone as O3.

💡 Memory trick

Atomicity of O2 = 2 (diatomic); of O3 = 3; of noble gases = 1 (monatomic).

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

What is an ion? Differentiate between a cation and an anion.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

An ion is a charged atom or group of atoms; valency is the combining capacity of an element.

Answer

An ion is an atom or group of atoms that carries a net electric charge because it has lost or gained electrons. A cation is a positively charged ion formed when an atom loses one or more electrons, for example the sodium ion Na+. An anion is a negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains one or more electrons, for example the chloride ion Cl-. The valency is the number of electrons lost, gained or shared.

  • Ion = charged atom or group of atoms
  • Cation: positive, loses electrons (Na+)
  • Anion: negative, gains electrons (Cl-)
  • Valency = combining capacity

Why learn this

Ions and valency let us write correct formulae for ionic compounds like NaCl.

💡 Memory trick

Lose electrons -> positive cation; gain electrons -> negative anion.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

Write the chemical formula of aluminium oxide using the criss-cross method.

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

A chemical formula is written by criss-crossing the valencies of the combining ions.

Answer

Aluminium has a valency of 3 (Al with charge 3+) and oxygen has a valency of 2 (O with charge 2-). Using the criss-cross method, the valency of aluminium (3) becomes the subscript of oxygen and the valency of oxygen (2) becomes the subscript of aluminium, giving Al2O3. So the formula of aluminium oxide is Al2O3.

Criss-cross valencies to write the formula

  • Write symbols with their valencies
  • Criss-cross the valency numbers as subscripts
  • Al valency 3, O valency 2
  • Formula: Al2O3

Why learn this

It gives the exact composition of a compound in shorthand.

💡 Memory trick

Criss-cross the valencies: the valency of one becomes the subscript of the other.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculeshard

How many molecules are present in 2 moles of water? What is their mass? (Molar mass of water = 18 g/mol.)

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

One mole of any substance contains Avogadro's number (6.022 x 10^23) of particles and has a mass equal to its molar mass.

Answer

One mole contains Avogadro's number of particles, 6.022 x 10^23. So 2 moles of water contain 2 x 6.022 x 10^23 = 1.2044 x 10^24 molecules. The mass = number of moles x molar mass = 2 x 18 = 36 g. So 2 moles of water contain about 1.2 x 10^24 molecules and have a mass of 36 g.

Number of particles = moles x 6.022 x 10^23 ; mass = moles x molar mass

  • 1 mole = 6.022 x 10^23 particles
  • Molecules = moles x Avogadro number
  • 2 x 6.022 x 10^23 = 1.2 x 10^24
  • Mass = moles x molar mass = 36 g

Why learn this

The mole links the number of particles to a weighable mass in the lab.

💡 Memory trick

1 mole = 6.022 x 10^23 particles = molar mass in grams.

ChemistryAtoms and Moleculesmedium

Calculate the molecular mass of sulphuric acid, H2SO4. (H = 1, S = 32, O = 16.)

Reveal answer ↓

What it is

The molecular mass of a substance is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in its molecule.

Answer

The formula H2SO4 contains 2 hydrogen atoms, 1 sulphur atom and 4 oxygen atoms. Molecular mass = (2 x 1) + (1 x 32) + (4 x 16) = 2 + 32 + 64 = 98 u. So the molecular mass of sulphuric acid is 98 atomic mass units (its molar mass is 98 g/mol).

Molecular mass = sum of atomic masses of all atoms

  • Add atomic masses of all atoms
  • H2SO4: 2(1) + 32 + 4(16)
  • = 2 + 32 + 64 = 98 u
  • Molar mass = 98 g/mol

Why learn this

It is needed to convert between mass and moles in every calculation.

💡 Memory trick

Add up the atomic masses of every atom in the formula.

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