It gives me immense pleasure to present Exploring Physics for ICSE Grade 7, a textbook designed for students of the ICSE Board. The book has been written in a simple, interesting and easy-to-understand manner in accordance with the latest ICSE syllabus prescribed by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi, based on the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023.
Physics helps us understand the natural world through observation, experimentation and logical reasoning. It explains many everyday phenomena—from motion and energy to heat, light, sound, magnetism and electricity. The study of physics develops scientific thinking, problem-solving skills and curiosity to know how things work around us.
This book covers seven core chapters: Physical Quantities and Measurement, Force and Pressure: Motion, Energy, Light Energy, Heat, Sound and Electricity and Magnetism. Each chapter connects science to everyday life using simple language, clear explanations and well-labelled diagrams. Practical activities, hands-on tasks and case studies are included in all the chapters. The book encourages observation, questioning and critical thinking rather than memorisation, with clear learning outcomes at the start of each chapter. The aim is to build confidence, develop scientific thinking and make physics enjoyable.
1. Physical Quantities and Measurement: This chapter introduces the importance of measurement in science and explains physical quantities such as volume, area, density and speed. Students will also learn about standard units, measuring instruments, correct methods of measurement and simple unit conversions.
2. Force and Pressure—Motion: This chapter explains different types of motion and introduces concepts such as distance, displacement, speed and uniform and non-uniform motion. Students learn to describe and analyse motion using simple examples. It also introduces the concepts of mass and weight, highlighting the difference between them.
3. Energy: This chapter introduces the concepts of work and energy. Students learn about different forms of energy, their interconversion and the law of conservation of energy through everyday examples.
4. Light Energy: This chapter explores the properties of light, reflection from a plane mirror, and the formation and characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror. It also introduces primary and secondary colours, addition and subtraction of colours, and explains how the colours of objects are perceived.
5. Heat: This chapter explains heat as a form of energy and describes its transfer by conduction, convection and radiation. Students also learn about thermal expansion and the effects of heat on different materials and changes of state.
Preface
6. Sound: This chapter introduces sound as an energy, and explains how sound is produced and transmitted through different media. Students learn about the characteristics of sound, including pitch and loudness, and explore practical applications such as echoes and ultrasonic waves.
7. Electricity and Magnetism: This chapter introduces electric current, electric circuits, conductors and insulators and the safe use of electricity. It also explains magnetic materials, electromagnets and the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
Each chapter includes a variety of exercises such as Image-based Questions, Case-based Questions and Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions that encourage students to think, reason and apply their understanding. Features such as Did You Know?, Interesting Facts and More to Know are included to spark curiosity and make learning engaging. Keywords, Glossary and Points to Remember help reinforce important ideas and strengthen scientific vocabulary. Assertion and Reason Questions are also provided to develop analytical and reasoning skills.
Two Model Test Papers have been appended to help students assess their
understanding of the topics learnt. A Teacher’s Manual is also available to support classroom instructions.
