GRADE 8 NATURAL SCIENCES

NOVEMBER EXAMINATION

Examiner: M Woolward Date: 20 November 2023

Moderator: G Jacobs Time: 90 minutes

Marks: 90

Name and surname:

Educator: School:

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

1. Write your name and surname on each of your folio papers and in the space provided
on your answer sheet.
2. This paper consists of 15 pages. It includes a Periodic Table, and an answer sheet.
Please make sure that your question paper is complete.
3. Read the questions carefully.
4. Answer all the questions on the folio paper provided. Answer question 8.4 on the
graph paper on the answer sheet provided on page 15.
5. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this
question paper.
6. Leave a line between two subquestions, e.g. between question 2.1 and question 2.2.
7. Show all formulae and substitutions in all calculations.
8. Units need not be included in the working of the calculations, but appropriate units
should be shown in the answer.
9. It is in your own interest to write legibly and to present your work neatly.

EXAMINER’S USE ONLY: PER-QUESTION ANALYSIS

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8 Q9 Q10 Q11 Total

Mark
Moderated
Mark
Question
10 5 5 13 5 6 7 11 9 8 11 90
Total

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SECTION A

QUESTION 1 MULTIPLE CHOICE

Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.

Choose the correct option by writing the correct letter (A – D) next to the question number.
Do not copy the question or the description given next to the letter.

1.1 A model of a molecule for a substance is shown.

Which row shows the correct formula for the substance?

A C2H5O
B Cℓ2HO5
C C2HO5
D Cℓ2H5O (1)

1.2 Which labelled arrow on the diagram represents condensation?

(1)

1.3 The diagram shows a ray of light striking a plane mirror.

What is the angle of reflection?

A 20°
B 160°
C 70°
D 90° (1)

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 1.4 Which option correctly gives the charge of the sub-atomic particles?

electron proton neutron

A neutral positive negative
B negative neutral positive
C negative positive neutral
D positive negative neutral (1)

1.5 An ammeter is used to measure the current through a resistor. Which row
describes the current and how the ammeter is connected in the circuit?

Description of current Connection of ammeter

A flow of electrons in parallel with the resistor
B flow of electrons in series with the resistor
C flow of protons in parallel with the resistor
D flow of protons in series with the resistor (1)

1.6 The melting point of element X is 25°C. The boiling point of the same
element is 70°C. At 30°C, the element is a ...
A solid.
B liquid.
C gas.
D plasma. (1)

1.7 Which planet is the largest?

A Sun
B Jupiter
C Saturn
D Earth (1)

1.8 The following is not an example of an output device…

A light bulb
B buzzer
C motor
D cell (1)

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 1.9 Which row correctly describes the three parts of a comet?

A nucleus coma tail

B nucleus aura tail
C core outer core aura
D core aura tail (1)

1.10 Which statement does not explain why Earth is suitable for life?

A The moon increases the axial wobble.

B The presence of oxygen helps to sustain and develop life.
C Earth’s distance from the Sun results in the ideal temperature range.
D Earth’s magnetic field protects us from dangers. (1)
[10]

QUESTION 2 TERMINOLOGY

Give the correct scientific term for each of the following descriptions. Write only the term
next to the question number.

2.1 Space rocks, ranging in size, that have entered Earth’s atmosphere. (1)

2.2 A device used to detect the presence of an electric charge. It consists of a (1)
metal rod with leaves that repel each other when a charge is applied.

2.3 The hottest planet in our solar system. (1)

2.4 The region of space around a planet that is dominated by the planet’s (1)
magnetic field.

2.5 The substances that are formed as a result of a chemical reaction. (1)
[5]

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QUESTION 3 MATCHING ITEMS

Choose a term from COLUMN B that matches a statement in COLUMN A. Write only the
letter (A – I) next to the question number.

COLUMN A COLUMN B

3.1 An electrical component that can open or close a circuit, A sunspots

allowing or interrupting the current flow.
B switch
3.2 An intense burst of radiation on the surface of the Sun.
C translucent

3.3 Darker, cooler areas on the Sun’s surface. D gas

E solar flares
3.4 The state of matter in which particles are ionised and
have a high energy level. F plasma

3.5 A material that allows light to pass through it, but objects G solar season
on the other side are not clearly visible.
H transparent

I fuse

[5]
[TOTAL SECTION A: 20 marks]

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SECTION B

QUESTION 4 CHEMISTRY

Use the following chemical equation to answer the questions that follow.

Mg + HBr → MgBr2 + H2

4.1 HBr is a compound. Define the term compound. (2)

4.2 How many elements are in the compound HBr? (1)

4.3 Is the chemical equation balanced? Give a reason for your answer. (2)

4.4 Mg is a solid, and H2 is a gas. Copy and complete the table below comparing
the particles in a solid with particles in a gas.

The forces
Movement of
between
particles
particles
Solid (Mg)
Gas (H2) (4)

4.5 While the reaction occurs, all the reactants and products are in the same
container.

Which of the following statements best describes this mixture? Only write
the applicable letters.

A Each substance keeps its own properties.

B The different reactants and products are chemically joined together.

Each substance can be separated easily using physical separating

C
techniques.

D Each substance can only be separated using chemical reactions.

You can not change the amount of each substance present. They
E
are in a fixed ratio.
(2)

4.6 When H2 is captured in a balloon, the pressure inside the balloon gradually
increases. Explain why the pressure in the balloon increases. (2)
[13]

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QUESTION 5 PERIODIC TABLE

Use your periodic table to answer the following questions.

5.1 Give the symbol for the non-metal in group 14. (1)

5.2 Give the name of the noble gas in period 2. (1)

5.3 In which period is phosphorous? (1)

5.4 Give the name used for elements in group 17. (1)

5.5 Give the name of the element with the atomic number 14. (1)
[5]

QUESTION 6 STATIC ELECTRICITY

A girl rubs a balloon on her hair. The balloon becomes negatively charged.

6.1 Explain how the balloon becomes negatively charged. (2)

6.2 A second balloon is charged in the same way. The two balloons are
suspended near each other using nylon thread.

6.2.1 Which diagram, A or B, shows how the balloons will hang? (1)

6.2.2 Explain your answer to question 6.2.1 (1)

6.3 The charged balloon is brought near to small pieces of neutral paper. The
pieces of paper are attracted to the balloon. Explain why the pieces of paper
are attracted to the balloon. (2)
[6]

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QUESTION 7 ENERGY TRANSFER IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

7.1 A learner places an iron nail inside a coil of insulated wire. The coil is
connected to a battery, as shown in the diagram below.

7.1.1 State the name given to the device shown in the diagram. (1)

7.1.2 The student puts one end of the device just above a pile of iron
filings. He closes the switch for a short time and then opens it again.
Describe what the learner will observe. (2)

7.2 The following chemical reaction occurs during the electrolysis of a copper
chloride solution (CuCℓ2).

CuCℓ2 (aq) → Cu (s) + Cℓ2 (g)

7.2.1 The apparatus used is shown below. Give the labels for A, B, and C.
Write the letter and the label.

(3)

7.2.2 Give the missing term in the sentence below.

During electrolysis, electrical energy is converted to _____ energy. (1)

[7]

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QUESTION 8 SCIENTIFIC SKILLS AND ENERGY TRANSFER

A learner investigates the heating effect of electrical current.

The learner connects a battery, variable resistor, heating element and an ammeter
in series. She places the heating element in a beaker of tap water at room
temperature.

After 2 minutes, she records the ammeter reading and the temperature of the water
using a digital thermometer.

The learner then decreases the resistance of the variable resistor and repeats the
procedure until she has 5 sets of readings.

The following table shows her results.

Reading Current (A) Temperature (°C)

1 1,0 25
2 1,8 29
3 2,6 34
4 3,4 38
5 4,2 43

8.1 Give the dependent variable for the investigation. (1)

8.2 Give a controlled variable for the investigation. (1)

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 8.3 Why does the learner decrease the resistance of the variable resistor after
each reading? (1)

8.4 Use the results from her experiment to draw a suitable graph on the graph
paper provided on your answer sheet. (6)

8.5 Give a conclusion for the investigation conducted by the learner. (2)
[11]

QUESTION 9 ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS

A circuit is made from two light bulbs, a cell and a switch, as shown in diagram A
below.

Diagram A

9.1 Draw the circuit diagram for this circuit. (3)

9.2 One learner makes the following statement:

“The switch will only be able to turn the second light bulb on or off. The switch must
be placed before both light bulbs.”

Evaluate the statement.

Your answer should state whether the statement is correct or incorrect. If it

is wrong, you need to explain why it is erroneous based on your knowledge
of circuits, and you should give the right statement. (3)

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 The arrangement of the components in the circuit is changed, as shown in
diagram B.

Diagram B

9.3 State the term used for the new arrangement of the light bulbs in Diagram B. (1)

9.4 In which circuit, Diagram A or Diagram B, will the total current be the highest? (1)

9.5 An extra cell is added to the circuit in Diagram B to have the following
arrangement.

How will this influence the total current in the circuit? Will it increase,
decrease, or remain the same? (1)
[9]

QUESTION 10 VISIBLE LIGHT

Bongi conducts various visible light experiments.

10.1 Bongi uses a pinhole camera to observe a candle, as shown in the diagram
below.

Give two properties of the candle image that will appear on the screen of the
pinhole camera. (2)

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 10.2 Bongi shines a single ray of light through a glass block. (3)

The diagram below shows a ray of light incident on the glass block. Copy
the diagram and draw the path of the ray of light as it passes through and
leaves the block.

The following labels should be included on your diagram:

• Incident ray
• Refracted ray
• Normal

10.3 Bongi made the following pencil sketch to show what he observed when he
shone a ray of white light through a triangular prism.

Unfortunately, he only had his grey pencil with him, and he forgot to label the
colours. He could remember some, but not all of them.

10.3.1 Which colours are missing? (2)

10.3.2 Which colour travelled the fastest through the glass block? (1)
[8]

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QUESTION 11 EARTH AND BEYOND

Use the information table given below to answer the questions that follow.

Density Day length Year length

Planet
(kg/m3) (hours) (Earth days)

Mercury 5 427 4 222,6 88

Venus 5 243 2 802,0 224,7
Earth 5 514 24,0 365,25
Mars 3 933 24,7 687
Jupiter 1 326 9,9 4 331
Saturn 687 10,7 10 747
Uranus 1 271 17,2 30 589
Neptune 1 638 16,1 59 800

11.1 Name one planet that is a terrestrial planet. (1)

11.2 Name one planet that is a gas giant. (1)

11.3 Which type of planet, terrestrial or gas, has the highest density? (1)

11.4 Which planet(s) will float on water? (The density of water is 1 000 kg/m 3) (1)

11.5 If you had the mass of each planet, you can calculate its volume using its
density. Which formula should you use? (1)

11.6 What is the relationship between the position of the planet relative to the Sun
and the year length of the planet? Give the reason for this relationship. (3)

11.7 Which planet rotates the fastest? Explain your answer. (2)

11.8 The organisation in our country that monitors space activity is known as
SANSA. What does the acronym SANSA stand for? (1)
[11]

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PERIODIC TABLE

ADAPTED FROM: IEB NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE: PHYSICAL SCIENCES: PAPER 1 – DATA SHEET 2017

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 ANSWER SHEET

Name and surname:

Use the following graph paper to answer question 8.4.

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