D.B. Gibbon • R. Jones • J.E. Patrick • M. Patrick • S.T. Townsend • T. van Niekerk
Study Guide
Via Afrika
Physical Science
Grade 10
,Contents
Revision.............................................................................................................. 3
How to use this study guide.................................................................................. 5
Topic 1 Matter and materials.............................................................................. 7
Overview............................................................................................................ 7
Questions..........................................................................................................18
Answers to questions..........................................................................................25
Topic 2 Waves, sound and light........................................................................ 29
Overview.......................................................................................................... 29
Questions..........................................................................................................35
Answers to questions......................................................................................... 46
Topic 3 Magnetism and electricity......................................................................53
Overview...........................................................................................................53
Questions......................................................................................................... 62
Answers to questions..........................................................................................72
Topic 4 Chemical change...................................................................................79
Overview...........................................................................................................79
Questions......................................................................................................... 85
Answers to questions..........................................................................................91
Topic 5 Mechanics........................................................................................... 96
Overview.......................................................................................................... 96
Questions........................................................................................................106
Answers to questions........................................................................................ 116
Topic 6 Chemical systems...............................................................................126
Overview.........................................................................................................126
Questions........................................................................................................128
Answers to questions........................................................................................130
Exam Paper 1.................................................................................................... 132
Answers to Exam Paper 1................................................................................... 141
Exam Paper 2.................................................................................................... 147
Answers to Exam Paper 2................................................................................... 153
©Publisher » Subject name
,Physical Science Grade 10 Study Guide
Revision
When revising, many people find it helpful to write as they work. You are more likely to
remember something that you have written than something that you have just looked at
in a book. You will also find that you can concentrate better and learn faster if you revise
hard for a few short sessions rather than for one long one. You will find that you get
more revision done in three half-hour sessions with five minute breaks in-between than
in one session of 1½ hours. When you take a break, do something completely different –
preferably physical. Go for a walk, jump up and down, run around the garden or kick a
ball.
Your memory recall of the work you have learned will be improved immensely if
you go through it at regular intervals. People who have studied memory talk about
the ‘forgetting curve’. Suppose you have done an hour’s revision and have learned a
summary of a topic. The forgetting curve shows that whatever you are going to forget of
that summary, you are likely to forget as much as half of it in the next 24 hours. If you
spend just five minutes quickly going through that same summary the next day, and
another five minutes a few days later, your memory recall at a later date when you write
the exam will be much better.
How to tackle exam questions
Multiple choice questions
You probably will have to answer the questions by filling in blocks on an answer sheet.
Use a pencil to fill in the blocks, so that you can rub it out if you wish to change an
answer. If the examination requires you to use a pen, go over them again at the end
when you are satisfied with your answers.
There will usually be four options to choose from in a multiple choice question. When
you read the question, try to answer it in your mind without looking at the choices, then
see if your answer is one of them. Sometimes the wrong choices can confuse you. There
is always only one correct answer, so never fill in two blocks. If you do that, your answer
will be marked wrong.
You do not lose marks if you get a multiple choice question wrong, so never leave out a
question simply because you are not sure of an answer. Try to eliminate some choices
that you think are definitely wrong, and then guess and hope for the best. Do not go on
to the next question without committing yourself to an answer to the previous question,
© Via Afrika » Physical Science 3
, even if you are not sure of it. Answer it, but make a mark on the question paper so
that, if you have time, you can come back to it when you have finished the rest of the
examination.
Calculations
Any answer to a question that requires a calculation must start with a statement of the
principle, law or equation that is required for the calculation. If you do not state the
formula first and only write down numbers and an answer, you will get no marks, even if
your answer is correct.
We use the SI system of units. If you are given a value in another unit, it first must be
converted into the relevant SI unit before you substitute it into the equation. It is not
necessary to write the unit with each substitution in the equation, provided each is in
the correct SI units. You must write the correct SI unit with you final answer.
So the procedure is as follows:
●● Ensure that all given quantities are in SI units.
●● Write the relevant equation for the calculation. If necessary, change the subject of
the formula.
●● Substitute the given values. It is not necessary to write the unit with the substitution.
●● Carry out the calculation.
●● Write the answer, with the correct SI unit. If the quantity is a vector quantity, write
the direction.
Mark allocation
Marks are usually allocated as follows:
●● One mark for the equation for the calculation.
●● One mark for each correct substitution, in SI units.
●● One mark for the correctly calculated answer, with the unit. If the unit is missing or
incorrect, this mark is lost.
●● One mark for the statement of the correct direction, if it is a vector quantity.
Positive marking
Very often questions requiring calculations are structured so that an answer to one part
of the question is used in another part of the question. If you make a mistake in the first
part so that the answer to that part is wrong, you will not be penalised for an incorrect
answer in the later part, provided your calculations are correct. This is often called
‘positive marking’. Nevertheless, what should you do if you have no idea how to answer
© Via Afrika » Physical Science 4
Study Guide
Via Afrika
Physical Science
Grade 10
,Contents
Revision.............................................................................................................. 3
How to use this study guide.................................................................................. 5
Topic 1 Matter and materials.............................................................................. 7
Overview............................................................................................................ 7
Questions..........................................................................................................18
Answers to questions..........................................................................................25
Topic 2 Waves, sound and light........................................................................ 29
Overview.......................................................................................................... 29
Questions..........................................................................................................35
Answers to questions......................................................................................... 46
Topic 3 Magnetism and electricity......................................................................53
Overview...........................................................................................................53
Questions......................................................................................................... 62
Answers to questions..........................................................................................72
Topic 4 Chemical change...................................................................................79
Overview...........................................................................................................79
Questions......................................................................................................... 85
Answers to questions..........................................................................................91
Topic 5 Mechanics........................................................................................... 96
Overview.......................................................................................................... 96
Questions........................................................................................................106
Answers to questions........................................................................................ 116
Topic 6 Chemical systems...............................................................................126
Overview.........................................................................................................126
Questions........................................................................................................128
Answers to questions........................................................................................130
Exam Paper 1.................................................................................................... 132
Answers to Exam Paper 1................................................................................... 141
Exam Paper 2.................................................................................................... 147
Answers to Exam Paper 2................................................................................... 153
©Publisher » Subject name
,Physical Science Grade 10 Study Guide
Revision
When revising, many people find it helpful to write as they work. You are more likely to
remember something that you have written than something that you have just looked at
in a book. You will also find that you can concentrate better and learn faster if you revise
hard for a few short sessions rather than for one long one. You will find that you get
more revision done in three half-hour sessions with five minute breaks in-between than
in one session of 1½ hours. When you take a break, do something completely different –
preferably physical. Go for a walk, jump up and down, run around the garden or kick a
ball.
Your memory recall of the work you have learned will be improved immensely if
you go through it at regular intervals. People who have studied memory talk about
the ‘forgetting curve’. Suppose you have done an hour’s revision and have learned a
summary of a topic. The forgetting curve shows that whatever you are going to forget of
that summary, you are likely to forget as much as half of it in the next 24 hours. If you
spend just five minutes quickly going through that same summary the next day, and
another five minutes a few days later, your memory recall at a later date when you write
the exam will be much better.
How to tackle exam questions
Multiple choice questions
You probably will have to answer the questions by filling in blocks on an answer sheet.
Use a pencil to fill in the blocks, so that you can rub it out if you wish to change an
answer. If the examination requires you to use a pen, go over them again at the end
when you are satisfied with your answers.
There will usually be four options to choose from in a multiple choice question. When
you read the question, try to answer it in your mind without looking at the choices, then
see if your answer is one of them. Sometimes the wrong choices can confuse you. There
is always only one correct answer, so never fill in two blocks. If you do that, your answer
will be marked wrong.
You do not lose marks if you get a multiple choice question wrong, so never leave out a
question simply because you are not sure of an answer. Try to eliminate some choices
that you think are definitely wrong, and then guess and hope for the best. Do not go on
to the next question without committing yourself to an answer to the previous question,
© Via Afrika » Physical Science 3
, even if you are not sure of it. Answer it, but make a mark on the question paper so
that, if you have time, you can come back to it when you have finished the rest of the
examination.
Calculations
Any answer to a question that requires a calculation must start with a statement of the
principle, law or equation that is required for the calculation. If you do not state the
formula first and only write down numbers and an answer, you will get no marks, even if
your answer is correct.
We use the SI system of units. If you are given a value in another unit, it first must be
converted into the relevant SI unit before you substitute it into the equation. It is not
necessary to write the unit with each substitution in the equation, provided each is in
the correct SI units. You must write the correct SI unit with you final answer.
So the procedure is as follows:
●● Ensure that all given quantities are in SI units.
●● Write the relevant equation for the calculation. If necessary, change the subject of
the formula.
●● Substitute the given values. It is not necessary to write the unit with the substitution.
●● Carry out the calculation.
●● Write the answer, with the correct SI unit. If the quantity is a vector quantity, write
the direction.
Mark allocation
Marks are usually allocated as follows:
●● One mark for the equation for the calculation.
●● One mark for each correct substitution, in SI units.
●● One mark for the correctly calculated answer, with the unit. If the unit is missing or
incorrect, this mark is lost.
●● One mark for the statement of the correct direction, if it is a vector quantity.
Positive marking
Very often questions requiring calculations are structured so that an answer to one part
of the question is used in another part of the question. If you make a mistake in the first
part so that the answer to that part is wrong, you will not be penalised for an incorrect
answer in the later part, provided your calculations are correct. This is often called
‘positive marking’. Nevertheless, what should you do if you have no idea how to answer
© Via Afrika » Physical Science 4
