GRADE 9

TERM 4
PLANET EARTH AND BEYOND
2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. The Earth as a system

B. The Lithosphere

C. The Atmosphere

D. Mining of mineral resources

E. The birth, life and death of a star

F. Possible answers
 A. THE EARTH AS A SYSTEM
KEY WORDS
1. System – is the number of components working together for a
common purpose.
2. The biosphere – consists of all living plants and animals and their
interactions with rocks, soil, air and water
3. The hydrosphere – is the layer of the Earth which includes all the
water on the planet.
4. The Lithosphere – is the layer of the Earth which includes the
Earth’s crust and the upper part of the mantle.
5. The Atmosphere – is the layer of gases which surrounds the
Earth.
The Earth as a system
• A system is components working together to achieve a common
goal.
• Different components of the earth are water, gas, soil and
rocks.
• Biosphere is the sphere of life with plants and animals, this
sphere involves all other 3 spheres

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3EqcUNdIl8
B. THE LITHOSPHERE
• The lithosphere includes the Earth's crust and the upper
part of the mantle.
• All mountains, rocks, soil and minerals included in the
Earth's crust are part of the lithosphere.
• Even the seafloor is part of the lithosphere, because it
is also made up of sediments of sand and rock
https://youtu.be/et0DcFhX8Ig
The hydrosphere
• Hydrosphere comprises water in all its forms (oceans, lakes, rivers,
ground water, glaciers and ice caps).70% of the surface of the Earth is
covered with water

An iceberg and a sea A river Clouds

The Lithosphere continued…….

Rock formations. Sand dunes.

The Lithosphere continued…….

Soil. Mountains.
The Lithosphere continued…….

Minerals. Seafloor
.
C. THE ATMOSPHERE
• The Atmosphere – is all the air above the surface of the Earth
up to space.

Top of the Earth’s atmosphere The region of Space occupied by the atmosphere
Activity 1
Interaction between the spheres
1. Study the photo of thorn trees on the savannah.
2. Answer the questions that follow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j5iHvYBIcg

Thorn trees.
Questions
1. Identify the four different spheres of the Earth in the example.
2. What will happen if the trees do not get enough water?
3. Describe the interaction between the hydrosphere and the biosphere in this
example.
4. What will happen if the carbon dioxide levels change dramatically?
5. Describe the interaction between the atmosphere and the biosphere in this
example.
6. Is there any interaction between the lithosphere and the hydrosphere in this
example?
7. Use the example you have chosen in the previous activity (Exploring the spheres
of the Earth) and describe three different interactions between the different
spheres.
Practical activity 1
Developing a collage on spheres of the Earth.
• Take three A4 pages
• Divide two of the pages into 2 parts, you will be
having 4 parts and one full page
• Paste all three pages on a cardboard
• In each part have a picture of each of the 4 spheres
• On a separate page explain how each sphere
support life for plants and animal.
Questions
1. How the hydrosphere support
(a) Plants (2)
(b) Animals (2)
2. How the Lithosphere support
(a) Plants (2)
(b) Animals (2)
Questions
3. How the atmosphere support
(a) Plants (2)
(b) Animals (2)
The Lithosphere (The sphere of rocks and soil)
Key words
1. Rock cycle – is how the rock is formed, disintegrate and be
formed again.
2. Inner core – is the innermost solid part of the Earth it is
situated at the centre.
3. Outer core – is the liquid part that surround the inner core.
4. Mantle – is a layer above the core of the earth.
5. Crust – is a layer surrounding the crust
The Lithosphere (The sphere of rocks and soil)
Key words (continued)
6. Sedimentary rock – is formed when small stones that have
been washed away and deposited as sediments solidify.
7. Metaphonic rock – is a rock that have changed from their
original form due to high pressure and heat.
8. Magma – is metaphonic rock that melts as it moves deeper
towards the centre of the Earth
Layers of the Earth and the Lithosphere
• As magma moves through volcanic pipes it cools down
and form Igneous rock
• The upper part of the core and the crust form the
lithosphere https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6wsxFtgGQU
Layers of the Earth and the Lithosphere

NB Check where the lithosphere is located

Possible Practical Activity 2
To make/design a model of different layers of the
Lithosphere
1. Make round ball of paper Mache. (2)
2. Cut it into half. (2)
3. Use three different painting to illustrate
(a) Core,
(b) Mantle and
(c) Crust (6)
The rock cycle
• Many natural activities take place at the lithosphere, i.e.
pressure, heat, weathering, chemical reactions which
lead to the formation of different rocks.
• There are basically three types of rocks namely:
1. Sedimentary rock,
2. Metamorphic rock and
3. Igneous rock
• Rocks are formed, broken down and reform over long
periods of time.
Different rock formation – the rock cycle
1. Wind and water wash the sands and deposit them in
oceans and lakes as sediments, this process is called
deposition. As more and more sediments are deposited
there is more pressure which compact at the bottom and
lead to formation of sedimentary rocks.
2. When this process continues as the sedimentary rocks
get compacted and move deeper beneath the surface of
the Earth, heat and pressure leads to change in chemical
reactions leading to the formation of metamorphic rocks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CnjoCu1154
Different rock formation – the rock cycle
3. As the process continues metamorphic rocks move
deeper into the Earth melt and become magma. Hot
magma cools down on its way to the surface and forms
igneous rock, magma can break down on the surface of
the earth as lava in volcanoes.
The rock cycle
Activity 2: Summarising the rock cycle
Question:
1. Complete the diagram by filling in which type of rock belongs where:
Sedimentary rock, Metamorphic rock, Igneous rock
(a)

(c)

(b)
Activity 2: Summarising the rock cycle….continued
2. Name the process by which igneous rock is formed.
3. Which type(s) of rock form sediment?
4. What conditions are needed for metamorphic rock to
form?
5. Explain what 'weathering and erosion' of rock mean.
6. Explain what 'compaction' means.
7. What type of rock is formed through compaction?
8. What is magma? Explain the role of magma in the rock
cycle.
The Atmosphere
Key Words:
1. Troposphere – is the atmospheric layer just above the Earth’s
surface.
2. Stratosphere – is the atmospheric layer above the
stratosphere.
4. Mesosphere – is the atmospheric layer above the stratosphere.
5. Thermosphere – is the atmospheric layer above the
Mesosphere
6. Exosphere – is the outermost sphere where there is less or no
force of gravity
7. Greenhouse effect – is the natural phenomenon of warming the Earth so
as to sustain life on it.
Composition of the Atmosphere
• The Atmosphere is the mixture of gases held around the
Earth by gravity.
• The mixture consists of 78% nitrogen, 21 % oxygen, less
than 1% carbon dioxide and other gases less than 1 %.
• As one moves, away from the surface of the Earth, density
of the gas particles decreases.
• There are basically 4 layers of the atmosphere bound by
gravity: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and
thermosphere with different temperature gradient.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0AOg_fPkog
Layers of the Atmosphere
Layers of the Atmosphere …. continued
1. Troposphere:
• This layer stretches from sea level to approximately 10
KILOMETRES
• This is the densest and the heaviest layer of the
atmosphere
• It contains 70% of the mass of the atmosphere
• Plants and animals live on this layer
• Weather occurs on this layer
• The temperature decreases as the distance from the
surface of the Earth increases
Layers of the Atmosphere …. continued
2. Stratosphere
• This layer stretches from 10 to 50 KILOMETRES
above sea level.
• Some of the Aeroplanes fly at this level.
• It has a band of ozone gas (O3) which absorbs
ultraviolet light.
• This absorption increases the temperature of the
stratosphere, thus protecting animals and plants
from too much radiation.
Layers of the Atmosphere …. continued
3. Mesosphere
• This layer stretches from about 50 – 80
KILOMETRES above sea level.
• The air is extremely thin and very cold.
• There is still enough air to burn small rocks
entering from space.
• These rocks are visible from the Earth and we know
them as shooting stars
Layers of the Atmosphere …. continued
4. Themosphere
• This layer starts from about 80-350 KILOMETRES above
sea level.
• At 350 Kilometres this layer diminishes and the empty
space starts.
• The international Space Station (ISS) is above this layer at
370 kms.
• Ultraviolet radiation and dangerous X-rays from the sun
are absorbed at this sphere.
• Radio waves are reflected back to earth for TV and radio
broadcast.
Layers of the Atmosphere …. continued
Layers of the Atmosphere …. continued
Complete the table below on layers of the atmosphere.
Types of Spheres Altitude range above Unique 2 activities at Temperature range
sea level the sphere

Troposphere
1 2 1
Stratosphere
1 2 1
Mesosphere
1 2 1
Thermosphere
1 2 1
Total (16) (4) (8) (4)
The greenhouse effects
• The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenal that
warms the atmosphere sufficiently to sustain life.
• The most common greenhouse gases are carbon
dioxide, methane gas and water vapour.
• These gases trap ultraviolet radiation which then
warms the air around the Earth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN5-DnOHQmE
The greenhouse effects ….. continued
• Damage to this layer can lead to global warming
which would cause:
- Climate change
- Rising sea level
- Food shortages
- Mass extinction
Activity – Effects of climate change
Explain with one example in each how the following
would affect life on Earth.
i. Climate change.
ii. Rising sea level.
iii.Food shortages.
iv. Mass extinction.
v. What are different Governments of the world doing about
this.
vi. Name one organisation that focuses on climate change
D. MINING OF MINERAL RESOURCES
Key Words:
1. Mining – a process of extracting valuable minerals from
the Earth.
2. Ores – rocks from which people extract valuable minerals.
3. Opencast mining – where extraction of minerals take place on
the surface.
4. Underground mining – where extraction of minerals occurs
underground.
5. Remote sensing – is the term used to gain information from a distance
6. Geophysical methods – make use of geology and the physical properties
of the minerals to detect them underground.
Mining of mineral resources …… continued
• In the lithosphere (the sphere of rocks and sand) there are
valuable minerals for mankind
• Different minerals have different ways of extracting them.
• There are three main stages of mining, namely:
i. Identifying minerals to be mined,
ii. Mining the mineral from ore and
iii. Refining the mineral for use.
• This process can be represented by the following flowchart
diagram:
A flow diagram representing the mining process
Mining of mineral resources …… continued
1. Exploration:
• At this stages miners try to find areas where minerals are
concentrated this saves cost, they search this with advance
technological equipment, e.g. to check for iron they may use
equipment that can attract it.
• Geophysical methods make use of geology and the
physical properties of the minerals to detect them
underground. For example, diamonds are formed deep in the
Earth at very high temperatures, in kimberlite pipes of
igneous rock.
• Remote sensing is the term used to gain information from a
distance
Mining of mineral resources …… continued
2. Drilling and blasting.
• Once an area is found an ore is drilled and blasted to get it out of
ground, this may occur underground or on surface gold is extracted
underground while coal is extracted from the surface.

Drilling for mineral Blasting an ore for mineral

Mining of mineral resources …… continued
3. Crushing and milling.
• Then it is crushed to get it from other ores, after being mined it comes
out it is dirty and needs to be cleaned so the first stage is crushing the
big rock into smaller finer parts.

Crushing rocks to separate minerals from waste

Mining of mineral resources …… continued
4. Separation.
• Separation of minerals from the waste rock, use different method of
separation, e.g. sorting by chemical means.

Separation of minerals from waste rock

Mining of mineral resources …… continued
5. Refining.
• Refine by cleaning the mineral or metal, e.g. platinum,
phosphorus, gold etc

Refining minerals by cleaning

Mining of mineral resources …… continued
6. Distribution.
• Distributing minerals to where they are needed, Steel may be
taken to car manufacturing industries, coal to Eskom, etc.

Distribution of minerals
Mining of mineral resources …… continued
There are basically two ways of mining, namely:
• Open cast mining, mining from above surface e.g. coal,
• Underground mining, digging

Open cast mining Underground mining

Mining of mineral resources …… continued
Mining in South Africa
• The table below show mineral and South African towns in which they
are mined
Mineral Where it is found
Lead Aggenys
Andalusite Namakwaland; north of Lydenburg; Eastern Bushveld Complex
Zinc Aggenys; between Vryburg and Kuruman
Iron Vredendal; Postmasburg; Sishen/Kathu, Thabazimbi
Salt Port Elizabeth; Velddrif; between Prieska and De Aar; Douglas; Koffiefontein;
Jacobsdal; Petrusburg, Upington
Limestone Port Elizabeth; Port Shepstone; Saldanha; Lichtenburg; Mahikeng; Zeerust;
between Christiana and Bloemhof; West of Thabazimbi
Mining of mineral resources …… continued
Mineral Where it is found

Vermiculite Between Pietermaritzburg and Durban; east of Musina; west, south and
east of Makhado, Phalaborwa
Diamonds Kimberley; northwest of Kimberley; Alexander Bay; Luderitz; Port
Nolloth; on the west coast north of Vredendal; Mahikeng; north of
Ventersdorp; Cullinan; west of Musina
Titanium West coast north of Saldanha Bay; Richards Bay

Manganese North of Kuruman; northeast of Ventersdorp

Zirconium West coast north of Saldanha Bay; Richards Bay

Gold Virginia; Welkom; Stilfontein; Klerksdorp; Potchefstroom; Carletonville;

Johannesburg, Vereeniging; Vryheid[, Barberton; west of Phalaborwa;
Evander
Mining of mineral resources …… continued
Mineral Where it is found

Chromium Western Bushveld Complex; Eastern Bushveld Complex

PGMs Western Bushveld Complex; Eastern Bushveld Complex; Northern

Bushveld Complex
Phosphate Phalaborwa

Coal Virginia; Welkom; Bothaville; Kroonstad; Vereeniging; Sasolburg;

Vanderbijlpark; Dundee; Newcastle; Utrecht; Vryheid; Ermelo; Standerton;
Secunda; Evander; Witbank; Middleburg; Carolina; Lephalale
Nickel West of Barberton

Copper Aggenys/Springbok; Phalaborwa; Western Bushveld Complex; Eastern Bushveld

Complex
Antimony West of Phalaborwa
Activity – Impact of mining
• There are several advantages and challenges of
mining in the country, to both humans, plants and
the environment.
Questions:
(a) Complete the following table on the impact of mining to
society.
Advantages Disadvantages
Activity – Impact of mining …..continued

(b) What is the South African government doing to

regulate the mining industry? 4
(c) In South Africa today mining employs
approximately how many people? 1
E. BIRTH, LIFE AND DEATH OF STARS
Key Words:
1. Stars – a very large luminous (light emitting) body of
gas.
2. Nebulae – huge clouds of dust and gas.
3. Fusion – combination of atoms to form one.
4. Light year – a distance that light travels in one year.
5. A constellation – is a group of stars that appear to
form a pattern or picture.
Birth, Life and Death of Stars ….. continued
• Stars exist for a limited time.
• They are formed, exist for a certain period, then die.
• Stars form inside huge clouds of gas and dust called
nebulae, far out in space
• Each star had its own gravity, that is pulling the dust and
cloud together
• The Sun is also a star
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCrmN8C5uH0
Birth of a star.
• Stars are formed when two hydrogen atoms combine to
form helium atom
• This process of fusion releases a lot of energy into space
• That ball of gas and dust that are held together by gravity
releasing a large amount of energy.
• Most stars are 100 thousand to 2 million times the mass of
the Sun, they appear smaller because they are far away
from the Earth as compared to the sun.
• As the reaction takes place in the stars, they continue to
form different shapes and patterns, this is called
constellations
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_fNZAXdeXo
Constellations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZ15SUeS9w
Life of a star
• Even though stars have a finite lifespan, it is over million
and billions of years.
• The sun is halfway through its lifespan of 9 billion years
• During their lifespan stars change their colour from blue to
red https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRYu8pMg9zQ
Life of a star ….. continued
• Colour changes associated with the lifespan of stars

At which stage is our Sun?

Death of a star
• Stars becomes red hot in their final stage.
• They contract and expand continuously until they
break into separate pieces, the outer part leaving
the centre.
• The centre becomes a white dwarf, the outer red
parts break into smaller pieces.
Activity – The life cycle of the Sun
Instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_fNZAXdeXo
1. The diagram below shows the life of our Sun. The Sun is a
common type of star of average size and mass.
2. Complete the sentences by filling in the gaps which
summarize the evolution of our Sun over time.
Activity – The life cycle of the Sun ….. continued
Questions:
1. he Sun is currently about halfway through its lifetime as a
__________ star. In about 4.5 billion years’ time the Sun
will swell up to form a __________ star engulfing the Earth
as it does so.
2. After the Sun has become a red giant, it will eventually
become unstable and puff off its outer layers forming a
beautiful __________ . The central core of the Sun will be
left exposed in the centre of the planetary nebula
Activity – The life cycle of the Sun ….. continued
3. Once the fuel runs out in the core of the Sun, nuclear
reactions will __________. The Sun will then have become
a hot __________ star, left behind at the centre of the
planetary nebula.
4. As there are no ongoing nuclear reactions, as the white
dwarf shines it slowly cools and will eventually form a
__________ dwarf.
F. ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Activity 1 – Interaction between the spheres
Instructions:
1. Study the photo of thorn trees on the savannah.
2. Answer the questions that follow

Thorn trees.
Activity 1 – Interaction between the spheres ….. continued
Questions:
1. Identify the four different spheres of the Earth in the
example.
(a) Biosphere – the trees, grasses and other plants.
(b) Lithosphere – sand, rocks and other minerals.
(c) Hydrosphere – ground water (or water in the soil).
(d) Atmosphere – the air around the tree
Activity 1 – Interaction between the spheres ….. continued
2. What will happen if the trees do not get enough
water?
• They will wither and die. They need water to
photosynthesize
3. Describe the interaction between the hydrosphere
and the biosphere in this example
• Trees and other plants interact with the hydrosphere
when they absorb water
Activity 1 – Interaction between the spheres ….. continued
4. What will happen if the carbon dioxide levels
change dramatically?
• Plants will be affected as photosynthesis would not
occur normally, they may die due to how drastic the
change is.
5. Describe the interaction between the atmosphere
and the biosphere in this example.
• Carbon dioxide is needed by plants for
photosynthesis, and plants gives off oxygen to the
environment
Activity 1 – Interaction between the spheres ….. continued
6. Is there any interaction between the lithosphere
and the hydrosphere in this example?
• The minerals in the soil are transported by water to different
parts of the plants.
7. Use the example you have chosen in the previous activity
(Exploring the spheres of the Earth) and describe three
different interactions between the different spheres.
• The biosphere is held upright by the lithosphere and minerals
in the soil are transported by the hydrosphere, with gaseous
exchange and photosynthesis taking place in the
environment.
Practical activity 1

Mountain and plants (Lithosphere) Clouds (Atmosphere)

A river (hydrosphere) Plants and animals (Biosphere)

Practical activity 1 …… continued
Hydrosphere
• Support for plants
• Assist with transportation of minerals and salts to
different part of the plants.
• Support for animals. √√ (2)
• Assist in keeping the animal hydrated, digestion, blood
circulation, takes place with ease √√ (2)
Practical activity 1 …… continued
Lithosphere
• Support for plants
• Holds the plant upright and stores minerals for plants.
√√ (2)
• Support for animals
• Have food for animals, Make shelter for animals. √√ (2)
Practical activity 1 …… continued
Atmosphere
• Support for plants
• Makes photosynthesis possible and gaseous exchange.
√√ (2)
• Makes photosynthesis possible and gaseous exchange.
√√ (2)
• Support for animals
• Assist in breathing and gaseous exchange in the
body√√ (2)
Practical activity 2
Developing a collage on spheres of the Earth.

Ball of paper Mache Half ball of paper Mache

Practical activity 1 ….. continued

Images showing different paintings (correct paintings

2 mark each).
Activity 2 – Summarising the rock cycle
QUESTIONS:
1. Complete the diagram by filling in which type of rock belongs
where: Sedimentary rock, Metamorphic rock, Igneous rock.
(a)

(c)

(b)
Activity 2 – Summarising the rock cycle ….. continued
1. (a) Igneous rock.
(b) Sedimentary rock.
(c) Metamorphic rock.
2. Name the process by which igneous rock is
formed.
Cooling
Activity 2 – Summarising the rock cycle ….. continued
3.Which type(s) of rock form sediment?
Igneous, metaphoric as well as sedimentary
4. What conditions are needed for metamorphic rock
to form?
Increased temperature and pressure
5. Explain what 'weathering and erosion' of rock
mean.
It is the action of wind and water which cracks and
breaks up pieces of rocks
Activity 2 – Summarising the rock cycle ….. continued
6. Explain what 'compaction' means.
It is a process where particles are compressed closer
together
7. What type of rock is formed through compaction?
Sedimentary rock
8. What is magma? Explain the role of magma in the
rock cycle.
Magma is melted rock, which is called lava when it falls into the
surface of the Earth, magma and lave forms igneous rock when
they cool
Activity 3
Type of Altitude range Unique 2 activities at the Average
sphere above sea level sphere temperature range
Troposphere 10 Kilometres (1) Weathering. The highest density (-50 to 20)0C
sphere (2) (1)
Stratosphere 10 – 50 Kilometres Temperature increase with altitude. (-51 to -15)0C
(1) Very cold. Protects against UV rays (1)
1. Some planes fly in this sphere.
(2)
Mesosphere 50-80 kilometres (1) Temperature decreases with height (-90)0C
The coldest layer (1)
Strong winds going from east to
west (2)
Thermosphere 80-350 kilometres Extremely low density (500 to 2000)0C
(1) High energy of molecules (2) (1)

Total 16 4 8 4
Activity 4
Effects of climate change
Explain with one examples (where possible) on each how the
following would affect life on Earth.
i. Climate change
The temperature might be too hot or too cold such that
some species may die.
ii. Rising sea level
Certain areas may be flooded or sink below and this may
require their population to migrate.
Activity 4 ….. continued
iii. Food shortages
Some animals may die thus resulting in the death of
human beings as well, the ecosystem may change.
iv. Mass extinction
Certain industries may lack people to occupy them and there
may be more new diseases that are not curable
Activity 4 ….. continued
V. What are different Governments of the world doing about
this.
They are forming organisations to focus on saving the climate
changes.
vi. Name one organisation that focuses on climate change
Intergovernmental panel on climate change.
Activity 5
(a) Complete the following table on the impact of mining to
society
Advantages of mining Disadvantages of mining
Creates direct and indirect employment Sinkholes in Carletonville
Larger tax contributions to different Loss of biodiversity through deforestation
Leads to birth of cities Affects health of employees
Equipment that are beneficial to human Changes weather patens
beings, platinum contributes to
manufacturing of cars
Any positive impact Any negative impact
Activity 5 ….. continued
(b) What is the South African government doing to
regulate the industry. 4
- Issue mining licence to mines
- Consult with local communities before mining
- Appoint inspectors who monitor compliance
- Institute fines where there is no compliance
Activity 5 ….. continued
(c) In South Africa today mining employs approximately how
many people? 1
- 450 000 people directly
Activity 6 – The life cycle of the Sun
Instructions:
1. The diagram below shows the life of our Sun. The Sun is a
common type of star of average size and mass.
2. Complete the sentences by filling in the gaps which
summarize the evolution of our Sun over time.
Activity 6 – The life cycle of the Sun ….. continued
QUESTIONS:
1.The Sun is currently about halfway through its lifetime as a main
sequence star. In about 4.5 billion years’ time the Sun will swell
up to form a red giant star engulfing the Earth as it does so.
2. After the Sun has become a red giant, it will eventually become
unstable and puff off its outer layers forming a beautiful
planetary nebula. The central core of the Sun will be left
exposed in the centre of the planetary nebula.
Activity 6 – The life cycle of the Sun ….. continued
3.Once the fuel runs out in the core of the Sun, nuclear reactions
will stop. The Sun will then have become a hot white dwarf star,
left behind at the centre of the planetary nebula.
4. As there are no ongoing nuclear reactions, as the white dwarf
shines it slowly cools and will eventually form a black dwarf.