lOMoARcPSD|37559428

Grade 10 Physical Sciences Notes

Phisical Sciences (High School - South Africa)

Scan to open on Studocu

Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])
 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

GRADE 10 – PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

MATTER AND MATERIALS

PROPERTIES OF MATTER

 Matter is described as being made up of particles whose properties

determine the observable characteristics of matter and its reactivity
 The examples of anything made up of particles e.g. piece of chalk, air,
conducting
wires etc.
 The properties of materials are stated and defined as follows:-
o Strength
o Brittle: Hard but likely to break easy e.g. Piece of chalk, wood
o Malleable: Ability to be hammered or pressed into shape without
breaking or cracking e.g while Ductile; Ability to be stretched into a wire
e.g.
o Density: the mass per volume of a substance
o Boiling point is defined as the temperature of a liquid at which its
vapour pressure equals the external (atmospheric) pressure
o Melting point is defined as the temperature at which a solid, given a
sufficient heat, becomes a liquid e.g ice heated

 Matter is divided into two groups i.e mixtures and pure substances

MIXTURES:
 A mixture is the combination of two or more substances in which the
substances retain their own properties e.g sand and water, suger dissolved in
water
 Mixtures can be separated by physical methods without changing the
properties of the substance.i.e to separate the mixture of iron filing from sand,
magnet is used where only iron filing will be attracted to magnet
 A mixture’s composition can vary.
 PURE SUBSTANCES
o Pure substance is defined as a substance that cannot be separated
into simpler components by physical methods.
o Pure substances are further divided into two groups i.e compounds and
elements
o Element is defined as a pure substance consisting of one type of atom
e.g Hydrogen, Sodium, Potassium etc
o Elements are pure substances that cannot be broken down into simpler
substances using chemical methods.

 COMPOUNDS
2

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

o Compound is defined as a pure substance consisting of two or more

different elements.e.g H2O, HNO3, Mg(OH)2 etc
o Compounds are made out of atoms of elements that are chemically
bonded in a fixed ratio.
e.g The educator explains that H2O compound has two hydrogen
atoms and one oxygen atom, HNO3 has one Hydrogen atom,one
Nitrogen atom and three Oxygen atoms
o Compounds can be separated using the chemical methods.

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

THREE STATES OF MATTER:

o Matter is made from tiny particles that are constantly moving
o Brownian motion is strong evidence that all substances are made of extremely
small particles that are in constant motion.
o Smoke cell is used to demonstrate Brownian motion.
o The movement of atoms or molecules from an area of higher concentration to
an area of lower concentration is called diffusion.
o Brownian motion: The random movement of microscopic particles suspended
in a liquid or gas caused by collisions between these particles and the
molecules of the liquid or gas.
o All substances exist in one of three states i.e solid, liquid and solid
o In a solid state, matter maintains a fixed volume and shape
o In a liquid state, matter maintains a fixed volume, but takes on the
shape of the container.
o In a gas state, matter expands to occupy whatever volume is available
 The state in which a substance exists depends on these factors:
o The kinetic energy of its particles
o The intermolecular forces between the particles
 Freezing point: The temperature at which a liquid changes to a solid by the
removal of heat.
 Melting point: The temperature at which a solid, given sufficient heat ,
becomes a liquid.
 Boiling point: The temperature of a liquid at which its vapour pressure equals
the external (atmospheric) pressure

HEATING CURVE GRAPH OF CRUSHED ICED AT STANDARD

PRESSURE

o When the temperature is below 00c ice is in a solid state.

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

o As the temperature increases, the particles absorb energy and vibrate more
vigorously. Eventually particles have enough energy to break free from forces
holding them from their positions, and the ice melts.
o Between t1 and t2, the temperature remains constant because all energy is
used to break the intermolecular forces between molecules.
o Between t2 and t3, temperature increases, particles of liquid is absorbing
energy, when enough energy absorbed particles moves even more faster.
o Between t3 and t4, the temperature remains constant all energy is used to
break liquid bonds, and particles escape to air and evaporation takes place.
o Above X, it is in a gas state.
 Melting is defined as the process during which a solid changes to liquid by
application of heat.
 Evaporation: change of liquid into a vapour at any temperature below the
boiling point.
 Freezing: the process during which a liquid changes to a solid by removal of
heat.
 Sublimation: the process during which a solid change directly into a gas
without passing through an intermediate liquid phase.
Condensation: the process during which a gas or vapour changes to liquid, either by
cooling or by being subjected to increased pressure.
KINETIC MOLECULAR THEORY

 The kinetic model of matter describes the movement of the particles in three
states.
 The differences between the states is described in terms of the spacing,
ordering and motion of particles.
IN A SOLID:
o Particles are closely packed together in a regular arrangement or lattice.
o They are unable to move, and vibrate at their fixed positions.
o Strong forces of attraction between particles.
IN A LIQUID:

o Particles are packed together in an irregular arrangement.

o The particles are able to move in a confined space and take on the
shape of a container.
o The attractive forces between particles are weaker than solids.
IN A GAS:

o Particles are arranged in irregular form, and are spread far apart with
large spaces between them.
o The particles have the kinetic energy that enables them to move freely
and randomly. There are almost no attractive forces between them.

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

WORKSHEET

Grade 10 learners conducted an experiment to determine the heating curve of water

by using crushed ice at standard pressure, as shown in the figure below.

1. Define the boiling point.

2. Write down the name of an instrument labelled W
3. Why crushed ice used instead of ice cubes?

The graph below, not drawn into scale shows the results obtained.

4.Write down the value represented by X

5.Name the predominantly phase of this substance between t2 and t3
6.Write down the process taking place between t3 and t4
7. Explain increase in temperature between t2 and t3
8.How will the above graph be affected if a larger quantity of crushed ice was used?

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

MATTER AND CLASSIFICATION

The material(s) of which an object is composed

• Describe matter as being made up of particles whose properties determine
the observable characteristics of matter and its reactivity.
• Define properties of materials:
- Strength
- Brittle: Hard but likely to break easy.
Malleable: Ability to be hammered or pressed into shape without breaking
or cracking.
Ductile: Ability to be stretched into a wire.
- Density: The mass per unit volume of a substance.
- Melting points and boiling points
Boiling point: The temperature of a liquid at which its vapour pressure
equals the external (atmospheric) pressure.
Melting point: The temperature at which a solid, given sufficient heat,
becomes a liquid.

Mixtures: heterogeneous and homogeneous

• Define a homogeneous mixture as a mixture of uniform composition and in which
all components are in the same phase, e.g. a solution of salt and water.
• Define a heterogeneous mixture as a mixture of non-uniform composition and of
which the components can be easily identified, e.g. sand and water.
• Give examples of heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures.
• Classify given mixtures as homogenous and heterogeneous.

Pure substances: elements and compounds

• Use symbols to represent elements and compounds.
• Define an element as a pure substance consisting of one type of atom.
• Define a compound as a pure substance consisting of two or more different
elements.
• Define a pure substance as a substance that cannot be separated into simpler
components by physical methods.
• Classify given substances as pure or impure and as compounds or elements.

Names and formulae of substances

• Write names of compounds from given formulae or write down formulae of
compounds from given names.
• Write names of ions from given formulae or formulae from given names.
• Write names of substances or ions ending on -ide, -ite and –ate.
• Write names of substances using the prefixes di-, tri-, etc.

Metals, metalloids and non-metals

• Classify substances as metals, metalloids and non-metals using their properties.
• Identify the metals, their positions on the periodic table and their numbers in
comparison with the number of non-metals.
• Identify the non-metals and their positions on the periodic table.
• Describe metalloids as having properties of metals and non-metals.
• Describe the characteristic property of metalloids that show increasing conductivity
with increasing temperature (the reverse of metals), e.g. silicon and graphite.

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

• Identify the metalloids and their position on the periodic table.

ENERGY
As a learner, you should be able to list as many forms of energy as possible, like
solar, radiant, electrical, mechanical, kinetic, potential, nuclear, etc. You then pay
attention to three:
1. Gravitational potential energy – energy an object has because of its
position in the gravitational field relative to some reference point

 When the object moves up or down from the reference position its
gravitational potential energy changes.
 Potential energy is calculated using the formula: Ep = mgh

2. Kinetic energy – energy an object possesses because of its motion

 Any object which moves, possesses kinetic energy.
 A stationary object has no kinetic energy.
 Kinetic energy is calculated using the formula: Ek = ½ mv2

3. Mechanical energy – the sum of gravitational potential energy and

kinetic energy
Equation: EM = Ek + Ep
The Law of Conservation of Energy: The total energy of an isolated system
remains constant.
The Principle of Conservation of Mechanical Energy: The total mechanical
energy in an isolated system remains constant.
Isolated system – a system that does not interact with its surroundings (there is no
transfer of energy or mass between the system and the surroundings).
Examples
Gravitational Potential Energy
1. Let’s look at the case of a suitcase, with a mass of 1 kg, which is placed at the top
of a 2m high cupboard. By lifting the suitcase against the force of gravity, we give
the suitcase potential energy. We can calculate its gravitational potential energy
using the equation defined above as:

Ep = mgh
= 1x9,8x2

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

= 19, 6 J
If the suitcase falls off the cupboard, it will lose its potential energy. Halfway down
to the floor, the suitcase will have lost half its potential energy and will have only

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

9, 8 J left.
Ep = mgh
= 1x9,8x1
= 9,8 J
At the bottom of the cupboard the suitcase will have lost all its potential energy
and its potential energy will be equal to zero.
Ep = mgh
= 1x9,8x0
=0J
This example shows us that objects have maximum potential energy at a
maximum height and will lose their potential energy as they fall.

2. A brick with a mass of 1 kg is lifted to the top of a 4 m high roof. It slips off the roof
and falls to the ground. Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the brick at
the top of the roof.
Solution
m = 1 kg g = 9,8 m.s-2 h=4m
Ep = mgh
= 1.9,8.4
= 39, 2 J
3. A netball player, who is 1,7 m tall, holds a 0,5 kg netball 0,5 m above her head
and shoots for the goal net which is 2,5 m above the ground. What is the
gravitational potential energy of the ball:
3.1 when she is about to shoot it into the net?
3.2 when it gets right into the net?
3.3 when it lands on the ground after the goal is scored?
Solution
3.1 First we need to calculate h. The height of the ball above the ground
when the girl shoots for goal is h = (1,7 + 0,5) = 2,2 m.
m = 0,5 kg g = 9,8 m.s-2 h = 2,2 m

Ep = mgh

10

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

= 0,5.9,8.2, 2
= 10, 78 J

3.2 m = 0,5 kg g = 9,8 m.s-2 h = 2,5 m

Ep = mgh
= 0,5.9,8.2,5
= 12,25 J

3.3 m = 0,5 kg g = 9,8 m.s-2 h=0m

Ep = mgh
= 0,5.9,8.0
=0J

Kinetic Energy
Consider the 1 kg suitcase on the cupboard that was discussed earlier. When it is
on the top of the cupboard, it will not have any kinetic energy because it is not
moving:
1. Ek = ½ mv2
= ½ .1.02
= 0 J.
When the suitcase falls, its velocity increases (falls faster), until it reaches the
ground with a maximum velocity. As its velocity increases, it will gain
kinetic energy. Its kinetic energy will increase until it is a maximum when the
suitcase reaches the ground. If it has a velocity of 6,26 m.s-1 when it reaches
the ground, its kinetic energy will be:
2. Ek = ½ mv2
= ½ .1.(6,26)2
= 19, 6 J.

When the suitcase falls, its velocity increases (falls faster), until it reaches the
ground with a maximum velocity. As its velocity increases, it will gain

11

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

kinetic energy. Its kinetic energy will increase until it is a maximum when the
suitcase reaches the ground.

3. A bullet, having a mass of 150 g, is shot with a muzzle velocity of 960 m.s-1.
Calculate its kinetic energy.
Solution
m = 150 g = 150/1 000 = 0,150 kg g = 9,8 m.s-2 v = 960 m.s-1

Ek = ½ mv2
= ½ .0,150.960
= 69 120 J

Mechanical Energy
EM = Ek + Ep
EM = ½ mv2 + mgh
Example:
Calculate the total mechanical energy for a ball of mass 0,15 kg which has a kinetic
energy of 20 J and is 2 m above the ground.
Solution
m = 0,15 kg Ek = 20 J g = 9,8 m.s-2 h=2m EM = ?
EM = Ep + Ek
= mgh + Ek
= 0,15.9,8.2 + 20
= 22,94 J

12

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

Conservation of Mechanical Energy

Always start calculation with:
Ek1 + Ep1 = Ek2 + Ep2
Examples:
1. Object moving vertically downward

During a flood a tree trunk of mass 100 kg falls down a waterfall. The waterfall
is 5 m high.
If air resistance is ignored, calculate:
1.1 the potential energy of the tree trunk at the top of the waterfall.
1.2 the kinetic energy of the tree trunk at the bottom of the waterfall.
1.3 the magnitude of the velocity of the tree trunk at the bottom of the waterfall.
Solution
1.1 Ep = mgh
= 100.9,8.5
= 4 900 J
1.2 Total mechanical energy must be conserved, so
Ek1 + Ep1 = Ek2 + Ep2
Since the trunk’s velocity is zero at the top of the waterfall, Ek1 = 0 J
At the bottom of the waterfall, h = 0 m, so Ep2 = 0 J
Therefore Ek1 = Ep2, and so the kinetic energy of the tree trunk at the bottom
of the waterfall equals the potential energy at the top of the waterfall.
And so, Ek = 4 900J

1.3 Since Ek = ½ mv2

4 900 = ½ .100.v2
v2 = 98
v = 9,90 m.s-1

13

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

2. A 2 kg metal ball is suspended from a rope as a pendulum. If it is released

from point A and swings down to the point B (the bottom of its arc):
Pendulum

Calculate the velocity of the ball at point B.

Solution
Since there is no friction, mechanical energy is conserved.

Ek1 + Ep1 = Ek2 + Ep2

mgh1 + ½ mv12 = mgh2 + ½ mv22
mgh1 + 0 = 0 + ½ mv22
2.9,8.0,5 = ½ .2.v2
v2 = 9.8
v = 3,13 m.s-1

3. A roller coaster ride at an amusement park starts from rest at a height of 50 m

above the ground and rapidly drops down along its track. At some point, the track
does a full 360 degree loop which has a height of 20 m, before finishing off at
ground level. The roller coaster train itself with a full load of people on it has a
mass of 850 kg.

If the roller coaster and its track are frictionless, calculate:

3.1 the velocity of the roller coaster when it reaches the top of the loop
3.2 the velocity of the roller coaster at the bottom of the loop (i.e. ground level)

14

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

Solution
3.1 EM1 = EM2
Ep1 + Ek1 = Ep2 + Ek2
mgh1 + ½ mv12 = mgh2 + ½ mv22

mgh1 + 0 = mgh2 + ½ mv22

850.9,8.50 + 0 = 850.9,8.20 + ½ .850.v2
v2 = 588
v = 24,25 m.s-1

3.2 EM1 = EM3

Ep1 + Ek1 = Ep3 + Ek3
mgh1 + ½ mv12 = mgh3 + ½ mv32

mgh1 + 0 = 0 + ½ mv32
850.9,8.50 = ½ .850.v32
v32 = 980
v3 = 31,30 m.s-1

15

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

4. A mountain climber who is climbing a mountain in the Drakensberg

during winter, by mistake drops her water bottle which then slides 100 m
down the side of a steep icy slope to a point which is 10 m lower than the
climber’s position. The mass of the climber is 60 kg and her water bottle has
a mass of 500 g.
Inclined Plane

4.1 If the bottle starts from rest, how fast is it travelling by the time it reaches the
bottom of the slope? (Neglect friction.)
4.2 What is the total change in the climber’s potential energy as she climbs down the
mountain to fetch her fallen water bottle? i.e., what is the difference between her
potential energy at the top of the slope and the bottom of the slope?

Solution
4.1 EM1 = EM2
Ep1 + Ek1 = Ep2 + Ek2
mgh1 + ½ mv12 = mgh2 + ½ mv22

mgh1 + 0 = 0 + ½ mv22
0,5.9,8.10 = ½ .0,5.v22
v22 = 196
v2 = 14 m.s-1

4.2 At the top of the slope, her potential energy is:

Ep1 = mgh1
= 60.9,8.10
= 5880 J
At the bottom of the slope, her potential energy is:

16

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

Ep2 = mgh2
= 60.9,8.0
=0J
Therefore, the difference in her potential energy when moving from the
top of the slope to the bottom is:
Ep1 – Ep2 = 5880 − 0
= 5880 J

17

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

ACTIVITIES
Multiple Choice
1.1 An astronaut drops a hammer from 2 m above the surface of the Moon. If the
acceleration due to gravity on the Moon is 1,62 m·s-2 , how long will it take for the
hammer to fall to the Moon’s surface?
A. 0,62 s
B. 1,6 s
C. 1,2 s
D. 2,5 s

1.2 Mary rides an escalator that moves her downward at constant speed.
Select the option that best describes the change in her gravitational
potential energy and kinetic energy.

Gravitational Potential Energy Kinetic Energy

A. Decreases Decreases
B. Decreases Remains the same
C. Increases Decreases
D. Increases Remains the same

1.3 A girl weighing 500 N takes 50 seconds to climb a flight of stairs 18 meters high.
If her speed at the top of the stairs is 2 m·s-1, her potential energy at the top of the
stairs is J.

A. 9000
B. 8820
C. 102,04
D. 9102,4

18

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

1.4 A 0,10 kg ball, dropped vertically from a height of 1,0 m above the floor bounces
back to a height of 0,80 meter. The mechanical energy lost by the ball as it bounces
is J.
A. 0,78

B. 0,30

C. 0,20

D. 0,08

Structured Questions
1. A father lifts his child (mass 20 kg) onto a table which is 1,2 m above the ground.
Calculate
how much gravitational potential energy the child has gained.

2. A fisherman catches a fish in his fishing net. The fish has a mass of 2,5 kg and the
net has
a mass of 250 g. He lifts the net to a height of 0,5 m above the river. Calculate how
much
gravitational potential energy is gained by the net and the fish when he lifts them.

3. A boy standing on a bridge drops a stone 4,5 m into the river below. What is the
mass of the stone, if it loses 158,76 J of gravitational potential during its fall?

4. A rock with a mass of 250 kg balances at the top of a cliff. In this position, it has
2 000 J gravitational potential energy. What is the height of the cliff?

5. How much kinetic energy has a car with a mass of 1 200 kg when it travels at
20 m.s-1?

6. A 2 ton truck travels at 100 km.h-1. What is its kinetic energy?

7. What is the mass of a vehicle travelling at 15 m.s-1 when it has 300 000 J of
kinetic energy?

8. A ball (mass 500 g) hits the ground with 200 J of kinetic energy. At what speed
was it moving just before it hit the ground?

9. An aeroplane (mass 20 000 kg) flies horizontally at a speed of 250 m-s-1 and at a
height of 30 km above the ground. Calculate its mechanical energy.

19

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

10. A pendulum bob (mass 200 g) is raised to a height of 50 cm above its rest
position, and then it is released. Assume that the system is frictionless and that
there is no air resistance.

a. State the law of conservation of mechanical energy.

b. Explain why this system can be considered as “an isolated system”.

c. Calculate the maximum potential energy of the bob.

d. Determine the maximum kinetic energy of the bob.

e. Determine the maximum speed of the bob.

f. At what position in its swing will the bob travel at maximum speed?

11. A 40 kg girl slides from rest down a slide of height 3 m and reaches the bottom at
a speed of 7.67 m·s-1.
11.1 Calculate the girl's gravitational potential energy at the top of the slide.
11.2 Calculate the girl's kinetic energy when she reaches the bottom of the
slide.
11.3 When the girl is 1,5 m high her kinetic energy is 588 J.
calculate the girl's mechanical energy.

12. While conducting an experiment, a stone with a mass 5 kg is dropped from the roof
of the school's pavilion by Russell. The roof is 6,5 m above the ground. Ignore the
effect of the air resistance.
12.1 What type of energy does the stone have, just before it is dropped?
12.2 Explain your answer in 12.1.
12.3 Calculate the energy referred to in question 12.1.
12.4 Define kinetic energy.
12.5 Calculate the kinetic energy of the stone just as it strikes the ground.
12.6 Name and state the principle used to do the calculation in question 2.5.
12.7 Calculate the velocity at with the stone strikes the ground.

13. A bullet, mass 50 g, is shot vertically up in the air with a muzzle velocity of 200
m·s−1. Use the Principle of Conservation of Mechanical Energy to determine the height
that the bullet will reach. Ignore air friction.

20

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

14. The diagram shows a boy

playing with his skateboard.
14.1 Calculate the height h
when the boy is in
position 3.
14.2 Calculate the velocity
when the boy is in
position 2.

15. An object of mass 0,2 kg is released at point A and moves along the frictionless
section AC of a curved track. Along section CD it experiences friction and stops at point
D. The vertical height of point A above point X on the ground is 0,8 m as shown below.

15.1 Write down the principle of conservation of mechanical energy in words.

15.2 Calculate the gravitational potential energy of the object at point A just before it
is released.
15.3 At point B the speed of the object is 3 m∙s-1. Use the principle of conservation of
mechanical energy to calculate the vertical height of point B above the ground.

21

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

15.4 The object reaches point C at a velocity of 3,96 m∙s-1.

15.4.1 Write down the energy conversion which takes place as the object
moves from point C to D.
15.4.2 Calculate the acceleration that the object experiences as it moves from
point C to D.

16. The following drawing shows a 2 kg ball falling on a frictionless plane in four
different positions. Ignore the circular motion of the ball and the air resistance.

16.1 Calculate at what height from the floor is the ball in position 1.
16.2 Using the Law of Conservation of Mechanical energy, calculate the velocity of
the ball in position 2.
16.3 Calculate the Mechanical energy in position 3.
16.4 Use Law of conservation of mechanical energy to calculate the velocity of the
ball in position 4.
(Do it using more than one option.)

22

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

ELECTROSTATICS NOTE SUMMARY

Electrostatics is the study of electric charge which is at rest/stationary or static (not
moving).
In this chapter we will look at electrostatics, the principle of conservation of charge and
the principle of quantization of charge.
All objects surrounding us (including people!) contain large amounts of electric charge.
There are two types of electric charge: positive charge and negative
charge. If the same amounts of negative and positive charge are found in an object,
there is no net charge and the object is electrically neutral. If there is more of one type
of charge than the other on the object then the object is said to be electrically
charged. The picture below shows what the distribution of charges might look like for
a neutral, positively charged and negatively charged.
Two types of charges.

The electric field direction is always directed away from positive source
charges and towards a negative source charge. See figures below:

BELOW are the illustrations of neutral, negatively charged and positively charged
objects.

23

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

Positive charge is carried by the protons in material and negative charge

by electrons. The overall charge of an object is usually due to changes in the
number of electrons. To make an object.
 If two negatively charged objects are brought close together, then they will
repel each other.
 If two positively charged objects are brought close together, then they will
repel each other.
 If a positively charged object is brought near to a negatively charged object,
they will attract each other.
 In conclusion unlike charges attract each other while like charges repels each
other.

Figure showing unlike charges attracting and like charges repelling.

 An object is positively charged, as a result of having a shortage of electrons.

 An object is negatively charged, as a result of having excess electrons.
 An object is neutral, as it has equal numbers of protons and electrons.

The process of materials becoming charged when they come into contact with other
materials is known as tribo-electric charging.
Objects may become charged in many ways, including by contact with or being
rubbed by other objects.
During tribe electric charging the charge like energy is neither created nor destroyed
but is conserved. See figure below:

24

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

Polarisation is the partial or complete polar separation or positive and negative

electric charge in a system.

Polarization illustration

 Other materials do not allow the charge carriers, the electrons, to move through
them (e.g. plastic, glass). The electrons are bound to the atoms in the material.
These materials are called non-conductors or insulators eg, glass and
plastic. Conductors conduct electrical current very easily because of their
free electrons, eg, silver and copper. Insulators oppose electrical current and
make poor conductors.
 The effect of the shape on the charge distribution is the reason that we only
consider identical conductors for the sharing of charge.

The principle of conservation of charge states that the net charge of an isolated
system remains constant during any physical process, e.g. two charge objects making
contacting and separating.

25

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

Q1 +Q2
 Equation, 𝑄 
2

The principle of quantisation of charge states that every charge in the universe
consists of integer multiples of the electron charge, i.e. 𝑄=𝑛𝑞𝑒.
Equation, Q = n qe-.
Where:
 𝑄= Charge
 𝑛= integer
 𝑞𝑒= charge on electron.

Activities

WORKED EXAMPLE 1
Choose the correct answer A, B, C or D
A plastic rod and a dry cloth are uncharged. The plastic rod is rubbed with the dry cloth
and they both become charged. The rod becomes negatively charged because some
particles move from the cloth to the rod.

CHARGE ON ROD PARTICLES THAT

MOVED
A positive protons
B positive electrons
C negative protons
D negative electrons
Answer: B Worked
example 2
A Learner in Physical Sciences class rubs his hair with a plastic rod. The rod becomes
negatively charged. The learner now opens a tap so that thin stream water runs from
it. When the rod is brought close to the water without touching it, it is observed that the
water bends towards the rod as shown in the diagram below.

Question: Give a reason why the steam of water bends towards the rod.
Answer: Water molecules are polarised by the rod, the positive pole of the water is attracted to
the negative pole, causing stream of water to bend towards the rod.

26

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

Activities
1. A balloon is brought closer to a positively charged sphere as shown in the
diagram below.
The balloon is attracted to the sphere.

+
Balloon

1. Which ONE of the following is the type of charge on the balloon?

A Positive

B Positive or neutral

C Negative or neutral

D Negative or positive
Answer:
2. A rubber balloon obtains a negative charge after it has been rubbed against
Human hair.
Which ONE of the statements below best explains why this happens?
A. Negative charges are transferred from the rubber balloon to the human
hair.
B. Positive charges are transferred from the rubber balloon to the human hair.
C. Positive charges are transferred from the human hair to the rubber balloon.
D. Negative charges are transferred from the human hair to the rubber
balloon.

Answer:
THE PRINCIPLE OF CONSERVATION OF CHARGE ACTIVITIES
WORKED EXAMPLE
QUESTION 1

27

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

1. X and Y are two identical spheres. Sphere X is on an insulated stand

while Y has an insulated handle attached. The charge in sphere X is +6.4
x10-19C and Y is NEUTRAL. Y is now brought nearer and touches X, after
which they are separated again.

Before X AND Y TOUCHES X AND Y SEPERSTED

X---------------Y--------------------------X---------Y-----------------------------------------X --------------------- Y

1.1 State the Law of Conservation of charge in words

1.2 Does sphere X has excess or deficiency of electrons before touching?
1.3 Y was neutral before. Explain what this means:
1.4 Are electrons transferred from X to Y or from Y to X when they touch?
1.5 Calculate the new charge on Y after touching and separation.

Worked example QUESTION 1 (ANSWERS)

1.1 Charge can neither be created nor destroyed but merely transferred from one
body to another.

OR
The total charge in a closed system remains constant.
OR
The total charge in an isolated system is conserved.
1.2 𝑋 has a deficiency of electrons.
1.3 Neutral means having equal number of electrons and protons.
1.4 𝑌 𝑡𝑜 𝑋
1.
Q1 +Q2
𝑄=
2

=+6,4×10−19 ( 1 for Nr and 1 for Dr)

2
=3,2 × 10−19𝐶 (4)

28

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

ACTIVITY

1. Two small metal spheres, on insulated stands, carry charges of −3× 10 −6 𝐶

and +6× 10−6 𝐶 respectively. The spheres were moved to touch one another,
got separated and then returned to their original positions

1.1 Which ONE of the two spheres, P or R, at Stage 1, has electron

deficiency?
1.2 Will the spheres at Stage 3 Attract or Repel?
1.3 Write down the reason for your answer in 2. Above.
1.4 State the principle of Conservation of Charge.
1.5 Calculate the charge on Sphere P at Stage 3

THE PRINCIPLE OF QUANTISATION OF CHARGE ACTIVITIES

1. X and Y are two identical spheres. Sphere X is on an insulated stand while Y
has an insulated handle attached. The charge in sphere X is +6.4 x10-19C and
Y is NEUTRAL. Y is now brought nearer and touches X, after which they are
separated again.

Before X AND Y TOUCHES X AND Y

SEPERSTED
X---------------Y--------------------------X---------Y-----------------------------------------X --------------------- Y

1.1 State the principle of charge quantization.

29

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

1.2 Calculate the number of electrons transferred from one sphere to the other when X
and Y touch.
(3)

QUESTION 1 Answers
1.1 Every charge in this universe is an integral multiples of the electron charge. 2)
1.2
ΔQ
𝑛=
Qe

−3,2 × 10−19 3,2 × 10−19

=
−1,6 × 10−19
OR (1 for Nr and 1 for Dr) 
1,6 × 10−19


= 2



ACTIVITIES

1. Two small metal spheres, on insulated stands, carry charges of −3× 10−6 𝐶
and +6× 10−6 𝐶 respectively. The spheres were moved to touch one another,
got separated and then returned to their original positions

1.1 Comparing stage 1 and stage 3, determine the number of electrons transferred.

Activity 2

Two identical metal spheres A and B are placed on insulated stands. Spheres A and B
carry charges of +4,4 nC and -2 nC respectively.

30

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

+4,4 nC -2 nC

A
B

2.1 Which sphere (A or B) has FEWER electrons?

2.2 Write down the NAME of the type of FIELD around the charged
spheres.
Choose from MAGNETIC, ELECTRIC or GRAVITATIONAL.

2.3 Give a reason why the charged spheres are placed on insulated
stands.

2.4 The spheres are brought into contact and then separated as shown
below.

CONTACT SEPARATED

2.5 State the principle of conservation of charge.

2.6 Which sphere loses electrons when the two spheres come
into contact?

2.7 Calculate how many electrons transferred from one sphere

to the other when they come into contact.

31

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

ELECTROSTATICS

CONSERVATION OF CHARGE

QUESTION 1

1.1 Choose the correct answer A, B, C or D

A plastic rod and a dry cloth are uncharged. The plastic rod is
rubbed with the dry cloth and they both become charged. The
rod becomes negatively charged because some particles move
from the cloth to the rod.
CHARGE ON ROD PARTICLES THAT MOVED
A POSITIVE PROTONS
B POSITIVE ELECTRONS
C NEGATIVE PROTONS
D NEGATIVE ELECTRONS

A positively charged plastic rod attracts small pieces of

1.2 paper because…
A. The paper pieces are negatively charged.
B. The paper pieces are neutral.
C. The paper pieces are very small.
D. The paper pieces become polarised.
QUESTION 2
2. A pith ball is a polystyrene sphere coated with metal paint.
A plastic rod (A) is charged by rubbing it with a cloth. It
is held next to an uncharged pith ball that is suspended
on light cotton thread.

2.1 Describe how the plastic rod becomes positively charged

when it is rubbed with a cloth.
2.2 Describe what happens in the metal paint on the pith ball
when the positively charged plastic rod is brought near to it.

2.3 The ball is attracted to the rod. Explain why this happens,
given that the pith ball is uncharged.

2.4 Predict what you would see if the pith ball touches the
positively charged rod. (2)

2.5 Explain your prediction in 2.2.4.

32

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|37559428

ELECTROSTATICS

QUANTIZATION OF CHARGE
QUESTION 1

1.1 State the principle of quantisation of charge.

An object has an excess charge of -1,92x10-17C. How many excess electrons

1.2 does it have?

1.3 Two identical pith balls are suspended on light, inelastic cotton threads. Pith
ball A has a positive charge of 5,4 nC. Pith ball B carries a negative charge of
8,2 nC. Calculate the extra number of electrons added to pith ball B.

1.4 Neutral plastic ruler becomes charged when it is rubbed with a woolen
cloth. After Rubbing, the ruler has a charge of -3,5 x 10-15 C.
Distinguish between a neutral object and a charged object.

1.5 Calculate the number of electrons transferred during the process of rubbing.

2. Two small identical spheres, A and B, are suspended on long silk threads, as
shown in the sketch below. The spheres carry charges of +3 x 10-6 C and -2 x
10-6 C

+
A B
(+3x10⁻6 C) (-2 x10⁻6C)

The two spheres are allowed to touch and then separated.

2.1 Calculate the new charge on sphere B.

2.2 Calculate the number of electrons transferred during contact.

33

Downloaded by Young Marley ([email protected])