TOTAL MARKS

GRADE 8 – CURRO COMMON EXAMINATION

7 JUNE 2023

NATURAL SCIENCES: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

NAME AND CLASS:

TIME: 1,5 hour (90minutes) MARKS: 100

______________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

1. This question paper consists of 20 pages. Please check that your question paper is complete.
2. Write your name and surname in the space provided and answer ALL the questions on the
question paper.
3. Read the questions carefully.
4. Page 21 is left blank on purpose for extra writing space.
5. Use the Periodic Table (page 22) and provided formula whenever necessary.
6. Answers must be expressed in decimal format, not left as proper fractions.
7. Where appropriate, express answers to TWO decimal places.
8. A non-programmable calculator may be used.
9. It is in your own interest to write legibly and to present your work neatly.
10. Formula you may need to use for your calculations:

D= m
V

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FOR TEACHER’S USE ONLY: MARKER TO ENTER MARKS

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 TOTAL
Maximum Mark 10 15 15 21 14 13 12 100
Mark

Moderated Mark
Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

QUESTION 1 Multiple choice questions

Various possible options are given as answers to the following questions. Each question has only
ONE correct answer. Choose the answer, which in your opinion is the best one, and only write
the letter of your choice below the question number in the table below.

ANSWERS

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5

1.1 Accuracy can be defined as:

A A measure of how often an experimental value can be repeated.

B The closeness of a measured value to the real value.
C The number of significant figures used in a measurement.
D None of the above.

1.2 If an atom has 12 protons in the nucleus, then it must also have … to be neutral.

A 12 protons around the nucleus

B 12 neutrons in the nucleus
C 12 electrons around the nucleus
D 12 electrons in the nucleus

1.3 Melting is the change in state of a ….

A liquid to a solid.
B liquid to a gas.
C solid to a gas.
D solid to a liquid.

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

1.4 Water is different from other substances because it is ...

A denser as a solid than a liquid.

B less dense as a solid than a liquid.
C denser as a gas than a solid.
D less dense as a solid than a gas.

1.5 When components in a circuit are connected in series, it means that …

A the current is the same in all components.

B the current strength decreases the further it goes through the circuit.
C the current branches off somewhere in the circuit.
D the current is greater in some components.

[5×2 = 10]

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

QUESTION 2 Measurement and Scientific method

2.1 Curro schools are thinking about the possibility of

building diving pools.
Schools will have to set aside a large area of land to
build the competitive diving pool as it should be at least
18,29 meters in length and 22,89 meters in width. A
diving pool has a flat bottom at least 5 × 102 cm deep.
It should be equipped with two 1-meter springboards,
two 3-m springboards, and a diving platform with three
levels: 5 m, 7,5 m and 10 m (the highest diving
platform).

2.1.1 Convert 5 × 102 cm to m. (1)

_______________________________________________________________________

2.1.2 The volume of water that will be needed to fill the pool is 2093,2905 m3.
Write the volume of water needed in kilolitres. (1 m3 = 1000 ℓ) (1)

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_______________________________________________________________________

The diving pool can also be used for synchronised swimmers who
do most of their gymnastic and floating movements on the surface
of the water. During a performance, while swimmers are
completing moves, they are not touching the bottom of the pool.
The Sports department will therefore consider filling the pool with
salt water instead of fresh water.

2.1.3 Why is a salt water pool better for synchronised swimming? (1)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

A diving target will be placed on the floor of the pool under the 3 m diving boards, for
practising dive entries. It must stay on the floor of the pool, without being bolted down.

2.1.4 Which of the following materials would you recommend the target be made of?
Choose from the list below. Give a reason for your choice. (2)

SUBSTANCE DENSITY (g/cm3)

Salt Water 1.02

Fresh Water 1.00

Wood 0.54

Plastic 0.76

Aluminium 2.70

Painted steel 7.80

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

2.2 A grade 8 student conducted an experiment to determine the conductivity of a salt solution.
He slowly added drops of sodium chloride to water. His results are recorded in the table
below. His graph on the next page is not completed.

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

Number of drops of sodium chloride added

2.2.1 List TWO mistakes he made in the setting up of his table of results. (2)

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2.2.2 Plot the four remaining results on the graph given above. (2)

2.2.3 Draw a line of best fit on the graph for all the values. (1)

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

2.2.4 One of the points is anomalous (inconsistent). Suggest ONE error that the
student may have made to cause the anomalous result. (1)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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2.2.5 Describe the relationship (trend) shown in the graph. (2)

________________________________________________________________________

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2.2.6 The student wanted to compare the conductivity of the sodium chloride solution
with the conductivity of a potassium chloride solution.
State TWO variables he should keep constant when measuring the conductivity
of the two solutions. (2)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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[15]

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

QUESTION 3 The atom and the periodic table

3.1 Use the periodic table of elements provided on page 22 to write down the NAME of an
element that:

3.1.1 is a non-metal in Group 1. ________________________

3.1.2 is represented by the symbol Na. ________________________

3.1.3 has six protons in the nucleus of one atom. ________________________

3.1.4 is a noble gas in period 2. ________________________

3.1.5 is a non-metal liquid at room temperature. ________________________ (5)

3.2 Sarah wants to dive into a swimming pool. She can smell chorine.

3.2.1 What is the name of the group on the periodic table in which chlorine is found?

___________________________________________________________________ (1)

3.2.2 Chlorine has an atomic number of 17. What TWO things does this tell you about
chlorine’s atomic structure? (2)

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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3.2.3 How many neutrons are found in an atom of chlorine which has a mass number of
36?

______________________________________________________________________ (1)

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

3.3 Iron and copper are both transitional elements.

3.3.1 Copper is often used for electrical wiring. Give a property of copper that makes
it a good choice for this use. (1)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3.3.2 Iron is used to make cars but not aeroplanes. Suggest a reason for this. (1)

________________________________________________________________________

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3.4 The diagram below shows a model of a chemical reaction between substance P and
substance Q.

3.4.1 How can you tell from the diagram that a chemical reaction took place between
substance P and substance Q? (1)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3.4.2 If represents carbon and the substance Q is oxygen, write a balanced

equation for the reaction using chemical formulas. (3)

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[15]

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

QUESTION 4 Elements, compounds and mixtures

4.1 Three friends are having tea together.

Each of them adds sugar to her cup of tea.

Mary says: “The sugar has all melted into my tea”.

Amahle says: “My sugar has just disappeared!”
Susan says: “The sugar has dissolved in my tea”.

4.1.1 Differentiate between the words “melted” and dissolved”. (2)

________________________________________________________________________

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4.1.2 Which girl is scientifically the most correct? (1)

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4.1.3 Mary holds her hand above her cup of tea without touching it and notices that after a
while there are drops of water on her hand.
She suggests that the water vapour from the tea has condensed on her hand as
it took energy from her hand.
Amahle disagrees and explains that the energy has moved from the water
vapour to her hand.
Susan says they are both wrong and there has been no energy transfer just
a change of phase.
What is the correct explanation? (2)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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4.1.4 Use the example of sugar in tea to explain the word solute. (2)

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

4.2 Below are drawings of apparatus you could use to separate some mixtures.
Complete the table by putting the LETTER in the table of the apparatus you would
use to do the required separation. (3)

Separation to be done Apparatus

4.2.1 Separating vegetable oil and water

4.2.2. Separating the colours in a blot of ink

4.2.3 Separating some iron nails from sand

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

4.3 Marius collected some sea water when he was at the beach. The sea water tasted salty
and was full of sand. He separated the sea water and the sand from each other using the
apparatus as shown in the diagram below.

4.3.1 Name the apparatus labelled A. ________________________________ (1)

4.3.2 Substance B was retained by the filter paper. Give the name of the residue. (1)

___________________________________________________________

4.3.3 Substance C passed through the filter paper. Name one ingredient of this filtrate. (1)

________________________________________________________________

4.3.4 Explain why the method Marius used will still not enable him to safely drink the
water. Suggest what he can do to make the water usable to drink. (3)

_________________________________________________________________

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

4.4 The grade 8 Science class wanted to investigate if water (H2O) could be broken down into
more simpler substances. Their teacher set up a Hoffman voltameter as shown in the
diagram below. The leaners observe bubbles being formed and confirmed water is being
decomposed.

A B

4.4.1 Is water an element or a compound? _______________________________ (1)

4.4.2 What is the term for the decomposition of substances by an electric current?

_______________________________________________________________ (1)

4.4.3 Identify electrode A. Answer only ANODE or CATHODE. (1)

_______________________________________________________________

4.4.4 What process occurs at electrode A? Answer only OXIDATION or REDUCTION. (1)

_______________________________________________________________

4.4.5 Twice as much hydrogen compared to oxygen is formed. Describe the test that
can be performed to check that one of the gasses collected is in fact hydrogen? (1)

_______________________________________________________________

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

QUESTION 5 Particle model of matter

5.1 The particle model of matter can be used to represent different substances.

A B C
A
5.1.1 Which diagram, A, B or C, represents a diatomic molecule?
Give a reason for your answer. (2)

_______________________________________________________________________

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5.1.2 Which diagram, A, B or C, represents a solution or a mixture?

Give a reason for your answer. (2)

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5.1.3 Which diagram represents particles with the highest average kinetic energy? (1)

_______________________________________________________________________

5.1.4 Define diffusion. (2)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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5.1.5 In which of the substances (A, B, or C) will diffusion NOT occur? (1)
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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

5.2 The following diagram shows two large syringes, one containing 20 cm 3 water and the
other containing 20 cm3 air. Explain what happens to the volume of the air and water in
the syringe when the plunger is pushed down. Refer to the particle model of matter in
your explanation. (4)

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5.3 Room temperature is usually about 25 oC. You ask your mother if she
knows what the boiling point and melting point of water is.
She says, “I never learned about that at school but obviously the
melting point is below 25 oC and the boiling point is above 25 oC.”
If she has never learned about this and has never read anything about it, how do you think
she worked this out? (2)
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[14]

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

QUESTION 6 Density

6.1 While digging in the back yard, you found an old coin. Its mass is 26,76 g and its volume is
3 cm3. You also found a gemstone which you think is a diamond. The gemstone has a
mass of 5,28 g and a volume of 2 cm3.
Use your knowledge of density to identify:

6.1.1 what material the coin is made of

6.1.2 whether you indeed found a diamond or not.

𝑚
Make use of the table below to confirm your findings. 𝐷= (6)
𝑉

Table of Densities
Solids Density g/cm3 Solids Density g/cm3
Marble 2.56 Copper 8.92
Quartz 2.64 Gold 19.32
Diamond 3.52 Platinum 21.40

6.1.1 COIN 6.1.2 DIAMOND

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

6.2 Use the table below to answer the questions that follow:

Table of Densities
Substance Density g/cm3 20°C Substance Density g/cm3 20°C
Wood 0.70 Rubber 1.34
Corn oil 0.92 Corn Syrup 1.38
Water 1.00 Copper 8.80

6.2.1 What is the only object listed in the table that will sink in corn syrup? (1)
_________________________________________________________________

6.2.2 List TWO substances that can float on water. (2)

_______________________________ and ______________________________

6.3 A lady ordered a drink in a restaurant. When the waiter

brought her drink, she noticed that she could see three
different layers of liquids, as shown in the diagram.

Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow.

6.3.1 The lady sends the drink back to be heated. Explain how the density of the
substance will be affected when it is heated. Mention in your explanation if the
density will increase or decrease. (3)

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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6.3.2 Arrange the layers (juices) in order of decreasing density (denser to less
dense). (1)

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[13]
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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

QUESTION 7 Electricity

7.1 The diagram shows a plant being sprayed by an electrostatic

insecticide sprayer. The plant spray is initially uncharged. Each droplet
of insecticide is given a positive charge by the spray nozzle.
Explain the advantage of using this method of spraying the plant. (2)

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

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7.2 Study the circuits (A, B, C and D) below and then answer the questions that follow:

7.2.1 Give a reason why the light bulbs in circuits A, C and D will NOT light up. (3)

A_____________________________________________________________________

C_____________________________________________________________________

D_____________________________________________________________________

7.2.2 Circuit B has two identical light bulbs. Will they shine with the same brightness?
Answer YES or NO. (1)

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

7.3 Study the circuit diagram below and use the information to answer the questions that follow.

7.3.1 How many 1,5 V cells would be required to construct a 12 V battery? (1)

_______________________________________________________________________

7.3.2 Is this circuit connected in series or parallel? ___________________________ (1)

7.3.3 Identify component C.

______________________________________________________________________ (1)

7.3.4 Identify component B and state its function. (2)

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

7.3.5 In which direction will conventional current flow in the external circuit?
Choose ONLY X to Y or Y to X and add an arrow on the circuit diagram to indicate
the direction. (1)

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[12]

END OF THE EXAM TOTAL 100

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Grade 8 NS: Physical Sciences June Common Examination 2023

THIS PAGE IS LEFT BLANK ON PURPOSE FOR EXTRA WRITING SPACE

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