Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021

Strand: Matter and Material (Term 2)

Topic: Atoms

Background knowledge (Gr. 7):

Properties of materials: strength, flexibility, melting and boiling points, electrical conductivity, and heat
conductivity.

The properties of materials determine their suitability for a particular use.

The properties of materials are determined by its build up.

Grade 8 Content:

Atoms, the building blocks of matter

• All matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms.

• An element is made up of atoms of the same kind. For example, all the atoms of an
element, such as copper, are identical.
• An element is a (pure) substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances
by chemical means.
• An element cannot be changed into another element by means of a chemical reaction.
• Atoms of one element differ from the atoms of all other elements.
• All known elements are listed on the Periodic Table of the Elements.

Background knowledge (Gr. 7):

Elements in the Periodic Table are arranged according to their properties.

Each element has its own name, symbol, atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus)
and position on the Periodic Table.

Metals Semi-metals Non-metals

Position on the Left-hand side In the region between Far right-hand side
Periodic Table (except H, which is a gas metals and non-metals
and a non-metal)
Properties Shiny, ductile, malleable. Solids. Some are solids like C, S, P, etc.
Solid (except mercury). Have some properties of Bromine is a liquid.
High melting and boiling metals and some Some are gases like hydrogen,
points. properties of non-metals. oxygen, chlorine, nitrogen, etc.
Good thermal and Little or no metallic lustre. Brittle
electrical conductors. solids; not malleable/ductile.
Poor thermal and electrical
conductors.
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

Periodic Table

Sub-atomic particles
• Atoms are made up of smaller particles called sub-atomic particles.
• The sub-atomic particles are called protons, neutrons, and electrons.
• The central region of the atom is called the nucleus.
• The nucleus is made up of positively charged particles called protons and neutral
particles called neutrons.
• Negatively charged particles called electrons move around the nucleus.
• Atoms are neutral because the number of negatively charged particles (electrons) is
equal to the number of positively charged particles (protons).

Diagram of the sub-atomic particles in an atom:

Note the distribution of e-: 2 in the first orbit, 8 in the second, 8 in the third and 2 in the fourth.
2
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

NOTE: The purpose of the activities in this document is to drill BASIC concepts.
Refer to question banks and previous question papers for questions on higher
cognitive levels (www.mindstream.co.za)
__________________________________________________________________________

Activity 1 - Atoms and sub-atomic particles

1.1 Give one word/term for each of the following descriptions:

1.1.1 The tiny particles all matter is made up of.

1.1.2 A substance (material) that is made up of atoms of the same kind.
1.1.3 The organised arrangement of all the known elements.
1.1.4 A substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
1.1.5 Particles, such as protons, neutrons and electrons found in an atom . (5)

1.2 Atoms consist of three different sub-atomic particles.

(a) List the names of the three sub-atomic particles. (3)

(b) Next to the name of each particle, write down its charge. (3)

1.3 Draw and label a fluorine atom consisting of 9 protons, 10 neutrons and
9 electrons. (4)
[15]
__________________________________________________________________________

Pure substances

• Elements AND compounds are pure substances.

• Both consist of only ONE type of particle.
• Copper, an element, consists of only copper atoms.
• Water (pure water), a compound, consists of only water molecules.

Elements

• An element is a material that consists of atoms of only one kind, such as hydrogen (H),
oxygen (O), carbon (C), sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl).
• All known elements are listed on the Periodic Table of Elements.
• Elements are limited in number and are the building blocks of millions of compounds.
• Some elements on the Periodic Table of Elements form diatomic molecules. These are
called molecules of elements.
• Diatomic molecules:
H2 N2 F2 O2 I2 Cℓ2 Br2
To remember: Have No Fear Of Ice Cold Beer
• Sometimes atoms form chemical bonds with each other to form molecules of
compounds, such as H2O and CO2.

3
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

Compounds

• A compound is a material that consists of atoms of two or more different elements

chemically bonded together.
• Examples of compounds are water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), table salt (NaCl) and
copper chloride (CuCℓ2).
• The atoms in a given compound are always bonded in a fixed ratio such as, in water,
the ratio is always two hydrogen atoms (H) to one oxygen atom (O).
• A chemical bond is the force that holds atoms together.
• Compounds [such as water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), salt (NaCl)] are formed by
chemical reactions.
• Compounds can be broken down in a decomposition reaction into other compounds or
their original elements by heating or electrolysis. For example, electrolysis
decomposes water (H2O) to form hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2).

Mixtures of elements and compounds

Background knowledge (Gr. 7):

Mixture:
Is made up of two or more substances or materials that have different physical properties.
Where the properties differ, the substances can be separated.

Methods of separation:
• Sorting (separating sheep wool from thorns)
• Sieving (separating stones from sand)
• Filtration (separating sand from water)
• Using a magnet (separating iron from sand)
• Evaporation (retrieving salt from sea water)
• Distillation (retrieving pure water from sea water)
Distillation always involves boiling and condensation [change from gas to a liquid].
• Chromatography (separating different colour pigments from one colour pigment,
such as black

Grade 8 Content:

• A mixture consists of different types of particles and is not a pure substance.

• Elements and compounds are often found mixed with each other, such as in air,
sea water, rocks, and in living things.
• Mixtures can be separated by physical means.
• Compounds can be separated by chemical means.

4
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

Activity 2 - Pure substances (Elements and Compounds); Mixtures

2.1 Complete the table by drawing the models of the diatomic molecules and
compounds. Write down the number and, next to it, draw the correct model.
Element Molecule Model of the molecule
Hydrogen H2 2.1.1

Oxygen O2 2.1.2

N2 2.1.3
Nitrogen
H2O 2.1.4

Carbon CO2 2.1.5

(5)
2.2 Study diagrams A to I below.

A B C

D E F

G H I

List the letters A to I underneath each other. Next to each letter, indicate
whether it is an ELEMENT, a COMPOUND, or a MIXTURE. (9)

2.3 Consider the following substances:

CO2 (Carbon dioxide) H2SO4 (Sulphuric acid)

NaCℓ (Sodium chloride) H2O (Water)

2.3.1 Write down the chemical formula of the substance in which the ratio is:

(a) 1:1 (1)

(b) 2:1 (1)
(c) 1:2 (1)
(d) 2:1:4 (1)

2.3.2 What is the ratio in CaCO3? (1)

5
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

2.4 Consider the diagrams of four different substances below:

P Q R S

2.4.1 Identify each of the following:

(Only write down P, Q, R and/or S. Letters can be used more than once.)

(a) Pure substances. (3)

(b) A diatomic element. (1)

(c) A mono-atomic element. (1)

(d) A mixture. (1)

(e) A compound consisting of two different elements. (1)

2.4.2 Which one of P, Q or R represents each of the following the best?

(a) Carbon monoxide (CO) (1)

(b) Helium atoms (1)

(c) Oxygen gas molecules (1)

2.4.3 For diagram S, which one of the following statements is TRUE?

Only write the number and the LETTER (A, B, C or D) of the correct answer.

A It is a mixture.
B It is a pure substance.
C It is an element.
D It is a compound. (1)

2.5 Consider the diagram:

2.5.1 How many molecules can you identify in the diagram? (1)
2.5.2 How many atoms are there in one molecule? (1)
2.5.3 How many different elements are represented in the diagram? (1)
2.5.4 How many atoms are there in TOTAL represented in the diagram? (1)
2.5.5 Choose the correct answer:
The chemical formula of the substance is H2SO4 or CH4 or H2O2. (1)
[35]

6
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

Particle model of matter

• Atoms and molecules are referred to as particles in the particle model of matter.
• The particle model of matter is a scientific theory used to explain that all matter (solids,
liquids, and gases) is made up of particles.
• These particles are too small to see with the naked eye (in a drop of water there would be
many billions of water particles).
• The spaces between the particles are empty (these spaces do not contain air, they contain
nothing).
• The particles are arranged differently in a solid, liquid and a gas.

Comparing a solid, a liquid and a gas in terms of:

1. arrangement,
2. movement,
3. forces, and
4. spacing (size of spaces between particles).

In a solid, the particles …

1. are closely packed in a regular arrangement.

2. do not move around but vibrate against each other (in one position).
3. have strong forces holding them together.
4. have very small spaces between them.

In a liquid, the particles …

1. are loosely arranged but still quite close together.

2. can move quite fast and slide past each other.
3. have weaker forces between them (than in a solid).
4. have bigger spaces between them (than in a solid).

In a gas, the particles …

1. have no particular arrangement.

2. move very fast.
3. have extremely weak forces between them.
4. have very big spaces between them compared to solids and liquids.

• Diffusion
o It is a process in which particles in liquids and gases move (separate and spread) from
a highly concentrated area to an area with a lower concentration of those particles.
o Is faster in gases compared to liquids.

7
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

Activity 3 - Particle model of matter; Diffusion

3.1 Draw a table, like the one below, to compare solids, liquids, and gases in terms of
arrangement, movement, forces and spacing.
(Tip: Draw the table BIG enough to ensure that there is enough space.)

SOLID LIQUID GAS

Diagram of
the state of
matter
Arrangement
of the
particles
Movement of
the particles
Forces
between the
particles
Spacing
between the
particles
(15)

3.2 The rate of diffusion in a gas and in a liquid is investigated.

Diagram 1:
When the glass plate between the two flasks is removed, the bromine vapour spreads
within 10 minutes from the bottom flask to fill the whole space.

Diagram 2:
In water, a drop of ink takes an hour to spread and colour all the water in the beaker.

3.2.1 Define the term diffusion. (2)

3.2.2 Explain why diffusion in a gas takes place much faster than in a liquid.
(3)
[20]
__________________________________________________________________________

8
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

Change of state

• Heating and cooling can cause a material (substance) to change state.

• The solid material first changes to a liquid (melting) when heated, and then it changes to a
gas (evaporating) on further heating.
• The gas first changes to a liquid (condensing) when cooled, and then it changes to a solid
(freezing or solidifying) when cooled further.
• As a solid material is heated, the movement of the particles increases which enables them
to move past each other and form a liquid.
• The particles move much further apart from each other when the material changes from
the liquid to the gas state.

➢ Practical activity 1

Change of state worksheet of 2020 (www.mindstream.co.za)

__________________________________________________________________________

Activity 4 - Change of state

4.1 Name the process described in each case:

4.1.1 When a solid changes to a liquid. (1)

4.1.2 When a liquid changes to a gas. (1)
4.1.3 When a gas changes to a liquid. (1)
4.1.4 When a liquid changes to a solid. (1)

4.2 Which processes in question 4.1 require heating to occur? (2)

4.3 Which processes in question 4.1 require cooling to occur? (2)

4.4 A piece of candle wax is placed in a metal tin and heated over a flame.

4.4.1 What will be observed when the candle wax is heated? (1)
4.4.2 What will be observed after a few minutes if the hot candle wax is
removed from the flame? (1)
[10]
__________________________________________________________________________

9
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

Density, mass and volume

• The density of a material describes the amount of mass in a given volume of that material.
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 (𝑔)
• Density (g/cm3) =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 (𝑐𝑚3)

Density and states of matter

• In general, gases are less dense than liquids and liquids are less dense than solids.
• Water is an exception as ice is less dense than water and therefore ice floats on water.

Density of different materials

• Some materials have low density and some have a high density, for e.g., a loaf of bread
has a lower density than a clay brick of the same size.
• The density of a material will depend on the kind of particles it is made up of and the size
of the spaces between them.
• A material which has lower density will float on a liquid which has higher density, for
example oil (lower density) will float on water (higher density).

➢ Practical activity 2

Density worksheet of 2020 (www.mindstream.co.za)

__________________________________________________________________________

Activity 5 - Density

5.1 The clay brick and the sponge in the diagram have the same volume.

5.1.1 Which one (brick or sponge) will feel heavier when they are picked up
simultaneously (at the same time)? (1)

5.1.2 Explain your answer in question 5.1.1 based on what you see in the
diagram. (2)

5.1.3 Calculate the volume of the brick and the sponge if the measurements
are as follows:

length = 20 cm; breadth = 10 cm; height = 15 cm (3)

5.1.4 Calculate the density of the brick in g/cm3 if it has a mass of 2 kg. (3)

5.1.5 Calculate the density of the sponge if it has a mass of 200 g. (2)

5.1.6 Define density. (2)

10
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

5.2 Helium gas is less dense than air, while carbon dioxide gas is denser than air.
Three balloons are respectively filled with helium, carbon dioxide and air.
Each of three children (A, B and C) is then given one of the balloons to hold.

A B C

5.2.1 Which child (A, B or C) is holding the balloon filled with helium? Motivate
your choice. (2)

5.2.2 Which child (A, B or C) is holding the balloon filled with carbon dioxide?
Motivate your choice. (2)

5.2.3 Consider the three densities: 1,23 kg/m3, 0,164 kg/m3 and 1,98 kg/m3.

Write down the density for:

(a) helium
(b) air
(c) carbon dioxide (3)

5.3 Oil with a density of 0,85 g/cm3 is mixed well with water, which has a density of
1 g/cm3. The mixture is left to stand for a few minutes and the observation shown
below is made.

5.3.1 What happens after a while with the oil and water? Describe the
observation. (2)

5.3.2 Explain why this happens. (2)

5.3.3 Why will a small pebble sink if it is put in water? (1)

[25]
__________________________________________________________________________

11
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

Expansion and contraction of materials

• Solids, liquids, and gases tend to expand when heated and contract when cooled.
• Particles of liquids and gases are in a state of constant motion.
• As a material is heated, the movement of the particles increases, and they move further
apart, therefore the material expands.
• As a material is cooled, the movement of the particles decreases and they move closer
together, therefore the material contracts.
• When a material expands or contracts, the size and number of particles does not change.
Instead, it is only the spaces between the particles that get bigger or smaller.
o During expansion, the spaces between the particles get bigger.
o During contraction, the spaces between the particles get smaller.
__________________________________________________________________________

Activity 6 - Expansion and contraction

6.1 A very thin piece of metal wire is suspended between two vertical rods. The wire
is heated with a flame. After a while, the wire begins to sag as shown below.

6.1.1 Give the scientific term for a wire that gets longer due to heat. (1)

6.1.2 What will happen to the wire when it cools down again? (1)

6.1.3 Explain the process mentioned in 6.1.2. (3)

6.2 A copper ball easily slides through a copper ring when it is cold but after the
has been heated it does not fit through the ring anymore.

6.2.1 What happens to the ball during heating? (1)

6.2.2 To explain how this happens, refer to the particle model of matter, and
make drawings of the ball before and after heating. Clearly show the
size of the ball and the arrangement of the particles inside the ball,
before and after heating. (4)
[10]
__________________________________________________________________________

12
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

Pressure

• A gas exerts a pressure because of the collisions of the particles with each other and
against the sides of the container.
• Pumping more gas into a container increases the number of gas particles in the container.
This increases the number of collisions and therefore increases the pressure.
__________________________________________________________________________

Activity 7 - Pressure

7.1 Only write the number and the letter of the correct answer:

7.1.1 A gas exerts a pressure because …

A the particles have fixed positions.

B the particles vibrate in fixed positions.
C of the collisions of the particles with each other.
D of the collisions of the particles with each other and with the sides
of the container. (1)

7.1.2 Pumping more air into a car tyre …

A increases the number of particles and decreases the number of

collisions.
B increases the number of particles and increases the number of
collisions.
C decreases the number of particles and decreases the number of
collisions.
D decreases the number of particles and increases the number of
collisions. (1)

7.2 Two gas cylinders, 1 and 2, contain the same gas at the same temperature.
The pressure meter in 1 registers a lower pressure than the pressure meter in 2.

7.2.1 Explain how a gas exerts pressure. (2)

7.2.2 Use the diagram and explain why the pressure in cylinder 2 is higher than
the pressure in cylinder 1. (2)
[6]
__________________________________________________________________________

13
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

NB: All process skills as well as the scientific method must continually be addressed.
__________________________________________________________________________

Practising of Process Skills Informal assessment

KNOWLEDGE STRAND: Matter and Material TOPIC: DENSITY

1. Measure volume:
Measure the volume of the liquid in each measuring cylinder in cm 3.

1.1 1.2

1.3 1.4 (4)

𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔
2. Calculate density ( Density = 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆) of objects that sink in water.

Four different objects were placed, one at a time, in a measuring cylinder filled with
water.

Water Battery Nail Button Key

-Common Core Sheets-

14
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

2.1 Take the volume measurements (in cm3) in the diagram above. Do the necessary
calculations and determine the density of each object. Show all calculations and units.
Volume of
Volume of Volume Mass Density
Object water
water only of object of object of object
and object

Battery 25,2 g

Nail 7,9 g

Button 13,1 g

Key 26,2 g

(13)

2.2 The density of water is 1 g/cm3. Explain why the objects all sink to the bottom. (2)

________________________________________________________________

3. Calculate density of an object that floats on water.

An eureka can is filled with water to just below the overflow spout. A cork stopper is
carefully placed in the water. The overflowing water is collected in a beaker and the
volume of it is measured in a measuring cylinder.

15
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

3.1 The mass of the cork stopper is 0,75 g. Determine the volume of the water that
was displaced by the cork stopper and calculate the density of cork. (4)

3.2 Water has a density of 1 g/cm3. Explain why the cork stopper floats on water. (2)

________________________________________________________________

4. Interpreting graphs; investigative question; hypothesis; identifying variables

Study the graph below:

Graph of water density vs temperature

Density of water (g/cm3)

Temperature (°C)

4.1 Formulate an investigative question based on the information in the graph. (2)

________________________________________________________________

4.2 Decide whether the following hypothesis can be ACCEPTED or NOT.

If the temperature of water increases, then the density of the water increases.

________________________________ (1)

16
Natural Sciences Grade 8 FS Revision Guideline 2021 Matter and Material

4.3 Read from the graph:

4.3.1 The density of water at 10°C. _______________ (1)
4.3.2 The density of water at 82°C. _______________ (1)

4.4 REWRITE the hypothesis to be acceptable by changing only ONE word. (1)
________________________________________________________________

4.5 Identify the:

4.5.1 Dependent variable: ___________________ (1)
4.5.2 Independent variable: _____________________ (1)

4.6 Describe what happens to each of the following when a substance is heated.
Only write INCREASES, DECREASES or REMAINS THE SAME.
4.6.1 The kinetic energy of the particles: _______________________________ (1)
4.6.2 The distance between the particles: ______________________________ (1)
4.6.3 The number of particles: _______________________________________ (1)
4.6.4 The volume of the substance: ___________________________________ (1)
4.6.5 The density of the substance: ___________________________________ (1)

5. Drawing tables and graphs; identify variables; formulate conclusion

A thin copper rod, 100 mm long, is strongly heated at one end with a bunsen burner.
The length of the rod is measured every 30 seconds.

5.1 Identify the independent and dependent variables. (2)

5.2 Draw a table with the following headings and record the results.
Time (s) Length of rod (mm) Increase in length of rod (mm) (7)

5.3 Draw a line graph to show the INCREASE IN THE LENGTH OF THE ROD
versus TIME. (Use graph paper if possible.) (8)

5.4 Formulate the conclusion for this investigation. (2)

5.5 COMPARE the arrangement of the copper atoms in rod A with that of
rod C. Use a drawing like the one below.

Draw both rods to indicate the differences and label them A and C. (2)
17