GRADE 8 INFORMAL/HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES TERM 4

TECHNOLOGY

GRADE 8

TERM 4

INFORMAL/HOMEWORK
ACTIVITIES
GRADE 8 INFORMAL/HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES TERM 4

WEEK 1

ACTIVITY 1

Complete the table below by writing the name of the component, draw the symbol and indicate
whether the component is an input/control or output device. (24)

Name Symbol Input/Control/Output

A variable
1 Control
resistor: 


2 Buzzer Output


3 Motor Control


4 Bulb/Lamp Control

5 Switch Control

6 Cell Input


7 Resistor Control


Solar/Photo-
8 Input
voltaic cell


ACTIVITY 2

2.1. A and C (2)

2.2. Short circuit (1)

2.3

2.3.1 (5)
GRADE 8 INFORMAL/HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES TERM 4

2.3.2 (5)

2.3.3 (5)

√
√

√
√

2.3.4 (5)

√
√
√
√
√

√ √
GRADE 8 INFORMAL/HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES TERM 4

ACTIVITY 3

3.1 (4)

Instructions Bulb lights up Bulb remains off

Switch OFF both “A” and “B” 
Switch ON “A” and switch OFF “B” 
Switch OFF “A” and switch ON “B” 
Switch ON both “A” and “B” 

3.2 (4)

Instructions Bulb lights up Bulb remains off

Switch OFF both “A” and “B” 
Switch ON “A” and switch OFF “B” 
Switch OFF “A” and switch ON “B” 
Switch ON both “A” and “B” 

WEEK 2

ACTIVITY 1
(15)

Energy source Where it is used and/or what it is Disadvantages or risks of using it

used for?
This can easily cause fires because it is
lamps, stove, heater, fridge 
Paraffin a liquid fuel that can spill.  It also
releases smoke when it burns. 
Coal stove  very thick smoke
often used for light  It can cause fires if it falls over and there
Candles
is nobody watching it. 
stove, fireplace, braai  smoke, environmental damage when too
Wood
many trees are cut down
torch, cell phone, radio,
It pollutes the environment when thrown
Batteries television, car
away. 
gas heater, gas stove, gas lamp.
It can cause fires if it is not installed
Gas 
safely. 
People only do certain types of
none
Sunlight work and activities during the
day, while there is light. 
GRADE 8 INFORMAL/HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES TERM 4

ACTIVITY 2

(12)
The Community Schools The government
How are they Learners’ own Learners’ own Learners’ own
affected by suggestions.  suggestions.  suggestions. 
electricity theft?

What actions can Learners’ own Learners’ own Learners’ own

they take to help suggestions.  suggestions.  suggestions. 
prevent electricity
theft?
[2 marks for each relevant answer]

ACTIVITY 3

Answer the following questions about the story:

1. For cooking, lighting, bathing, etc. [any three relevant answers]  (3)

2. They connect illegally with people who have electricity.  (1)

3. Paraffin ,gas, wood, coal (3)

4. No. It can cause death. Some people pay more because of illegal connections.  (2)

ACTIVITY 4

(The teacher to use his/her discretion to mark) (10)

WEEK 3

ACTIVITY 1

Impact of /Bias in technology

1.1 Wood needs to be collected every day and it can be dangerous out there for kids to collect
the wood or the parents may not have time to collect the wood. 
Cutting of wood can be dangerous for children.  (2)

1.2 No wood to collect and use for cooking.

Dramasi’s needed money to buy paraffin fo cookoing and lighting.
The smoke from nearby houses causes health problems and it makes their houses dirty.
 (2)

1.3 It does not pollute the air/ no negative effects on the environment..  (2)
GRADE 8 INFORMAL/HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES TERM 4

When using wood trees are cut and that cause air pollution Advantage is that trees are
saved. 

1.4 The lamp uses sunlight to charge which is free.  (1)

1.5 Solar systems are expensive. 

When the sun does not shine, there is no solar energy.  (2)

ACTIVITY 2

2.1 (5)

A Carbon rod (cathode)

Paper/ plastic conducting
B
membrane
C Zinc casing (anode)
Electrolyte paste
D
(manganese dioxide)
Electrolyte paste
E
(ammonium chloride)
2.2 (4)

2.2.1 B
2.2.2 D
2.2.3 A
2.2.4 D

2.3 (3)


GRADE 8 INFORMAL/HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES TERM 4

2.4 (3)


ACTIVITY 3

Advantages Disadvantages
 Series circuits do not overheat  If one point breaks in the
easily. This makes them very series circuit, the total circuit
useful in the case of something will break. 
that might be around a  As the number of components
potentially flammable source, in a circuit increases, greater
like dry plants or cloth.  will be the circuit resistance. 
 Series circuits are easy to learn
and to make. Their simple
design is easy to understand,
and this means that it’s simple
to conduct repairs. 
Series
connection  We can add more power
devices; they have a higher
output in terms of voltage. 
 The current that flows in a
series circuit has to flow
through every component in the
circuit. Therefore, all of the
components in a series
connection carry the same
current. 
GRADE 8 INFORMAL/HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES TERM 4

 Every unit that is connected in  It requires the use of lot of

a parallel circuit gets equal
amount of voltage. 
 It becomes easy to connect or
disconnect a new element
without affecting the working of
Parallel other elements. 
connections  If any fault happened to the
circuit, the current is able to
pass through the circuit through
different paths. 
wires. 
 We cannot increase or multiply
the voltage in a parallel circuit.

 Parallel connection fails at the
time when it is required to
pass exactly the same amount
of current through the units. 

 the sun energy is free  solar systems are expensive

 a lot of energy is available from  when the sun does not shine,
Solar cells the sun there is no solar energy
 no negative effects on the
environment

WEEK 4

ACTIVITY 1

1.1. Wind turbines; hydroelectricity; solar power  (3)

1.2. The national grid is the network of transmition lines that are connected and supplied by
all the power stations in a country to distribute electricity throughout the nation (3)

1.3. It changes the voltage and current of electrical energy (1)

1.4 Electricity causes less pollution than coal stoves and wood fires. Electricity from coal is
cheap and efficient and improves people’s lives.  (2)

1.5 Fossil fuels cannot be replaced when they are used up – non-renewable sources of
energy.  Burning fossil fuels creates air pollution. Coal is changed to energy plus
pollution. Coal is used up and pollution is left in the air.  (4)

1.6 High levels of air pollution.  Health problems like bronchitis and asthma. (2)

1.7 Better quality coal.  Better filters in their chimneys, generate electricity from other
sources.  (2)
GRADE 8 INFORMAL/HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITY 2
2.1 Solar power generation
Positive
It does not emit any greenhouse gases, so it
does not contribute to climate changes. 
No waste is generated during the operation of
solar-power stations, although some waste is
generated to build these stations. 
The sun’s energy is free. Solar power is a
renewable energy source. 
It is possible to build small solar-power stations
for small rural communities. 
2.2 Hydroelectric – power generation.
Positive
It does not emit any greenhouse gases,
so it does not contribute to climate changes. 
No waste is generated during the operation of
hydroelectric-power stations, although waste is
generated to build the stations and dams. 
The potential energy of water in the mountains is
free. 
Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy source. 
It takes very little time to start up a hydroelectric-
power plant, for instance when extra power is
needed during periods of peak electricity
consumption. 
Hydroelectric power stations can also be used to
store energy, such as a battery, when the
demand for electricity is smaller than the supply
of the other power stations. 
2.3 Wind turbines – power generation.
Positive
It does not emit any greenhouse gases,
so it does not contribute to climate changes. 
No waste is generated during the operation of
wind turbines, although some waste is
generated to build the turbines. 
The wind’s energy is free. Wind power is a
renewable energy source. 
TERM 4
(11)
Negative
Solar-power stations are expensive
to build. 
Solar-power stations take up very
large areas of land that can then not
be used for anything else. 
The power production of a solar-
power station is not as reliable, since
it depends on the season. 
(15)
Negative
Hydroelectric-power stations are
expensive to build. 
Hydroelectric-power stations depend
on large dams that have to be built. 
These dams cover large areas of
land with water, so the land cannot
be used for anything else. 
The power production of a
hydroelectric-power stations depend
on the season, since it depends on
the amount of water available. 
(14)
Negative
Wind turbines are expensive to build.

To generate a large amount of wind
power, you need to cover very large
areas of land with wind turbines. 
The power production of a wind
turbine is not reliable, as it depends
on how strong the wind is. 
GRADE 8 INFORMAL/HOMEWORK ACTIVITIES TERM 4

It is possible to build small wind turbines for Wind turbines make noise, can be
single houses or small communities.  ugly to look at and can kill birds and
bats. 

ACTIVITY 3
(15)

Source of energy Advantages Disadvantages

They are expensive to
Hydro-electric. build.
1 Water
No Pollution.  Our country does not
have enough water. 
Thermal.
Coal  Burning fossil fuel
2 stations are the the cheapest way
creates air pollution. 
to generate elecrptricity. 
Electricity cannot be
Wind.  There is no pollution.
3 generated when there is
It is free. 
no wind. 
There are few sources of
Thermal- natural gas.
Gas
4 It burns cleaner than coal. Gas can explode
It is aesy to use.  easily ,it needs extra
safety precautions. 
Thermal.
Sun Solar power is
5 No pollution.
expensive. 
Is free. 

ACTIVITY 4

(4)

Term Answers
7.1 Step-up transformer D
7.2 Step-down transformer C
7.3 Alternating current A
7.4 Direct current B