South Africa Grade 9 Natural Sciences Syllabus

This syllabus outlines the topics and concepts covered in the Natural Sciences curriculum for Grade 9 in South Africa, based on the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). The curriculum is organized into four knowledge strands, each covered in a specific term:

• Term 1: Life and Living This term focuses on the study of living organisms. Topics include:
• Cells as the basic units of life: cell structure, differences between plant and animal cells, cells in tissues, organs, and systems.
• Systems in the human body: An overview of the structure and functions of the digestive, circulatory, respiratory, musculoskeletal, excretory, nervous, and reproductive systems.
• Human reproduction: Purpose of reproduction, puberty, reproductive organs, stages of reproduction, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases.
• Circulatory and respiratory systems: Breathing, gaseous exchange, circulation, respiration, and related health issues.
• Digestive system: Healthy diet, the alimentary canal, digestion, and related health issues.
• Term 2: Matter and Materials This term explores the properties and reactions of matter. Topics include:
• Compounds: The Periodic Table, names of compounds, and chemical formulas.
• Chemical reactions: Representing reactions with chemical equations, balancing equations, reactions of metals with oxygen (including rusting), reactions of non-metals with oxygen, acids and bases (pH values, neutralization reactions, reactions with metal oxides, hydroxides, and carbonates), and reactions of acids with metals.
• Term 3: Energy and Change This term focuses on different forms of energy and their transformations. Topics include:
• Forces: Types of forces (contact and field forces), gravitational force, magnetic force, electrostatic force, and their effects on objects.
• Electric cells as energy systems: How electric cells work and their use as energy sources.
• Resistance: Uses of resistors, factors affecting resistance in a circuit, and series and parallel circuits.
• Safety with electricity: Safety practices and devices in electrical circuits.
• Energy and the national electricity grid: Electricity generation, nuclear power in South Africa, the national grid, and the cost of electrical power.
• Term 4: Planet Earth and Beyond This term explores the Earth's systems and the universe. Topics include:
• The Earth as a system: The interaction of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.
• Lithosphere: The Earth's layers, the rock cycle, mining of mineral resources (extraction and refining), and the environmental impact of mining.
• Atmosphere: Layers of the atmosphere, temperature gradients, the greenhouse effect, and global warming.
• Birth, life, and death of stars: The life cycle of stars, including our Sun.