Grade 10 · CAPS

Grade 10 The Hydrosphere

Physical Sciences practice questions and a worked example

Grade 10 the hydrosphere covers the water on Earth and how it links to the other global spheres. The questions here ask you to describe the hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere, name the processes of the water cycle such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation and transpiration, and explain energy changes and ways of meeting the demand for water. They come from the DBE Grade 10 common Paper 2 for November 2016, 2017 and 2018, each with the answer from the marking guideline.

Worked example

Chlorides and sulphates are found in water. These ions may be identified by the insoluble substances they form in chemical reactions. 10.4 Name the THREE main processes involved in the transfer of water from one part of the water cycle to the next.

Answer & explanation

Precipitation, evaporation and condensation.
The water cycle consists of several key processes that move water through the environment. First, **evaporation** occurs when water from surfaces like lakes and oceans turns into vapor and rises into the atmosphere. Next, **condensation** happens when this water vapor cools and forms clouds. Finally, **precipitation** occurs when water droplets in clouds combine and fall back to the Earth as rain, snow, or other forms. These three processes—evaporation, condensation, and precipitation—are crucial for transferring water within the cycle.

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The Hydrosphere

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1.10 The hydrosphere is best described as …
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More practice questions

Explore additional Grade 10 The Hydrosphere questions.

  • 2
    Chlorides and sulphates are found in water. These ions may be identified by the insoluble substances they form in chemical reactions. 10.3 The diagram below represents components of the global system. Which ONE of the symbols represents the: 10.3.3 Lithosphere
  • 3
    Chlorides and sulphates are found in water. These ions may be identified by the insoluble substances they form in chemical reactions. 10.5 Describe ONE way in which the demand for water is currently met.
  • 4
    1.10 All the soil on Earth is known as the …
  • 5
    Study the water cycle below and answer the questions that follow. 9.1 The water cycle consists of many processes. Identify the following processes: 9.1.1 A

Common mistakes

  • Mixing up evaporation and transpiration. Transpiration is the loss of water vapour from plants.
  • Getting the energy changes backwards. Evaporation absorbs energy; condensation releases energy.
  • Confusing the spheres. The lithosphere is the rock and soil; the biosphere is all living things.

More Grade 10 Physical Sciences topics

Aligned to CAPS Grade 10 Physical Sciences — The Hydrosphere. Curriculum source: CAPS for the FET Phase, Department of Basic Education.

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