Grade 9 · CAPS
Grade 9 Environmental Chemistry
Natural Sciences and Technology practice questions with answers
Grade 9 Environmental Chemistry is part of the CAPS Natural Sciences and Technology curriculum, covering how burning fossil fuels leads to acid rain and how acid rain affects the environment. Learners practise explaining how carbon dioxide and other gases from power stations dissolve in rainwater to form acids, interpreting real data on which sources contribute most to the problem, and naming acid rain's negative effects and possible solutions.
The practice questions below are drawn from ReClass's own question bank, based on real Grade 9 CAPS assessments, so learners can check their understanding of environmental chemistry against the kind of questions used in an actual test.
Worked example
The rainwater is more acidic than natural rainwater because of gases released into the atmosphere. What is this phenomenon called?
Answer & explanation
Acid rain
You'll also practise
- 7.4 Mention TWO possible waterborne diseases the people in KwaZulu-Natal may suffer from due to contaminated water.
- 9.4 Mention TWO negative impacts of acid rain on the environment.
- Identify one of the gases that contribute to the formation of acid rain.
- Name at least TWO sources of the gases that cause acid rain.
- Explain how acid rain affects the environment negatively.
- Suggest one possible solution to reduce the formation of acid rain.
- Power stations burn coal to generate electricity. Burning coal releases carbon dioxide gas, which dissolves in rain water. Give the word equation for the reaction between carbon dioxide and water that forms the acid in acid rain.
- Carbon dioxide reacts with rain water to form carbonic acid. Write the balanced chemical equation for this reaction.
- A pie chart shows how much coal six South African power stations burn: Komati 19%, Kunsile 16%, Kendal 27%, Arnot 30%, Kelvin 4%, Bloemfontein 4%. Which power station contributes the most to acid rain, and why?
- State TWO negative impacts of acid rain on the environment (other than acidifying soil, lakes and rivers).
Common mistakes
- Naming only the gas without explaining how it dissolves in rainwater to form an acid.
- Confusing acid rain's effects on buildings and water sources with unrelated pollution effects.
- Not being able to name a real, practical solution to reducing acid-rain-causing emissions.
Aligned to CAPS Grade 9 Natural Sciences and Technology — Environmental Chemistry.
Check your own understanding
Start a personalised Grade 9 Environmental Chemistry practice session on ReClass.