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Summaries · Grade 4 Natural Sciences › Energy and its sources
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Energy and its sources

Where energy comes from, and the difference between renewable and non-renewable sources. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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Energy sources

RenewableNon-renewable
Sun (solar panels)Coal
Wind (wind turbines)Oil (petrol, diesel)
Flowing water (hydro power)Natural gas
Wood (if we plant new trees)Paraffin and gas for cooking and heat

A solar panel changes sunlight into electricity. South Africa gets plenty of sunshine, so solar panels are very useful here. At a hydro power station flowing water turns the turbines.

Power from the sun, the wind and the water.
Power from the sun, the wind and the water.
Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

Energy at home

  • A burning candle gives off light and heat.
  • A moving car has movement energy.
  • A stretched rubber band has stored energy.
  • A light bulb gets hot, because some of the energy becomes heat.
  • A battery stores chemical energy, and food stores the energy our muscles use.
Rule

Save power: hang the washing on the line, switch off lights and close the fridge quickly.

Tap when you could tell someone without looking.

Energy in a food chain

Plants catch the Sun’s energy. The energy then moves from the plant to the animal that eats it.

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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • Almost all of the Earth’s energy comes from the Sun.
  • People get energy from food; the energy in food is chemical energy.
  • Renewable sources do not run out: sun, wind, water.
  • Non-renewable sources run out: coal, oil, gas.
  • Save electricity, because most is made from coal, which pollutes.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

S-W-W always comes back: Sun, Wind, Water (renewable). Coal, oil and gas will one day run out.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

True or false?

Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.

    Now the real quiz!

    The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.

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