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Grade 4 Natural Sciences & Technology

Term 3 CAPS Framework: Energy and Change. A colourful study hub about energy around us, energy transfer, movement, sound, vibrations, musical instruments and noise pollution.

Grade 4Term 3NSTCAPS-aligned

Term 3 Topic Overview

In Term 3, learners explore how energy is used and transferred in everyday life. They learn that energy can cause movement, produce light and heat, and make sounds. Learners also investigate vibrations and how sound travels through different materials.

1. Energy Around Us

EnergyEveryday lifeSourcesUses

Energy is needed to make things happen. People, animals, plants, machines and natural processes all use energy. Energy helps us move, see, hear, cook food, keep warm and do work.

Key idea: Energy is not always visible, but we can observe what it does. For example, energy can make a bicycle move, a lamp shine, a stove heat up, or a drum make sound.

Examples of energy use

  • Food gives bodies energy to move and grow.
  • The Sun gives light and heat energy.
  • Wood, coal, gas and petrol store energy.
  • Batteries provide energy for torches and toys.
  • Electricity powers lights and appliances.

Important vocabulary

  • Energy: the ability to do work or make things happen
  • Source: where something comes from
  • Fuel: a material that can release energy
  • Output: what a system produces, such as light, sound, heat or movement
Study question

Name three things in your home or classroom that use energy, and explain what each one does.

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2. Energy Transfer

InputOutputHeatLight

Energy can be transferred from one object or place to another. Many devices change energy from one form into another useful output.

Energy input → Energy process → Energy output

Torch

Energy from batteries is transferred to the bulb and becomes light.

Kettle

Electrical energy is transferred to water and becomes heat.

Speaker

Electrical energy is transferred into sound energy.

Example: When you rub your hands together, movement energy is transferred into heat. Your hands feel warmer.
Learning task: Choose five everyday objects and write the energy input and output for each one.
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3. Movement and Energy

MovementStored energyForcesWork

Movement needs energy. When something moves, energy is being used or transferred. People use energy from food to walk, run, push, pull and lift objects.

Movement examples

  • A child pedals a bicycle.
  • A ball rolls down a slope.
  • A toy car moves after being pushed.
  • A wind-up toy moves after energy is stored in its spring.
  • A rubber band can store energy when stretched.

What learners should know

  • Energy can be stored and then released.
  • Moving objects have energy.
  • A bigger push can make an object move further or faster.
  • Friction can slow moving objects down.
Key idea: Energy can be stored in food, fuels, batteries, stretched elastic bands and wound-up springs. When released, stored energy can cause movement.
Practical idea

Use a toy car and ramp to investigate how the height of the ramp affects how far the car travels.

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4. Energy in Systems

TechnologySystemInputOutput

A system is made of parts that work together. In Technology, learners look at systems to understand how energy is used to solve problems or make tasks easier.

Example: Windmill

  • Input: wind energy
  • Process: blades turn
  • Output: movement that can help pump water or generate power

Example: Toy car

  • Input: push or stored spring energy
  • Process: wheels turn
  • Output: movement
Design task: Design a simple moving toy. Label the energy input, the parts that move and the output.
Think like a technologist

How can you improve your design so that it moves more smoothly or travels further?

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5. Energy and Sound

SoundHearingCommunicationEnergy

Sound is a form of energy that we can hear. Sounds help people communicate, enjoy music, notice danger and understand what is happening around them.

Key idea: Sound is made when objects vibrate. A vibration is a quick back-and-forth movement.
  • Voices make sound when vocal cords vibrate.
  • Drums make sound when the drum skin vibrates.
  • Guitars make sound when strings vibrate.
  • Whistles make sound when air vibrates.
Example: When you pluck a ruler hanging over the edge of a desk, the ruler vibrates and makes a sound.
Study question

Explain why a guitar string makes a sound when it is plucked.

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6. Vibrations and Sound

VibrationPitchVolumeMaterials

Different vibrations make different sounds. Fast vibrations can produce higher sounds, while slower vibrations can produce lower sounds. Stronger vibrations usually make louder sounds.

Pitch

Pitch tells us whether a sound is high or low. A short, tight string usually makes a higher sound than a long, loose string.

Volume

Volume tells us whether a sound is loud or soft. Stronger vibrations usually produce louder sounds.

Important understanding: Sound can travel through air, liquids and solids. Sound often travels well through solids because particles are close together.
Investigation: Make a string telephone using two cups and string. Test whether the sound changes when the string is tight or loose.
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7. Making Sounds and Musical Instruments

InstrumentsDesignMaterialsSound

Musical instruments are designed to make sounds in different ways. Some use vibrating strings, some use vibrating air, and some use vibrating skins or solid materials.

String instruments

Guitars and violins make sound when strings vibrate.

Wind instruments

Recorders, flutes and whistles make sound when air vibrates.

Percussion instruments

Drums, shakers and bells make sound when struck, shaken or tapped.

Technology link: Learners can design and make a simple musical instrument using recycled materials, then test how it produces sound.
Design challenge

Create a simple instrument. Explain what vibrates, how the sound is made, and how you can make the sound louder, softer, higher or lower.

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8. Noise Pollution and NST Skills

EnvironmentHealthInvestigateExplain

Not all sounds are useful or pleasant. Noise pollution happens when sounds are too loud, disturbing or harmful. It can affect people, animals and the environment.

Sources of noise pollution

  • Loud traffic
  • Construction work
  • Very loud music
  • Factories and machines
  • Shouting or noisy crowds

Ways to reduce noise

  • Keep volume at a safe level.
  • Use quiet zones near schools and hospitals.
  • Plant trees as sound barriers.
  • Maintain vehicles and machines.
  • Wear ear protection when necessary.
NST skills: Observe carefully, ask questions, predict, investigate fairly, record results in tables, draw conclusions, design solutions and improve models.
Class activity: Identify noisy places at school and suggest practical ways to reduce unwanted noise.

Premium Learning Hub Support

Each concept can later be linked to detailed notes, interactive worksheets, immediate marking and complete learner feedback.

Study Notes

Clear explanations of energy, movement and sound.

Worksheets

Digital practice activities linked to each CAPS concept.

Results

Immediate marks and detailed feedback for learners.

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