2026 Grade 10 Physical Sciences ATP

SBA GUIDELINES Practical

work:

• Learners should do TWO experiments (ONE Chemistry, ONE Physics) for SBA purposes.
• Term 2: Heating/ Cooling curve of water
• Term 3: Measurement of Velocity and position/time, velocity/time, and acceleration/time graphs for a
moving trolley

2026 CUSTOMISED KZN Recovery ATP: Grade 10 – Term 1: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Week Page % Curriculum

Date in SMT coverage
Knowledge Area Concepts for week Date
Hours CAPS Member
(Topic Duration) completed
available doc Signature Per term Annual

Transverse waves
• Define a pulse, a transverse pulse and amplitude.
• Define the principle of superposition.
• Define constructive interference and destructive
interference.
WAVES, SOUND • Apply the principle of superposition to pulses to
AND LIGHT: - explain, using diagrams, how two pulses that reach the
Week 1 Transverse same point in the same medium superpose
14 – 16 pulses on a constructively and destructively and then continue in
January string/spring the original direction of motion. 26-28 6% 1%
(3 days) -Transverse waves • Define a transverse wave.
(2HRS)
• Define wavelength, frequency, period, amplitude, crest
and trough of a wave.
• Explain the wave concepts in and out of phase.
• Identify the wavelength, amplitude, crests, troughs,
points in phase and points out of phase on a drawing
of a transverse wave.

Transverse waves
Use the relationship between frequency and period to solve
1
problems involving transverse waves. 𝑇 = 𝑓

• Define wave speed as the distance travelled by a point

on a wave per unit time.
• Use the wave equation (v = fλ) to solve problems
Week 2 WAVES, SOUND involving transverse waves.
AND LIGHT:
19 – 23
January
- Transverse waves Longitudinal waves 26-28 18% 6%
- Longitudinal waves
(5 days) (4HRS) • Define a longitudinal wave.
• Draw a diagram to represent a longitudinal wave in a
spring, showing the direction of motion of the wave
relative to the direction in which the particles move.
• Define the wavelength and amplitude of a longitudinal
wave.
• Define a compression and a rarefaction.
• Differentiate between longitudinal and transverse
waves.
• Define the period and frequency of a longitudinal
wave.
• Use the relationship between frequency and period to
solve problems involving longitudinal waves.
1
𝑇=
𝑓
• Define wave speed as the distance travelled by a point
on a wave per unit time.
• Use the wave equation (v = fλ) to solve problems
Week 3 WAVES, SOUND AND involving longitudinal waves.
26 -30 LIGHT: INFORMAL TEST 27-29
January
29% 8%
(5 days) Sound (4 HRS) Sound
• Describe a sound wave as a longitudinal wave.
• Explain the relationship between wave speed and the
properties of the medium in which the wave travels
(gas, liquid or solid).
• Describe echoes as reflections of sound waves.
• Use the wave equation (v = fλ) and the distance
formula (distance = speed x time) to solve problems
involving sound waves including echoes, e.g. sonar,
bats and dolphins.

1
 2026 Grade 10 Physical Sciences ATP

Week Page % Curriculum

Date in SMT coverage
Knowledge Area Date
Hours Concepts for week CAPS Member
(Topic Duration) complete d
available doc Signature Per term Annual

• Relate the pitch of a sound to the frequency of a sound

wave.
• Relate the loudness of a sound to both the amplitude
of a sound wave and the sensitivity of the human ear.
• Relate quality of sound to the waveform as it appears
Week 4 WAVES, SOUND AND
to the listener.
02 – 06 LIGHT: • Distinguish between the shape of a pure note and the
February shape of noise. 27-29 41% 11%
• Describe sound with frequencies higher than 20 kHz
(5 days) Sound (4 HRS) up to about 100 kHz as ultrasound.
• Explain how an image is created using ultrasound.
• Describe some of the medical benefits and uses of
ultrasound.
INFORMAL TEST

• Explain that some aspects of the behaviour of

electromagnetic radiation can best be explained using
Week 5
a wave model and some aspects can best be
WAVES, SOUND AND explained using a particle model.
09 – 13 LIGHT:
February Electromagnetic • Describe the source of electromagnetic waves. 29-31 53% 14%
radiation • Describe how an electromagnetic wave propagates.
(5 days) (4HRS) • State that these mutually regenerating fields travel
through space at a constant speed, c = 3 x 108 m·s-1.

• List properties of electromagnetic waves. 29-31

• Arrange different types of electromagnetic radiation, in
order of frequency or wavelength.
• Given the wavelength of electromagnetic waves,
calculate the frequency and vice versa, using the
ELECTRICITY AND equation c = fλ.
Week 6 MAGNETISM:
16 – 20 • Give an example of the use of each type of
Electrostatics electromagnetic radiation. 65% 17%
February (4 HRS)
(5 days) • Indicate the penetrating ability of the different kinds of
electromagnetic radiation and relate it to energy of the
radiation.
• Describe the dangers of gamma rays, X-rays and the
damaging effect of ultra-violet radiation on the skin.

• Define a photon 40-42

• Relate the energy of a photon to the frequency and
wavelength of the light.
ℎ𝑐
Calculate the energy of a photon using E = hf = 𝐸 = 𝜆
ELECTRICITY AND
Week 7 MAGNETISM: Electrostatics
23-27 • State that all materials contain positive charges
February
Electrostatics
(protons) and negative charges (electrons). 76% 20%
(4 Hrs)
(5 days) • Describe an object as neutral when it has an equal
number of protons and electrons.
• Describe positively charged objects as electron
deficient and negatively charged objects as having
excess of electrons.
• Describe how objects (insulators) can be charged by
contact (or rubbing) - tribo-electric charging.

2
 2026 Grade 10 Physical Sciences ATP

2026 CUSTOMISED KZN Recovery ATP: Grade 10 – Term 1: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

% Curriculum
Page coverage
SMT
Knowledge Area Concepts for week in Date
Week CAPS Member
(Topic Duration) completed Per Annual
doc Signature
term
• State the SI unit for electric charge.
• State the principle of conservation of charge.
𝑄1+𝑄2
Apply the principle of conservation of charge using 𝑄 = 2
ELECTRICITY AND
MAGNETISM: for objects of identical size.
Week 8 • State the principle of charge quantization and apply
02 – 06 Electrostatics
the principle: Q = nqe 40-42 88% 24%
March
(5 days) (4 Hrs) • State that like charges repel and opposite charges
attract.
• Explain how charged objects can attract uncharged
insulators due to polarization of molecules inside
insulators.

• Define potential difference across the ends of a

conductor. In symbols:
W=V𝑄
• State the unit of potential difference.
• Define emf.
• Define terminal potential difference.
Week 9 • Do calculations using 𝑉=𝑊/𝑄.
ELECTRICITY AND
09 – 13 MAGNETISM: • Define current strength, I.
40-42 100% 27%
March Electric Circuits • Calculate current strength in a conductor using the
(5 days) (4 hrs) equation I = 𝑄/Δ𝑡.
• Define one coulomb.
• Indicate the direction of conventional current in circuit
diagrams using arrows.
• Draw a diagram to show how to correctly connect an
ammeter and a voltmeter.
• Define resistance.

REVISION/CONTROLLED TEST – ONE PAPER (100 MARKS)

Week 10 and CONSOLIDATION ONE PAPER (100 marks)

11 OF TERM 1 • Transverse pulses on a string/spring
16 – 27 (4.5 hrs) • Transverse waves
CONTROLLED • Longitudinal waves
March TEST • Electromagnetic radiation
(9 Days) • Electrostatics

2026 CUSTOMISED KZN Recovery ATP: Grade 10 – Term 2: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

% Curriculum
Page in SMT coverage
Knowledge Area Date
Week Concepts for week CAPS Member
(Topic Duration) completed Signature
doc Per term Annual

Week 1
08 – 10 April CONTROLLED TEST: • Discussion, and Remedial Work of Controlled Test
(3 days) (Discussion, and • Explain why a battery in a circuit goes flat by referring to
Remedial Work)
(2 hrs)
the energy transformations in the battery and the
ELECTRICITY AND resistors in a circuit. 42-45 8% 29%
MAGNETISM:
Electric circuits
(1 hr)

3
 2026 Grade 10 Physical Sciences ATP

• Know that current is the same through each resistor in a

series circuit.
• Describe series circuits as potential difference dividers.
• State Ohm's law in words.
• Interpret data/graphs on the relationship between
current, potential difference and resistance at constant
temperature
• State the difference between ohmic and non-ohmic
conductors and give an example of each.
• Calculate the total resistance of resistors connected in
ELECTRICITY AND
Week 2 MAGNETISM:
series: RT = R1 + R2 +
13 – 17 April • Know that potential difference is the same across 42-45 16% 31%
Electric circuits
(5 days)
(3 hrs)
resistors connected in parallel.
• Describe parallel circuits as current dividers because the
total current in the circuit is equal to the sum of the
branch currents.
• Calculate the total resistance of resistors connected in
1 1 1
parallel. 𝑅𝑝 = 𝑅1
+𝑅 +⋯
2

• Solve problems using V = IR for circuits containing

resistors that are connected in series and/or in parallel
(maximum four resistors). No internal resistance.

• Describe matter as being made up of particles.

• State and define the properties of materials:
Strength
Brittle, malleable or ductile
Density (lead / aluminium)
MATTER AND Melting points and boiling points
MATERIAL:
Week 3
States of matter and
20 – 24 April the kinetic • Define a mixture, a pure substance, an element and a 19-21 24% 33%
(5 days) molecular theory compound and give examples.
(3 hrs) • Describe the particle nature of matter by referring to
diffusion and Brownian motion.
• List and characterise the three states of matter.
• Define freezing point, melting point and boiling point.
• Interpret/Draw heating and cooling curves and interpret
data given on such curves.

• Identify the physical state of a substance at a specific

temperature, given its melting and boiling points.
• Define melting, evaporation, freezing, sublimation and
condensation as changes in state.
MATTER AND • Describe a solid, a liquid and a gas according to the
MATERIAL: Kinetic Molecular Theory in terms of particles of matter.
Week 4
States of matter and • Describe the structure of an atom (nucleus in centre and
the kinetic electrons in the space around).
28 – 30 molecular theory
April • Define atomic number. 19-21 35% 36%
(2 hrs)
(3 days) • Determine for an atom/ion the:
The atom - Atomic number
(2 hrs) - Number of protons
- Number of electrons
- Number of neutrons
- Mass number
• Determine the charge on an ion after removing/ adding
electrons from or to an atom.

4
 2026 Grade 10 Physical Sciences ATP

2026 CUSTOMISED KZN Recovery ATP: Grade 10 – Term 2: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

% Curriculum
Page in SMT coverage
Knowledge Area Date
Week Concepts for week CAPS Member
(Topic Duration) completed Signature
doc Per term Annual

• Define: isotopes, relative atomic mass.

• Calculate the relative atomic mass of naturally occurring
elements from the percentage of each isotope in a
sample.
Week 5 MATTER AND 𝑍
04-08 MATERIAL: Represent atoms using the notation 𝐴 𝐸
May The atom • where E = symbol of element, Z = atomic number, A = 22-24 46% 39%
(5 days) (4hrs) mass number.
• Use Aufbau diagrams and sp notation (electron
configuration) to give electronic arrangements of atoms
up to Z = 20.
• Describe an atomic orbital. Know that each orbital
corresponds to a specific energy of electrons in it.

• Write names and formulae of elements and compounds

using the cation and anion table.
• Classify substances as metals, non-metals and
metalloids and their positions on the periodic table.
• Identify metalloids as showing increase in conductivity
with increasing temperature.
• Classify substances, with examples, as electrical
conductors, semiconductors and insulators.
• Classify substances, with examples, as thermal
conductors and insulators.
• Classify substances, with examples, as magnetic and
nonmagnetic.
• Describe the PT as displaying elements in order of
MATTER AND
increasing atomic number and showing how periodicity
Week 6 MATERIAL: of physical and chemical properties of elements relates
11 – 15 May to atomic structure. 22-24 59% 42%
Periodic Table (PT)
(5 days) • Define the group number and the period number.
(4 hrs)
• Relate the position of an element in the PT to its
electronic structure and vice versa.
• Describe periodicity from Li to Ar in terms of atomic
radius, ionisation energy, electron-affinity and
electronegativity.
• Define atomic radius, ionisation energy, electron-affinity
and electronegativity.
• Relate the electronic arrangements to chemical
properties of group 1, 2, 17 and 18 elements.
• Describe the trend in reactivity of elements in groups 1,
2 and 17.
• Indicate the positions of metals, non-metals and
transition metals in the PT.

• Define a chemical bond.

• Draw Lewis dot diagrams of elements.
• Define: covalent bond, molecule
• Draw Lewis dot diagrams of simple covalent molecules:
H2; F2, Cℓ2, O2, N2, HF, HCℓ, CH4, NH3, H2O
MATTER AND • Write names and formulae of covalent compounds.
Week 7
18 – 22 May
MATERIAL: • Define: ionic bonding, formula-unit, ion, anion, cation.
25 70% 45%
(5 days)
Chemical bonding • Draw Lewis dot diagrams of cations and anions.
(4 hrs)
• Draw Lewis dot diagrams to show the formation of
simple ionic compounds such as NaCℓ, KCℓ, KBr, CaCℓ2
and MgBr2.
• Use the PT to predict the ions formed by atoms of
metals and non-metals.
• Name ionic compounds.

5
 2026 Grade 10 Physical Sciences ATP

2026 CUSTOMISED KZN Recovery ATP: Grade 10 – Term 2: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

% Curriculum
Page in SMT
Knowledge Area Date coverage
Week Concepts for week CAPS Member
(Topic Duration) completed Signature
doc Per term Annual

Chemical bonding
• Define metallic bonding.
• Calculate the relative atomic mass for covalent
molecules e.g. Mr (H2O) = 18
• Calculate relative formula masses of ionic compounds.

Physical change & chemical change

Week 8
MATTER AND • Define a physical change and give examples.
MATERIALS:
25-29 May • Define a chemical change and give examples.
Chemical bonding
(5 Days) Physical and • Write word equations from chemical equations and vice 35 92% 51%
chemical change versa.
(4 hrs) • Use (s), (aq), (ℓ) and (g) to indicate phases.
• Write balanced chemical equations.

Conservation of atoms and mass •

Law of constant
composition.
• Interpret balanced equations in terms of conservation of
atoms and mass.
• Define one mole.
• Define relative atomic mass.
• Describe Avogadro's number.
• Define molar mass.
• Describe the relationship between molar mass and
relative molecular mass and relative formula mass.
• Calculate the molar mass of a substance given its
Week 9 CHEMICAL CHANGE: formula.
01-05 June Quantitative Aspects • Calculate mass, molar mass and number of moles using
(5 Days) of chemical Change 36-37 100% 53%
m
(4 hrs) n=
M
• State Avogadro's law.
• For gases, calculate volume and moles using molar gas
volume at STP.
• Interpret balanced equations in terms of volume
relationships for gases.

PAPER 1 (75 marks) (1,5 HRS)

• Transverse pulses on a
• string/spring
Week 10 CONSOLIDATION • Transverse waves
08-12 June • Longitudinal waves
(4Days) JUNE EXAM (PED) • Electromagnetic radiation
• Electrostatics
• Electric Circuits

PAPER 2 (75 MARKS) (1,5 HRS)

• Matter and classification
Week 11/ • States of matter and the kinetic molecular theory.
Week 12 • The atom
CONSOLIDATION
17-26 June • The periodic table
JUNE EXAM (PED) • Chemical bonding
(5Days) • Physical and chemical change
• Representing chemical change
• Quantitative aspects of chemical change

6
 2026 Grade 10 Physical Sciences ATP

2026 CUSTOMISED KZN Recovery ATP: Grade 10 – Term 3: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

%Curriculum
Knowledge Page in SMT
Date Coverage
Week Area (Topic Concepts for week CAPS Member
completed
Duration) doc Signature Per term Annual

• Define one mole.

CONTROL TEST • Determine percentage composition of an element
(Discussion and in a compound.
Remedial Work on
Control Test)
• Determine the empirical formula for a substance
Week 1 1hr) from percentage composition.
21 – 24 • Define an empirical formula as the simplest.
July CHEMICAL CHANGE: • Determine the number of moles of water of 50-52 8% 57%
Quantitative aspects crystallization in salts like CuSO4·5H2O.
(4 days) of chemical change
• Define water of crystallization.
(1 hrs)
Define concentration.
• Calculate concentration in mol·dm-3 using c = n/v

• Perform stoichiometric calculations based on

• balanced equations (concentration, mass, moles,
molar mass, number of particles and volume).
Week 2 CHEMICAL CHANGE: • Determine the theoretical yield of a product in a
27-31 Quantitative aspects chemical reaction when you start with a known
of chemical change • 50-52 19% 61%
July mass of reactant.
(4 hrs)
(5 days) • Determine the percentage yield of a chemical
• reaction:

• • List physical quantities, for example time, mass,

weight, force, charge, etc.
• • Define a vector and a scalar quantity.
Week 3 •• Represent vectors graphically with an arrow.
3-7 MECHANICS: •• Use the force vector as an example to show
Vectors and scalars equality of vectors, negative vectors and 53 30% 65%
August (4 hrs) addition of vectors in one dimension only.
(5 days)
• Define a resultant.
• • Determine a resultant graphically using the tail-to-
head method as well as by calculation for a
maximum of four force vectors in one dimension.

• • Describe the concept of a frame of reference (has

Week 4 MECHANICS: an origin and a set of directions, e.g. east and west 54-55
Motion in one or up and down).
11-14
••
dimension Define one-dimensional motion. 38% 67%
August (3 hrs)
(4 days) •• Define position relative to a reference point and
understand that position can be positive or
negative.

•• Define: distance, displacement

•• Describe and illustrate the difference between
Week 5 MECHANICS: displacement and distance.
Motion in one 54-55
17 – 21 dimension • • Calculate distance and displacement for one-
dimensional motion. 49% 70%
August (4 hrs)
(5 days) • • Define: average speed, average velocity
• • Calculate average speed and average velocity for
one dimensional motion.

• • Define one mole. 54-55

•• Define acceleration. (a = Δ𝑣/Δ𝑡).
•• Differentiate between positive acceleration,
negative acceleration and deceleration.
Week 6 MECHANICS: • • Calculate acceleration one-dimensional motion.
Motion in one
24 – 28 dimension 59% 73%
August (4 hrs)
(5 days)

7
 2026 Grade 10 Physical Sciences ATP

%Curriculum
Knowledge Page in SMT Coverage
Date
Week Area (Topic Concepts for week CAPS Member
completed
Duration) doc Signature Per term Annual

• Define instantaneous velocity and instantaneous

speed.
• Describe in words and distinguish between motion
Week 7 MECHANICS: with uniform velocity and uniformly accelerated
Instantaneous speed and
31 August- 4 velocity and the equations of motion.
September • Describe the motion of an object given its position 56-57 70% 76%
Motion
(5 days) (4 hrs) versus time, velocity versus time and acceleration
versus time graph.
• Determine the velocity of an object from the gradient
of the position versus time graph.

• Determine the instantaneous velocity at a particular

time using the gradient of a tangent to a position
Week 8 MECHANICS:
Instantaneous speed and
versus time graph.
7-11 • Determine the acceleration of an object from the
velocity and the equations 56- 57 81% 78%
September of motion gradient of the velocity vs. time graph.
(5 days) (4 hrs) • Determine the displacement of an object by finding
the area between the time axis and the graph of a
velocity vs. time graph

Use the equations of motion, listed below, to solve

• problems involving motion in one dimension in the
horizontal plane only.
vf = vi + a∆t

1
Week 9 MECHANICS: ∆x = vi ∆t + a∆t2
14-18 Instantaneous speed and 2
velocity and the equations vf 2 = vi 2 + 2a∆x 100% 82%
Sept vf + vi
of motion (4 hrs) ∆x= ( ) ∆t
(5days)
2 56-57
• Solve problems for the motion of a vehicle including
safety issues such as the relationship between speed
and stopping distance.

ONE PAPER (100 Marks)

• Vectors and scalars
Week 10 CONSOLIDATION • Motion in one dimension
21-23 Sept CONTROLLED TEST • Instantaneous speed and velocity
(5 days) • Quantitative aspects of chemical change
• Graphs of motion

2026 CUSTOMISED KZN Recovery ATP: Grade 10 – Term 4: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Page %Curriculum
in SMT Coverage
Knowledge Area Date
Week Concepts for week CAPS Member
(Topic Duration) completed
doc Signature Per term Annual

Week 1 SEPT CONTROL TEST

(Discussion and
06 – 09 Oct Remedial Work) • Discussion and Remedial Work
(4 days) (3 hrs)

• Define gravitational potential energy of an object.

• Calculate the gravitational potential energy of an object
Week 2 MECHANICAL Energy using Ep = mgh OR U = mgh.
12 – 16 Oct 58-59 37% 87%
(5 days)
(4 hrs) • Define kinetic energy of an object.
• Calculate the kinetic energy of an object using Ek = ½mv2
OR K = ½mv2.

8
 2026 Grade 10 Physical Sciences ATP

• Define one mole.

• Define mechanical energy.
• Calculate mechanical energy using

EM = Ek + Ep. OR EM = K + U
Week 3 MECHANICAL:
19 – 23 Oct Energy • State the law of conservation of energy. 58-
58% 93%
(4 hrs) • State the principle of conservation of mechanical energy. 59
(5 Days)
• Apply the principle of conservation of mechanical energy
to various contexts, viz. objects dropped or thrown
vertically upwards, the motion of a pendulum bob, roller
coasters and inclined plane problems.

Week 4
26-30 Oct CONSOLIDATION AND
(5 days) REVISION
All topics
79% 96%
(4 hrs)

Physics Paper 1 (100 marks)

• Transverse pulses
• Transverse waves
• Longitudinal waves
• Sound
• Electromagnetic radiation
• Electrostatics
• Electric circuits
• Vectors and scalars
• Motion in one dimension
• Instantaneous speed and velocity and the equations of
Week 5-8 FINAL EXAMINATION motion
(PEDs) • Mechanical Energy
02/11 – P1: 2 hrs
27-11 P2: 2 hrs
Chemistry Paper 2 (100 marks)
• Matter and classification
• States of matter and the kinetic molecular theory.
• The atom
• The periodic table
• Chemical bonding
• Physical and chemical change
• Representing chemical change
• Quantitative aspects of chemical change