First Term Examination for 2019/2020

Academic Session
Subject: Physics Class: S.S.S 1 Time: 2hours 30 minutes

1. Which of the unit of the following physical quantities are derived? i. Area ii.
Acceleration iii.
Pressure iv. Mass
(a) i, ii, iii and iv (b)i, ii, and iii only (c)i, ii and iv only (d) I and iii only
2. Which of the following is a derived unit? (a) Meter (b) Joule (c) Kilogram (d)
Ampere
3. Which of the following instruments is suitable for making the most accurate
measurement of the internal diameter of a test tube? (a) Meter rule (b) A pair of
calipers(c) A micrometer screw gauge
(d) A tape rule
4. The dimension of force can be expressed as (a) MLT (b) ML-1T (c) ML-1T-2 (d)
MLT-2
5. The dimension of Work can be expressed as (a) MLT (b) ML-1T (c) ML2T-2 (d)
MLT-2
6. Which of the following instruments is suitable for making the most accurate
measurement of the diameter of a thin wire? (a) Meter rule (b) A pair of
calipers(c) A micrometer screw gauge (d) A tape rule
7. What type of motion does the string of a guitar perform when it is being
plucked? (a) Random (b) Rotational (c) Vibratory (d) Translational
8. A gap between any two points in space is regarded as a) Displacement (b)
Position (c) Distance (d) Speed
9. The shortest distance between two points is regarded as a) Displacement (b)
Position (c) Acceleration (d) Speed
10. The weight of an object can be
measured with a a) Metre Rule (b) Spring
Balance (c) Micrometre screw gauge (d) Thermometer
11. An object is said to undergo oscillatory motion when it moves (a) In erratic
manner (b) to and fro about a fixed point (c) In a circular path (d) Along a
continuous path from the starting point
12. Which of the following is a fundamental quantity? (a) Speed (b) Velocity (c)
Force (d) none of the above
13. A body of mass 5kg falls from a height of 10m above the ground.
What is the kinetic energy of the body just before it strikes the ground? [Take g
= 10m/s2] (a) 5J (b) 25J (c)
250J (d) 500J
14. What type of motion does the skin of a talking drum perform when it is
being struck with a drum stick? (a) Random (b) Rotational (c) Vibratory (d)
Translational
15. The slope of a displacement-time graph gives (a) Acceleration (b)
Displacement (c) Speed (d) Velocity
16. Uniform speed occurs
when there is equal change of (a) distance in equal
times (b) displacement in equal times (c) velocity in equal times (d)
acceleration in equal times
17. A body starts from rest and
accelerates uniformly at 5m/s2 until it attains a velocity of 25m/s. Calculate
the time taken to attain this velocity. (a)5s (b) 7s (c) 9s (d)12s
18. Which of the following is not an example of force? a) Tension b) Weight c)
Friction d) Mass
19. An object moves round a circle of radius 20m with a linear constant
velocity of 5m/s. Determine the object’s angular velocity a) 4rad/s b) 0.25rad/s
c) 16rad/s d) 10rad/s
20. Which of the following is a vector quantity? (a) Speed (b) Distance (c)
Acceleration (d) Work
21. Which of the following is a scalar quantity? (a) Force (b) Displacement (c)
Velocity (d) Energy
22. A wooden pallet carrying a load of 600kg rests on a wooden floor. What
force must be applied to get the pallet moving if the coefficient of friction is
0.28? a) 2000N b) 1500N c) 1780N d)1646N
23. A body moves along a circular path with uniform angular speed of 0.6rad/s
at a constant linear speed of 3m/s. Calculate the centripetal acceleration of the
body a) 1.8m/s2 b) 5m/s2 c) 15m/s2 d) 10m/s2
24. A boy cycles continuously through a distance of 1.0km in 5 minutes,
calculate his average speed. (a) 0.3m/s (b) 3.3m/s (c) 16.6m/s (d) 20m/s
25. A stone of mass 20kg is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of
2.0m/s. Calculate the initial kinetic energy of the stone (a) 10J (b) 15J c) 40J
d)35J
26. The period of an oscillatory motion is defined as (a) Average of the times
used in completing different oscillations (b) Time to complete a number of
oscillations (c) Time taken to move from one extreme position to the other (d)
Time taken to complete one oscillation
The diagram below indicates measurements obtained on a Vernier calliper and
micrometre screw gauge
27. The measured value on the Vernier calliper is (a) 3.02cm (b) 3.4cm (c)
3.34cm (d) 3.07cm
28. The measured value on the Micrometre screw gauge is (a) 0.317cm (b)
0.355cm (c) 0.532cm (d) 3.17cm
29. A body of mass 200g moving at 15.0m/s is accelerated to 25.0m/s in
10.0s. Determine the magnitude of the force (a) 2.0N (b) 0.2N (c) 20.N (d)
15.0N
30. A student pulls a trolley with a horizontal force of 50N through a distance
of 1.5km in 20minutes. Calculate the average power of the student (a) 3.8W (b)
62.5W (c) 666.7W (d) 3570W
31. The mass of an object can be measured using the following instruments
except (a) Spring Balance
(b) Lever (c) Metre Rule (d) Beam balance
32. An object of mass m moves with a uniform speed v round a circular path of
radius r. If its angular speed is w, what is the magnitude of the centripetal

force acting on it. a) 𝑚𝑟𝑤 (b) 𝑚𝑤𝑟 (c)

2 2
(d) 2
2
mv mv
r r

33. From the diagram above, what is the coefficient of friction if the block just
starts to move? (a) 80
(b) 4.5 (c) 0.2 (d) 0.8
34. Which of the following does frictional force depends on (a) Nature of
surfaces in contact (b) Area of objects in contact (c) All of the above (d) None of
the above
35. The coefficient of static friction is (a) Less than the coefficient of kinetic
friction (b) Greater than coefficient of kinetic friction (c) Equal to the coefficient
of kinetic friction (d) Equal to the tangent of the angle of reaction

36. A cubical block rests on an inclined plane of μ= . Determine the angle of

1

inclination when the block just slides down the inclined plane (a) 40 (b) 50 (c)
3
 30 (d) 20
37. A 4kg mass rests on a horizontal plane. The plane is gradually inclined
until at an angle 𝜃 = 15° with the horizontal, the mass just begins to slide. What
is the coefficient of static friction between the block and the plane? (a) 0.814 (b)
0.27 (c) 1.5 (d) 3.5
38. What increases friction? (a) Rough surfaces (b) More Speed (c) Smooth
Surfaces (d) More Surface Area
39. A car covers a distance of 5km in 5minutes. What is the average speed of
the car? (a) 1km/hr (b) 25km/hr (c) 60km/hr (d) None of the above
40. The driver of a car moving with a uniform speed of 40m/s observes a truck
approaching in the opposite direction with a speed of 20m/s. Calculate the
speed of the car relative to that of the truck
(a) 0.5m/s (b) 2.0m/s (c) 20.0m/s (d) 60.0m/s
41. A boy travels 8km eastwards to a point B and then 6km northward to a
point C. What is the difference between the distance covered by the boy and the
displacement of the boy? (a) 2km (b) 4km (c) 10km (d) 14km
42. A man moving round a circular path covers equal distance in equal time
intervals. Which of the following is correct? (a) The man was moving with
uniform speed but non-uniform velocity (b) The speed is changing constantly (c)
The velocity is uniform (d) The speed and velocity are the same
43. How long will it take a 60kg to climb a height of 22m if he expended energy
at the rate of 0.25kW?
(a) 52.8s (b) 60s (c) 45.1s (d) 22.4s
44. As a body released from a certain height falls freely under gravity, (a) Its
potential energy decreases
(b) Its mechanical energy increases (c) Its kinetic energy decreases (d) All of
the above is correct. Use this information to answer question 43-45
A body travels round a circle 12 times in 18 seconds at a speed of 3m/s
45. What is the period of oscillation? (a) 0.67s (b) 1.5s (c) 4.2s (d) 0.71s
46. What is the frequency of oscillation? (a) 0.67Hz (b) 1.5Hz (c) 4.2Hz (d)
0.71Hz
47. What is the angular velocity? (a) 0.67rad/s (b) 1.5rad/s (c)
4.2rad/s (d) 0.71rad/s Use the diagram below to answer question
 48 – 50

This diagram shows the displacement – time graph for three different types
of motion.

48. Which of the following is true about Line 1? (a) The object is at rest (b) The
object is moving at a constant speed (c) The object’s motion corresponds to a
motion in the negative 𝑥 direction (d) None of the above.
49. Which of the following is true about Line 2? (a) The object is at rest (b) The
object is moving at a constant speed (c) The object’s motion corresponds to a
motion in the negative 𝑥 direction (d) None of the above.
50. Which of the following is true about Line 3? (a) The object is moving at a
constant velocity (b) The object is moving at a non-uniform speed (c) The object
is accelerating (d) The object’s motion corresponds to a motion in the
negative 𝑥 direction
 SECTION B
ANSWER ANY THREE QUESTIONS
1a. What do you understand by Motion? Give 2 examples of bodies undergoing the
following types of motion (i) Linear Motion (ii) Oscillatory Motion (iii) Random motion
[7 marks]
b. A body starts from rest and travels in a straight line for 2.0s with uniform
acceleration of 1m/s2. It then travels at a constant speed for some time before coming
to rest with a uniform retardation of 2m/s2.
The total time taken for the journey is 15s. Draw and label a velocity time graph for the
motion
(i) Calculate the velocity attained after the first 2s
(ii) Calculate the total distance covered. [8 marks]

2a. State two (i) Laws of solid friction (ii) Advantages of Friction (iii) Disadvantages
of Friction (iv) Methods of reducing friction [8 marks]
b. An object of mass 15kg is at the point of sliding down a plane inclined at 36° to
the horizontal. Find the least force parallel to the plane required to make the object
to begin to move up the plane [g = 10m/s2] [7 marks]

3a. Explain the following terms (i) Angular Velocity (ii) Period (iii) Frequency (iv)
Centripetal force as related to circular motion [8
marks]
b. A body oscillates in a circle of radius 𝒓 with linear velocity 𝒗 and 𝑣
,
angular velocity 𝒘. If 𝑤 = Express
𝑟
a formula relating the Period of Oscillation 𝑻 with 𝒓 and 𝒗. [3 marks]
c. A body executing circular motion performs 30 oscillations in 6 seconds.
Calculate its (i) Period
(ii) Angular velocity [4 marks]

4a. Explain the following terms (i) Work (ii) Energy (iii) Power. Write out the
mathematical formula relating Energy and Power. [6
marks]
b. Differentiate between Kinetic and Potential energy using a body falling from a
height as an example
[4 marks]
c. A body of mass 4kg is acted on by a constant force of 12N for 3s. What is the
kinetic energy gained at the end of time? [5 marks]

5a. (i) Define Force (ii) Classify the following forces as either contact forces or
force fields: PUSH, TENSION, GRAVITATIONAL, ELECTROSTATIC, REACTION,
MAGNETIC [5 marks]
b. A box of mass 0.5kg falls a distance of 20m to the ground and rebounds to a
height of 6m. Calculate the (i)
Velocity of the ball [4 marks]
(ii) The loss of energy due to collision with the ground [4 marks]
c. For a body oscillating on a simple pendulum, at what points are the Kinetic
Energy and the Potential energy maximum? [2 marks]
 First Term Examination for 2019/2020
Academic Session
Subject: Physics Class: S.S.S 2 Time: 2hours 30mins

1. Which of the following is a derived unit? (a) Meter (b) Joule (c) Kilogram (d)
Ampere
2. A uniform bar 15m long is balanced on a pivot placed at its midpoint. A boy of
mass 55kg sits on one arm of the bar at a point 5m away from the pivot. What
mass must be placed 2m away from the other end of the bar to keep the bar
horizontally? (a) 15kg (b) 45kg (c) 50kg (d) None of the above
3. The dimension of force can be expressed as (a) MLT (b) ML-1T (c) ML-1T-2 (d)
MLT-2
4. A body is projected horizontally at an angle of 60° with a velocity of 80m/s.
What is the time taken by the projectile before it returns to ground again?
[g=10m/s2] a) 10.4s b)13.9s c)20s d)15.4s
5. The single vector which would have the same effect in magnitude and
direction as two or more vectors is called a) Resultant Vector b) Component
Vector c) Unit vector d) Angular vector
6. Which of the following is not a vector quantity a) Work b) Acceleration c) Force
d) Velocity
7. A body starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 5m/s2 until it attains a
velocity of 25m/s. Calculate the time taken to attain this velocity. a)5s b)
7s c) 9s d)12s
8. A projectile covers the maximum range when the angle of projection is a) 0° b)
45° c) 90° d) 180°
9. The rate of change of momentum is known as (a) Impulse (b) Force (c)
Acceleration (d) None of the above
10. The weight of an object can
be measured with a a) Metre Rule (b) Spring
Balance (c) Micrometre screw gauge (d) Thermometer
11. When no kinetic energy is lost in the collision of bodies, the collision is said
to be (a) Perfectly elastic
(b) Inelastic (c) Perfectly inelastic (d) None of the above
12. An object is said to undergo oscillatory motion when it moves (a) In erratic
manner (b) to and fro about a fixed point (c) In a circular path (d) Along a
continuous path from the starting point
13. The SI unit of momentum is (a) Nm (b) m/s (c) 𝑘𝑔𝑚/𝑠 (d) 𝑘𝑔𝑚2
14. A car moving at a speed of 90km/hr was brought uniformly to rest by the
application of brakes in 10s. How far did the car travel after the brakes were
applied? a) 125m b) 200m c) 45m d) 100m
15. The third equation of motion is given by (a) v = u + ½ at2 (b) v2 = u2 +
2aS (c) v = u + at (d) v2 = u2 + at
16. A body undergoing SHM has its displacement from maximum position
represented by the formula
𝑦 = 0.025𝑆𝑖𝑛 (500𝑡 − 0.3𝑥). What is the angular velocity of the wave motion? (a)
0.025rad/s (b) 500rad/s (c) 0.3rad/s (d) 0.0025rad/s
17. The slope of a displacement-time graph gives (a) Acceleration (b)
Displacement (c) Speed (d) Velocity
18. Uniform speed occurs
when there is equal change of (a) distance in equal
times (b) displacement in equal times (c) velocity in equal times (d)
acceleration in equal times
19. A car moving at a speed of 90km/hr was brought uniformly to rest by the
application of brakes in 10s. How far did the car travel after the brakes were
applied? a) 125m b) 200m c) 45m d) 100m
20. A 2kg ball moving with velocity of 5m/s collides with a 4kg ball at rest. If
the collision is perfectly elastic, the magnitude of velocities of both balls after
collision will be (a) 1.66 and 1.33 (b)1.66 and 3.33 (c) 2.66 and 3.33 (d) 1.66 and
4.22
21. Which of the following correctly gives the relationship between linear speed
𝑣 and angular velocity 𝑤 of a body moving uniformly in a circle of radius r? (a)𝑣 =
𝑤𝑟 (b) v=w 2 r c) v=w r 2 (d) v=wr

T
600

The diagram illustrated above shows three forces in equilibrium. If the mass of
W

the circular body is

10kg, calculate the tension in the string [g =10m/s2] (a) 100N (b) 50N (c) 400N
(d) 200N
22. The density of mercury is 13.6g/cm3. So, the mass of 9cm3 of mercury is
a) 1g (b) 12240g (c) 12240 g (d) None of the above
23. What is the angular velocity of a body vibrating at 50cycles per second? (a)
200π rad/s (b) 100 π rad/s (c) 50 π rad/s (d) 400 π rad/s
24. Mass as a
quantitative measure of inertia is expressed in newton’s law of motion (a)
1st (b) 2nd (c) 3rd (d) 4th
25. The SI unit of density is (a) m3/kg (b) cm3/g (c) g/cm3 (d) kg/m3
26. If two forces 6N and 8N act on a body in the north and east direction
respectively, resultant force on the object will be (a) 10N (b) 1.33N (c) 48N (d)
0.75N
27. An object floats in liquid L1 but sinks to the bottom in Liquid L2.
Which of the following statements is true? (a) Liquid 1 has higher density
than liquid 2 (b) Liquid 1 has lower density than liquid 2 (c) No definite
conclusion can be made (d) Both liquids have the same density
28. When taking a penalty kick, a footballer applies a force of 30.0N for a
period of 0.05s. If the mass of the ball is 0.075kg, calculate the speed with
which the ball moves off. (a) 4.5m/s (b) 11.25m/s (c) 20.0m/s (d) 45.0m/s
29. An unbalanced force of 20N acts on a 4kg mass. What acceleration does it
give? (a) 80m/s2 (b) 0.25m/s2 (c) 5m/s2 (d) None of the above
30. A force acting on a body for 0.2s causes a change in its momentum from
12kgm/s to 16kgm/s. What is the impulse? (a) 4kgm/s (b) 20kgm/s (c) 0.8kgm/s
(d) 16kgm/s
31. An object thrown vertically upwards attain a height of 10m. What is the
displacement of the object when it returns to its starting position? (a) 10m (b)
15m c) 20m d)0m
32. The period of an oscillatory motion is defined as (a) Average of the times
used in completing different oscillations (b) Time to complete a number of
oscillations (c) Time taken to move from one extreme position to the other (d)
Time taken to complete one oscillation
33. A body of mass 200g moving at 15.0m/s is accelerated to 25.0m/s in 10.0s.
Determine the magnitude of the force (a) 2.0N (b) 0.2N (c) 20.N (d) 15.0N
34. A rifle of mass 15kg fires a bullet of mass 60g with a velocity of 200m/s.
What is the recoil velocity of the rifle? (a) 0.8m/s (b) 1.5m/s (c) 8.0m/s (d)
4.4m/s
35. A ball was thrown upwards
by a student. The velocity and acceleration after the
first few seconds (a) Decreases, Decreases (b) Decreases, Increases (c)
Increases, Decreases (d) Increases, Increases
36. An object moves at a constant speed of 6m/s. This means that the object:
(a) Increases its speed by 6m/s every second (b) Decreases its speed by 6m/s
every second (c) Doesn’t move (d) Moves 6m each second
37. An object moves at a constant acceleration of 6m/s2. This means that the
object: (a) velocity stays the same (b) Moves 6m each second (c) Acceleration
increases by 6m/s2 each second. (d) Velocity increases by 6m/s each second
38. The SI unit of moment of force is (a) Kgm (b) Jm (c) Nm (d) N/J
39. In this diagram, which of the following
equations correctly represents the principle of moment? (a) 𝑊1 + 𝑊2 = 𝑊3 +
𝑊4 (b) 𝑊2 − 𝑊1 = 𝑊4 − 𝑊3(c)
𝑊1𝑎 + 𝑊2𝑏 = 𝑊3𝑐 + 𝑊4𝑑 (d) (𝑊1 + 𝑊2)𝑎𝑏 = (𝑊3 + 𝑊4)𝑐𝑑
40. To satisfy the first condition of equilibrium, if upward forces are positive,
then downward forces must be (a) halved (b) positive (c) doubled (d) negative
41. One kg of air is compressed from 1m3 to 0.5m3. Which of the following
statements is true? (a) The mass is doubled (b) The mass is halved (c) The
density is doubled (d) The density is halved
42. What volume of alcohol with density of 8.4x102kg/m3 will have the same
mass as 4.2m3 of petrol whose density is 7.2x102kg/m3? (a) 6.0m3 (b) 3.6m3
(c) 3.0m3 (d) 4.5m3
43. The driver of a car moving with a uniform speed of 40m/s observes a
truck approaching in the opposite direction with a speed of 20m/s. Calculate
the speed of the car relative to that of the truck
(a) 0.5m/s (b) 2.0m/s (c) 20.0m/s (d) 60.0m/s
44. A boy travels 8km eastwards to a point B and then 6km northward to a
point C. What is the difference between the distance covered by the boy and the
displacement of the boy? (a) 2km (b) 4km (c) 10km (d) 14km
45. The product of velocity and mass is called (a) acceleration (b) force (c)
momentum (d) impulse
46. A body of mass 20kg is set into motion by two forces 3N and 4N acting at
right angles to each other. Determine the magnitude of its acceleration. (a)
15m/s2 (b) 6m/s2 (c) 40m/s2 (d) 33m/s2

Use the diagram below to answer question 48 – 50

This diagram shows the displacement – time graph for three different types
of motion.

47. Which of the following is true about Line 1? (a) The object is at rest (b) The
object is moving at a constant speed (c) The object’s motion corresponds to a
motion in the negative 𝑥 direction (d) None of the above.
48. Which of the following is true about Line 2? (a) The object is at rest (b) The
object is moving at a constant velocity (c) The object’s motion corresponds to a
motion in the negative 𝑥 direction (d) None of the above.
49. Which of the following is true about Line 3? (a) The object is moving at a
constant velocity (b) The object is moving at a non-uniform speed (c) The object
is accelerating (d) The object’s motion corresponds to a motion in the
negative 𝑥 direction
 SECTION B
ANSWER ANY FOUR QUESTIONS
1a. What do you understand by Projectile Motion? (ii) List three examples of
objects used in sports or warfare that may be considered as projectiles (5
marks)
b. Show that the range covered by a body projected at an angle 𝜃 to the horizontal with an

initial velocity 𝑢 over a time 𝑡 is R=

2
U sin 2θ

(4 marks)
g

A ball is dropped from a height. At the same time, another ball is projected horizontally
from the same height. Would both balls hit the ground at the same time? Explain your
answer. (2 marks)
c. A body is projected from the ground at an angle 𝜃 to the horizontal with a
velocity of 30m/s. It reached a maximum height of 11.25m. Calculate (i) The value
of 𝜃 (ii) The time of flight (4 marks)

2a(i) State the principle of conservation of linear momentum (ii)

Distinguish between elastic and inelastic collision (4
marks)
b. State Newton’s 1st and 2nd law of motion (4 marks)
c. A body of mass 2kg falls freely from rest through a height of 50m and comes to
rest after penetrating 5.0cm of sand. Calculate (i) The velocity with which the body
hits the ground (ii) The time taken in falling
(iii) The force exerted by the sand in bringing the body to rest. (7 marks)

3a. Sketch a diagram of a simple pendulum performing simple harmonic motion

and indicate positions of maximum potential energy and maximum kinetic energy.
(4 marks)
b. A body moving with simple harmonic motion has velocity v and acceleration a,
where the instantaneous displacement x in cm from its maximum position is given
by 𝑥 = 2.5𝑆𝑖𝑛 0.4𝜋𝑡 where 𝑡 is in secs. Determine the magnitude of (i) Maximum
velocity (ii) Maximum acceleration (6 marks)
c (i) A mass m attached to a spiral spring performing SHM has its frequency as

f=
1
2π √ k
m

. Where 𝑘 is the force constant of the spring. Explain the quantity represented by

(2marks)
√ k
m

(ii) If m = 0.3kg, k = 30N/m and maximum displacement is 0.015m, calculate the

maximum kinetic energy of the system.
(3 marks)
4a. State the conditions for the equilibrium of a rigid body acted upon by parallel
forces (2 marks)
b(i) Describe an experiment on how the mass of a metre rule can be determined
using principle of moments (5 marks)
(ii) Highlight two precautions taken to ensure accurate results. (2marks)
c(i) Differentiate between stable equilibrium and neutral equilibrium (2 marks)
(ii) A uniform metre rule AB is balanced on a knife edge at a point 55cm from B
when a mass of 10g is hung at point P, which is 10cm from A. Calculate the mass of
the metre rule. (4 marks)

5a. (i) What is Mechanical Energy? (ii) A ball of mass 𝑴 raised to a height 𝑯 above
the ground is allowed to fall freely towards the ground. Show that at a point 𝑻 when it
has fallen through a distance 𝒉, the total mechanical energy remains unchanged. (6
marks)
b. An object is acted upon by two forces 3N and 5N inclined at angle 60° to each
other. If the object is moved a distance of 6m by the resultant force, what is the
resultant force and the work done?
(5marks)
c. A machine has an efficiency of 75%. What is the work done when the machine is
used to raise a load of 50kg through a vertical distance of 6m? (4 marks)
6a. (i) What is a vector quantity? (ii) Three vectors 3𝑚/𝑠 𝑵𝟒𝟓°𝑾, 12𝑚/𝑠 𝑾 𝑎𝑛𝑑
5𝑚/𝑠 𝑺 act at a point.
Sketch a vector diagram to illustrate the given information and calculate the resultant
of the vectors
(6 marks)
b. A body starts from rest and travels distances of 120m, 300m and 180m in
successive equal time intervals of 12s. During each interval, the body is uniformly
accelerated. (i) Calculate the velocity of the body at the end of each successive time
interval. (ii) Sketch a velocity time graph for the motion
(9 marks)