535/1
PHYSICS
Paper 1
Assessment, 2025
2hrs and 30 minutes
ALLIANCE JOINT EXAMINATIONS BOARD (AJEB)
Uganda Certificate of Certificate
PHYSICS
Paper One
2hrs and 30 minutes
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
➢ This paper consists of two sections; A and B. It has seven examination items.
➢ Section A has three compulsory items.
➢ Section B has two parts; I and II. Answer one item from each part.
➢ Answer five items in all.
➢ Any additional item(s) answered will not be scored.
➢ All answers must be written in the booklets provided.
©2025 Alliance Joint Examinations Board, +256(0)757368967 TURN OVER
allianceexaminationsboard@[Link]
SECTION A
(Items in this section are compulsory)
Item One.
On IDI day, Muslims in one of the trading centers decided to organize a party. In the
neighborhood, there lived two ladies, Linus and Given. Four days before IDI day Linus
had developed some complications with her eyes where she was not able to see clearly
objects very close to her and she wished to attend the party. When the music system was
turned on at around 2:00PM, the two ladies heard the sound of the music at different
intervals of time and the sound was not easily heard by them. During evening time at
around 8:00PM, the music sound became so clear and was easily heard by the two ladies.
This attraction their attention to attend the party. On arrival, given remained at the back
while Linus rushed to occupy a front seat because they expected musicians. As she was
rushing to sit, she passed by two speakers where she started to hear loud sounds and very
low sounds around the speakers. She got worried thinking that also her ears had gotten
complications. Given also got surprised when she saw some of the disco lights producing
beams of light which were straight and parallel to one another while other disco lights
produced beams of light which were spreading widely and she could only receive dimed
light from them.
Hint:
Speed of sound in air = 330ms-1.
The two ladies heard sound during day after 6s and 7s, respectively.
The two speakers were identical and arranged adjacent to one another.
TASK
As a student knowledgeable about physics,
a) Help the two ladies understand why they heard the music sound at different time
intervals and make them also to understand why it was easy for them to hear the music
sound at 8:00PM and hard for them at 2:00PM.
b) Explain to Linus;
i) What she experienced as she was passing by the two speakers
ii) The cause of her eye complications and advice on what to do so that she watches the
musicians while seated on the front seat.
c) Help Given understand why the disco lights produced different beams of light.
1
Item Two
In a rural region, an abandoned hospital secretly stored outdated radioactive medical
equipment (containing Iodine-131 and Technetium-99m) in a warehouse near a major
river. Over time, corroded storage containers leaked radioactive isotopes into the river,
which supplies water to multiple villages downstream. Locals began suffering from
unexplained fatigue, skin lesions, and a surge in thyroid disorders. Initial tests
revealed Iodine-131 levels at 1200 mSv/L in the river, with a half-life of 8 days. The
safety threshold for drinking water is <1 mSv/L.
Hint:
Iodine -131 bio accumulates in the thyroid gland.
Technetium - 99m (half-life: 6 hours) emits gamma rays, increasing cancer risk.
Task:
a) Determine when the river water will meet safety standards
b) Identify short- and long-term health effects on exposed villagers.
c) Develop an action plan to protect the community.
d) Propose ways to decontaminate the river and prevent spread.
Item Three.
In the year 2150, astronomers detect a dying red giant star (named Nyota-Mwezi) on a
collision course with our Solar System. As it approaches, its intense gravitational pull
disrupts the orbits of Earth and the Moon, causing unprecedented tidal forces, solar
radiation spikes, and climate chaos. Scientists must analyze the star’s life cycle and its
impact on Earth’s movement to predict outcomes and save humanity.
Tasks.
a) Explain two consequences for Earth on how tidal forces would change and how
seasons would be affected by the new orbital shape.
b) Systematically analyze the current phase of Nyota-Mwezi (red giant) and its
energy source.
2
SECTION B
Part I
(attempt one item from this part)
Task four.
A research submarine exploring the Mariana Trench (depth: 10,000m) gets trapped under
a rock slide. The hull withstands 1,000 atm pressure, but a crack near the hatch reduces its
effective pressure-bearing area by 30%. Rescue teams must calculate if the hull will
collapse before deploying a robotic arm to clear debris. The submarine’s oxygen will last
12 hours.
HINT:
ρseawater = 1025 kg/m3, g = 9.81 m/s2).
Task:
a) Logically obtain the pressure on the hull at 10,000m.
b) Discover if the cracked hull can withstand the pressure (Given: Hull fails at >1,100 atm).
Item Five:
A school is installing a new solar water heating system for its dormitory. The system
consists of a cylindrical water tank of height 3.5 m with a maximum volume of 4000 liters,
fitted with a solar-powered heater that provides 15,000 kJ of heat energy. The tank is placed
on a raised stand, and the heater is installed at the bottom of the tank. The outlet pipe is
positioned at the bottom, but the school administrator suggests it should be at placed either
in the middle or at the top.
Task:
As a Physics student;
(a) Explain to the administrator why:
(i) the solar heater is fitted at the lower part of the tank and how the water eventually
heats up uniformly.
(ii) the outlet pipe is correctly placed at the bottom of the cylindrical water tank.
3
(b) If the initial temperature of the water is 180C, determine whether the solar heater is
functioning properly.
(c) Suggest measures to ensure the tank stand remains stable and durable over time.
Part II
(attempt one item from this part)
Item six.
In a rapidly growing city, the local power company is implementing a smart grid system to
improve energy distribution and consumption. The smart grid utilizes electromagnetic
effects, such as transformers and inductive charging, to enhance efficiency and reduce
energy loss. However, the company faces challenges in ensuring power saving and safety
while integrating these technologies.
Task:
a) Explain how transformers use electromagnetic induction to step up or step down
voltage in the power distribution network. Include a labeled diagram to illustrate the
process.
b) A residential area in the smart grid is experiencing high energy consumption during
peak hours. Propose two ways electromagnetic effects (e.g., inductive charging,
smart meters) can be used to reduce consumption and improve safety. Justify your
proposals with real-world examples.
Item Seven.
In an electronics workshop, a technician is testing a circuit for a new LED lighting system.
The circuit consists of a 12V battery, a resistor, and an LED (with a fixed voltage drop
of 3V) which requires 20 mA (0.02 A) to operate safely. The LED is not glowing, and the
technician suspects incorrect current flow. Using Ohm’s Law, the technician must diagnose
the issue, ensure safe current limits, and redesign the circuit if needed.
Task:
As a leaner of S.4,
a) Logically obtain the voltage across the resistor in the circuit and the
required resistor value (R) to limit the current to 20 mA.
b) The circuit overheats because the resistor is dissipating too much power.
i) Find out the power wasted by the resistor (P = I2R).
4
ii) Propose two alternative circuit designs to reduce energy loss. Justify
your choices.
END
