om

.c
rs
pe
pa
PHYSICS PAPER 232/1 K.C.S.E 1997

st
Answer all the questions in this paper mathematical tables to be used

pa
se
kc
Take: Density of mercury = 1.36 x 104

ee
Speed sound = 340ms1

fr
w.
Speed of light = 3.0 x 108 ms-1

ww
g = 10ms-2

t
si
vi
1. Figure 1 shows a measuring cylinder, which contains water initially at level A. A solid of mass 11
rs

g is immersed in the water, the level rises to

pe
pa
st
pa
SE
KC
ee
Fr
re
Mo

Determine the density of the solid. (Give your answer to 1 decimal place)
r
Fo

2. Figure 2 shows a rigid body acted upon by a set of forces. The magnitudes of the forces are as
follow
F1 = 3N1, F2 = 6N, F3 = 3N, F4 = 4 N1, F5 = 3N and F6 = 3 N

Identify the couple among these forces

3. Give a reason why the weight of the body varies from place to place

4. A butcher has a beam balance and masses 0.5 kg and 2kg. How would he measure 1.5 kg of meat
on the balance at once?

5. The height of the mercury column in a barometer at a place is 64cm. What would be the height of
a column of paraffin in barometer at the same place? (Density of paraffin = 8.0 x 102 kgm-3)

6. The number of molecules in 18cm3 of a liquid is 6 x 1023. Assuming that the diameter of the
molecules is equivalent to the side of a cube having the same volume as the molecule. Determine
the diameter of the molecule.
7. Explain why a glass container with thick walls is more likely to crack than one with a thin wall
when a very hot liquid is poured into them.

8. State the reason why water spilled on a glass surface wets the surface
 om
.c
rs
pe
pa
9. Figure 3 shows two aluminium containers, A and B placed on a wooded table. A and B have equal

st
volumes of hot water initially at the same temperature.

pa
se
kc
ee
fr
w.
ww
t
10. Figure 4 shows two point objects A, and B, placed in front of a mirror M
si
vi
rs
pe
pa
st
pa
SE
KC
ee
Fr

Sketch a ray diagram to show the positions of their images as seen by the eye.
re
Mo

11. Figure 5 shows two charged identical conduction spheres on insulting stands. Each cross
r

represents a charge. The spheres are briefly brought into contact and then separated.
Fo

Sketch in the space provided the diagrams of the spheres showing charge distribution after
separation

12. Name a device used to convert light energy directly into electrical energy

13. Figure 6 shows a beam AB supported at points A and B. A large F is applied on the beam as
shown. Mark on the diagram, the position X, where a notch is likely to appear.

14. Distinguish between soft and hard magnetic materials

15. A current of 0.5A flows in a circuit. Determine the quantity of charge that crosses a point in 4
minutes.
16. Figure 7 shows an incomplete circuit of an electromagnet. Complete the circuit between X and Y
drawing the windings on the two arms of the core such that A and B are both North poles when
switch S is closed. Indicate the direction of the current on the windings drawn.
 om
.c
rs
pe
pa
st
pa
se
kc
ee
17. An observer watching a fireworks displays sees the light from an explosion and hears the sound 2

fr
w.
seconds later. How far was the explosion from the observer?

ww
18. Water flows in a horizontal smooth pipe. State the changes that would be observed in the nature

t
of the flow if the speed of the water is steadily increased from low to a high value
si
vi
19. A transformer in a welding machine supplies 6 volts from a 240V main supply. If the current
used in the welding is 30A. Determine the current in at the mains.
rs
pe

20. An object dropped from a height h attains a velocity of 6 ms-1 just before hitting the ground. Find
pa

the value of h.
st

21. Calculate the wavelength of the KBC FM radio wave transmitted at a frequency of 95.6 Mega
pa

Hertz.
SE

Using the information in figure 8 answer questions 22 and 23.

KC
ee
Fr
re
Mo
r
Fo

22. What is the p.d across YZ when the switch S is open?

23. Determine the p.d across YZ when the switch S is closed
24. How many 1000W electric irons could be safely connected to a 240V main circuit fitted with 13A
fuse?
25. Ice changes to water at 00C. Equal masses of the ice and water at 00C are each heated to 10C. Give
a reason why more heat energy is required to heat ice.
26. Figure 9 shows two parallel rays incident on a concave mirror. F is the focal point of the mirror.

Sketch on the same diagram the path of the rays after striking the mirror

27. Figure 10 shows the apparent position of a fly in air as seen by a fish in water
 om
.c
rs
pe
pa
st
pa
se
kc
Sketch on the same diagram rays to show the actual position of the fly

ee
fr
w.
28. A trolley is moving at constant speed in a friction compensated track. Some plasticine is dropped

ww
on the trolley and sticks on it. State with a reason what is observed about the motion of the

t
trolley.
si
vi
29. Figure 11 shows part of a circuit containing three capacitors
rs
pe
pa
st
pa
SE
KC
ee
Fr

Write an expression for CT the effective capacitance between A and B.

re
Mo

30. What is the value of -200C on the absolute temperature scale?

r
Fo

31. Figure 12 shows an experiment arrangement. S1 S2 and S are narrow slit

State what is observed on the screen when the source is?

(a) Monochromatic (b) White light
32. Two turning forks are sounded together. What is the condition for the beats to be heard?
33. Using the components symbols shown in figure 14, sketch a series circuit diagram for a forward
biased diode.

34. State how eddy currents are reduced in a transformer

35. A lithium atom has 3 protons in its nucleus. Complete the diagram in figure 14 by marking X in
the appropriate shells show the electron distribution when the atom is not excited

36. In a sample there are 5.12 x 1020 atoms of krypton – 92 initially. If the half of krypton; 92 is 3.0s
determine the number of atoms that will have decayed after 6s.