Name:………………………………………...………………….. Index No:…………………...
Candidate’s Signature:…………………………………………... Date:………………………..
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E.)
Physics 232/3
Paper 3
2 ½ hours
Instructions to candidates
(a) Write your name and index number in the spaces provided above.
(b) Sign and write the date of examination in the spaces provided above.
(c) Answer ALL the questions in the spaces provided in the question paper.
(d) You are supposed to spend the first 15 minutes of the 2½ hours allowed for this paper reading the
whole paper carefully before commencing your work.
(e) Marks are given for a clear record of the observations actually made, their suitability, accuracy
and the use made of them.
(f) Candidates are advised to record their observations as soon as they are made.
(g) Non-programmable silent electronic calculators may be used.
(h) This paper consists of 6 printed pages.
(i) Candidates should check the question paper to ascertain that all the pages are printed as
indicated and that no questions are missing.
(j) Candidates should answer the questions in English.
For Examiner’s Use Only
Question 1 b c d e f g(i) g(ii)
Maximum Score 1 2 5 4 3 3 2 20
Candidate’s Score Total
Question 2 b e f h i j k l m n
Maximum 2 3 20
1 2 1 2 2 2 3 2
Score
Candidate’s Total
Score
GRAND
TOTAL
This paper consists of 6 printed pages. Candidates should check to ascertain that all pages are printed
as indicated and that no questions are missing.
1|Page
Question 1
You are provided with the following apparatus:
A potentiometer R
An ammeter (0-1.0A)
A voltmeter (0-3.0V or 0-5.0V)
Two dry cells in a cell holder
One bulb in bulb holder
A switch
Eight connecting wires
Proceed as follows:
a) Connect the apparatus provided as shown below.
b) Close the switch. Adjust the potentiometer until the voltmeter reads 0.1V. Record this
p.d, V in millivolts (mV).
P.d,V= ……………………………….. mV (1mk)
c) Record the ammeter reading I in amperes (A) and milliampere (mA).
I= …………………………................. A (1mk)
I= …………………………………….. mA (1mk)
d) Repeat the above experiment for different values of p.d, V and complete the table below.
(5mks)
2|Page
p.d,V (mV) I (mA) Log V Log I
100
300
500
600
800
1100
e) Plot a graph of Log I against Log V. (4mks)
f) Determine the slope of the graph. (3mks)
3|Page
g) The relationship between the current,I and p.d,V is given by the equation: I =k V n where
k and n are constants of the bulb. Using your graph, find the values of:
(i) k (3mks)
(ii) n (2mks)
Question 2
You are provided with the following:
A metre rule
A stand, boss and clamp
A piece of string
A 20g mass
A 50g mass
A measuring cylinder containing water
Pieces of sewing thread
Proceed as follows:
a) Using a string, suspend the metre rule on the stand so that it balances horizontally at its
centre of gravity.
b) Record the position of the centre of gravity, G of the metre rule.
G = …………………………………… cm (1mk)
4|Page
c) With the metre rule balanced at its centre of gravity, suspend a 20g mass at a distance of
30cm from the centre of gravity as shown in the figure below.
d) Suspend the 50g mass on the other side of the centre of gravity and adjust its position
until the rule is balanced horizontally as shown in the figure above.
e) Record the distance d of the 50g mass from the centre of gravity.
d = …………………………………….. cm (1mk)
d = …………………………………….. m (1mk)
f) Record the volume of the water in the measuring cylinder provided.
V = …………………………………….. cm3 (1mk)
g) Immerse the 20g mass fully into the water into water and adjust the position of the 50g
mass so that the ruler balances horizontally.
h) Record the volume, V1 of the water plus 20g mass and the distance, d1 of the 50g mass
from the centre of gravity.
V1 = ……………………………………. cm3 (1mk)
d1 = …………………………………….. cm (1mk)
5|Page
i) Determine the volume of the water displaced. (2mks)
j) Determine the weight of the water displaced. (Density of water= 1000kgm-3) (2mks)
k) Use the principle of moments to determine the apparent weight of 20g mass when fully
immersed in water. (g=10Nkg-1) (3mks)
l) Calculate the weight of the 20g mass in air. (g=10Nkg-1) (2mks)
m) Determine the apparent loss in weight of the 20g mass. (2mks)
n) Calculate the density of the 20g mass. (3mks)
6|Page
