535/1
PHYSICS
Paper 1
(Theory)
Mar/April.2025
2 hours
JINJA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
MID TERM 1 ASSESSMENT, 2025
PHYSICS
SENIOR FOUR
2 Hours
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
This paper consists of two sections A and B. It has a total of four examination items.
Section A has two compulsory items.
Section B has two parts; I and II. Answer one item from each part.
Answer four items in all.
Any additional item will not be scored.
Answers to all items must be written in answer booklet(s) provided.
©JSSS PHYSICS DEPARTMENT 2025 1
SECTION A
Item 1
In a certain music concert that took place at night, a man played a guitar on a floating stage surrounded by
disco lights flashing blue. One of the people in the audience on the boat was wearing white shirt with black
spots on it. He was surprised about the new appearance colour his shirt.
The sound waves from the guitar had a frequency of 440Hz. The organisers also projected laser light that
travels through air with a frequency of 4.7×108 Hz illuminating waves on lake surface to aid visibility. On
shores of a lake was a tall storeyed building a distance x metres away from the floating cruise.
A lady on storeyed building on lake shores noticed that the guitar was heard twice every time the guitar was
played. Using a stop clock, she got the interval between the first and second sound to be 2s
Hint: Speed of sound in air is 300 ms-1
Speed of light in air is 3.0 ×108 ms-1
Task:
As a learner of physics;
(a) explain why the colour if the shirt changed
(b) help the lady understand why she heard the sound of the guitar twice and help her to determine the
distance between the storeyed building and the boat cruise.
(c) Explain why laser light was preferred to enhance visibility at night.
(d) Compare the wavelength of the sound waves and laser light in air
Item 2
Some religion in Uganda are affected by changes in seasons that sometimes may lead to famine. Accordingly
the people in Uganda have been demanding for solution from the government to ensure that famine does not
occur anymore.
In November, 2022, the government launched a satellite into the lower earth orbit through the support of the
International Space Station (ISS). A number of people criticized the move by the government to launch the
satellite into space claiming that the satellite will not solve the problem of famine in Uganda.
Task:
As a student of physics;
(a) help the public to understand the cause of changes in seasons.
(b) Make people understand and appreciate the reason why the government of Uganda took the move.
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SECTION B
PART I
Item 3
During a tour around, young men were found making heavy concrete blocks construction. It was noted that
some blocks were solid but others were hollow. A simple machine was used to lift 200Nof blocks using an
effort of 62.5N. During the working of the machine, the effort covers a distance of 2.0m for the load to move
through a distance of 0.5m. The wheels of of the simple machine rotate around an axle of mass 15kg made of
copper and work done to overcome friction is 18000 J after a day of work.
Task:
As a physics learner;
(a) why are the concrete blocks preferred for construction of buildings?
(b) Help the workers determine how efficient the machine is.
(c) Explain the likely effects of friction on the axle.
PART II
Item 4
Your school organises a science exhibition in which learners show case some of their achievements in
science and physics in particular. Your class is tasked to explain some concepts using materials available and
circuit given; two solid electrodes (zinc plate and copper plate), an electrolyte (dilute sulphuric acid) and
connecting wire. You are required to make a cell from the materials given and use it in the circuits in figure
(a) and figure (b).
Task:
(a) Guide the team that has visited your school on how to make a simple cell which can be used to
supply voltage in the circuits above.
(b) Determine which of the circuits in figure (a) and figure (b) will produce more current.
(c) Suppose that all the resistors are replaced by identical bulbs and only the one in place of 3Ω resistor
blows out, state which circuit will continue working and give reasons to support your answer.
END
©JSSS PHYSICS DEPARTMENT 2025 3
