CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

NORTHERN EDUCATION DIVISION

2025 MSCE MOCK EXAMINATIONS

PHYSICS
PAPER I
(100 Marks)

Subject number: M164/I

FRIDAY 22, March 2024 Time Allowed: 2 hours
8:00 am – 10:00 am
INSTRUCTIONS:
Question Tick if Do not write in
a) Write your official name and class on Number Answered this column
top of every page. 1
b) The paper contains two sections; A 2
and B, on 11 printed pages. Please
3
check.
c) In section A, there are 10 short 4
answer questions. While in section 5
B, there are three descriptive 6
questions.
d) Answer all the questions in the 7
spaces provided. 8
e) Maximum number of marks for each
answer is indicated against each 9
question. 10
f) Use of electronic calculators is 11
allowed.
g) In the table provided on this page, 12
tick against the number of the 13
question you have answered.
h). Hand in your paper to invigilator
when time is called to stop writing.

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CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

SECTION A (70 marks)

1. a) why is a diode called a rectifier?
This is because it changes alternating current (a.c.) to direct currect (d.c.)
(1) (1 mark)
b) Figure 1 below shows a voltage pulse on a Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope(CRO). The time base of the CRO was set at 100millisecond per
centimeter (100ms/cm).

Figure 1
Calculate the time interval or period of the voltage pulse.
Time interval = wavelength x time base value
But Wavelength =distance/number of waves = 7cm/2.5=2.8cm (1)
100 ms
Therefore time interval = 2.8cm x cm (1)
= 280ms
= 280 x 10-3s
= 0.28s (1)
(3 marks)
(1 mark)
c) why is a NOT gate also called an inverter?
This is because it produces an output opposite to the input(1)
(1 mark)
2. a) Explain the cause of gas pressure..
It is causes by collision of gas particles or molecules with the walls of a
containe(1). The higher the number of collisions with the wall, the higher the
gas pressure(1)
(2marks)
b) Convert 40nm to cm
nano = 10-9 and cent =10-2

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CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

multiplier = 10-9 ÷ 10-3 = 10 -9 - - 3 = 10-6 (1)

therefore 40nm = 40 x 10-6cm
=0.00004 cm or 4 x 10-5 cm (1)
(2 marks)
c) State newtons third law of motion
State that for every force of action there is an eqaul and opposite force of
reaction(1)
(1 mark)
d) Explain why a person jerks forward when a car is suddenly stopped
The body was in motion before the car sudennly stopped(1) hence it wants to
continue moving forwad because of newtons first law of motion or law of
inertia(1) (2 marks)
3. a) State one effect of anomalous expansion of water.
 When water inside rocks freezes, the rock breaks cause weathering of
rocks.
 Makes water pipes to burst wheb water inside freezes
 Helps fish to survive in frozen ponds to survive since water under the
frozen ice remains liquid.
Any one of these(1 mark) (1 mark)
b) Figure 2 below shows two identical springs with spring constant 20N/cm each
connected to a block of weight 8.0N.

Figure 2
Calculate total extension of the springs.
Kp = nk = 2 x 20N/cm = 40N/cm (1)
F = Kp e
8.0 N = 40N/cm x e (1)
8.0 N
Therefore, e = 40 N /cm = 0.2 cm
Threfore total extension = 0.2 cm (1) (3 marks)

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c) Figure 3 below is a graph of extension against weight. Use it to answer

questions that follow.

Figure 3
i. Mention the law being investigated
Hookes law(1) (1 mark)
ii. identify the point representing the elastic limit
point B (1) (1 mark)
d) i. State two differences between analogue and digital signals.
 Analogue signas are continuous while digital signals are descrete
 Analogue signals can take any value but digital signal signals can take
only two values ie zero(0) and one(1)
 Analogue sugnals can be represented by sine wave while digital signals
can be represented by sqaure waves
 Analogue signals store information as it is while digital signals convert
the information into binary form
Any point is worthy 1mark each (2 marks)
4. a) State any one application of pressure law.
 constant volume gas thermometer
 aerosol cans
 pressure gauge
 rice cooker
 pressure cooker
(1 mark)
b) Explain why volume of an air bubble increases in size as it moves from
bottom of lake going to the top?
Liquid pressure acting on air bubble decreases as it moves up(1). This
because liquid pressure decreases as depth decreases(1).

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CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

(2 marks)
3 2
c) a beaker containing 500cm of paraffin has base area of 25cm . If density of
paraffin is 0.8g/cm3, calculate pressure of paraffin at the bottom of beaker.
(take g as 10m/s/s)
p=ϱxhxg ϱ = 0.8g/cm3 =0.8x1000kg/m3 = 800kg/cm3 (1)
3
V 500 cm
h= A = 2
=¿ 20 cm = 0.2m (1)
25 cm
g = 10m/s/s = 10m/s2
therefore P = 800kg/m3 x 0.2m x 10m/s2 (1)
= 1600kgm/s2 ÷ m2
= 1600N/m2
= 1600 pa (1)
(4 marks)
i. State any two forces acting on an object in a liquid.
 Weight/gravitational force
 Upthrust force
 Frictional force (2 marks)
5. a) Define the term resultant vector.
Is a single vector ptoduces after combining all vectors acting on a point or
object(1) (1 mark)
b) A car with initial velocity of 20m/s accelerates uniformly at the rate of
3m/s/s for 1 minute.
i. Sketch a velocity – time graph to show the motion of a car.
200 V = u + at

Velocity (m/s) = 20m/s + 3m/s2 x 60s

20 = 20m/s + 180m/s

= 200m/s
o 60 Time (s)
(1 mark)
ii. How far does the car travel?
Distance = area of the trapezium
= ½( a + b) h where a is parralel to b (1)
= ½(20 + 200)60 (1)

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CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

= 6 600 m (1)
(3 marks)
c) Explain how hydrometer is used to measure density of fluids.
The hydrometer is deeped in the fluid and the value of the density is read on
the surface level of the fluid (1). The deeper the hydrometer sinks in the fluid,
the lower the density of the fluid(1).
(2 marks)
d) Explain why a mercury-filled thermometer might be prefered to alcohol-
filled thermometer one by equator researcher
mercury has has boiling point (1) hence mercury filled thermometer can be
able to measure the high temperatures of equator
(1 mark)
6. a) Give any two differences between a human eye and a camera.
 Image distance(V) in eye remains constant while in camera image
distance changes
 Focal length of eye lens changes while focal length of camera lens remains
constant.
 Eye produces temporary image while a camera ptoduces permanent
image
Any one point above is worthy 1 mark (2 marks)
b) An object 2 cm high is placed 10 cm away from a convex lens of focal length
15 cm. Using the lens formula, calculate the image distance.
1 1 1
+ =
v u f
1 1 1 1 1
= − = − (1)
v f u 15 10
1 2−3 −1
= = (1)
v 30 30
v=−30 cm(1)
(3 marks)
c) Describe how the depth of a sea could be determined using an echo.
 While on the water level produces loud sound an start stop watch (1)
 Stop the stop watch when you hear the echo from the bottom of the
sea and record time taken (1)

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CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

 Using speed of sound in wate,r use formula below to find depth of the
sea
speed of sound ∈water × timetaken
depth= (1)
2
ˇ formular given by the student
NOTE : the
(3 marks)

7. (a) State any one application of uniform circular .

 banked road
 leaning inwaed on abike when taking a turn
 centrifugal machine
 drying machine
 revolution of satelites and monn aeound the earth
 aeroplane taking a banking angle in order to turn
Note: any point is worthy 1 mark (1 marks)
b. The figure 4 is showing electromagnetic spectrum. Use it to answer questions
that follows

A B C D F G

i. Name the wave marked C

Ultra violet rays 1 mark)
ii. Name the detector for the wave marked D.
Themopile/bulb of sensitive thermometer/heat sesintive
paper(thermocromic paper)/phototransistor (1 mark)
(c) Explain how amplitude of a sound wave affect loudness of sound.
High amplitude makes sound to vibrate with have a lot of energy(1),
this increases loudness of sound(1) (2 marks)

8. a) Figure 5 shows a network of resistors, use it to answer questions that

follow. Figure 5

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CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

i. find total current in the circuit marked IT.

( R 2+ R 3 ) × R 4
RT = R1 +
( R 2+ R 3 ) + R 4
( 8 Ω+4 Ω ) × 12Ω
RT= 6Ω + (1)
( 8 Ω+ 4 Ω ) +12 Ω
12× 12 144
= 6 + 12+12 =6+ 24 =6+ 6
RT =12 Ω (1)
VT 12 V
IT= RT = 12 Ω =1 A (1)

(3
marks)
ii. find current through 4 ohm resistor.
12
I1 = 12+ 12 × IT (1) (current sharing ratio)
12
I1 = 24 × 4 Ω=0.5 A (1)
OR
Voltage across 6Ω resistor = R1 x IT= 6Ω x 1A = 6v
Voltage across parallel branch =12v – 6v = 6v (1)
6V
Current through 4Ω = 12Ω =0.5 A (1) (2 marks)

b) Explain why a semiconductor becomes a good conductor when temperature

is increased.

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CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

Electrons in the valence branch gain enough kinetic energy to jump the
forbidden gap to go in the conduction band(1). This makessemiconductor to
start conductor
Or
Electrons in covalent bonds of the semiconductor gain enough kinetic energy
to break free from the bonds (1)and facilitate conduction as free electrons.

(1 mark)
9. a) Figure 6 is a diagram showing the wiring of a three-plug used on an
electric fan rated 240 V, 960 W.Figure 6
i.

State the function of the wire labeled B.

 It protects the user of an appliance from electric shock(1)
 Protect appliance from electric damage by providing safe path of
current to the ground(1)
(1 mark)
ii. If fuses of 4A, 5A, and 13A were available, which one would be most
suitable for the plug connected to the fan?
Most suitable is 5A fuse(1)
(1 mark)
iii. Give a reason for the answer given above.
P 960 w
Normal current flowing in the plug is, I = V = 240 v =4 A ,so a suitable
fuse should allow current slightly above(1) its normal current
(1 mark)
b. i Figure 7 shows a block of mass 200kg being dragged at constant velocity
with a force 80N acting at an angle 600 to the horizotal.
F

200 kg 600

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CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

Fr
Rough surface

determine the coefficient of kinetic friction (µk).

Fr
µk = Rn but Rn = Weight (newtons third law)
Rn = 200kg x 10N/kg =2000N (1)
and Fr = horizontal component of 80N (at constant velocity forces are balanced)
Fr = Fcosθ = 80N x cos 600= 40 N (1)
40 N
∴ µk = =¿0.02 (1) (3 marks)
2000 N
ii. Figure 8 shows a uniform ruler pivoted at the 60cm mark. The ruler is kept
horizontal by placing a 50g mass on the 80cm mark.

Figure 8
Calculate the mass of the meter ruler
When mass = 50g
50
Then f = mg = 1000 ×10 N / kg = 0.5 N (1)
Centre of gravity the uniform ruler is at 50cm mark. This means
perpendicular distance from pivot will be 60cm-50 cm = 10cm
By principle of moments then
W x 10cm = 0.5N x 20cm (1)
0.5 N × 20 cm
W= 10 cm
= 0.1 N
weight 0.1 N
Mass of ruler= gravity = 10 N /kg =0.01 kg=10 g (1)

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CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

(3 marks)

d) Give one use of an inductor.

 Used to filter signals
 Used to smoothen voltage in a circuit
 Used in tuning circuits
 Used to store energy (1 mark)

10. (a) Define the term Nuclear Fission.

It is the breaking of a larger /heavier nucleas to produce small/lighter
nuclei(1) (1 mark)
(b) Calculate the half – life for the mass of a radioactive substance to decrease
from 1600g to 100 g in 40days
1600 g →800 g → 400 g→ 200 g →100 g , ∴ number of halves ( n )=4

T 40 days
Half life(t) = n = 4 =10 days

Note: Others can use the half life exponential formula

(2 marks)
c) . State Faraday’s law of elctromagnetic induction.
States that rate of change of magnetic flux linked to a conductor is directly
proportional to amount/magnitude of induced electromotive force(emf)
(1 marks)
SECTION B (30 marks)
11. a) Describe an experiment that can be done to determine point of
resonance using air column and turning fork.
 Pour a little water is a long jar(1), hit the turning fork against the bench a
 Bring it on top of the jar without touching the jar(1)
 Listen to amount of sound coming out the jar (1) and record
 Continue increasing level of water(1) in the jar while bring a vibrating
turning fork on top of the jar while listening to amount of sound(1)
 If a loud sound is heard it means resonance point has being found(1)

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CANDIDATE NAME: ___________________________________FORM 4______

(6
marks)
b) Describe how iron bar can be magnetized by hammering method.
 clamp the iron bar in north-south direction (1)
 Hammer one end of the bar continuously for several minutes (1)
 This forces magnetic domains to point in one direction (1) in the iron bar
 The end facing geography north becomes north pole (1)
(4
marks)
12.a) Explain how nuclear radiations are used in controlling thickness of iron
sheets.
 When iron sheet becomes thick, very few nuclear radiations pass (1)
 When iron sheet become thin, a lot of nuclear radiations pass the sheet
(1)
 When the decrease or increase in amount of radiation is noticed by the
detector (1) it makes the computer to command rollers to adjust (1)
 This makes thickness of iron sheets to remain constant (1)
(5 marks)
b) Describe changes in velocity when an object falls through a liquid.
 After the object is released in the liquid, weight(W) of the object is higher
than sum of Upthrust force and frictional force (U + Fr) (1)
 The unbalanced forces make resultant force to be greater than zero(1)
 This causes the object to accelerates (1) which means velocity increases
 As velocity increases, frictional force also increases (1) until W = (U +Fr)
 The balanced forces make the object to stop accelerating and move at
constant velocity (1) called terminal velocity until the bottom
(5 marks)
13.a) Describe the function of a step up transformer.
 an alternating current(a.c.) flowing in primary coil magnetizes (1) the soft
iron core
 Since a.c. continuously changes direction, the soft iron core will have a
changing magnetic field/flux(1)

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 When this changing magnetic field/flux is cut (1) by secondary coil and
electromotive force(emf) is induced in the coil
 Since a step up transformer has a lot of turns in the secondary coil, the
magnetic field lines will cut on many coils(1). This makes a very high emf
to be induced in the coil (1). This steps up or increases voltage in the
secondary coil
(5 marks)
b) Explain how you can determine lung pressure using a u-tube manometer.
 The person blows (1) on one arm of u-tube manometer
 Pressure from the lungs pushes down on liquid mercury(1) forcing
level of mercury to rise on the other arm of the manometer (1)
 The higher the height of risen mercury the higher the pressure
difference between atmospheric pressure and lung/gas pressure
 The height of risen mercury is measured using a ruler (1) and
recorded.
 Lung pressure is then calculated using formula
P = atm + ϱhg (1) where atm is atmospheric pressure, ϱ is density of
mercury, h is height g is gravity. (5
marks)

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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