2023
SIMPLIFIED PRACTICALS
LIGOMEKA
ESHAN PUBLICATIONS
1/1/2023
PHYSICS PRACTICALS DESCRIPTIVE QUESTIONS
(COMPILED BY CHRIS LIGOMEKA-MWALASI CDSS)
2002
a) Why does sound travel faster in solids than in gases?
Sound is produced by vibrations as such it travels faster in solids than in gases because
the particles in solids are more closely packed than in liquids.
b) With the aid of a labeled diagram describe an experiment which can be used to
find out if sound waves require a medium for their propagation.
An apparatus is arranged as shown in the diagram. The jar is well sealed and the
electric bell is made to ring.
The sound could be heard clearly from outside of the jar by an observer. The
vacuum pump is then started up.
After some time the sound becomes fainter (quieter) and fainter until finally the bell
could no longer be heard from the outside.
The bell could be seen to be working, because of the continued movements of the
striking hammer from the outside.
Finally, air is allowed to enter the jar once more and the result is that the sound is
heard again loudly.
This is an indication, therefore, that sound cannot travel through a vacuum. Sound
needs a medium to carry its energy.
In summary, the above experiment demonstrates that without a medium sound
cannot travel in vacuum
2003
c) Define resonance. (2 marks)
Resonance is the effect that takes place when a body is made to vibrate at its natural
frequency by vibrations received from another vibrating source of the same frequency.
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d) Describe with the aid of a diagram, an experiment you would carry out to
obtain resonance between a tuning fork and a column of air in a bottle. (9
marks)
The apparatus is set as shown in the diagram. The length of the air column is
adjusted by raising and lowering a reservoir of water (dyed red). The raising and
lowering of the reservoir adjusts the height of water in the open-air tube, and thus
adjusts the length of the air column inside the tube. As the length of the air column
is decreased, the natural frequency of the air column is increased.
While adjusting the height of the liquid in the tube, a vibrating tuning fork is
held above the air column of the tube. When the natural frequency of the air
column is tuned to the frequency of the vibrating tuning fork, resonance occurs
and a loud sound results. The vibrating tuning fork forces air particles within
the air column into vibrational motion.
In conclusion, resonance occurs when two interconnected objects share the same
vibrational frequency. When one of the objects is vibrating, it forces the second object
into vibrational motion. The result is a large vibration. And if a sound wave within the
audible range of human hearing is produced, a loud sound is heard.
e) State two instances where resonance is useful
(i) A child’s swing (a playground swing) can be made to swing high by someone
pushing in time with the free swinging.
(ii) A person on a diving board – jumping up and down of the diver is the ‘forcing
vibration’ and the ‘following vibration’ are the vertical oscillations of the diving
board itself
2003
f) A resistor with unknown Resistance is connected in parallel to a 4 ohm resistor.
The voltage across the resistors and the total current in the circuit are measured.
Draw a circuit diagram for this experiment. (3 marks)
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Calculate the value of unknown resistor if the effective resistance is 2 ohms.
Effective (combined) resistance = 2Ω
Using the following notations; RT = 2Ω, R1 = 4Ω, R2 = unknown resistance
Draw an electric circuit comprising diode, a cell and a bulb such that the diode is
forward biased.
2004
a) With the help of well labelled sketch diagram, explain how a convex lens would
form a real image of a burning candle. In your diagram show the position of the
object, image, principal focus and principal axis.
Ray diagram showing position of object, image, principal focus and principal axis
An image of any object (e.g. burning candle) may be located by use of ray diagrams.
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Ray diagrams are always drawn to scale using lines to represent rays. The position
of the object decides what kind of light ray diagram will be drawn and the image
position. Information about the images formed by a lens can be obtained by
drawing any two of the following rays:
A ray parallel to the principal axis which is refracted (bent) through the principal •
focus F on the other side of converging lens.
A ray through the optical centre C which is undeviated (not refracted or bent).•
A ray through the principal focus F which refracted (bent) parallel to the principal •
axis.
All rays always start from the same point and a combination of any two of three will
give us the position of the image. Precisely, the image forms at the point where the rays
cross each other and it is upside down as shown in the diagram above
b) What would happen to the image if the candle was moved further away from the lens?
The image is diminished and it becomes clear (sharp) with decreasing image distance.
2005
a) With the help of a labeled diagram, explain how a step down transformer works.
In your diagram, show the coils in primary and secondary circuits and current
source.
With a step-down transformer, the primary coil is connected to a low voltage
a.c. supply. The secondary coil is connected to any electrical appliance (e.g. a
small bulb). As current flows backwards and forwards and backwards through
the primary, it sets up an alternating magnetic field in the core. This induces an
alternating e.m.f. and current in the secondary and so the bulb lights up.
A transformer is said to be a step-down if it has few turns in secondary than in primary,
and the secondary or output voltage is less than the primary or input voltage
b) Explain how a fuse works
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A fuse breaks the circuit if a fault in an appliance causes too much current flow.
This protects the wiring and the appliance if something goes wrong. The fuse
contains a piece of wire that melts easily. If the current going through the fuse
is too great, the wire melts and breaks the circuit.
2006
a) Describe an experiment that could be carried out in order to determine the
length of nichrome wire that could be used to make a 1.5 Ω resistor
The circuit is set as shown in the diagram above. A 100 cm nichrome wire is
connected in the gap. The switch is closed to complete the circuit. The ammeter
and voltmeter readings are observed and recorded in the table of results. The
switch is opened and the nichrome wire is removed.
Following the above procedure; 80 cm, 60 cm, 40 cm and 20 cm lengths of
nichrome wire are connected in the gap respectively and their ammeter and
voltmeter readings are observed and recorded in the table of results.
The resistance of each length of nichrome wire is calculated and recorded in ohms (Ω)
using the formula:
Resistance =
Finally, a graph of resistance (Ω) against length (cm) is plotted. From the plotted graph,
length of nichrome wire that could be used to make 1.5 Ω resistor is easily determined.
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This is done by drawing a horizontal line from a point (1.5 Ω) on the y – axis to the graph
line and now draw it vertically (downwards) until it touches the x – axis. The point on the
x – axis is the length of nichrome wire required.
b) Using the following materials only: a balance, water of density 1 g/cm3,
cooking oil and a clear empty bottle, describe an experiment that could be
done to determine the density of cooking oil.
2007
With the aid of a diagram, describe an experiment that could be done to identify
unknown substances W, X and Y given that they are a diode, an insulator and a
resistor but not necessarily in that order.
The circuit is set as shown in the diagram. Firstly, substance W is connected in the gap
and the switch is closed. The ammeter reading is observed and recorded. The
substance is removed and reconnected while reversed. The ammeter reading is
checked again.
The above procedure is repeated for substances X and Y respectively.
From the results the three substances could be identified; the one that conducts
current in both directions is a resistor, the one that conducts in one direction only is a
diode and the one that does not conduct in either direction is an insulator.
Note: An ammeter could be replaced with a bulb in this experiment. Hence, the
conclusion will be a substance that conducts in both directions by giving light is a
resistor, the one that gives light in one direction only is a diode and the one that
does not give light in either direction is an insulator.
2008
a) Describe an experiment that could be carried out to determine the average
speed of an athlete given the following materials: tape measure, stop watch
and a whistle.
Firstly, the stop watch is set at zero (0) second. An observer stands on the other
end of a running field with a stop watch in hand. The starting and the finishing lines
are clearly marked.
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An observer blows the whistle to alert an athlete to start running while at the same
time, the stop watch is started. The moment an athlete reaches the finishing line
the watch is stopped and the time taken is recorded.
Using a tape measure, the distance between the starting line and finishing line is
measured and recorded.
Finally an average speed of an athlete is calculated using the the following formula:
Average speed = Distance covered (m)
Time taken (s)
An average speed is expressed in meters per second (m/s).
b) State any two possible sources of error in the experiment
(i) Faulty instrument e.g. stop watch
(ii) Incorrect reading of instruments e.g. stop watch and tape measure
(iii) Poor timing on the part of an observer
2009
Figure 2 is a diagram showing forces A, B and C acting on a ball which is
falling through a liquid.
a) Name the forces A, B and C.
A: frictional force (fluid resistance)
B: upthrust
C: weight (gravitational force)
b) With the aid of a well labeled diagram, describe an experiment that could be
done to demonstrate that resistance of a media affects the speed of an object
falling through the media.
Your description should use: 2 identical ball bearing, water, oil and 2
transparent jars of the same size.
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The apparatus is set as shown in the diagrams above. The heights of the liquids in
both jars are measured and recorded. The stop watch is set at zero. In the first jar
containing water, the ball is released at the same time the stop watch is started. As
soon as the ball hits the bottom the watch is stopped and the time taken is
recorded.
The above procedure is followed, now using the jar containing oil.
The speed of the ball ( both in water and oil) is calculated using the formula:
Speed = Distance (height) in cm /Time in seconds. The speed is calculated in cm/s.
In conclusion, the two speeds are compared to establish if really resistance of a
media affects the speed of an object falling through the media
2011
With the aid of a well labelled diagram, describe an experiment that could be
done to show that frequency of a vibrating pendulum increases with decrease
in length of string
An apparatus is set as shown in the diagram. The stop-clock is set to zero reading.
With a string length of 60 cm, the pendulum mass is pulled aside about 10cm (or any
sizeable distance) and released. The stop-clock is started as soon as the mass is
released. Count 10 complete vibrations (oscillations) and stop the clock and record the
time taken. The experiment is repeated using different lengths of string of 45 cm,
30cm and 15 cm respectively. In each case the frequency is calculated using the
formula:
Frequency = No. of complete vibrations (oscillations)
Time taken
The results are tabulated as shown in the following table and a graph of frequency
against length is plotted in order to deduce the relation between the two variables.
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Finally, it can be noted from the graph that the frequency of a vibrating pendulum
increases with decrease in length of string.
Note: As a candidate you are not only confined to use the above lengths but you
can as well use any sizeable (reasonable) lengths.
2012
a) State any three properties of water waves.
(i) reflection (ii) refraction and (iii) diffraction (iv) interference
b) Plain water waves are passed through two obstacles; one with a narrow gap and
the other with a wide gap. With the aid of diagrams, describe the waves emerging
from the gaps
Something is observed when two obstacles with a narrow gap between them in
the path of plain water waves. Waves passing through the gap spread out in all
directions and the wave fronts produced are circular. This is an example of an
effect known as diffraction – the bending of waves as they pass around obstacles.
Diffraction is only significant if the size of the gap is comparable with the
wavelength of the waves i.e. if the gap is narrow as shown in the first diagram. The
second diagram shows what happens when plain water waves pass through a
much wider opening (gap). The waves continue in their original direction and the
wave fronts remain straight. Some diffraction does occur at the edges of the wave
‘beam’, but the effect is slight. In other words, some spreading occurs but it is less
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obvious
2013
With the aid of a labelled velocity – time graph, describe the motion of a sky diver
dropped from an aeroplane in the sky before and after the parachute opens
Before the parachute opens:
When the skydiver jumps out of the plane s/he 1. accelerates due to the force of
gravity pulling them down.
As s/he speeds up the upward force 2. air resistance increases. S/he carries on
accelerating as long as the air resistance is less than their weight.
Eventually, s/he reaches their 3. terminal speed (velocity) when the air resistance
and weight become equal. The forces are said to be balanced.
After the parachute opens:
When the canopy opens it has a large 4. surface area which increases the air
resistance. This unbalances the forces and causes the parachutist to slow down.
As the parachutist slows down, their air resistance gets 5. less until eventually it
equals the downward force of gravity on them (their weight). Once again the two
forces balance and they fall at terminal speed. This time it is a much slower terminal
speed than before and they land safely on the ground.
2014
a) With the aid of a labelled diagram, describe an experiment that could be done
to show how the frequency of a vibrating spring is affected by mass hung on
the spring.
b) Mention one source of error in the experiment
2015
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With the aid of a labelled diagram, explain how a slide projector works to produce
an image.
A projector forms a real image on a screen of a slide in a slide projector. The image
is larger than the slide and is further away from the lens. It is usually so highly
magnified that very strong but even illumination of the slide is needed if the image
is also to be bright. This is achieved by directing light from a small but powerful
lamp on to the ‘object’ by means of a concave mirror and a condenser lens system.
In a projector the object (slide or film) must be inverted to give an upright image
and must be between 2F and F from the projection lens.
The projection lens is a lens of long focal length and its function is to produce a
focussed, magnified, real and upright image (when object is inverted) on the screen.
The lamp (light bulb) is used to illuminate the object (slide or film). But much light
from the lamp is lost because some rays do not strike and light up the object. The
light rays that are directed away from the object are therefore reflected back
towards the object by the concave mirror.
In order to concentrate the light from the lamp upon the object, a pair of converging
lenses of short focal length called condenser is used. The function of the
condenser is to converge and condense (concentrate) as much light as possible
onto the object (slide) so as to illuminate it very well.
NED MOCK 2023
a) Briefly describe an experiment that can be carried in order to determine centre
of mass of an irregular lamina using a plumb line
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Make three/four holes on the edges far away from each on the plumb line. (1)
Suspend the lamina on the clamp using a drawing pin or nail each hole at a time.
Suspend a plumb line from a point of support. (1)
Draw line of the plumb line. (1)
Repeat the procedure using other holes. (1)
The centre of lamina is where line intersect
b) Explain five environmental impacts of hydroelectric power generation and
transmission.
Dislocation of people living around the area where the dam is to be
constructed.
Releasing of carbon dioxide by machines during construction / flooding of
reservoir releases the same gas.
Disruption of aquatic ecosystem and animal life from the area where the
dam is constructed.
This can be catastrophic when the dam collapses.
The dam becomes a breeding place for vectors like mosquitoes that
transmit malaria.
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SEED MOCK 2023
a) Explain the working of liquid in glass thermometer to measure the
temperature of hot water
When the bulb of liquid – in – glass thermometer is dipped in hot water (1).
The heat from the water heats the mercury alcohol which expands and
rise .
Then it stops at thermal equilibrium .That is where the temperature
reading is taken.
b) Describe the working of a bimetallic strip in controlling temperature of
an electric iron
When current flows in a bimetallic strip, it gets heated and
expand because one metal expands more than the other.
This disconnects the circuit. Upon cooling it goes back to
its normal position thereby reconnecting the circuit. The
process repeats itself.
c) Describe the motion of a metallic ball falling in a plastic container filled
with oil
When the metallic ball is falling in oil, it accelerates (1) first
because the weight is greater than the upthrust and frictional
force.
The frictional force increases as the weight is equal to the frictional and
upthrust force hence the ball falls with a constant velocity , this velocity is
called terminal velocity
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MARANATHA MOCK 2023
a) Describe an experiment that can be done to show that liquids expand differently
when heated with the same amount of heat
b) Design an experiment that can be used to show that a magnet can be made by
stroking
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CEED MOCK 2023
a) With the aid of a diagram, describe an experiment, to show that liquid pressure
depends on height of the liquid
- Make three similar holes on the sides of a container as shown in the diagram
below.
If you pour water in the container, you will observe that hole A, water comes out
farthest followed by hole B and lastly C
This indicates that pressure increases with depth
b) Describe how you would determine the focal length of the converging lens by
focusing the image of a distant object
With the following Materials: -1 metre rule, - a lens - a white screen (or a white
wall)
Focus the image of a distant object on a screen.
Measure the distance between the screen and the lens,
The light rays from a distant object are nearly parallel to each other and
so when they come out of the lens, they converge almost at the focal
point. Therefore distance between the lens and the screen is almost
equal to the focal length of the lens
REFERENCES
Harlow, Heinemann EducationalDuncan, T. (1995), GSCE Physics, 3rd Edition,
London: John MurrayPople, S (1995), Explaining Physics, GSCE Edition, Oxford:
Oxford University PressPople, S (1999),
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Complete Physics, GSCE Edition, Oxford: Oxford University PressMwanza, A. D, et
al (2012),
Excel & Succeed Senior Secondary Physical Science, Form 3, Nairobi,
longhornRowell, G & Herbert, S (1995),
physics, Cambridge low price edition, Cambridge University PressThomson, M, et
al, (2008)
physical Science, south Carolina edition, New York, McGraw Hill Kumalo Mtambo &
Moses Zulu,
Essential Chemistry Book 3 & 4, Patriots Publishers, Malawi Kumalo Mtambo &
Stainly NM
Ngoma, Essential Physics Book 3 & 4, Patriots Publishers, Malawi Reference
CEED, SEED, NED 2023 papers
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