THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
ADVANCED CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION
IFAKARA SECONDARY SCHOOL
FORM SIX PRE-MOCK PHASE 1 EXAMINATION
131/3A PHYSICS 3A
Time: 3:20 Hours September 2025
Instructions
1. This paper consists of Three (3) questions.
2. Answer ALL questions.
3. Question one carries 20 marks and other two questions carries 15 marks each.
4. Cellular phones and any other unauthorized materials are not allowed in examination
room.
5. Write your examination number on every page of your answer sheets.
6. The following information may be useful:
a) Pie=3.14
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1. A form five student needs to learn about a gravitational pull of the earth, teacher assigned
you as his friend to help him through experiment using the following setup provided and
procedures
Retort stand Thread 1m
Bench
Measure the length, L=1m, of the thread from the point of suspension to the point of
attachment of the bob, Set the bob to oscillate through a small angle. Find the time (t) for
20 complete oscillations.
By raising the thread each time, shorten the length of the pendulum by about 10 cm, 20 cm,
30 cm and 40 cm. On each occasion, find the length of the thread in meters and the
corresponding time t for 20 complete oscillations.
Questions
a) Tabulate your results.
b) How L and T2 relate in this experiment?
c) Plot the graph of L against T2, where T is the period of the oscillations.
d) Find the slope of your graph
e) Determine the acceleration due to gravity g.
f) Determine the L-intercept from your graph and state its physical meaning.
g) What are the two possible aims of doing this experiment?
h) Mention any two sources of errors. (20marks)
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2. Form five students were debating on whether the excess temperature of the surrounding
affect the rate of cooling of given heated object or not. Conclude their debate by
performing experiment using the following apparatuses; a calorimeter, lid, stirrer,
thermometer, water bath containing hot water maintained at 90oC, cardboard and stop
watch.
Proceed as follows:
Fill the calorimeter with hot water about 3⁄4 full. Put the calorimeter containing hot water
on a cardboard placed over the bench. Starting with 80oC, record temperature after 2
minutes’ intervals. Take your readings for 20 minutes. Stir water thoroughly until the end
of your experiment.
Record the room temperature at the beginning and at the end of the experiment and find
the average temperature 𝜃𝑠 (°C).
Questions
a) Tabulate your results.
b) Plot a graph of log(𝜃 − 𝜃𝑠) against time, t.
c) Given that A= log(𝜃 − 𝜃𝑠) + Kt where A is a constant, Determine the value
of K and the constant A.
d) From the graph, state the relation between the rate of loss of heat from a
calorimeter and the excess temperature over its surroundings.
e) Which law does this relation obey
f) State the physical meaning of K. (15marks)
[Link] are provided with ammeter A, resistance box R, dry cell D, switch K and connecting wires
Proceed as follows
(i) Connect the circuit in series
(ii) Draw the circuit diagram for this experiment
(iii) Put R = 1 and quickly read the value of current I on the ammeter
(iv) Repeat procedures (iii) above for R = 2 ,3 , 4 and 5 and record your results in tabular
form
(v) Plot the graph of R against 1 I
(vi) Determine the slope of your graph
(vii) Compute the e.m.f, E and internal resistance, r of a dry cell
(viii) State two sources of error in this experiment and one way of minimizing it.
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