Name ………………………..………………………ADM…………………………..
Candidate’s Signature …………....……. Date: ……………………………….
FORM 2
PHYSICS
(THEORY)
2025 OPENER EXAM TERM 3
Time: 2.5 Hours
INSTRUCTION TO CANDIDATES
Write your name, index number and school in the spaces provided.
This paper consists of TWO sections: A and B
Answer ALL questions in section I and II in the spaces provided.
ALL workings MUST be clearly shown.
Mathematical tables and electronic calculators may be used.
For examiner’s use only:
Section Question Maximum score Candidate’s score
A 35
B 65
Total 100
SECTION A: (35MKS)
Name --------------------------------------- Class--------Adm No------------
1. The figure below shows part of a vernier calipers scale used to measure the diameter of a
ball bearing.
0 1 cm
0 10
(a) State the correct reading if it has a zero error of -0.02cm. (2mks)
(b) Calculate the volume of the ball bearing. (3mks)
2. State 2 safety rules observed in the laboratory. (2mks)
(a)Define force and state its SI units (2mks)
(c) Give one difference between mass and weight. (2mks)
3. Explain why water wets a clean glass surface but not a waxed one. (2mks)
4. (a)The figure below shows a ray of light incident on a mirror at an angle of 45o. Another
mirror is placed at an angle of 45o to first one as shown. Sketch the path of the ray until it
emerges. (2mks)
(b)An object is placed between two plane mirrors placed with their reflecting surfaces
at 60o to each other. Calculate number of images formed. ( 3mks)
6.(a)State the law of electrostatics. (1mk)
(b)Explain the process of charging a metal ball by induction (4mks)
7. An object of height 1cm is placed 50mm infront of a concave mirror. A virtual image
100mm is formed from the mirror. Determine the focal length of the mirror. (3mks)
8. (a)Define the following terms. 3mks
(i)Amptitude
(ii)Wavelength
(iii) Frequency
(d) Kiss is Fm broadcasting at a frequency of 100MHZ. What is the wavelength of
waves? If the speed of waves is 3.0 x 108m/s (3mk
8. (a) Define echo (1mk)
(b)A student stands near wall. He claps and hears the reflected sound after 0.65.
Determine the distance of the wall, to the student given the speed of sound is 320m/s.
(3mks)
SECTION B (65 MARKS)
9. (a) Define electric current and state its SI units. (2mks)
(b) The diagram below shows a simple primary cell in use.
Dilute sulphuric acid
(i) Initially the bulb lights brightly but dims down after sometime. Explain those
observations. (3mks)
(ii) When a little amount of potassium dichromate is added into the sulphuric acid the bulb
re-lights brightly. Explain. (2mks)
(iii) Identify the metals used to make the electrodes (2mks)
X–
Y–
(c) State;
I. Reason why the caps of cells of lead acid accumulator are opened when charging. (1mk)
II. Reason for topping up a lead – acid accumulator with distilled water. (1mk)
III. The use of manganese (iv) oxide in a dry cell. (1mk)
(d) In a lighting flash, a total charge of 20C is transferred in 0.02s. Determine the average
current. (3mks)
10. (a)An electromagnet is made by winding an insulated wire on a magnetic material and
allowing current to flow through the wire. State two factors that determine the strength of
the electromagnet. (2mks)
(b) A simple d.c. motor consists of a rectangular coil of wire ABCD placed between the poles
of a strong magnet as show below.
Y
x
Name the parts marked (2mks)
X
Y-
(i) Show the direction of the forces acting or the sides of the coil labeled AB and CD.(2mks)
(ii) Explain how the coil, ABCD is set into continuous rotation. (2mks)
© State two methods of magnetisation. (2 marks)
d) Why is repulsion the surest way of identifying a magnet. (2 mark
e) Complete the diagram below to show the magnetic field patterns. (2 marks)
f) i) The figure below in a U-shaped iron core. Indicate the polarity at X and Y. (2 marks)
ii) State two applications of such an electromagnet. (2 marks)
11. (a) Write down the mathematical formula of Hookes Law relating F, e and k. (1mk)
(b) In an experiment to verify Hookes law; a helical string has one of its end fixed on a rigid
support such that the spring hangs vertically. Masses are then hang from the lower end.
The graph in fig below shows the relation between force (weight) and the extension of the
spring.
From the graph determine
(i) The elastic limit of the spring (1mk)
(ii) The spring constant of the spring. (4mks)
(iii) The work done in stretching the spring from 0.1m to 0.2m. (3mks)
(c) The spiral springs shown in the fig below are identical. Each spring has a constant of K =
300N/m
Determine the total extension caused by the 90N weight. (Ignore the weight of the
springs and connecting rods (3mks)
(d) On the axes below sketch the graph to show a spring behaves when it is compressed. 1mk
F(N)
e (m)
12. The figure below shows a hydraulic brake system for a car. The area of the master piston
A is 0.75 cm 2 while the slave pistons attached to the tyres P, Q, R and S are of area3 cm2
each. A force of 500 N is applied on the master cylinder.
(a) Define pressure and give its SI units. (2 marks)
(b) (i) State the principle of transmission of pressure in liquids. (1 mark)
(i) State two important properties of the fluid used in the system. (2 marks)
(ii) Explain why the slave cylinders are of the same size. (1 mark)
(c) Calculate:
(i) The pressure generated in the master cylinder. (2 marks)
(i) Braking force on each tyre. (3 marks)
13. The figure 13 below shows a liquid in a container
(a) Explain what happens to the stability of glass when more liquid is added. (2 marks)
(b) If the glass is empty, what is its state of equilibrium? (1 mark)
(c) A cylindrical block of metal with a curved section is placed to rest in two different
positions as shown in the following figure 14.
State and explain which of the positions is more stable. (2
marks)
(d) A non- uniform meter rule weighing 0.9 N is balanced horizontally on a sharp pivot
placed at the 40 cm mark, when a load of 1.26 N is placed at the 32 cm mark.
Determine the value of distance d on the meter rule (3 marks)