PHYSICS FORM ONE MID-TERM EXAM

Total Marks: 30

1. Give Two examples of natural phenomena in which physics can be used to explain their
occurrence (2 marks).

o Rainbow Formation: Explained by the refraction, dispersion, and reflection of light in

water droplets.

o Earthquakes: Explained by the movement of tectonic plates and the release of

accumulated stress in the Earth's crust.

2. Explain the first aid measures to be undertaken if the following calamities/accidents befall a
student (3 marks). a) Cuts: Clean the wound with water, apply antiseptic, and cover it with a
sterile bandage. b) Eye Damage: Rinse the eye with clean water for at least 20 minutes and seek
medical attention. c) Electric Shock: Disconnect the power source, if safe to do so, and perform
CPR if the person is not breathing.

3. Differentiate between derived quantities and basic physical quantities and give one example
for each (4 marks).

o Basic Physical Quantities: Fundamental physical quantities that are not defined in terms
of other physical quantities. Example: Length.

o Derived Quantities: Physical quantities that are defined in terms of basic physical
quantities. Example: Speed (defined as distance divided by time).

4. a) From which position did he read the correct width of the textbook? (1 mark).

o He read the correct width from position Y, where the reading is taken from the zero
mark of the ruler.

b) State the correct width he read (1 mark).

o The correct width is 2.5 cm.

c) Which is the name of the error he would engage in if he used any of the other two positions (1
mark).

o Parallax Error.

5. a) The volume of the block (2 marks).

o Volume = Length × Width × Height

o Volume = 5 cm × 2 cm × 8 cm
 o Volume = 80 cm³

b) The density of the glass block in kg/m³ (3 marks).

o Density = Mass/Volume

o Density = 240 g / 80 cm³ = 3 g/cm³ = 3000 kg/m³ (since 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³)

6. Define the following types of forces (2 marks).

o Cohesion: The force of attraction between particles of the same substance, holding
them together.

o Adhesion: The force of attraction between different substances, causing them to stick
together.

7. State 2 factors affecting surface tension (2 marks).

o Temperature: Surface tension decreases with increasing temperature.

o Impurities: Surface tension decreases in the presence of impurities.

8. Give reasons why water spreads over a clean surface of the glass but forms very many
droplets on a waxed glass surface (2 marks).

o On a clean surface, water molecules adhere to the surface due to adhesion, causing it to
spread. On a waxed surface, the cohesive forces between water molecules are stronger
than the adhesive forces with the surface, causing droplets to form.

9. List down three differences between Mass and weight in the table below (3 marks).

Mass Weight

Scalar Quantity Vector Quantity

Independent of Location Dependent on Location

Measured in kg Measured in Newtons (N)

10. a) Calculate its mass (g=10 N/kg) (2 marks).

o Mass = Weight / Acceleration due to gravity

o Mass = 400 N / 10 N/kg = 40 kg

b) The same object weighed 68 N on the surface of the moon. Calculate the gravitational field strength
of the moon (2 marks).
o Weight on the moon = Mass × Acceleration due to gravity on the moon

o 68 N = 40 kg × Acceleration due to gravity on the moon

o Acceleration due to gravity on the moon = 68 N / 40 kg = 1.7 N/kg