PHYSICS MID-TERM EXAM

Total Marks: 30

1. A boy observes his face in a concave mirror of focal length 100 cm. If the mirror is
80 cm away, state three characteristics of the image observed. (3 marks).
o The image is virtual.
o The image is magnified.
o The image is erect.
2. a) Indicate on the figure the direction of the force F, acting on the wire. (2 marks).
o The force F is directed upwards, perpendicular to both the current and the
magnetic field.

b) State what would be observed on the wire if the direction of the current is
reversed (i.e., into the paper). (2 marks).

o The force F would be directed downwards.

3. An object O is placed in front of a convex mirror as shown in the diagram below.
Complete the diagram to show the position of the image I. (3 marks).
o The image I is virtual, erect, and diminished, located behind the mirror.
4. 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 position of the center of gravity of the meter rule. (4 marks).
o Using the principle of moments: Total anticlockwise moment = Total clockwise
moment (0.9 N × 40 cm) = (1.26 N × 32 cm) + (x × 8 cm) x = 4.5 cm from the
zero end.
5. What is the reading on the micrometer screw gauge shown below with an error of
+0.5 mm? (2 marks).
o Reading = Main scale reading + (Vernier scale reading × Least count)
o Reading = 5.0 mm + (22 × 0.01 mm) = 5.22 mm
6. A mass of 100 g is hung at the 10 cm mark and a 50 g mass at the 70 cm mark of a
uniform meter rule balanced at the 40 cm mark. Determine the weight of the rule (4
marks).
o Total clockwise moment = Total anticlockwise moment (100 g × 10 cm) + (50 g ×
30 cm) = (Total mass of the rule × 40 cm) Total mass of the rule = (100 g + 50 g)
= 150 g
7. a) Explain why the oil spreads over water (1 mark).
o Due to surface tension, which allows the oil to form a thin film over the water.

b) Determine: i) Volume of the drop (2 marks) - Volume of a sphere = (4/3)πr³ - Volume

= (4/3) × π × (0.025/2)³ = 1.63 × 10^-5 cm³

ii) Area of the patch (2 marks) - Area = πr² = π × (7.5)² = 176.71 cm²

iii) The oil molecule thickness (3 marks) - Thickness = Volume/Area = (1.63 × 10^-5
cm³) / (176.71 cm²) = 9.22 × 10^-8 cm = 0.922 nm
iv) State two assumptions made in b)(iii) above. (2 marks) - That the oil spreads
uniformly. - That the oil forms a perfect circle.