PHYSICS

OPENER EXAM

CONTINOUS ASSESSMENT TEST (30MKS)

1. Explain why racing cars are stable.(2mk)

2. Sketch a vernier calipers scale reading 3.41cm (2mks)

3. Polarisation is a defect of a simple cell. State how it reduces the current produced.(2mks)

4. Write down the vernier calliper’s reading shown in figure1 below: (2mks)

5. A uniform meter rule of negligible weight is balanced at its midpoint O. Under forces of 20N, 10N and xN
acting at 10cm, 60cm and 100cm points respectively as shown in the figure below. Find force xN acting
above. (4mks)
6. In an experiment to estimate the size of oil molecule an oil drop of diameter 0.05cm spreads over water
to form a circular patch whose diameter is 15cm.
a) Explain why the oil spreads over water (1mk)

b) Determine:
i) Volume of the drop.(2mks)

ii) Area of the patch.(2mks)

iii) The oil molecule thickness(3mks)

iv) State two assumptions made in b)(iii) above.(2mks)

7. Explain how a positively charged electroscope can be used to determine the charge on charged rod.
(2mks)

8. The diagram below shows two steel pins held at the poles of two magnets.

(a) State the polarity at:

 i) P ___________________(1mk)

ii) By what process are the pins magnetized?(1mk)

iii) State the law illustrated by the two pins.(1mk)

9. 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.(3mks)