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List of physical constants to be used

Acceleration due to gravity, g 9.81ms-2

Electron charge, e 1.6 x10-19C

Electron mass 9.11 x 10-31kg

Mass of the earth 5.97 x 1024kg

Plank’s constant, h 6.6 x 10-34Js

Stefan’s-Boltzmann’s constant, σ 5.67 x 10-8Wm-2K-1

Radius of the earth 6.4 x 106m

Radius of the sun 7 x 108m

Radius of the earth’s orbit about the sun 1.5 x 1011m

Speed of light in the vacuum, c 3.0 x 108ms-1

Thermal conductivity of copper 390Wm-1K-1

Thermal conductivity of aluminium 210Wm-1K-1

Specific heat capacity of water 4.200Jkg-1K-1

Universal gravitational constant 6.67 x 10-11Nm2Kg-2

Avogadro’s number, NA 6.02 x 1023mol-1

Surface tension of water 7.0 x 10-2Nm-1

Density of water 1000kgm-3

Gas constant, R 8.31Jmol-1K-1

Charge to mass ratio, e/m 1.8 x 1011Ckg-1

1
The constant, 9.0 x 109F-1m
4𝜋𝜀0

Faraday’s constant, F 9.65 x 104Cmol-1

Thermal conductivity of Iron 75Wm-1K-1

Specific latent heat of fusion of Ice = 3.3 x 105Jkg-1

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Permittivity of free space, μ0 4.0π x 10-7Hm-1

Permittivity of free space, ε0 8.85 x 10-12Fm-1

One electron volt 1.6 x 10-19J

Resistivity of Nichrome wire at 250C 1.2 x 10-6Ωm

Specific heat capacity of copper 400Jkg-1K-1

1. (a) (i) Distinguish between scalar and vector quantity. (01 mark)

(ii) Give two examples of each type of quantity. (02marks)

(b) A body of mass 0.2kg at rest is acted on by four forces of 2.8N, 6.0N, 4.5N and 1.2N as
shown in the figure below.

Calculate

(i) Resultant force on the body (04marks)

(ii) Distance moved in 4s (02marks)

(c) State Newton’s law of motion and use them to derive the law of conservation of
momentum. (06marks)

(d) A body of mass 800kg moving at 30ms-1 collides with another of mass 400kg moving in
the same direction at 25ms-1. The two bodies stick together after collision. Calculate the

(i) common velocity just after collision (02marks)

(ii) kinetic energy lost during collision (03marks)

2. (a) Define moment of force and give its SI unit. (02marks)

(b) Explain briefly how to locate the centre of gravity of an irregular sheet of cardboard.
(04marks)
(c) State the conditions necessary for equilibrium of a rigid body under action of a system of
forces. (02marks)
(d) A wheel of radius 0.5m rests on a level surface at point C and makes contact with edge E
of a block height 0.2m as shown in the figure below.

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A force F is applied horizontally through the axle of the wheel at X to just move the wheel
over the block. If the weight of the wheel is 180N, find the
(i) Force exerted at point E (02marks)
(ii) Force F (04marks)

(e) State the laws of friction and explain each of them (06marks)

3. (a) Define the following as applied to circular motion:

(i) Centripetal acceleration (01mark)
(ii) Period (01mark)

(b) (i) Explain why a cyclist bends inward while going round a curved path. (03marks)

(ii) Show that if θ is the angle of inclination of the cyclist to the vertical and μ is the
coefficient of limiting friction between the ground and the bicycle tyres, then for safe
riding tan θ ≤ μ. (04marks)

(iii) A body of mass 1.5kg moves once round a circular path to cover 44.0cm in 5s. Calculate
the centripetal force acting on the body. (04marks)

(c) Define simple harmonic motion (01mark)

(d) A body executes simple harmonic motion with amplitude A and angular velocity, ω.

(i) Write down the equation for velocity of the body at a displacement x from the mean
position (01mark)

(ii) Sketch the velocity-displacement graph for the body in (d)(i) for ω< 1. (02marks

(iii) If the body moves with amplitude 14.142 cm, at what distance from the mean position
will be kinetic energy equal to potential energy? (03marks)
4. (a) State and illustrate Archimedes’ principle. (05marks)
(b)(i) State the law of flotation (01 marks)
(ii) Describe an experiment to verify the law in (b)(i). (05marks)
(c) (i) Write Bernoulli’s equation and define each term in the equation. (02marks)
(ii) Explain the origin of lift force on the wings of a plane. (03marks)

(iii) Air flows over the upper surfaces of the wings of an aeroplane at a speed of 120ms-1, and
past the lower surface of the wings at 110ms-1.Calclate the lift force on the aeroplane if
it has a total wing area of 20m2. Density of air = 1.29kgm-3)

5. (a) What is meant by relative velocity? (01mark)

(b) A ship is heading due to north at a speed of 30ms-1. Water in the lake s moving in the
north-east direction at an average speed of 5kmh-1. Calculate
(i) relative velocity of the ship (04 marks)
(ii) distance off course the ship will be after 40 minutes. (02marks)

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(c) (i) Explain why a passenger in a car jerks forward when the brakes are suddenly applied.
(03marks)
(ii) Use Newton’s second law to define the Newton. (04marks)
(d) Three forces of 8.0N, 12.5N and 2.0Nact on a body of mass 0.7kg as shown below

Calculate the acceleration of the body

6. (a) what is meant by the centre of the mass? (01mark)
(b) Explain why a long spanner is preferred to a short on n undoing a tight bolt. (03marks)
(c) A uniform ladder of length 10m and weight 400N, leans against a smooth wall and its foot
rests on rough ground. The ladder makes an angle of 600 with the horizontal. If the ladder
just slips when a person of weight 800N climbs 6m up the ladder, calculate the
(i) reaction on the wall and the ground (05marks)
(ii) distance another person of weight 600N can climb up the ladder so that the same
reaction are exerted as in (c)(i). (02marks)
(d) (i) State the principle of conservation of energy. (01mark)
(ii) How does the principle in (d)(i) apply to a child sliding down an incline? (02marks)
(e) A pump with power output of 147.1W can raise 2kg of water per second through a height
of 5m and delver it into a tank. Calculate the speed with which the water is delivered into
the tank. (03marks)
(f) Explain the effect of a couple on a rigid body. (03marks)
7. (a) What is meant by a
(i) Brittle material (01mark)
(ii) Ductile material (01marks)

(b) Give one example of each of the materials in (a) (01mark)

(c) Explain why bicycle frame are hollow (02mark)

(d) (i) Sketch a labelled graph of stress against strain for a ductile material (02marks)

(ii) Explain the main features of the graph in (d)(i) (04marks)

(e) Derive the expression for the energy stored per unit volume in a rod of length, L, Young’s
Modulus, Y, when stretched through distance, e. (04marks)

(f) A load of 5kg is placed on top of a vertical brass rod of radius 10mm and length 50cm. if

(i) decrease in length (03marks)

(ii) energy stored in the rod. (02marks)

8. (a) Define the following:

(i) Angular velocity
(ii) Period

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(b) An object moves in a circular path of radius, r, with a constant velocity, V. Derive an
expression for its acceleration. (04marks)

(c) (i) State two factors on which the rate of flow of a fluid through a tube depends.
(02marks)

(ii) Describe an experiment to measure the coefficient of viscosity of a liquid using

Poiseulle’s formula

(d) Find the time take for an oil drop of diameter 6.0 x 10-3mm to fall through a distance
of 4.0 cm in air of coefficient of viscosity 1.8 x 10-5Pa.

[The density of oil and air are 8.0 x 103kgm-3 and 1kgm-3 respectively]

9. (a) (i)State Newton’s laws of motion. (03marks)

(ii) A molecule of a gas contained in a cube of side L strikes the wall of the cube repeatedly
with a velocity u. Show that the average force F on the wall is given by
𝑚𝑢2
F= ; where m is the mass of the molecule (04marks)
𝐿
(b) (i) Define linear momentum and state the law of conservation of linear momentum.
(02marks)
(ii) A body of mass m1 moving with velocity u, collides with another body of mass m2 at
rest. If they stick together after collision, find the common velocity with which they
move (04marks)
(c) A bullet of mass 10g is fired horizontally with a velocity of 300ms-1 into a block of wood of
mass 290g which rests on a rough horizontal floor. After impact, the block and the
bullet move together and come to rest when the block has travelled a distance of
15m. Calculate the coefficient of sliding friction between the block and the floor.
(07marks)

10. (a) State Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. (03marks)

(b) Use Newton’s law of gravity to derive the dimension of the universal gravitational
constant (03marks)
(c) A satellite is resolving at a height, h, above the surface of the earth with period T.
(i) Show that the acceleration due to gravity, g, on the earth’s surface is given by
4𝜋2 (𝑟𝑒 +ℎ)3
g= where re is the radius of the earth. (06marks)
𝑇 2 𝑟𝑒2
(ii) What is meant by parking orbit? (02marks)
(d) A satellite revolves in a circular orbit at a height of 600kmabove the earth’s surface.
Calculate the
(i) speed of the satellite. (03marks)
(ii) period of the satellite. (03marks)
11. (a)(i) Define Simple harmonic motion. (01mark)
(ii) Sketch a displacement-time graph for a body performing simple harmonic motion.
(01mark)
(b) A uniform cylindrical rod of length 16cm and density 920kgm-3 floats vertically in a liquid
of density 1000kgm-3. The rod is depressed through a distance of 7mm and then
released.
(i) Show that the rod performs simple harmonic motion (06marks)
(ii) Find the frequency of the resultant oscillations. (04marks)

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(iii) Find the velocity of the rod when is at a distance of 5mm above the equilibrium
position (03marks)
(c) What is meant by potential energy? (01mark)
(d) Describe the energy changes which occur when a
(i) ball thrown upwards in air (03marks)
(ii) loud speaker vibrating (01mark)
12. (a)(i) Define elastic deformation and plastic deformation (02marks)
(ii) Explain what is meant by work hardening. (02marks)
(b) (i) Sketch using the same axes, stress-strain curves for ductile material and for rubber
(03marks)
(ii) Explain the features of the curve for rubber. (03marks)
(c) A capillary tube is held in a vertical position with one end dipping in a liquid of surface
tension γ and density ρ. If the liquid rises to a height, h, derive an expression for h in
terms of γ, ρ and radius r of the tube assuming the angle of contact is zero. (04marks)
(d) A mercury drop of radius 2mm falls vertically and on hitting the ground, it splits into two
drops each of radius 0.5mm. Calculate the change in surface energy given that the
surface tension of mercury is 0.52Nm-1. (05marks)
(e) State the effect of temperature on surface tension of a liquid. (01mark)
13. (a) (i) Define dimensions of a physical quantity. (01mark)
(ii) In the gas equation
𝑎
(𝑃 + ) (𝑉 − 𝑏) = 𝑅𝑇
𝑉2

Where P = pressure, V= volume, T= absolute temperature and R= gas constant, what

are the dimensions of the constants a and b? (04mark)

(b) A particle is projected from a point on horizontal plane with a velocity, u, at an angle, θ,
above the horizontal. Show that the maximum horizontal range Rmax is given by,
𝑢2
𝑅𝑚𝑎𝑥 = where, g, is the acceleration due to gravity. (04marks)
𝑔

(c) (i) Define elastic limit of a material. (01marks)

(ii) Describe an experiment to determine Young’s Modulus of a steel wire. (06marks)

(d) Explain why tyres of a vehicle travelling on a hard surfaced road may burst. (04marks)

14. (a) (i) What is meant by efficiency of a machine? (01mark)

(ii) A car of mass1.2 x 103kgmovesup an incline at a steady velocity of 15ms-1 against a
frictional force of 6.0 x 103N. The incline is such that the car rises 1.0m for every 10m
along the incline. Calculate the output power of the car engine. (04marks)
(b) (i) Define the impulse and momentum. (02marks)
(ii) An engine pumps water such that the velocity of the water leaving the nozzle is
15ms-1. If the water jet is directed perpendicularly on a wall and comes to a stop at the
wall, calculate the pressure exerted on the wall. (03marks)
(c) (i) Define inertia. (01mark)
(ii) Explain why a body placed on a rough plane will slide when the angle of inclination is
increased. (04marks)
(d) (i) State the conditions for a body to be in equilibrium under action of coplanar forces.
(02marks)
(ii) Briefly explain the three states of equilibrium (03marks)

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15. (a) (i) What is meant by conservative forces? (01mark)

(ii) Give two examples of conservative forces (02marks)
(b) Explain the following
(i) damped oscillations (02marks)
(ii) Forced oscillations (02marks)
(c) (i) State Newton’s law of gravitation (01mark)
(ii) Show that Newton’s law of gravitation is consistent with Kepler’s third law. (05marks)
(d) If the earth takes 365 days to make one revolution around the sun, calculate the mass of
the sun (04marks)
(e) Explain briefly how satellites are used in world-wide radio or television communication.
(04marks)
16. (a) (i) What is meant by fluid element and flow line as applied to fluid flow? (02mark)
(ii) Explain why some fluids flow more easily than others (03marks)
(b) (i) state Bernoulli’s Principle. (01mark)
(ii) Explain how a Pilot-static tube works (04marks)
(c) Air flowing over the upper surface of an air craft’s wing causes a lift force of 6.4 x 105N.
The air flows under the wing at a speed of 120ms-1 over an area of 28m2. Find the seed of
air flow over an equal area of the upper surface of the air craft’s wings. [Assume density
of air = 1.2kgm-3) (04marks)
(d) (i) What is meant by surface tension and angle of contact of a liquid? (02marks)
(ii) A water drop of radius 0.5cm is broken up into other drops of water each of radius
1mm. assuming isothermal conditions, find the total work done to break up the water
drop. (04marks)
17. (a) (i) what is meant by conservative force? (01mark)
(ii) Give two examples of conservative forces. (01mark)
(b) (i) State the law of conservation of mechanical energy. (01mark)
(ii) A body of mass, m, is projected vertically upwards with speed, u. show that the low of
conservation of mechanical energy is obeyed throughout its motion. (05marks)
(iii) Sketch a graph showing variation of kinetic energy by the body with time. (01 mark)
(c) (i) Describe an experiment to measure the coefficient of static friction. (04marks)
(ii) State two disadvantages of friction. (01mark)
(d) A bullet of mass 20g moving horizontally strikes and get embedded in a wooden block of
mass 500g resting on a horizontal table. The block slides through a distance of 2.3m
before coming to rest. If the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and table
is 0.3, calculate
(i) friction force between the block and the table. (02marks)
(ii) velocity of the bullet just before it strikes the block. (04marks)

18. (a) (i) State the principle of moments. (01mark)

(ii) Define the terms centre of gravity and uniform body. (02marks)
(b) Figure below shows a body, M of mass 20kg supported by a rod of negligible mass
horizontally hinged to a vertical wall and supported by a string fixed at 0.5m from the
other end of the rod.

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Calculate the
(i) Tension in the string (03marks)
(ii) Reaction of the hinge (03marks)
(iii) Maximum additional mass which can be added to the mass of 20kg before the
string can break given that the string cannot support a tension of more than
500N. (02marks)

(c) (i) Define Young’s modulus. (01marks)

(ii) Explain the precautions taken in determinations of Young’s modulus of a wire.

(06marks)

(iii) Explain why a piece of rubber stretches much more than a metal wire of the same
length and cross section (02marks)

19. (a) State Kepler’s laws of planetary motion (03marks)

(b) (i) what is a parking orbit? (01mark)
(ii) Derive an expression for the period, T, of a satellite in a circular orbit of radius, r, above
the earth in terms of mass of earth, m, gravitational constant, G and r. (04marks)
(c) (i) A satellite of mass 200kg is launched in a circular orbit at a height of 3.59 x 107m above
the earth’s surface. Find the mechanical energy of the satellite. (03marks)
(ii) Explain what will happen to the satellite if its mechanical energy was reduced.
(03marks)
(d) Describe laboratory method of determining the universal gravitational constant, G.
(06marks)
20. (a) (i) Distinguish between surface tension and surface energy (01mark)
(ii) Show the surface energy and surface tension are numerically equal. (03marks)
(iii) Explain why water dripping out of a tap does so in spherical shapes. (03marks)
(b) Two soap bubbles of radius 2.0cm and 4.0cm respectively coalesce under isothermal
conditions. If the surface tension of the soap solution is 2.5x 10-2Nm-1, calculate the
excess pressure inside the resulting soap bubble. (04marks)
(c) (i) State Bernoulli’s principle (0marks)
(ii) Explain how wind at a high speed over the roof of a building can cause the roof to be
ripped off the building. (03marks)
(iii) An aeroplane has a mass of 8,000kg and wing area of 8.0m2. When moving through still
air, the ratio of its velocity to that of the air above its wings is 0.25. At what velocity will
the aeroplane be able to just lift off the ground? (Density of air = 1.3kgm-3)
21. (a)(i) What is projectile motion? (01 marks)
(ii) A bomb is dropped from an aeroplane when it is directly above a target at a height of
1402.5m. The aeroplane is moving horizontally with a speed 0f 500kmh-1. Determine
whether the bomb will hit the target. (05marks)
(b) (i) Define angular velocity. (01mark)

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(ii) a satellite is revolving around the earth in a circular orbit at an altitude of 6 x 105m
where the acceleration due to gravity is 9.4 ms-2. Assuming that the earth is spherical,
calculate the period of the satellite. (03marks)
(c) (i) State Newton’s laws of motion (03marks)
(ii) Explain how a rocket is kept in motion. (04marks)
(iv) Explain why passengers in a bus are thrown backwards when the bus suddenly
start moving (03marks)

22. (a) (i) What is meant by Young’s modulus? (03marks)

(ii) State Hooke’s law (01mark)
(iii) Derive an expression for energy released in a unit volume a stretched wire in terms of
stress and strain. (04marks)
(b) A steel wire of length 0.6m and cross-section area 1.5 x 10-6m2 is attached at B to a
copper wire BC of length 0.39m and cross section area 3.0 x 10-6m2. The combination is
suspended vertically from a fixed point at A and supports a weight of 250N at C. find the
extension in each of the wires, given that Young’s Modulus for steel is 2.0 x 1011Nm-2
and that of copper is 1.3 x 1011Nm-2. (05marks)
(c) With the aid of a labelled diagram, describe an experiment to determine the Young’s
Modulus of a steel wire (07marks)
(d) Explain the term plastic deformation in metals (02marks)
23. (a) Define work and energy (02marks)
(b) Explain whether a person carrying a bucket of water does any work on the bucket while
walking on a levelled road. (03marks)
(c) A pump discharges water through a nozzle of diameter 4.5cm with speed of 62ms-1 into a
tank 16m above the intake.
(i) Calculate the work done per second by the pump in raising the water if the pump is
ideal. (04marks)
(ii) Find the power wasted if the efficiency of the pump is 73% (02marks)
(iii) Account for the power loss in (c)(ii) (02marks)

(d) (i) State work-energy theorem. (01mark)

(ii) Prove the work-energy theorem for a body moving with constant acceleration.
(03marks)

(e) Explain briefly what is meant by internal energy of a substance. (03marks)

24. (a) Define coefficient of viscosity and state its units. (02marks)
(b) Explain the origin of viscosity in air and account for the effect of temperature on it.
(05marks)
(c) Describe, stating the necessary precautions an experiment to measure the coefficient of
viscosity of a liquid using Stroke’s law. (07marks)
(d) A steel ball bearing of diameter 8.0mm falls steadily through oil and covers a vertical
height of 20.0cm in 0.56s. If the density of steel is7800kgm-3 and that of oil is 900kgm-3,
calculate the
(i) up thrust on the ball (03marks)
(ii) viscosity of the oil (03marks)
25. (a) Using the molecular theory, explain the laws of friction between solid surfaces. (06marks)

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(b) With the aid of a labelled diagram, describe how the coefficient of static friction for an
interface between a rectangular block of wood and a plane surface can be determined.
(06marks)
(c) The diagram below shows three masses connected by inextensible strings which pass
over smooth pulleys. The coefficient of friction between the table and the 12.0kg mass is
0.25.

If the system is released from rest, determine the

(i) Acceleration of the 12.0kg mass (05marks)
(ii) Tension in each string (03marks)
26. (a) Define terminal velocity (01mark)
(b) Explain laminar flow and turbulent flow (03marks)
(c) Describe an experiment to measure the coefficient of viscosity of water using Ponselle’s
formula. (07marks)
(d) (i) State Bernoulli’s principle (01 mark)
(ii) Explain why a person standing near a railway line is sucked towards the railway line
when a fast moving train passes. (03marks)
(e) A horizontal pipe of cross sectional area 0.4m2, tapers to a cross section area of 0.2m2.
The pressure at the large section of the pipe is 8.0 x 104Nm-2 and the velocity of water
through the pipe is 11.2ms-1. If the atmospheric pressure is 1.01 x 105Nm-2, find the
pressure at the small section of the pipe. (05marks)
27. (a) (i) State the law of conservation of linear momentum (01mark)

(ii) A body explodes and produces two fragments of mass m and M. is the velocities of the
fragments are u and v respectively. Show that the ratio of the kinetic energies of the
fragments is
𝐸1 𝑀
= where E1 is the kinetic energy of m and E2 is the kinetic energy od M
𝐸2 𝑚

(b) Show that the centripetal acceleration of an object moving with constant velocity, v, in a
𝑣2
circle of radius, r is . 904marks)
𝑟

(c) A car of mass 1000kg moves round a banked track at constant speed of 108kmh-1.
Assuming the total reaction at the wheels is normal to the track, and the radius of
curvature of the truck is 100m, calculate the:

(i) angle of inclination of the track to the horizontal (04marks)

(ii) reaction at the wheels (02marks)

(d) (i) Define uniformly accelerated motion (01mark)

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(ii) A train starts from rest at station A and accelerates at 1.25ms-2 until it reaches a speed
of 20ms-1. It then travels at this steady speed for a distance of 1.56km and then
decelerates at 2ms-2 to come to rest at station B. Find the distance from A to B.
(04marks)

28. (a)(i) State Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. (03marks)

(ii) Estimate the mass of the sun, if the orbit of the earth around the sun is circular.
(04marks)

(b) Explain Brownian motion (03marks)

(c) Explain the energy changes which occur when a pendulum is set into motion. (03marks)

(d) A simple pendulum of length 1m has a bob of mass 100g. It is displaced from mean
position A to position B so that the string makes an angle of 450 with the vertical. Calculate
the

(i) maximum potential energy of the bob. (03marks)

(ii) velocity of the bob when the string makes an angle of 300 2ith the vertical. [Neglect air
resistance]

29. (a) State Hooke’s law. (01mark)

(b) A copper wire is stretched until it breaks.
(i) Sketch a stress- strain graph for the wire and explain the main features of the graph.
(04marks)
(ii) Explain what happens to the energy used to stretch the wire at each stage. (04marks)
(iii)Derive the expression for the work done to stretch a spring of force constant, k, by a
distance, 2. (03marks)
(c)(i) Define Young’s Modulus. (01mark)
(ii) Two identical steel bars A and B of radius2.0mm are suspended from the ceiling. A
mass of 2.0kg is attached to the free end of bar A. Calculate the temperature to which B
should be raised so that the bars are again equal in length.
[Young’s Modulus of steel = 1.0 x 1011Nm-2)
[Linear expansivity of steal = 1.2 x 10-5K-1] (05mark)
(d) Why does an iron roof make cracking sound at night? (02marks)
30. (a) Define the following terms as applied to oscillatory motion
(i) Amplitude (01mark)
(ii) Period (01mark)

(b) State four characteristics of simple harmonic motion. (02marks)

(c) A mass, m is suspended from a rigid support by a straight string of length L. the mass is
pulled aside so that the string makes an angle, θ, with the vertical and then released.

𝐿
(i) Show that the mass executes simple harmonic motion with a period T =2𝜋√ .
𝑔

(ii) Explain why this mass comes to a stop after a short time. (02marks)

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(d) A piston in a car engine performs a simple harmonic motion of frequency 12.5Hz. If the
mass of the piston is 0.50kg and its amplitude of vibration is 45mm, find the maximum
force on the piston. (03marks)

(e) Describe an experiment to determine the acceleration due to gravity, g, using a spiral
spring, of known constant. (06marks)

31. (a) Explain what is meant by centripetal force. (02marks)

(b)(i) Derive an expression for centripetal force acting on a body of mass, M, moving in a
circular path of radius, r. (06marks)
(ii) A body moving in a circular path of radius 0.5m makes 40 revolutions per second. Find
the centripetal force if the mass is 1kg (03marks)
(c) Explain the following
(i) A mass attached to a string rotating at constant speed in a horizontal circle will fly off at
a tangent of the string breaks. (02marks)
(ii) A cosmonaut in a satellite which is in a free circular orbit around the earth experiences
the sensation of weightlessness even though there is influence of gravitational field on
earth. (03marks)
(d) (i) Derive an expression for maximum horizontal distance travelled by a projectile in
terms of the initial speed, u, and the angle of projection, θ, to the horizontal. (02marks)
(ii) Sketch a graph to show the relationship between kinetic energy and height above the
ground in a projectile. (02marks)
32. (a)(i) What is meant by the following terms, steady flow and viscosity? (02marks)

(ii) Explain the effect of increase in temperature on viscosity of a liquid. (03marks)

(b) (i) Show that the pressure, P, exerted at a depth, h, below the free surface of a liquid of
density, ρ, is given by P =hρg. (03marks)

(ii) Define relative density. (01mark)

(iii) A U-tube whose ends are open to atmosphere, contains water and oil as shown in
the figure below

Given the density of oil is 300kgm-3, find the value of h.

(c) A metal ball of diameter 10mm is timed as it falls through oil at a steady speed. It takes
0.5z to fall through a vertical distance of 0.3m. Assuming that the density of metal is
7500kgm-3 and that of oil is 900kgm-3, find

(i) the weight of the ball (02marks)

(ii) the up thrust on the ball (02marks)

(iii) the coefficient of viscosity of the oil (03marks)

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[Assume the viscous force = 6πηrv0 where η is the coefficient of viscosity, r is the radius of
the ball, v0 is the terminal velocity]

33. (a) Define the following terms

(i) Uniform acceleration (01mark)
(ii) Angular velocity (01mark)

(b) (i) What is meant by banking a track? (01mark)

(ii) Derive an expression for the angle of banking θ for a car of mass, m, moving at speed, v,
round a banked tract of radius, r. (04marks)

(c) A bod of mass, m is tied to an inelastic thread of length, L, and whirled with constant
speed in a vertical circle

(i) With the aid of a sketch diagram, explain the variation of tension in the string along the
circle. (05 marks)

(ii) If the string breaks at one point along the circle, state the most likely position and
explain the subsequent motion of the bob.

(d) A body of mass 15kg is moved from earth’s surface to a point 1.8x 106m above the
earth. If the radius of the earth is 6.4 x 106m and the mass of the earth is 6.0 x 1024kg;
calculate the work done in taking the body to that point (06marks)

34. (a) State Newton’s laws of motion. (03marks)

(b) Use Newton’s laws of motion to show that when two bodies collide their momentum is
conserved. (04marks)
(c) Two balls P and Q travelling in the same line in opposite directions with speeds of 6ms-1
and 15ms-1 respectively make a perfect collision. If the masses of P and Q are 8kg and 5kg
respectively, find the
(i) final velocity of P, (04marks)
(ii) change in kinetic energy. (04marks)
(d) (i) What is an impulse of a force? (01marks)
(ii) Explain why a long jumper should normally land on sand. (04marks)
35. (a) (i) What is meant by viscosity. (01mark)
(ii) Explain the effect of temperature on viscosity of a liquid. (03marks)

(b) Derive an expression for terminal velocity of a sphere of radius, a, falling in a liquid of
viscosity, η. 904marks)

(c) Explain why velocity of a liquid at a wide part of a tube is less than that at a narrow part.
(02marks)

(d) A solid weighs 237.5g in air and 12.5g when totally immersed in a fluid of density 9.0 x
102kgm-3. Calculate the density of the liquid in which the sold would float with one fifth of
its volume exposed above the liquid surface.

(e) Describe an experiment to measure the coefficient of static friction between a

rectangular block of wood and a plane surface. (04marks)

36. (a) (i) What is meant by simple harmonic motion? (01mark)

(ii) State two practical examples of simple harmonic motion. (01mark)

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(iii) Using graphical illustrations, distinguish between under damped and critically damped
oscillations (04marks)
(b) (i) Describe an experiment to measure acceleration due to gravity using a spiral spring
(06marks)
(ii)State two limitations to the accuracy of the value obtained in (b)(i).
(c) A horizontal spring of force constant 200Nm-1 fixed at one end has a mass of 2kg
attached to the free end and resting on a smooth horizontal surface. The mass is pulled
through a distance of 40.0cm and released.
Calculate the
(i) Angular speed
(ii) Maximum velocity attained by a vibrating body. (02marks)
(iii) Acceleration when the body is half way towards the centre from its initial
position (02marks)
37. (a) (i) State the law of conservation of linear momentum. (01mark)
(ii) Use Newton’s law to derive the law in (a) (i) (04marks)

(b) Distinguish between elastic an inelastic collision (01mark)

(c) An object X of mass M, moving with a velocity of 10ms-1 collides with a stationary object Y
of equal mass. After collision, X moves with a speed u at an angle 300 to the initial
direction, while Y, moves with a speed V at angle 900 to the new direction of X.

(i) Calculate the speeds U and V (05marks)

(ii) Determine whether the collision is elastic or not. (03marks)

(d) (i) Define uniform acceleration. (01mark)

(ii) With the aid of a velocity-time graph, describe the motion of a body projected
vertically upwards. (03marks)

(iii) Calculate the range of a projectile which is fired at an angle of 450 to the horizontal
with a speed of 20ms-1. (02marks)

38. (a)(i) State Archimedes’ principle. (01mark)

(ii) A solid weighs 20.0g in air, 15.0g in water and 16.0g in a liquid, R. Find the density of R
(03marks)
(b) (i) What is meant by simple harmonic motion? (01 mark)
(ii) Distinguish between damped and forced oscillations (02marks)
(c) A cylinder of length, L, and cross section area A and density σ floats in a liquid of
density, ρ. The cylinder is pushed down slightly and released.
(i) show that it performs simple harmonic motion. (05marks)
(ii) Derive the expression for period of the oscillation. (02marks)
(d) A spring of force constant 40Nm-1 is suspended vertically. A mass of 0.1kg suspended
from the spring is pulled down a distance of 5mm and released. Find the
(i) period of the oscillation (02marks)
(ii) maximum acceleration of the mass (02marks)
(iii) net force acting on the mass when it is 2mm below the centre of oscillation.
(02marks)

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39. (a) Define viscosity of a fluid (01mark)

(b) (i) Derive an expression for terminal velocity attained by a sphere of density, σ, and
radius, a, falling through a fluid of density, ρ and viscosity, η. (05marks)
(ii) Explain the variation of viscosity of a liquid with temperature. (02marks)
(c) (i) State the laws of friction. (02marks)
(ii) With the aid of a well labelled diagram, describe an experiment to determine the
coefficient of kinetic friction between two surfaces. (05marks)
(d) A body slides down a rough plane inclined at 300 to horizontal. If the coefficient of
kinetic friction between the body and the plane is 0.4, find the velocity after it has
travelled 6m along the plane. (05marks)

40. (a) (i) Describe the terms tensile stress and kinetic strain as applied to a stretched wire.
(02marks)
(ii) Distinguish between elastic limit and proportional limit. (02marks)
(b) With the aid of a labelled diagram, describe an experiment to investigate the relationship
between tensile stress and tensile strains of a steel wire. (07marks)
(c)(i) A load of 60N is applied to a steel wire of length 2.5m and cross sectional area of
0.22mm2. If Young’s Modulus for steel is 120GPa, find the expansion produced.
(03marks)
(ii) If the temperature rise of 1K causes a fractional increase of 0.001%, find the change in
length of a steel wire of length 2.5 when the temperature increases by 4K. (03marks)
(d) The velocity, V, of a wave in a material of Young’s Modulus, E and density, ρ, is given by
𝐸
V = √ . Show that the relationship is dimensionally correct. (03marks)
𝜌
41. (a) (i) Define the term impulse (01mark)
(ii) State Newton’s laws of motion (03marks)
(b) A bullet of mass 10g travelling horizontally at a speed of 100ms-1 strikes a block of wood
of mass 900g suspended by a light vertical string and is emended in the block which
subsequently swings freely. Find the
(i) vertical height through which the block rises. (04marks)
(ii) Kinetic energy lost by the bullet (03marks)
(c) Explain the terms time of flight and range as applied to projectile motion. (02marks)
(d) A stone is projected at an angle of 200 in horizontal and just clears a wall which is 10m
high and 30m from the point of projection. Find the
(i) speed of projection. (04marks)
(ii) Angle which the stone makes with the horizontal as it clears the wall. (03marks)
42. (a) Define the following terms
(i) Velocity
(ii) Moment of a force

(b) (i) A ball is projected vertically up wards with a speed of 50ms-2.on return it passes a
point of projection, and falls and falls 78m below. Calculate the total time taken.
(05marks)

(ii) State energy changes that occurred during the motion of the ball in (b)(i) above.
(03marks)

(c) (i) State the conditions required for mechanical equilibrium to be attained. (02marks)

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(ii) A uniform ladder of mass 400kg length 5m, rests with its upper end against a smooth
vertical wall and with its lower end at 3m from the wall on a rough ground. Find the
magnitude and direction of the force exerted at the bottom of the ladder. (06marks)

(d) State four instances where increasing friction is useful. (02marks)

43. (a) What is meant by simple harmonic motion? (01mark)

(b) A cylindrical vessel of cross-section area A, contains air of volume V, at pressure, P,
trapped by frictionless air tight piston of mass, M. the piston is pushed down and
released.
(i) If the piston oscillates with simple harmonic motion, show that its frequency, f, is given
by
𝐴 𝑃
𝑓= √ (06marks)
2𝜋 𝑀𝑉
(ii) Show that the expression for f, in (b)(i) is dimensionally correct. (03marks)

(c) A particle executing simple harmonic motion vibrates in a straight line. Given that the
speeds of the particle are 4ms-1 and 2ms-1 when the particle is 3cm and 6cm
respectively from the equilibrium, calculate the

(i) amplitude of oscillation. (03marks)

(ii) frequency of the particle. (03marks)

(d) Give two examples of oscillatory motion which approximate to simple harmonic motion
and state the assumption made in each case. (04marks)

44. (a) (i) State Archimedes’ Principle. (01mark)

(ii) Use Archimedes’ Principle to derive an expression for resultant force on a body of
weight, W, and density, σ, totally immersed in a fluid of density, ρ. (04marks)

(b) A tube of uniform cross sectional area of 4 x 10-3m2 and mass 0.2kg is separately floated
vertically in water of density 1.0 x 103kgm-3 and in oil of density 8.0 x 102kgm-3. Calculate
the difference in the lengths immersed (04marks)

(c) (i) Define surface tension in terms of work (01mark)

(ii) Use the molecular theory to account for surface tension of a liquid. (04marks)

(iii) Explain the effect of increasing temperature of a liquid on its surface tension.
(04marks)

(iv) Calculate the excess pressure inside a soap bubble of diameter 3.0cm if the surface
tension of the soap solution is 2.5 x 10-2Nm-1. (02marks)

45. (a) (i) Define the term velocity and displacement. (02marks)
(ii) Sketch velocity against time for an object thrown vertically upwards. (02marks)
(b)

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Three forces of 3.5N, 4.0N and 2.0N, act at O as shown in the figure above. Find the
resultant force. (04marks)

(c) (i) What is meant by saying that a body is moving with velocity relative to another?
(01marks)

(ii) A ship, A is travelling due north at 20kmh-1 and ship B is travelling due east at 15kmh-1.
Find the velocity of A relative to B. (03marks)

(iii) If the ship B in (c)(ii) is 10km due west of A at noon. Fins the shortest distance apart
and when it occurs. (05marks)

(d) (i) What is meant by a couple in mechanics? (01mark)

(ii) State the conditions for equilibrium of a system of coplanar forces

46. (a) (i) State the laws of friction between solid surfaces (03marks)
(ii) Explain the origin of friction force between two solid surfaces in contact. (03marks)
(iii) Describe an experiment to measure the coefficient of kinetic friction between two
solid surfaces. (03marks)

(b) (i) A car of mass 1000kg moves along a straight surface with speed 0f 20ms-1. When
brakes are applied steadily, the car comes to rest after travelling 50m. Calculate the
coefficient of friction between the surface and the tyre. (04marks)

(ii) State the energy changes which occur from the time brakes are applied to the time the
car comes to rest. (02marks)

(c) (i) State two disadvantages of friction (01mark)

(ii) Give one method of reducing friction between solid surfaces. (01mark)

(d) Explain what happens when a small steel ball is dropped centrally in a tall jar containing
oil. (03marks)

47. (a) (i) Define simple harmonic motion. (01mark)

(ii) A particle of mass m executes simple harmonic motion between two points A and B
about equilibrium position O. sketch a graph of the restoring force acting on the
particle as a function of distance, r, moved by the particle. (02marks)

(b)

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Two springs A and B of spring constant KA and KB respectively are connected to mass
m as shown in the figure above. The surface on which the mass slides is frictionless.

(i) Show that when the mass is displaced slightly, it oscillates with simple harmonic
1 𝐾𝐴 + 𝐾𝐵
motion of frequency, f given by 𝑓 = √ (04marks)
2𝜋 𝑚

(ii) If the two springs in the figure above are identical such that KA = KB= 5.0Nm-1 and
mass m =50g, calculate the period of oscillation (03marks)

(c) (i) With the aid of a diagram, describe an experiment to determine the universal
gravitational constant, G. (0marks)

(ii) If the moon moves round the earth in a circular orbit of radius = 4.0 x 108m and takes
exactly 27.3 days to go round once, calculate the value of acceleration due to gravity,
g, at the earth’s surface. (04marks)

48. (a) State

(i) Newton’s laws of motion (03marks)
(ii) The principle of conservation of momentum (01mark)

(b) A bod A of mass m1 moves with velocity u1 and collides head on elastically with another
body B of mass m2 which is at rest. If the velocities of A and B are v1 and v2 respectively
𝑚
and given that X = 1 , show that
𝑚2

𝑢1 𝑋+1
(i) = (04marks)
𝑣1 𝑋−1

𝑣2 2𝑋
(ii) = (03marks)
𝑣1 𝑋−1

(c) Distinguish between conservative and non-conservative forces. (02marks)

(d) A bullet of mass 40g is fired from a gun at 200ms-1 and hit a block of wood of mass 2kg
which is suspended by a light vertical string 2m long. If the bullet gets embedded in the
wooden block,

(i) Calculate the maximum angle the string makes with the vertical. (06marks)

(ii) State a factor on which the angle of swing depends. (01mark)

49. (a) Define simple harmonic motion (SHM). (01mark)

(b) Sketch a graph of:
(i) velocity against displacement for a body executing SHM. (03marks)
(c) A glass U-tube containing a liquid is tilted slightly and then released.
(i) Show that the liquid oscillates with simple harmonic motion. (04mark)
(ii) Explain why the oscillations ultimately come to rest. (03marks)
(d) Explain why maximum speed of a car on a banked road is higher than on an unbanked
road. (04marks)
(e) A small bob of mass 0.2kg is suspended by an inextensible string of length 0.8m. The bob
is then rotated in a horizontal circle of radius 0.4m. Find
(i) linear speed of the bob (03marks)
(ii) tension in the string. (02marks)

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50. (a) State Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. (03marks)

(b) (i) A satellite moves in a circular orbit of radius, R, about a planet of mass, M, with period
𝐺𝑀𝑇 2
T. Show that 𝑅3 = , where G is the universal gravitational constant. (04marks)
4𝜋2
(ii) The period of the moon around the earth is 27.3 days. If the distance of the moon from
the Earth is 3.83 x 105km, calculate the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of
the Earth. (04marks)
(iii) Explain why any resistance to forward motion of an artificial satellite results into an
increase in its speed. (04marks)

(c) (i) What is meant by weightlessness? (02marks)

(ii) Why does acceleration due to gravity vary with location on the surface of the earth?
(03marks)

51. (a) (i) State the laws of solid friction. (03marks)

(ii) Using molecular theory, explain the laws stated in (a)(i) (03marks)

(b) Describe an experiment to determine the coefficient of static friction for an interface
between a rectangular block of wood and plane surface. (04marks)

(c) (i) State the difference between conservative and non-conservative forces, give one
example each. (03marks)

(ii) State the work-energy theorem. (01mark)

(iii) A block of mass 6.0kg is projected with a velocity of 12ms-1 up a rough plane inclined at
450 to horizontal. If it travels 5.0m up the plane, find the friction force. (04marks)

(d) Explain the effect of temperature on the viscosity of a liquid.

52. (a) (i) Define vector and scalar quantities and give one example of each. (03marks)
(ii)

A body, M, of mass 6kg s acted on by forces of 5N, 20N, 25N and 30N as shown in the
figure above. Find the acceleration of M (05marks)

(b) (i) What is meant by acceleration due to gravity? (01mark)

(ii) Describe how you would use a spiral spring, a retort stand with a clamp, a pointer,
seven 50g masses, a meter rule and a stop clock to determine the acceleration due to
gravity. (06marks)

(iii) State any two sources of error in the experiment in (b)(ii) above. (01marks)

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(iv) A body of mass 1kg moving with simple harmonic motion has speeds of 5ms-1 and
3ms-1 when it is at distances of 0.10m and 0.2m respectively from equilibrium point.
Find the amplitude of the motion. (04marks)

53. (a)(i) What is meant by uniformly accelerated motion? (01marks)

(ii) Sketch the speed against time graph for a uniformly accelerated body. (01mark)
(iii) Derive the expression: S = ut + ½ at2, for the distance, S, moved by a body which is
initially travelling with speed u and is uniformly accelerated for time t.

(b) A projectile is fired horizontally from the top of a cliff 250m high. The projectile lands
1.414 x 103m from the bottom of the cliff. Find the

(i) initial speed of the projectile. (05marks)

(ii) velocity of the projectile just before it hits the ground. (05marks)

(c) Describe an experiment to determine the centre of gravity of a plane sheet of material
having irregular shape (04marks)

54. (a) (i) Define force and power. (02marks)

(ii) Explain why more energy is required to push a wheel barrow uphill than on a level
ground. (03mark)
(b)

A mass, M, is suspended from a spring balance as shown in the figure above. Explain
what happens to the reading of the spring balance when the setup is raised slowly to a
very high height above the ground. (02marks)

(c) (i) State the work-energy theorem (01mark)

(ii) A bullet of mass 0.1kgmoving horizontally with a speed of 420ms-1 strikes a block of
mass 2.0kg at rest on a smooth table and becomes embedded in it. Find the kinetic
energy lost if they move together. (04marks)

(d) State the condition for equilibrium of a rigid body under the action of coplanar forces.
(02marks)

(e) A 3m long ladder rests at an angle 600 to the horizontal against a smooth vertical wall
on a rough ground. The ladder weighs 5kg and its centre of gravity is one- third from the
bottom of the ladder.

(i) Draw a sketch diagram to show the forces acting on the ladder. (02marks)

(ii) Find the reaction of the ground on the ladder (04marks)

55. (a) (i) Define stress and strain (02marks)

(ii) Determine the dimensions of Young’s modulus. (03marks)

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(b) Sketch a graph of stress versus strain for a ductile material and explain its features.
(06marks)
(c) A steel wire of cross section area 1mm2 is cooled from a temperature of 600C to 150C.
Find the:
(i) strain (02marks)
(ii) force needed to prevent it from contracting. (03marks)
[Young’s Modulus= 2.0 x 1011Pa, Coefficient of linear expansion of steel = 1.1 x 10-5K-1]
(d) Explain the energy changes which occur during plastic deformation (04marks)
56. (a) (i) State Archimedes’ Principle. (01mark)
(ii) Describe an experiment to determine the relative density of an irregular solid which
floats in water
(iii) A block of wood floats at an interface between water and oil with 0.25 of its volume
submerged in oil. If the density of the wood is 7.3 x 102kgm-2, find the density of oil.
(04marks)

(b) (i) State Bernoulli’s Principle. (04marks)

(ii) Explain the origin of the lift force on the wings of an aeroplane at take-off. (04marks)

(c) Water flowing in a pipe on the ground with a velocity of 8ms-1 and at gauge pressure of
2.0 x 103Pa is pumped into a water tank 10m above the ground. The water enters the
tank at a pressure of 1.0 x 105Pa. Calculate the velocity with which the water enters the
tank. (03marks)

(d) Describe how terminal velocity can be measured. (04marks)

57. (a) Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities giving two example each. (03marks)
(b) The equation for volume, V, of a liquid flowing through a pipe in time t, under steady
𝑉 𝜋𝑟 4 𝑃
flow is given by = where
𝑡 8𝜂𝐿
r = radius of the pipe
P = pressure difference between two point of the pipe
L = length of the pipe
η = coefficient of viscosity of the liquid
If the dimensions of η are ML-1T-1, show that the above equation is dimensionally
consistent.

(c) (i) define linear momentum. (01mark)

(ii) State the law of conservation of linear momentum. (01mark)

(iii) Show the law in (c)(ii) above follows from Newton’s law of motion. (03marks)
(iv) Explain why, when catching a fast moving ball, the hands are drawn back while the
ball is being brought to rest. (02marks

(d) A car of mass 100kg travelling at uniform velocity of 20ms-1 collides perfectly inelastically
with a stationary car of mass 1500kg. Calculate the lass in kinetic energy of the car as a
result of the collision. (04marks)

(e) (i) What is meant by conservation of energy? (01mark)

(ii) Explain how conservation of energy applies to an object falling from rest in a vacuum.
(02marks)

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58. (a) Explain the term

(i) Ductility (01mark)
(ii) Stiffness (01mark)

(b) A copper wire and steel wire each of length 1.0m and diameter 1.0mm are joined end to
end to form a composite wire 2.0m long. Find the strain in each when the composite
stretches by 2.0 x 10-3m.

[Young’s Modulus for copper and steel are 1.2 x 1011Pa and 2.0 x 1011Parespectively]
(07marks)

(c) (i) Define centre of gravity (01mark)

(ii) Describe an experiment to find the centre of gravity of a flat irregular piece of
cardboard. (03marks)

(d) Explain the laws of solid friction using molecular theory (07marks)

59. (a) What is meant by the following terms?

(i) Velocity gradient. (01mark)
(ii) Coefficient of viscosity (01mark)

(b) Derive an expression for terminal velocity of a steel ball-bearing of radius, r, and density,
ρ, falling through a liquid of density, σ, and coefficient of viscosity, η. (05marks)

(c) (i) Define surface tension (01mark)

(ii) Explain the origin of surface tension. (03marks)

(iii) Describe an experiment to measure surface tension of a liquid by capillary method.

(06marks)

(d) Explain, with the aid of a diagram why air-flow over the wings of an aircraft at take-off
cause a lift. (03marks)

60. (a) (i) Define angular velocity. (01marks)

(ii) Derive an expression for the force, F, on a particle of mass, m, moving with angular
velocity, ω, in a circle of radius, r. (03marks)
(b) A stone of mass 0.5kg is attached to a string of length 0.5m which will break if the
tension in it exceeds 20N. The stone is whirled in a vertical circle, the axis of rotation
being at a vertical height of 1.0m above ground. The angular speed is gradually increased
until the string breaks.
(i) In what position is the string most likely to break? (02marks)
(ii) At what angular speed will the string break? (03marks)
(iii) Find the position where the stone hits the ground when the string breaks. (03marks)

(c) Explain briefly the action of a centrifuge. (03marks)

(d) Describe how the acceleration due to gravity can be measured using helical spring of
unknown force constant, and the other relevant apparatus. (05marks)

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61. (a) State the laws of friction (04marks)

(b) A block of mass 5.0kg resting on the floor is given a horizontal velocity of 5.0ms-1 and
comes to rest in a distance of 7.0m. Find the kinetic friction between the block and the
floor. (04marks)
(c) (i) State the law of conservation of linear momentum (01mark)
(ii) What are perfectly inelastic collision? (01mark)
(d) A car of1500kg rolls from rest down a road inclined to the horizontal at an angle 350,
through 50m. The car collides with another car of identical mass at the bottom of the
incline. If the two cars interlock on collision, and the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.20,
find the common velocity of the vehicles. (08marks)
(e) Discuss briefly the energy transformation which occur in (d) above
62. (a) Define angular velocity (01mark)

(b) A car of mass, m, travels round a circular track of radius, r, with velocity, V.

(i) Sketch a diagram to show the forces acting on the car. (02marks)
𝑎𝑟𝑔
(ii) Show that the car does not overturn if𝑉 2 < , where a is the distance between the
2ℎ
wheels, h, is the height of the centre of gravity above the ground and g is acceleration
due to gravity. (05marks)

(c) A pendulum bob of mass 0.2kg is attached to one end of an inelastic string of length
1.2m. The bob moves in a horizontal circle with the string inclined at 300 to the vertical.
Calculate

(i) the tension in the string(02marks)

(ii) the period of motion (04marks)

(d) Explain and sketch the variation of acceleration due to gravity with distance from the
centre of the earth (06marks)

63. (a) (i) What is meant by simple harmonic motion? (01mark)

(ii) Show with the aid of a suitable sketch graph how kinetic energy of a mass attached at
the end of an oscillating light spring changes with distance from equilibrium position.
(04marks)

(b)

A mass of 1.0kg is hang from two springs S1 and S2 connected in series as shown above.

The force constant of the springs are 100Nm-1 and 200Nm-1 respectively. Find

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(i) The extension produced in combination. (04marks)

(ii) The frequency of oscillation of the mass if it is pulled downwards through a
small distance and released. (06marks)

(c) Explain with the aid of a sketch graph, what would happen to the oscillations in (b)(ii)
above if the mass was immersed in a liquid such as water. (04marks)

64. (a) (i) Define gravitational field strength. (01mark)

(ii) Draw a sketch graph to show how the gravitational field strength varies with height, h,
above the earth’s surface. (02marks)
(b) The period of simple pendulum is measured at different locations along a given
longitude. Explain what is observed. (06marks)
(c) Derive the expression for the escape velocity of a rocket fired from earth. (03marks)
(d) The rings of the planet Saturn consist of a vast number of small particles, each in a
circular orbit about the planet. Calculate the speed of the particles nearest to Saturn if its
mass is 6.0 x 1026kg (04marks)
(e) The moon moves in a circular orbit of radius 3.84 x 108m around the earth with a period
of 2.36 x 105s.Calculate the gravitational field of the earth at the moon. (04marks)

65. (a) Distinguish between fundamental and derived physical quantities. Give two examples of
each. (04marks)
(b) (i) What is meant by scalar and vector quantities? (02marks)
(ii) A ball is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity 10m-1 from a point 3.0m above
ground. Describe with the aid of a velocity-time sketch graph, the subsequent motion
of the ball. (10marks)
(c) A boat crosses a river 3km wide flowing at 4ms-1 to reach a point on the opposite bank
5km upstream. The boat’s speed in still water is 12ms-1. Find the direction in which the
boat must be headed. (04marks)
66. (a) Define the following terms:
(i) Angular velocity (01mark)
(ii) Centripetal acceleration (01mark)

(b) (i) Explain why a racing car can travel faster on a banked road than on flat track of the
same curvature. (04marks)

(ii) Derive an expression for the speed with which a car can negotiate a bend on a
banked track without skidding. (03marks)

(c) a Show how to estimate the mass of the sun if the period and radius of one of its
planets are known. (03marks)

(d) The gravitational potential, U, at the surface of a planet of mass M and radius R is
𝐺𝑀
given by U=− , where G is gravitational constant.
𝑅

Derive an expression for the lowest velocity, V, which an object of mass, m, must
have at the surface of the planet if it is to escape from the planet. (04marks)

(e) Communication satellites orbit the earth in synchronous orbits. Calculate the height
of communication satellite above the earth. (04marks)

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67. (a) State the law of floatation. (01mark)

(b) With the aid of a diagram, describe how to measure the relative density of a liquid using
Archimedes’ Principle of moments (06marks)
(c) A cross sectional area of a ferry at its water-line is 720m2.if sixteen cars of average mass
1100kg are placed on board, to what extra depth will the boat sink in the water?
(04marks)
(d) (i) Define longitudinal stress and Young’s Modulus of elasticity. (02marks)
(ii) Describe how to determine Young’s Modulus for steel wire. (07marks)
68. (a) A mass of 0.1kg is suspended from a light spring of force constant 24.5Nm-1. Calculate the
potential energy of the mass. (04marks)
(b) (i) State four characteristics of simple harmonic motion. (04marks)
(ii) Show that the speed of a body moving with simple harmonic motion of angular
velocity, ω, is given by V = ω(A2 – x2)½,where A is the amplitude and x is the
displacement from equilibrium position. (04marks)
(iii) Sketch graphs to show the variation with displacement, of kinetic and potential
energies of a body moving with simple harmonic motion (02marks)

(c) A mass of 0.1kg suspended from a spring of force constant 24.5Nm-1 is pulled vertically
downwards through a distance 5.0cm and released. Find the

(i) period of acceleration (02marks)

(ii) position of the mass0.3s after release. (04marks)

69. (a) (i) what is meant by the dimensions of a physical quantity? (01mark)
(ii) For stream line flow of non-viscous, incompressible fluid, the pressure, P, at a point is
related to height, h, and the velocity, V by the equation (P-a) = ρg(h-b) + ½ (v2-d)
where a, b, and d, are constants and ρ is the density of the fluid and g is the
acceleration due to gravity. Given that the equation is dimensionally consistent, find
the dimensions of a, b and d. (03marks)
(b) Define simple harmonic motion.(01marks)
(c) Sketch the following graphs for a body performing simple harmonic motion:
(i) velocity against displacement (01mark)
(ii) displacement against time (01mark)
(d) The period of oscillation of a conical pendulum is 2.0s. If the string makes 600 to the
vertical at the point of suspension, calculate the
(i) vertical height of the point of suspension above the circle. (03marks)
(ii) length of the string (01 mark)

(iii) Velocity of the mass attached to the string (03marks)

(e) (i) give one example of an oscillatory motion which approximates simple harmonic
motion

(ii) What approximation is made in (e)(i) above? (01mark)

(f) Explain why the acceleration of a ball bearing falling through a liquid decreases
continuously until it become zero. (04marks).

70. (a) (i) State Newton’s law of universal gravitation. (01mark)

(ii) Show that this law is consistent with Kepler’s third law. (03marks)

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(iii) Two alternative units for gravitational field strength are Nkg-1 and ms-1. Use the
method of dimensions to show that the two units are equivalent. (03marks)
(b) (i) Derive an expression for speed of a body moving uniformly n a circular path. (03marks)
(ii) Explain why a force is necessary to maintain a body moving with constant speed in a
circular path. (02marks)
(c) A small mass attached to a string suspended from a fixed point moves in a circular
path at constant speed in horizontal plane.
(i) Draw a diagram showing the force acting on the mass. (01mark)
(ii) Derive an equation showing the angle of inclination of the string depends on the
speed of the mass and radius of the circular path. (03marks)
(d) (i) Define moment of force. (01mark)
(ii) A wheel of radius 0.6m is pivoted at its centre. A tangential force of 4.0N acts on the
wheel so that the wheel rotates with uniform velocity. Find the work done by the
force to turn the wheel through 10 revolutions. (03marks)

71. (a) (i) Show that the weight of a fluid displaced by an object is equal to up thrust on the
object. (05marks)
(ii) A piece of metal of mass 2.60 x 10-3kg and density 8.4 x 103kgm-3 is attached to a block
of wax of mass 1.0 x 10-2kg and density 9.2 x 102kgm-3. When the system is placed in a
liquid, it floats with wax just submerged. Find the density of the fluid. (04marks)

(b) Explain the

(i) term laminar flow and turbulent flow. (04marks)

(ii) effects of temperature on viscosity of liquids and gases. (03marks)

(c) (i)distinguish between static pressure and dynamic pressure. (02marks)

(ii) A pilot-static tube fitted with a pressure gauge is used to measure the speed of a boat
at sea. Given that the speed of the boat does not exceed 10mms-1 and the density of
water is 1000kgm-3, calculate the minimum pressure on the gauge. (02marks)

72. (a) Define the terms surface tension and surface energy. (01mark)
(b) (i) Calculate the work done against surface tension in blowing a soap bubble of diameter
15mm, if the surface tension of soap solution is 3.0 x 10-2Nm. (03marks)
(ii) A soap bubble of radius r1 is attached to another bubble of radius r2. If r1 is less than r2.
𝑟 𝑟
Show that the radius of curvature of the common interface is 1 2 . (05marks)
𝑟2 − 𝑟1
(c) (i) Define coefficient of viscosity of a liquid. (01mark)
(ii) Describe an experiment to demonstrate streamline and turbulent flow in liquids.
(06marks)
(d) (i) Sketch a graph of potential energy against separation of two molecules of a
substance. (01mark)
(ii) Explain the main features of the graph in (d)(i). (03marks)
73. (a) (i) State the principle of conservation of mechanical energy. (01mark)
(ii) Show that a stone thrown vertically upwards obeys the principle in (a)(i) above
throughout its upward motion. (04marks)

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(b)(i) A wind turbine made of a blade of radius, r, is driven by wind of speed, V. If σ is the
density of air, derive an expression for minimum power, P, which can be developed by
the turbine in terms of σ, r and V. (03marks)

(ii) Explain why the power attained is less than the maximum value in (b)(i) above.
(02marks)

(c) State the conditions under which the following will be conserved in collision between
two bodies

(i) linear momentum (10mark)

(ii) kinetic energy (01mark)

(d) Two pendulum bobs A and B of equal length L, and masses 3M and M respectively. The
pendula are hung with bobs in contact as shown below

The bob A is displaced such that the string makes an angle θ with the vertical and
released. If A makes a perfectly inelastic collision with B, fins the height to which B rises.
(08marks)

74. (a) Define the following terms

(i) Stress (01mark)
(ii) Strain (01mark)

(b) The velocity, V, of sound travelling along a rod made of a material of Young’s Modulus,
𝑌
Y, and density, ρ is given by V = √ .
𝜌

Show that the formula is dimensionally consistent. (03marks)

(c) State the measurement necessary in the determination of Young’s Modulus of a metal
wire. (02marks)

(d) Explain why the following precautions are taken during an experiment to determine
Young’s Modulus of a metal wire.

(i) two long, thin wires of the same material are suspended from a common support.
(02marks)

(ii) the readings of the vernier are also taken when the loads are gradually removed in
steps. (01marks)

(e) The ends of a uniform wire of length 2.00m are fixed to points A and B which are 2.00m
apart in the same horizontal line. When a 5kg mass is attached to the mid-point C of the
wire, the equilibrium position of C is 7.5 below the line AB. Given that Young’s Modulus
for the material of the wire is 2.0x 1011Pa, find

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(i) the strain in the wire (03marks)

(ii) the stress in the wire, (02marks)

(iii) The energy stored in the wire (04marks)

(iv) State any assumptions made. (01mark)

75. (a) Define surface tension and derive its dimensions (03marks)
(b) Explain using the molecular theory the occurrence of surface tension. (04 marks)
(c) Derive an experiment to measure surface tension of a liquid by the capillary tube
method. (06marks)
4𝛾
(d) (i) Show that the excess pressure in a soap bubble is given by P = , (03marks)
𝑟
(ii) Calculate the total pressure within a bubble of air of radius 0.1mm in water if the
bubble is formed 10cm below the water surface and surface tension of water is
7.27 x 10-2Nm-1. [Atmospheric pressure = 1.01 x 105Pa] (05marks)

76. (a) (i) Define coefficient of viscosity and determine its dimensions. (04marks)

(ii) The resistive force on a steel ball bearing of radius, r, falling with speed, V, in a liquid
of viscosity, η is given by F = KηrV, where K is a constant. Show that K is dimensionless.
(04marks)

(b) Write down Bernoulli’s equation for fluid flow, defining all symbols used (03marks)

(c) A venturi meter consists of a horizontal tube with a constriction which replaces part of
the piping system as shown below

If the cross-sectional area of the main pipe is 5.81 x 10-3m2 and that of the constriction is
2.58 x 10-3m2, find the velocity v1 of the liquid in the main pipe. (5marks)

(d) Explain the origin of the lift on an aeroplane at take-off. (04marks)

77. (a) (i) State Newton’s laws of motion (03marks)

(ii) Define impulse and derive its relation to linear momentum of the body on which it
acts. (03marks)
(b) A body of mass m1 and velocity, u1 collides head on with a body of mass, m2 having
velocity, u2 in the same direction as u1. Use Newton’s laws to show that the quantity
m1u1 + m2u2 is conserved. (5marks)
(c) A ball of mass 0.5kg is allowed to drop from rest, from a point a distance of 5.0m
above a horizontal concrete flow. When the ball first hits the floor, it rebounds to a
height of 3.0m.
(i) What is the speed of the ball just after the first collision with the floor? (3marks)
(ii) If the collision lasted 0.01s, find the average force which the floor exerts on the ball.
(02marks)

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78. (a) (i) state Archimedes’ Principle. (01mark

(ii) What is simple harmonic motion? (02marks)
(b) A uniform cylindrical rod of length 0.08m, cross sectional area 0.02m2 and density
900kgm-3 floats vertically in a liquid of density 1000kgm-3. The rod is displaced through
a distance of 0.005m and released.
(i) Show that the rod performs simple harmonic motion. (05marks)
(ii) Find the frequency of the resultant oscillation. (04marks)
(iii) Find the velocity of the rod when it is a distance of 0.004m above the equilibrium
position. (03marks)
(c)

A block of wood of density ρ floats at the interface between immiscible liquids of

densities ρ1 and ρ2 as shown in the figure above.
(i) Show that the ratio of volumes v1 to v2 of the block in the two liquids is given by
𝑣1 𝜌 −𝜌
= 2 (04marks)
𝑣2 𝜌− 𝜌1
(ii) What happens when this block of wood is replaced with a denser one? (01mark)
79. (a) Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities. Give two examples each. (03marks)
(b) (i) Define the time of flight and range as applied to projectile motion. (02 marks)
(ii) A projectile is fired in air with a speed u ms-1 at an angle θ to the horizontal. Find the
time of flight of the projectile (02marks)
(c) State the conditions for equilibrium of a rigid body under action of coplanar forces.
(02marks)
(d) A mass of 5.0kg is suspended from the end A of a uniform beam of mass 1kg and
length 1.0m. The end B of the beam is hinged in a wall. The beam is kept horizontal
by a rope attached to A and a point C, in the wall at a height 0.75m above B.
(i) Draw a sketch diagram to show the forces acting on the beam. (02marks)
(ii) Calculate the tension in the rope. (04marks)
(iii) What is the force exerted by the hinge on the beam? (05marks)
80. (a) State Kepler’s laws of gravitation (03marks)
(b) (i) Show that the period of a satellite in a circular orbit of radius r about the earth is
1
3
4𝜋2 2
given by T = ( ) 𝑟 2 where G is the universal constant and Ms is the mass
𝐺𝑀𝑠
of the earth. (05marks)
(ii) Explain briefly how world-wide radio or television communication can be
achieved with the help of satellites. (04marks)
(c) A satellite of mass 100kg is in a circular orbit at height of 3.39 x 10 7m above
the earth’ surface.
(i) Find the mechanical energy of the satellite (04marks)
(ii) Explain what would happen if the mechanical energy was decreased.
(04marks)

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