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TRIAL EXAMINATIONS 2021

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)

232/3 - PHYSICS -
Paper 3
(Practical)
Nov/Dec. 2021 – 2½ Hours

Name: …………………………………..… Index No: ….…………......Stream ………

Candidate’s Signature: ..………………..……………. Date:………………………….

Instructions to Candidates

(a) Write your name and index number in the spaces provided above.
(b) Sign and write the date of the examination paper.
(c) Answer ALL the questions in the spaces provided in the question paper.
(d) ALL working MUST be clearly shown where necessary.
(e) Mathematical tables and silent electronic calculators may be used.
(f) Candidates should check the paper to ascertain that all the pages are printed
as indicated and that no questions are missing.
(g) Non-programmable silent electronic calculators and KNEC mathematical
tables may be used.
(h) This paper consists of 11 printed pages
(i) Candidates should answer all the questions in English.
For Examiners’ Use Only:
QUESTION MARKS CANDIDATE’S SCORE
QUESTION 1 20
QUESTION 2 PART A 8
QUESTION 2 PART B 6
QUESTION 2 PART C 6
GRAND TOTAL 40
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Question 1
You are provided with the following apparatus:
- Rectangular glass block
- Two plain papers
- Four optical pins
- Four paper pins or thumb pins
- Protractor
- Half meter rule

PART A
PROCEDURE:
a) Place the glass block on the plain paper on its largest area, trace it’s outline and mark it’s sides ABC
and D. Mark the point P0 on the center of side BC as shown in Figure 1 below.

A B
P2
P1

Pi Po

P3
C
P4 D
Figure 1

b) Measure the breadth of the glass block.

b =… . … … .. cm (1 mark)
c) Replace the glass block and fix an object pin at P0 such that the pin lies along the surface of the glass
block.
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d) With your eye on the side AD closer to A, fix pins P1 and P2 such that they are in line with the image
Pi of Po as seen from the side AD through the glass block.
e) From the same side AD closer to D, fix pins P3 and P4 such that they are in line with the image Pi of
P0 seen through the glass block.
f) Remove the glass block and join P1 and P2, and P3 and P4 to meet at Pi.

g) Join P0 to Pi and measure length P0Pi

P0Pi =…………………………………..m (1 mark)
b
h) Determine the ratio; =n (2 marks)
b−P 0 Pi

(Hand in the outline with the question paper.) (1 mark)

PART B
a) Trace the outline of the glass block again on the second plain paper and label it ABCD as shown in
Figure 2.
b) Construct a normal on the side AB approximately 3cm from A and measure angle of incidence i
=350 (secure the plain paper using paper pins).
c) Replace the glass block on the outline and fix pins P1 and P2 along the line of 350.
d) Viewing from the sides CD through the block, fix pins P3 and P4 such that they appear in line with
the images of P1 and P2.
e) Join P3 and P4 and join x and y.
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f) Extend the line P1 and P2 to obtain lateral displacement as shown in the figure and measure the
lateral displacement d and angle r0.
g) Tabulate your results.
h) Repeat the procedure in (i) to (vi) for angles of incidence 450, 550,650 and 750.
(Hand in the plain paper on which you have done your experiment together with the exam paper)
(2 marks)
i0 35 45 55 65 75

r0

d(cm)

(5 marks)

i) Plot a graph of d (cm) against r0 (5 marks)

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j) From your graph:

i) Determine the value r0 where the lateral displacement d equals to the breadth b of the
block.
r0 = ……………………………………………………… (1 mark)

ii) Given that k sin r0=1, determine the value of k (2 marks)

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Question 2
PART A
- A glass beaker
- A metal solid
- Some water
- Source of Heat
- A piece of cotton thread
- A plastic beaker wrapped with tissue paper on the outside.
- A thermometer
- Liquid L
- Measuring balance to be shared

Proceed as follows:
(a) Fill the glass beaker with the water provided and place it on the heat source.
Use the piece of thread to carefully lower the metal solid to the bottom of the beaker. Heat the
water to its boiling point. Use the thermometer to measure its point.

Boiling point of water =………………………………Kelvin (1 mark)

b) Find the following measurements using appropriate instruments

Mass of the metal solid Ms = …………………………… g (½ mark)

Mass of the wrapped empty plastic beaker

M1………………………………g (1 mark)

Use the plastic beaker to measure 240ml of liquid L, hence find the joint mass of the plastic
beaker and its content liquid L,
M2 =……………………………………………. g (½ mark)

Initial temperature of liquid L, T1 = …………………………………..Kelvin (1 mark)

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c) At boiling point of water, quickly transfer the metal solid into liquid L, stir well and measure the
temperature of the mixture immediately.
Temperature of the mixture
T2 = …………………………………. Kelvin (1 mark)
d) By using the measurements taken in parts (a), (b) and (c) as well as the equation provided below,
determine the specific heat capacity of liquid L.
(Take S.H.C. of metal solid = 480Jkg-1k-1 and S.H.C. of plastic = 359 Jkg-1k-1)
(Heat lost by metal solid) = (heat gained by liquid L) + (heat gained by plastic beaker) (3 marks)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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PART B
You are provided with the following apparatus:
- A nichrome wire
- A 20g mass
- A meter rule
- A test –tube
- A retort stand, boss, and clamp

Proceed as follows:
a) Measure the length, L, of the nichrome wire provided
L = ………………………. cm (½ mark)
b) Wind the whole length of the wire tightly on the test-tube making sure that the turns are
as close as possible but not overlapping. Measure the length, β, of the coil made.
β =………………………………. cm (½ mark)
c) Remove the coil from the test-tube. Straighten the first and the last turns of coil. Bend
one end to make a hook.
d) Count and record the number, N, of complete turns remaining on the coil.
N =……………… (1 mark)
e) Measure and record the distance h1 between the end turns of the coil as shown on the
Figure 1 below.

h1= ……………………………………. (½ mark)

Figure 1 Figure 2

f) Load a 20 g mass on the coil as shown in Figure 2 above. Measure and record the
distance, h2, between the end turns of the coil.

h2 = ……………………………………. (½ mark)

g) Determine the spring constant K in S.I units. (1 mark)

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………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) Obtain the constant, P, for the wire from the expression: (2 marks)

P = 4mgR3
Kr4
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Where: m is the mass used, g is acceleration due to gravity (g = 10m/s2),

R= L and r = β
2N 2N
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PART C
You are provided with the following:
- Two cells
- A 2.5 V torch bulb in a bulb holder
- 10 Connecting wires
- Switch
- Ammeter (0 – 3A),
- Voltmeter (0 – 5 V)
- Two cell holders
PROCEDURE 1

SET UP ONE

Set up the circuit shown in figure above.

a) Read and record the voltmeter V1 and ammeter A1 readings.

V1 ………………………………………………………………………….. (½ mark)

• Switch on the circuit.

b) Read and record the voltmeter and ammeter readings. Note the brightness of
the bulb.
V2 ……………………………………………………………….. (½ mark)

A1………………………………………………………………….. (½ mark)

PROCEDURE 2
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• Connect the circuit as shown in figure below

SET UP TWO
c) Read and record the voltmeter reading V3

V3 ………………………………………………………………….. (½ mark)

• Put on the switch. Take note of the brightness of the bulb

d) Read and record the voltmeter and ammeter readings.

V4 ………………………………………………………………………….. (½ mark)

A2………………………………………………………………………….. (½ mark)

e) Compare the values of V1 and V3 (1 mark)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) Make a conclusion on (e) above (1 mark)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) In which set up does the bulb light for a longer time? Explain in terms of A1 and A2 (1mark)

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