KIRANGARI BOYS HIGH SCHOOL

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER HOLIDAY ASSIGNMENT

PHYSICS FORM THREE, 2023
Instructions:
• Answer ALL the questions
• Read and make short notes on Electromagnetic Spectrum and Mains Electricity (Book Four);
Kindly, use Physics KLB BK 4 and in addition to this book, any other relevant Physics text book or
resource material including Google search.

REVISION QUESTIONS

1. The fig below shows a measuring cylinder, which contains water initially at level A.
A solid of mass 11g is immersed in the water, the level rises to B.

Determine the density of the solid [Give your answer to 1 decimal point.] [3mks]
2. Fig (a) and (b) below shows capillary tubes inserted in water and mercury respectively.

It is observed that in water the meniscus in the capillary tube is higher than the meniscus in the
beaker.
While in mercury the meniscus in the capillary tube is lower than the meniscus in the beaker.
Explain these observations. [2mks]

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3. A hole of area 2.0 cm2 at the bottom of a tank 2.0 m deep is closed with a cork. Determine the
force on the cork when the tank is filled with water. [ Density of water is 1000kg/m3 and
acceleration due to gravity is 10m/s2] [4mks]
4. In the set up shown in the fig below, water near the top of the boiling tube boils while at the
bottom remains cold.

Give a reason for the observation. [2mks]

5. State three ways of increasing the sensitivity of a liquid – in – glass thermometer.
[3mks]
6. .i) Define friction. [1mks]
ii) A wooden box of mass 30kg rests on a rough floor. The co –efficient of friction
between the floor and the box is 0.6.
Calculate the force just required to just move the box. [3mks]
iii) State three methods of minimising friction. [3mks]
7. .i) State two factor that affect conduction of heat in solids. [2mks]
ii) Two identical aluminium rods are shown in the figure below. One rests on metal
block and the other on a wooden block. The protruding ends are heated on a Bunsen
burner as shown.

State with reason on which bar the wax is likely to melt sooner. [2mks]
8. A man uses an inclined plane to lift a 50kg load through a vertical height of 4m. The inclined
plane makes an angle of 30˚ with the horizontal. If the efficiency of the inclined plane is 72%.
Calculate
a) The effort needed to move the load up the inclined plane at a constant velocity.
[3mks]
b) The work done against friction in raising the load through a height of 4.0 m.
[Take g = 10N /kg] [3mks]
c) A certain machine raises 2.0 tonnes of water through 22m. If the efficiency of the machine
is 80%, how much work is done by the machine? [3mks]
9. (a) i) The fig below shows air flowing through a pipe of different cross-section areas. Two
pipes A &B. are dipped into water.
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 Explain the cause of difference in the levels of water in the pipes A and B. [2mks]
ii)The fig below shows Bunsen burner.

Explain how air is drawn into the burner when the gas tap is opened. [3mks]
b) i) What is meant by the centre of gravity of a body? [1mk]
ii) The figure below is at equilibrium.

Given that the meter rule is uniform, determine its weight. [5mks]
10. (a)Explain why a drop of methylated spirit on the back of the hand feels colder than a drop of
water at the same temperature. [2mks]
b) State the meaning of the term ‘specific latent heat of fusion’ [1mks]
c) The fig below shows a setup of apparatus set in an experiment to determine the specific latent
heat of fusion.

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 The following reading was noted after the heater was switched on for 5 minutes.
- Mass of beaker = 130g
- Mass of beaker + melted ice = 190g
i) Determine the,
I. Energy supplied by the 60W heat in 5 minutes. [3mks]
II. Specific latent heat of fusion of ice. [4mks]
ii) It was observed that some of the crushed ice melted even before the heater was
switched on. State the reason for this observation. [1mk]
11. Brownian motion of smoke particles can be studied by using the apparatus shown in the figure
below. To observe the motion some smoke is enclosed in the smoke cell and then observed
through the microscope.

a) Explain the role of the

i) Smoke particles [2mks]
ii) Lens [2mks]
iii) Microscope [2mks]
b) State and explain the nature of the observed motion of the smoke particles. [3mks]
c) State what will be observed about the motion of the smoke particles if the temperature
surrounding the smoke cell is raised slightly. [1mks]
12. (a) The fig below shows a velocity – time graph for the motion of a certain body.

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 Describe the motion of the body in the region. [3mks]
i) OA
ii) AB
iii) BC
b) A car initially at 10m/s decelerates at2.5m/s2.
Determine,
I. Its velocity after 1.5 s [2mks]
III. The distance travelled in 1.5 s. [2mks]
III. The time taken for the car to stop. [2mks]
i. State Newton’s first law of motion. [1mks]
ii. A stone of mass 0.01kg is released from a catapult of mass 0.25kg. If the release
velocity of the stone is 175m/s, determine the recoil velocity of the catapult.
[4mks]
13. The figure below shows a ray of light incident on the surface of one plane mirror.

Sketch the path of the ray on the diagram after striking mirror 2 indicating all the angles.
(2 marks)
14. Explain why eight dry cells of 1.5V each arranged in series to give a total e.m.f of 12.0V cannot be
used to start a car just like a lead-acid accumulator. (2 marks)
15. When a candle flame is brought near the cap of a charged electroscope, the electroscope
discharges. Explain this observation. (2 marks)
16. The figure below shows an experiment set up used to illustrate dispersion of white light.

a) Identify the colours X and Y. (1 mark)

X ________________________________________
Y ________________________________________
17. What physical property changes for the colours when they enter the prism? (1 mark) Diffraction
is not a common phenomenon in light. Explain why. (1 mark)
18. Apart from temperature, state any one other factor which affects the resistance of a metallic
conductor. (1 mark)
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19. a) Define the term capacitor. (1 mark)
b) Two plates of a parallel-plate capacitor are 0.6 mm apart and each has an area of 4 cm2.Given
that the potential difference between the plates is 100 V, calculate the charge stored in the
capacitor.
(Take ( E o =8.85 x 10-12 Fm-1) ( 3mks)
20. A current of 0.8A flows through an electric circuit. Determine the quantity of charge that passes a
point in the circuit in 6 minutes. (2 marks)
21. The figure below shows an incomplete circuit of an electromagnet.

Complete the circuit by drawing the windings on the two arms of the core so that A and B are both
north poles when the switch S is closed. Indicate the direction of the current of the windings
drawn. (1 mark)
22. 120m away from a tall building claps her hands and hears an echo 0.75s later. Determine the speed
of sound in air at this place. (3 marks)
23. The figure below shows a thick copper conductor placed between two poles of a strong magnet.
The wire is free to swing in between the poles.

a) Indicate on the same diagram the direction in which the conductor swings when the switch K is
closed. (1 mark)
24. State one change that can be made on the set up so that the direction of swing of the conductor is
reversed. (1 mark)
25. The set up in figure 4 below can be used in a laboratory for lifting and releasing a steel ball.

a) State the material which is suitable for use in the core. (1mark)
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 b) If a slightly larger ball is to be lifted, it is necessary to make an electromagnet stronger. Name
two ways of increasing the strength of the magnet. (2 marks)
26. a) Sound is a mechanical longitudinal wave. Explain why sound is classified as;
i. A mechanical wave. (1 mark)
ii. A longitudinal wave. (1 mark)
27. The diagram below shows a set up that was used to demonstrate that, sound is a
mechanical wave.

i. State the function of the vacuum pump. (1 mark)

ii. When the switch is closed, state and explain what happens as the air is continuously drawn
from the bell jar. (3 marks)
iii. State two possible reasons why it is not possible to reduce the sound completely in
this experiment. (2 marks)
28. ) A fishing boat uses ultrasound to detect fish directly below. Two echoes of the
ultrasound are received, one after 0.09 seconds coming from the shoal of fish and
the other after 0.12 seconds coming from the sea bed. The sea bed is 84m below
the ultrasound transceiver.
i. State two reasons why ultrasound is preferred. (2 marks)
ii. Calculate the speed of the ultrasound waves in water. (3 marks)
29.) State one factor affecting velocity of sound in a solid. (1 mark)
a) The figure below shows a method of magnetization used in making magnets.

i. Name the method. (1 mark)

ii. Identify the polarities A and B of the magnet produced. (2 marks)
A ____________________________
B ____________________________
iii. Apart from this method, state any other method used in magnetization. (1 mark)
b) In demagnetization by electrical method:
i. State the type of current used. (1 mark)
ii. Explain your answer in (i) above. (2 marks)
29. Explain why when demagnetizing a magnet, the magnet should be held in the East-West
direction. (2 marks)

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30. a) Define the following terms (3 marks)
i. Principal focus
ii. Centre of curvature
iii. Focal plane
b) An object is placed 18 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 12 cm. Determine the
position and nature of the image formed (3 marks)
1 -1 1 -1
c) The graph below shows variation of 𝑢 (cm ) against 𝑣 (cm ) with for an object placed in front

of a concave mirror

From the graph,

i. Determine the focal of the mirror. (2 Marks)
ii. Determine the image distance when the object is 20cm from the mirror. (2 Marks)
31. a) The figure below shows how a student set up a circuit using 3 identical bulbs X, Y and Z each
rated “12V, 2.0A”

i. When operating normally, calculate the resistance of one of the bulbs (2 Marks)
ii. Calculate the effective resistance of the three bulbs. (2 Marks)
iii. What will be reading of the ammeter? (2 Marks)
iv. Draw a circuit diagram showing the three bulbs connected in such a way that they would all
work at the same brightness especially if they are not identical. (2 Marks)

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 b) When the switch S is kept open in the circuit shown below the voltmeter reads 1.5V. When the
switch is closed, the readings drops to 1.3V and the current through the resistor is 0.5A.

i. What is the e.m.f of the cell? (2 Marks)

ii. What the terminal voltage of the cell? (1 Mark)
iii. Calculate the value of R. (3 Marks)
32. a) Sketch a graph of displacement against time for a transverse wave of frequency of 50Hz of at
least two cycles with amplitude 2cm. (4 Marks)
b) State two factors affecting velocity of sound in air (2 Marks)
c) State two uses of echoes. (2 Marks)

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
1. The diagram shows the waves that make up the electromagnetic spectrum.

increasing wavelength

gamma ray X–ray ultraviolet light infra–red microwave radio wave

decreasing frequency

(a) In going from light to radio waves, describe how:

(i) the wavelength changes
(ii) the frequency changes
2. The diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum.

gamma X-rays ultra- visible micro- radio

rays violet waves waves

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 (a) Write the name of the missing radiation on the diagram.
(b) Name one use for this radiation

3. The boxes on the left show types of electromagnetic radiation.

The boxes on the right show some uses of electromagnetic radiation.

Draw one line from each type of radiation to its use.

The first has been done for you.

gamma rays in a remote control for a TV

X-rays to communicate with

satellites

ultra-violet to sterilise surgical

instruments

infra-red in sun beds to give a sun tan

microwaves to obtain shadow pictures of bones

(Total 3 marks)

4. The table shows some information about the electromagnetic spectrum

Low frequency High frequency

radio micro- infra-red light ultraviolet X-rays gamma
waves waves rays
A
B

(a) State two characteristics of all electromagnetic waves.

1 ..................................................................................................................................
2 ..................................................................................................................................

(b) (i) What is the colour of the light at A?

...........................................................................................................................

(ii) What is the colour of the light at B?

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 (c) (i) State one use of ultraviolet radiation.

(ii) State one use of gamma radiation.

(d) Ultraviolet radiation and gamma radiation can damage the human body.

State one damaging effect for each.

ultraviolet ...................................................................................................................
gamma ........................................................................................................................

5. (a) The table shows some information about the electromagnetic spectrum.

low frequency high frequency

radio infra- visible gamma

A B X-rays rays
waves red light

(i) Name the radiation at A.

(ii) Name the radiation at B.
(iii) State one use of X-rays.
(iv) State one harmful effect of X-rays.
(v) State two properties that all electromagnetic waves have in common.

6. Part of the electromagnetic spectrum is shown below.

gamma X-rays A visible infra-red micro- radio

rays light waves waves waves

(a) Name part A of the electromagnetic spectrum.

(b) Which part of the electromagnetic spectrum has the shortest wavelength?

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 (c) All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed in a
vacuum. If the frequency decreases, what happens to the
wavelength?

(d) Microwaves can be used to cook food.

Which other part of the electromagnetic spectrum can be used to cook food?

(e) Radar uses pulses of microwaves to detect aeroplanes.

Explain how microwaves can be used to find the position of an aeroplane in

thesky.

7. (a) A light ray travels through air and strikes a glass block.

normal
ray of
light

glass
block

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 Use a ruler to draw the paths of the refracted ray as it passes through and out of the block.

(b) This is part of a newspaper article

Ditch those glasses - in 15 minutes

Using computer technology and a thin invisible beam of

ultraviolet radiation, microscopic amounts of eye tissue
can be removed to correct visual impairment.
(i) Suggest another use for ultraviolet radiation.

(ii) Visible light and ultraviolet light are parts of the

electromagnetic spectrum. Two features of an
electromagnetic wave are its wavelength and frequency.
Use these features to compare ultraviolet radiation and
visible radiation.

(c) Nicola has a suspected broken arm.

She is taken to hospital for an arm X-ray.

(i) Explain how the properties of X-rays make them suitable for making an X-ray
photograph of the suspected broken arm.

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 (ii) Why can exposure to X-rays be harmful to the body?
8. The diagrams show some everyday objects that produce waves.

(a) Draw a line from each diagram to the type of wave that the object produces.

(b) Which one of the waves is not in the electromagnetic spectrum?

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 (c) Which one of the waves has a wavelength shorter than light?

9. The diagram shows the different waves in the electromagnetic spectrum.

increasing wavelength

X-rays and ultraviolet light infra-red microwaves radio waves

gamma rays

increasing frequency

(a) Complete the sentence.

As the wavelength of the waves increases, their frequency .......................................

(b) Give one use of:

(i) microwaves
....................................................................................................................

(ii) ultraviolet waves

.....................................................................................................................

(iii) gamma rays

.....................................................................................................................

(c) The diagram shows light waves passing from air into glass.

air

glass

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 Describe two changes that take place to the waves as they pass into the glass.

..............................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................

MAINS ELECTRICITY
1. The metal case of an electric heater is earthed. The plug to the heater contains a 5 A fuse.
There is a current of 4 A when the heater works normally. The cable to the heater becomes
so worn that the live wire makes electrical contact with the case.
What happens? Give a reason for your answer
2. A lamp with a resistance of 576Ω is connected to a 120-V source.
a. What is the current through the lamp?
b. What is the power rating of the lamp?

3. (a) The covers are removed from two plugs, A and B. The diagram shows the inside of the
plugs.

(i) Identify a problem with plug B.

...........................................................................................

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 ...........................................................................................
(ii) Suggest why this makes plug B unsafe.
...........................................................................................
...........................................................................................
(iii) Name part X.
...........................................................................................

(iv) The diagram below shows the structure of part X.

State one change which occurs in part X when the current is too large.
...........................................................................................
...........................................................................................
(b) The diagram shows two light fittings, Y and Z.

When the tops are screwed on, each fitting is safe to use.
(i) State why light fitting Y is safe to use.
.........................................................................................

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(ii) Why is light fitting Z safe to use?
...........................................................................................
...........................................................................................

4. (a) The diagram shows a correctly wired 3-pin plug.

Label the wires with the correct colours.

(b) The table shows information about some household electrical appliances.

appliance power current

table lamp 100 W 0.40 A
clothes iron 2.2 kW 8.8 A
television set 80 W 0.32 A
(i) The mains cable for the iron is thicker than the mains cables for the
other two appliances.
Suggest two reasons for this.
(ii) The three appliances are switched on for 30 minutes.
Which costs the least to run?

Explain your answer.

(iii) The iron is switched on for 30 minutes.

Calculate the electrical energy used in kW h.

........................................................................................

.......................................................................................

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 5. The diagram shows a correctly wired 3-pin plug.

Label the wires with the correct colours.

6.The table lamp shown in Fig. 10.2 is made from plastic. It has only two wires in the cable to
connect it to the plug.

Fig. 10.2
The lamp has a power rating of 100 W and is used with a 230 V supply.
(i) Which wire, earth, live or neutral, is not needed in the cable for the lamp?
(ii) Explain why the lamp is safe to use even though it has only two wires in the cable.
(iii) Explain what is meant by a power rating of 100 W.
(iv). Calculate the value of the fuse that should be used in the plug for this lamp.
(v) Calculate the electrical energy supplied to the lamp in 30 minutes.

MERRY CHRISTMASS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR-2024

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