UACE Physics paper 1 2001 Guide Time 2½ marks

Instructions the candidates:

Answer five questions, including at least one, but not more than two from each sections A, Band C.

Any additional question(s) answered will not be marked.

Non programmable scientific calculators may be used.

Assume where necessary

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

6.6 x 10-34Js

- onstant, 5.67 x 10-8Wm-2K-1

Radius of the earth 6.4 x 106m

Radius of the sun 7 x 108m

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

A 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

The constant, 9.0 x 109F-1m

9.65 x 104Cmol-1
SECTION A

1. (a) (i) State the principle of conservation of mechanical energy. (01mark)

The total mechanical energy (K.E + P.E) of a body in an isolated system is constant.
(ii) Show that a stone thrown vertically upwards obeys the principle in (a)(i) above
throughout its upward motion. (04marks)

At A, K.E = , P.E = 0
Total energy at A = K.E + P.E =
At B, K.E = ; P.E = mgh
Total energy at B, = + mgh
2 2
But v = u 2gh
Total energy at B = =
Total energy at A = total energy at B

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

K.E =

Volume of air striking blade per second = r2v

Mass of air striking the blade per second = r2v3

Power available = K.E of air per second

= r2v3

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

- Velocity of air is not reduced to zero as assumed in the calculation which means
that not all the K.E of the air per second is passed on to the blade
- Some power is wasted as heat due to friction forces in the parts

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

(i) linear momentum (10mark)

- no external force on interactingbodies

 (ii) kinetic energy (01mark)

- The interaction must be perfectly elastic or must move separately after collision

(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

released. If A makes a perfectly inelastic collision with B, find the height to which B
rises. (08marks)

Let h1 be the height of A above the ground when the string is inclined at an angle to
the vertical

h1 = L Lcos

K.E of A before collision = Initial P.E of A at O

Initial P.E at O = 3Mgh1 = 3MgL(1-

If u1 is the velocity of A before collision

3MgL(1-

Momentum is conserved after collision, if v is the velocity after collision

3M = (3M + M)v

v=

From conservation of energy, kinetic energy before collision = maximum potential

energy gained.
2. (a) Define the following terms
(i) Stress (01mark)
Stress is the force acting per unit cross sectional area
Strain is the extension per unit original length.
(ii) Strain (01mark)

(b)
Y, and density, is given by V = .

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

[V] = LT-1

[Y] = = = MLT-2

[ ] = ML-3

[V] = = = LT-1

Hence the formula is dimensionally consistent.

(c)
wire. (02marks)

- Original length of the sample wire

- Diameter, d, of the wire to find A =
- Extension, e, of the wire
- load

(d) Explain why the following precautions are taken during an experiment to determine

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

Long and thin to enable measurable extension

Same material and suspended from common support to cater for thermal expansion and
other focters

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

To ensure that elastic limit is not exceeded, and to obtain average values for extentions.
 (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 7.5cm below the lin
Modulus for the material of the wire is 2.0x 1011Pa, find

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

AC = CB = = 1.003m

ACB= 2 x 1.003 = 2.006m

Extension = 2.006 2.000 = 0.006m

Strain =

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

From E =

Stress = 2 x 1011 x 3 x 10-3 = 6 x 108Nm-2

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

Resolving vertically;

Tcos + Tcos = mg

2Tcos = mg but = = 85.70

T= = 327.1N

Energy stored = = 0.9813J

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

Elastic limit is not exceeded.
3. (a) Define surface tension and derive its dimensions (03marks)

Surface tension is the force per unit length acting perpendicularly to one side if an imaginary
line.

(b) Explain using the molecular theory the occurrence of surface tension. (04 marks)
Molecules at the liquid surface have greater molecular separation than the equilibrium
separation. These molecules experience greater attraction from their neighbours. This puts
them in a state of tension. Thus the liquid surface behaves like a stretched elastic skin, a
phenomenon called surface tension
(c) Derive an experiment to measure surface tension of a liquid by the capillary tube
method. (06marks)

A capillary tube of radius, r, is vertically placed in a liquid. The liquid rises until
the vertical component of the upward forces due to surface tension is equal to the
weight of the liquid column.

3
)
2
2
2

coefficient of surface tension

angle of contact
density of the liquid

(d) (i) Show that the excess pressure in a soap bubble is given by P = , (03marks)

A soap bubble has two liquid surfaces in contact with air, one inside the bubble and
the other outside the bubble.

The force, F, on one half

For equilibrium of A, it follows that.

2 2
x P1 x P2
 Where P2, and P1 are pressure inside and outside the bubble respectively
Simplifying
P2 P 1 =
Therefore, excess pressure, P =
(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)
Excess pressure =
Total pressure within the bubble = atmospheric pressure + h g + excess pressure
= 1.01 x 105 + (0.1 x 103 x 9.81) + 1454
= 1.034 x 105Pa

4. (a) (i) Define coefficient of viscosity and determine its dimensions. (04marks)
Coefficient of viscosity is the fractional force acting on an area of 1m2 of a fluid when it
is in a region of unit velocity gradient.

[ ]= = = ML-1T-1

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

K=

[K] = =1

K is dimensionless

ed (03marks)

P+ = constant, where P = pressure, = density of fluid, v = velocity of

fluid, h= height above a reference level and g = acceleration due to gravity.

(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)
 From P + = constant

P1 + = P2 + but P1 = P2

Also A1v1 = A1v2 from continuity equation

=>

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

- Air flows above the wing of a plane at high velocity hence low pressure.
- Below the wings, air flows at low velocity and hence high pressure.
- The difference in pressure cause a lift force, therefore net upward force.

SECTION B

5. (a) Define thermal conductivity of a substance and state its units. (02marks)
Thermal conductivity is the rate of heat flow through a unit cross section area at per unit
temperature gradient.
3
Wm-2.
Calculate
(i) The temperature of the surface of the sun (04marks)

= 5777K

(ii) The total power emitted by the sun (03marks)

Power emitted by the sun = Power radiated by the sun
=A
=
=4
= 3.85 x 1026W
(iii) The rate of loss of mass by the sun (03marks)
From E = mc2
= 4.3 x 109kgs-1
 (c)(i) Explain how heat is conducted through a glass rod. (03marks)

Atoms or molecules at the heated end vibrate more vigorously about their fixed positions.
They collide and pass on heat to the neighboring atoms which in turn vibrate vigorously;
collide and pass on heat to their neighboring atoms. In this way heat is transferred from the
hot end to the cold end.

(ii) Why is a metal a better conductor of heat than glass? (02marks)

In addition to conduction of heat as in glass metal have free electrons that acquired high
kinetic energy when heat, move ant transfer heat collide with atoms in the cold

(iii) Explain briefly why it is necessary to use a thin specimen of large cross-section area
in determining thermal conductivity of a poor conductor of heat. (03marks)
To ensure steep temperature gradient.
6. (a) (i)Explain what happens when a quantity of heat is applied to a fixed mass of a gas
(02marks)
Heat supplied increase internal energy of the gas and used to overcome external pressure
during the expansion.

(ii) Derive the relationship between the principal molar heat capacities Cp and Cv for an
deal gas. (05marks)

But dQ = CpdT, dU = CvdT and dW= PdV = RdT

Substituting in (i)

CpdT = CvdT + RdT

Cp Cv = R

(b) (i) What is adiabatic process? (01mark)

An adiabatic process is one in which no heat is added or removed from the system.

(ii) A bicycle pump contains air at 290K. The piston of the pump is slowly pushed in until
the volume of the air enclosed is one fifth of the total volume of the pump. The outlet
is sealed off and the piston suddenly pulled out to full extension. If no air escapes, find
its temperature immediately after pulling the piston. (03marks)

= 152K
(c) (i) Distinguish between unsaturated and saturated vapors. (02marks)
Unsaturated vapour is a vapour that is not in dynamic equilibrium with its own liquid
while saturated vapour is a vapour that is in dynamic equilibrium with its own liquid.

(ii) Draw graphs to show the relationship between pressure and temperature for ideal gas
and for saturated water vapour originally at 00C. (03marks)
 (d) In an experiment, the pressure of a fixed mass of air at constant temperature is
10.4kPa. When the volume is halved, keeping the temperature constant, the pressure
becomes 19.0kPa. Discuss the applicability of the above results in verifying Boyle
(04marks)
From PV = constant
Halving the volume ta constant temperature doubles pressure. Since pressure was not

7. (a) Explain why temperature remains constant during change of phase. (04marks)
The energy supplied goes into increasing the amplitude of oscillation of atoms which
become so large that the regular arrangement of these atoms collapses. Until the process is
complete, the temperature remain constant, hence no increase in temperature.

(b) Describe with the aid of labelled diagram, an electrical method for determination of
specific latent heat of vaporization of a liquid. (07marks)

- Put the liquid whose specific latent heat of vaporization is required in a vacuum
jacketed vessel as shown above.
- The liquid is heated to boiling point.
- The current, I, and voltage, V are recorded.
 - The mass of condensed water, m, condensed in time, t, is determined.
- Then IV = , where h is the rate of heat loss to the surroundings
-

Latent heat of vaporization, L =

(c) Water vapour and liquid water are confined in an air tight vessel. The temperature of the
water is raised until all the water has evaporated.
Draw a sketch graph to show how the pressure of water vapour changes with
temperature and account for its main features. (06marks)

- Water vapor is saturated up to B; i.e. between A and B, increase in temperature

increases the kinetic energy of the liquid molecules. The fastest molecules leave the
liquid hence the liquid evaporates.
- The density of the vapour above the liquid increases implying that saturated vapour
pressure increases.
- Beyond B, the unsaturated vapour obeys gas laws and hence the graph is linear.
(d) Calculate the work done against the atmosphere when 1kg of water turns into vapour at
atmospheric pressure of 1.01 x 105Pa.
[Density of water vapour =0.598kgm-3](03marks)
Work done =Pdv = P(V2 V1) where V2 = volume of the vapor, V1 = volume of water
Volume =

SECTION C

8. (a) (i) Write down the Einstein photo-electric equation (01mark)

hf = hf0 + ½ mv2max 0
= threshold frequency and vmax is the maximum velocity of a photoelectron

(ii) Explain how the equation in (a)(i) above accounts for the emission of electrons from
metal surfaces illuminated by radiation. (04marks)
 Radiation consists of discrete packets of energy called photons, each of energy, hf, where
f is the frequency. A free electrons absorb the whole amount of energy of a single photon
or none.

If the energy is sufficient, part of it, hf0, goes into overcoming nuclear attraction and the
rest become kinetic energy of photoelectron. Thus the electron can escape from the
metal.

(b)

P is a vacuum photocell with anode, A, and cathode, K, made from the same metal of
work function 2.0eV. The cathode is illuminated by monochromatic light of constant
intensity and wavelength 4.4 x 10-7m

(i) Describe and explain how the current shown by the micro ammeter, M will vary as the
slider of potential divider is moved from B to C. (03marks)
As the slider moves towards C, the cathode becomes more positive. This reduces the
number of photoelectrons, photoelectric current decreases.

(ii) What will the reading of the high-resistance voltmeter, V, be when photo-electric
emission just ceases? (03marks)
V= = = 0.8125V

(c) With the slider set mid-way between B and C, describe and explain how the reading of M
would change if

(i) the intensity of the light was increased, (03marks)

Increasing intensity increases the number of photons reaching the cathode per unit time.
This in turn increases the number of electron emitted per second. At this point, the p.d
across the photo cell is . this is below the stopping potential (0.825V) reading.
Therefore M also increases.

(ii) the wavelength of the light was changed to 5.5 x 10-7m

= 6.1875 x 10-7m
 Since the new frequency is greater than the previous one, but greater than threshold,
electrons will be emitted but with lower kinetic energy. The number of electrons emitted
per second remain the same if the intensity remains constant. Hence reading of M
remains the same.

9. (a) What is meant by the following

(i) an alpha particle, (01mark)

An alpha particle is helium nucleus

(ii) radioactivity (01mark)

Radioactivity is spontaneous disintegration of the nucleus with emission of radiation.

(b) Show that when an alpha particle collides head on with an atom of atomic number Z,
the closest distance of approach to the nucleus bo, is given by

particle and v is the initial velocity of the particle. (06marks)

Initial K.E of alpha particle = ½ mv2

Electrostatic P.E of alpha particle and the nucleus at closet distance of approach =

-particle is instantaneously at rest and its initial

kinetic energy = electrostatic potential energy

Therefore

(c) Describe the structure and action of a cloud chamber. (06marks)

- The base of the chamber is maintained at low temperature, about -800c by the solid
carbon dioxide while the top of the chamber is at room temperature, and so there is a
temperature gradient between the top and the bottom of the chamber.
 - The air at the top of the chamber is saturated with alcohol vapor from the felt ring.
This vapor continuously diffuse downwards into the cooler regions so that the air at
the chamber is super saturated with alcohol vapor.
- Radiations from the radioactive source S cause the ionization of the vapor.
- The ionizations from the radioactive source S cause condensation of the vapor on the
ions formed, hence the path of the ionizing radiations are traced by series of small
droplets of condensation.
- The thickness and length of the path indicate the extent to which ionization has taken
place.
- Alpha particles produce short, thick, continuous straight tracks
- Beta particles which are less massive produce longer, thin but straggly paths owing to
collisions with gas molecules
- Gamma radiations are uncharged and for ionization to take place, it must collide with
an atom and eject an electron which then ionizes the vapor.

(d) State four uses of radioactive isotopes (02marks)

- Detecting leakage in underground pipes

- Measuring rate of flow of liquids
- Tracing fertilizers using phosphorus-32
- Treatment of cancer

(e) one kilogram of wood from a ship wreck has activity of 1.2 x 102 counts per second due to
14
C, whereas the same amount of wood had an activity of 2.0 x 102counts per second.
Find the age of the ship wreck. [Half-life of 14C = 5.7 x 103years] (04 marks)

= 1.22 x 10-4year-1

Using A = A0e-

In

t = 4187years

10. (a) What is meant by emission line spectra?

When a gas is heated to high temperatures, electronic transition occur from low to high

emitted such that = energy difference between the initial and final levels is given off.
The radiation consists of a series of lines when viewed through grating.

E 0eV
E4 -0.81eV
E3 -2.77eV
E2 -4.87eV
E1 -27.47eV

(ii) The figure above shows some energy levels of neon. Determine the wavelength of the
radiation emitted in an electron transition from E4 to E3. In what region of the
electromagnetic spectrum does the radiation lie? (04marks)
 = 6.31 x 10-7m

(b) Outline the principles of generation of continuous line spectra of X-rays in X-ray tube.
(05marks)

Electrons make multiple collisions with the target atoms. During the collision, X-rays of
different wavelength are produced. This gives a continuous X-ray spectrum.

When energetic electrons strike a target atom, an electron from innermost energy
levels is displaced to higher energy levels leaving a vacancy and making an atom
unstable. When the electron returns to the lower energy level, X-rays characteristic to
target atoms are given off leading to X-ray line spectra

-ray diffraction. (01mark)

For two neighboring crystal planes separated by a distance, d

diffraction.

(d) A beam of X-rays of wavelength 1.0 x 10-10m is incident on a set of cubic planes in a
sodium chloride crystals. The first order diffraction m is obtained for a grazing angle of
10.20.

Find

(i) The spacing between consecutive planes (03marks)

d= = 2.82 x 10-10m = 2.82 x 10-8cm

(ii) The density of the sodium chloride (04marks)
Molecular mass of NaCl = 58.5g
1mole contain 6.02 x 1023molecules
6.02 x 1023 molecules weigh 58.5g
1molecule weighs =
Volume occupied by 1molecule (2atoms- Na and Cl) =

Volume associated with each atom = for cubic

lattice
d3=
density of NaCl = = 2.165gcm-3

Compiled by Dr. Bbosa Science