Dated: 02 May 2024

Computer Test #2
Topic: Senors
Chapter : Hardware
Sub Topic: Input and Output Devices

Q1: A room in house is fitter with a computerised intruder alarm system:

window
door
xxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx = infra red sensors
xxxxx

Xxx = pressure sensors

(a) (i) Describe how the sensors and computer would be used to detect intruders.
(ii) Describe how the system warns that an intruder has been detected. [4]

(b) Name another sensor that could have been used in this intruder alarm system. [1]

Q2: A chemical company uses pipes to transfer hazardous liquids. To protect the workfore ,
each pipe is inside a protective pipe:
Protective pipe

Inner pipe containing liquid valve

valve

=sound sensor

Computer

Sensors are used to detect the sound of any liquid dripping into the protective pipe. This system
is controlled by a computer.
 (a) Describe how the sensors and computer are used to monitor and control the liquid in
the pipe. [5]
(b) Give two advantages of using this computer-controlled system rather than visual checks
by the workforce. [2]
Q3: The doors on a train are opened and closed automatically. Motors are used to operate the
doors. The system is controlled by a microprocessor.
Each door has a sensor which detects if a passenger enters or leaves the train as the doors are
closing. If a passenger is detected, the doors are automatically re-opened.

(a) Name a sensor which could be used to detect a passenger. [1]

(b) If the sensor is one of the doors fails, describe a safety mechanism to prevent injury to a
passenger. [1]
(c) Describe how the sensors, microprocessor and door motors interact to ensure a
passenger is not trapped in a closing door. [4]
Q4: Street lighting is controlled automatically. A light sensor and a mircoprosessor are used to
decide when to switch each street light on or off.
Describe how the senor, microprocessors and light interact to switch the street light on or off.
Include in your answer how the microprocessor stops the street lights being frequently
switched on and off due to brief changes in the light intensity. [5]
Q5: Name three different sensors (other than light and pH) and describe an application for each
of these sensors.
A different application is needed for each sensor. [6]
Q6: Name an application which makes use of the following sensors. A different application
should be used in each case.

Temperature:-------------------------------
Magnetic field:----------------
Motion:-----------------------
[3]

Q7: Sensors and a microprocessor monitor a car exhaust for high temperature and high Carbon
monoxide (CO) levels:
Describe how the sensors and microprocessor are used to monitor the temperature and CO
levels and warn the driver if either is out of range. [5]
Q8: Give an application which make use of the following device and state a reason why the
device is appropriate for that application:
Your application must be different in each case.

Input Device Application and reason

Light sensor Application:
Reason:
pH sensor Application:
Reason:
Magnetic field sensor Application:
Reason:

[4]
Q9: Identify two sensors that the security system could use to detect intruders. Describe how
each sensor could be used in the security system. [6]
Q10: A cold store is kept at a constant low temperature using a sensor, a microprocessor and a
cooling unit.
Explain how the sensor and mircoprocessor will maintain a constant low temperature. [6]

Q11: Anna has a farm that grows fruit. She has a system that monitors that conditions for
growing the fruit. Sensors are used in this system.
(a) Explain what is meant by the term sensor? [2]
(b) State two sensors that could be used in this system and describe how they could be
used. [6]
Q12: A factory uses a secuirty system to control a security light. The system uses a sensor and a
microprocessor. Explain how the security system makes use of the sensor and the
microprocessor to control the security light. [6]
Q13: A system uses pH sensors and a microprocessor to help monitor pollution in the river.
The pH of the water should be between 6 and 8. The system outputs an alert if the pH of the
water is not in this range.
Explain how the system uses the pH sensors and the microprocessor to help monitor the
pollution.[5]
Q15: An office has an automated lighting system. When movement is detected in the office the
lights are switched on. If the movement is not detected for a period of 2 minutes the lights are
switched off. The system uses a sensor and a microprocessor.
Describe how the automated lighting system uses a sensor and a microprocessor. [6]
Q16: A security light system is used by a factory. The light only comes on when it is dark and
when movement is detected. The light will stay on for 1 minute before switching off.
Sensors and microprocessor are used to control the security light system.
(a) Identify two sensors that would be used in the security light system. [2]
(b) Describe how the sensors and the microprocessor control the security light system. [8]
Q17: An electronic game has three square mats that are coloured red , green and blue. The
player will see a color displayed on a screen and has 1 second to hit the mat that matches the
color. If the player hits the correct mat, within 1 second, a counter is incremented. When a
player hits an incorrect mat, the game ends.
The game uses a sensor and a microprocessor to count the number of times a player hits a
correct mat within 1 second.
Explain how the game uses sensors and a mircoprocessor to count the number of times a player
hits a correct mat within 1 second. [7]
Q18: An automated watertap system uses a sensor and a microprocessor to operate. Water
flows from the tap when a person’s hands are placed underneath the tap. Water stops flowing
when the person’s hands are removed from underneath the tap.
(a) Explain how the water tap system uses a sensor and a microprocessor to operate.[6]
(b) Three descriptions are shown of different systems:
Identify the most suitable sensor that could be used in each system. [3]

Description of system Sensor

It checks the air is dry enough in a garage
that spary paints cars
It automatically switches on the
headlights on a car when it is dark
It checks the soil in a green house
indicating the correct level of acidity