MID TERM EXAM
PHYSICS
TIME: 1 HOUR
NAME…………………………………..ADM………………………...CLASS………………….
.
1. Differentiate fundamental quantities from derived quantities and give an example of each
(2mks)
Basic fundamental quantities cannot be derived from any other physical quantities while derived
quantities are any other physical quantities while derived quantities are obtained are obtained by
multiplication or division of basic physical quantities.
2. State what the following branches of physics deals with: (6mks)
(i) Mechanics
Study of motion
(ii)Electricity and magnetism
Relationship between electric currents and magnetic fields
(iii)Thermodynamics
Study of transformation of heat to and from other sources of energy
(iv)Geometric optics
Behavior of light as it traverses various media
(v)Waves
Propagation of energy through space
(vi)Atomic physics
Study of behavior of particles constituting the nucleolus and energy changes
3. State the SI units of the following quantities
(3mk)
Length =……l……………………………………………
Mass =………kg……………………………………….
Temperature =………K………………………………………..
4. Convert the following values into SI units
(i) 86400cm2 (1mk)
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1 m=100cm
1m²=10000cm²
=8.64m²
5. A student measured the length of a wire four times using a meter rule and obtained the
following readings: 18.6cm; 18.5cm; 18.6cm; and 18.5cm. Determine the length the
student(2mks)
18.6+18.5+18.6+18.5 =74.2
74.2÷4=18.55
=18.55
6. In an experiment to estimate the height of a tree using its shadow, a ruler of height 100cm
is placed next to the tree as shown below. If the ruler and the tree forms shadows of
150cm and 750cm respectively.
Tree
Ruler
h
100 Ruler Tree
cm Shadow Shadow
150cm 750cm
Calculate the height h of the tree.
(3mk)
100/150=h/750
h=500
7. A thin wire was wound 10 times closely over a boiling tube. The total length of the wire
wound around was found to be 440mm. Calculate the radius of the boiling tube in SI
units. (3mks)
Thread
Cylinder
440/10
=44 (circumference)
C=πD
D=14
R=7mm
=0.007m
8. The figure below shows the map of a school compound. Each square is equivalent to
1cm2. Calculate the total area covered by the school on the map.
(3mk)
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Full squares=22 =22cm²
Incomplete squares = 23
23/2 =11.5
Total area=22+11.5
= 33.5cm²
9. a) Define volume and give its SI units. (2mks)
Volume is the amount of space occupied by matter . The SI unit is m²
b) Find the capacity of a cylinder of radius 70cm and height 20cm in liters. (3mks)
V=πr²h
=308000cm³
=308 litres
c) A sphere of radius 6cm is molded into a thin cylindrical wire of length 32cm. Calculate
the radius of the wire in SI Units. (3mks)
Volume=4/3πr³
905.143cm²=πr²h
r²=9.0009
r=3cm
0.03m
10. a) Define density and give its SI units. (2mks)
Density is mass per unit vplume and the SI unit is kg/m³
b)The figure below shows a block of mass 360g.
2cm
5cm
12c
Calculate the
(i) Volume of the block.(1mk)
12×5×2= 120cm²
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(ii) Density of the block in SI unit.(2mks)
Density=m/v
360÷120
=4g/cm³
4000kg/m³
11. An empty density bottle has a mass of 50g. Its mass is 100g when filled with water and
120g when filled with liquid K. Calculate the density of liquid
K in SI units. (3mks)
Mass of empty d.b=50g
Mass of empty d.b with water =100g
Mass of water=100-50 =50g
Density of water=1g/cm³
Volume=50cm³
Density of liqud K?
Mass=120g-50g =70g
Density=70/50
=1.4g/cm³
=1400kg/m³
12. 1600 cm3 of fresh water of density 1g/cm3 are mixed with 1400cm3 of seawater of
density1.25g/cm3. Determine the density of the mixture.(3mks)
Volume of fresh water=1600cm³
Volume of sea water =1400cm³
Total volume=3000cm³
Mass of water= ¶×v
1×1600
=1600g
Mass of sea water ¶×v
1.25×1400
=1750g
Therefore total mass =3350
3350/3000
=1.117g/cm³
13. A butcher has a beam balance and masses 0.5 kg and 2 kg. How would he measure 1.5
kg of meat on the balance at once?(2mks)
Put the 2kg mass one one side of the beam balance.Take the 0.5 kg mass and place it on
the other side of the beam balance. Put a mass that will balance the 2kg mass.
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