NAME: …………………………………………. INDEX NO: ………………………/……….

SCHOOL: ………………………………… …… CANDIDATE’S SIGN …………………

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PHYSICS
PAPER 3
(PRACTICAL)
TIME: 2 ½ hours

SNIPERS KCSE 2019 PREDICTION SET

MODEL 2
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
PHYSICS
PAPER 3
TIME: 2 ½ HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
(a) Write your Name, Index Number and School in the spaces provided above.
(b) Sign and write the Date of Examination in the spaces provided above.
(c) Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
(d) You are supposed to spend the first 15 minutes of the 2½ hours allowed for this paper reading the whole paper
carefully before commencing your work.
(e) Marks will be given for clear records of observations actually made, their suitability, accuracy and the use made of
them.
(f) Candidates are advised to record their observations as soon as they are made.
(g) All working must be clearly shown where necessary.
(h) Mathematical tables and silent electronic calculators may be used in calculations.

FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY

Question 1

SNIPERS KCSE 2019 PREDICTION SET Page 1

1. You are provided with the following:-
 A spiral spring
 A complete stand
 A metre rule
 A 100g mass
 A knife edge (raised on a wooden block) (15cm to 20cm high)
 A half metre rule.

Proceed as follows:
(a) Determine the c.o.g. of the metre rule using the knife edge.
i. c.o.g. = ………………………….cm (1mk)

(b) Set up the apparatus as shown. Using a string, hang the 100g mass on the metre rule.

Fig. 1
(c) Adjust the position of the pivot so that it is approximately 5cm from the free end of the metre
rule.
(d) Adjust the clamp so that the metre rule is horizontal and the spring is vertical at 2cm mark.
(e) Measure and record the length h of the coiled part of the spring and distance d from the pivot
to the point where the springs is attached to the metre rule.
(f) Repeat (c) and (d) for different positions of the pivot along the metre rule as shown in the
table.

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 Table 1
Position of pivot from free end 5 15 25 35 45
Length h (cm)
d (cm)
1
/d(cm-1)

(g) Plot a graph of h (y – axis) against 1/d. (5mks)

(h) Determine the gradient m and y – intercept c of the line.

m = __________________________ (2mks)
c = __________________________ (1mk)

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 (i) Determine:-
(i) The weight W of the metre rule using the 100g mass

Fig. 2
d1 = __________________________ (½mk)
d2 = __________________________ (½mk)
Use your measurements to determine the weight, W of the metre rule. (1mk)

(ii) Set up the apparatus as shown.

Fig. 3
Measure and record the values of ho and h.
ho = __________________________ (½mk)
h = __________________________ (½mk)
Hence determine the spring constant K in S.I units. (1mk)

(j) The relationship between d and h is given by the equation.

h = -A + B where A and B are constants.
d
The value of A = (W + 1)Z where
K
W = weight of the metre rule.
K = spring constant of the spring.
Z = is a constant.
B = W + 1 + Lo where Lo is a constant.
K

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Use your answer of W and K to determine:-
(i) Z (1mk)

(ii) Lo (1mk)

Question 2
2. PART A
You are provided with the following:-
 Resistance wire mounted on a millimeter scale.
 A voltmeter.
 An ammeter.
 Two new dry cells.
 Six connecting wires.
 A jockey.

Proceed as follows:
(a) Set up the circuit as shown in figure 4.

Fig. 4
(b) Remove the crocodile clip from the resistance wire PQ and close the switch. Read and record
the voltmeter reading E.
E = ___________________________volts. (1mk)

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 (c) Attach the crocodile clip to the resistance wire such that L = 50cm. Read and record the
voltmeter and ammeter readings when the switch is closed.
Voltmeter reading, V = _________________________ volts. (½ mk)
Ammeter reading, I = __________________________ A. (½mk)

(d) Given that: V = MR, where R = V, determine the value of M.

E–V 5 I

PART B
You are provided with the following:-
 A biconvex lens.
 A lens holder.
 A screen.
 A metre rule.
 Two cells.
 Cell holder.
 Two connecting wires.
 A bulb.

Proceed as follows:
(a) Set up the apparatus as shown in figure 5.

Fig. 5

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 (b) Place a lit bulb at a distance U = 15cm from the lens on one side and the screen on the other.
(c) Adjust the distance V of the lens until a sharp image of the bulb is focused on the screen.
Record V in the table 2.
(d) Repeat part (b) and (c) for other values shown in table 3 and complete the table. (8mks)
Table 2

U(cm) 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
V(cm)
U + V(cm)

(e) Plot a graph of U + V against U. (5mks)

(f) Given that the minimum position of the curve occurs at (U + V) = 4K and U = 2K, determine the
value of K.

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