UACE PHYSICS SEMINAR SLATED FOR SATURDAY 21 ST JUNE 2025 AT

SEETA HIGH SCHOOL - MUKONO (MBALALA CAMPUS)

PHYSICS PAPER ONE (P510/1)
Necessary Constants
- Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.81𝑚𝑠 −2
- Viscosity of blood = 4.0 𝑥 10−3 𝑁𝑠𝑚−2
- Density of blood = 100.5𝑘𝑔𝑚−3
- Density of mercury = 13600𝑘𝑔𝑚−5
- Surface tension of soap = 0.03𝑁𝑚−1
- Radius of the sun = 7 𝑥 1.05 𝑘𝑚
- Distance of the sun from the earth = 1.5 𝑥 1.011 𝑚
- Radius of the earth = 6.4 𝑥 103 𝑘𝑚
- Gas Constant, R = 8.31𝐽𝑚𝑙 −1
- Molar mass of oxygen = 32𝑔
- Specific latent heat of vaporisation, 𝑙𝑉 = 2.3 𝑥 106 𝐽𝑘𝑔−1
- Specific latent heat of fusion, 𝑙𝑓 = 3.4 𝑥 105 𝐽𝐾𝑔−1
- Specific heat capacity of copper, = 400𝐽𝑘𝑔−1 𝐾 −1
- Specific heat capacity of water, = 4200𝐽𝑘𝑔−1 𝐾 −1
- Mass of an electron = 9.11 𝑥 10−31 𝑘𝑔
- Electronic charge, e = 1.6 𝑥 10−19 𝐶
- Boltzman’s constant, K = 1.38 𝑥 10−23 𝐾

SECTION A:
1. (a) (i) Define impulse.
(ii) State and explain one application of impulse.
(b) State the principle of conservation of linear momentum and
prove it.
(c) With the aid of a labeled diagram, describe an experiment to
determine velocity of a bullet in a laboratory.
(d) (i) Explain why a martial artist player breaks a pile of bricks with
ease.
(ii) Two bodies each of mass 3kg and 2kg move opposite to each
with velocities of 5𝑚𝑠 −1 and 4𝑚𝑠 −1 respectively. If they stick
together after collision, calculate the change in kinetic energy
of 3kg mass.

2. (a) (i) State work-energy theorem.

(ii) A 1kg block collides with a horizontal weightless spring of force
constant 2𝑁𝑚−1 . The block presses the spring 4𝑚from the rest
position. If coefficient of friction between the block and
horizontal surface is 0.25. Find the initial speed of the block
before collision.
(b) Explain why it is easier to pull a lawn mower than to push it.
(c) (i) State the laws of static friction.
(ii) Explain briefly the origin of friction in solids.
(d) State the principle of conservation of mechanical energy and prove
it for a body falling.

1
3. (a) (i) Distinguish between stable and unstable equilibrium.
(ii) State the conditions for a body to be in mechanical
equilibrium.
(b) (i) Outline any two factors that affect the volume per second of a
liquid flowing through a given pipeline.
(ii) With the aid of a labeled diagram, describe an experiment to
determine the coefficient of viscosity of a liquid flowing steadily.
(c) In a blood transfusion, blood flows from a bottle at atmospheric
pressure into a patient’s vein in which the pressure is 20𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔 above
atmosphere. The bottle is 95𝑐𝑚 higher than the vein and the needle
into the vein has a length of 3.0𝑐𝑚 and internal diameter of 0.45𝑚𝑚.
Calculate the volume that flows into the vein in one minute.
(d) Explain the origin of viscosity in liquids and gases.

4. (a) (i) Define surface tension and contact angle.

(ii) Explain the occurrence of surface tension using molecular
theory.
(b) (i) Explain why it is easier to wash a cloth using soap than
without.
(ii) A soap bubble whose radius is 12𝑚𝑚 becomes attached to one
of radius 20𝑚𝑚. Calculate the radius of curvature of the
common interface.
(c) (i) Define simple harmonic motion, critical damping, free
oscillation.
(ii) State how simple harmonic motion differs from circular
motion.
(d) Describe how acceleration due to gravity can be determined using a
spring of unknown force constant.
(e) The velocities of a particle execute SHM are 4𝑚𝑠 −1 and 3𝑚𝑠 −1 when
its distance from the center is 2𝑐𝑚 and 3𝑚 respectively.
(i) Explain why oscillations eventually die out.
(ii) Calculate its amplitude and frequency of motion.

SECTION B
5. (a) Define the following;
(i) Thermal conductivity (ii) Conduction (iii) Green house effect
(b) Explain the mechanism of heat conduction through cork and
mercury.
(c) With the aid of a labeled diagram, describe an experiment to
determine the thermal conductivity of cork and copper while stating
precautions.
(d) (i) The sun is a black body of surface temperature 5896𝐾.
Calculate the amount of radiant energy per second
approaching the earth.
(ii) Explain why would the actual energy per second be less than
that obtained in (b) (i) above.

2
 (iii) Calculate the temperature of the earth’s surface.

6. (a) (i) Define critical temperature and super-heated vapour.

(ii) Distinguish between real and ideal gas.
(b) Sketch a graph of 𝑷 − 𝑽 for a real gas. Below and above critical
temperature and explain its features if the gas was undergoing
compression.
(c) (i) Define root mean square speed of gas molecules.
(ii) Explain why when nitrogen and hydrogen molecules leak from
a valve in a gas container, more hydrogen molecules escape
than nitrogen molecules at the same temperature.
(d) Oxygen stored in a cylinder has a mass of 4.0kg at a pressure of
8.0 𝑥 1015 𝑃𝑎 and a temperature of 270 𝐶. When the temperature rises,
some oxygen escapes from the cylinder. Calculate the mass of the gas
that escaped if the temperature of remaining oxygen in the cylinder is
470 𝐶 and pressure is 8.2 𝑥 105 𝑃𝑎.

7. (a) (i) What is meant by a Celsius scale?

(ii) State any four qualities of a good thermometric property.
(b) With the aid of a labeled diagram, describe how an optical radiation
pyrometer can be used to measure the temperature of an oven.
(c) Explain why vehicle tyres are made black.
(d) Describe an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a
liquid accurately.
(e) The initial temperatures of mass, m, of liquid A, 2m of liquid B, and
3m of liquid C are 300C, 200C and 100C. When liquid A and B are
mixed, the final temperature is 250C, when B and C are mixed, the
final temperature is 1450C. Determine the final temperature when A
and C are mixed.

8. (a) (i) Define black body radiation and quality of radiation.

(ii) Explain why black body at 1000K is red hot while hot at
2000K.
(b) Describe how thermal radiation can be detected.
(c) (i) Distinguish between latent heat and heat capacity.
(ii) State and explain one application of specific latent heat of
fusion.
(d) (i) Describe an experiment to determine specific latent heat of
vaporization of a liquid.
(e) Steam at 1000C is bubbled in a copper calorimeter of mass 80g
containing 120g of water and 50g of ice at 00C. If all ice melted at
300C, calculate the total amount of water in copper calorimeter at this
temperature.

SECTION C
9. (a) (i) Define nuclear number and nucleon.
(ii) Explain why it’s difficult to distinguish isotopes.

3
 (iii) With the aid of a labeled diagram, describe how isotopes can be
distinguished.
(b) Define decay constant, activity, quenching agent and threshold
potential.
(c) (i) Outline briefly the steps used in determining the half-life of a
long lived material using a Geiger Muller Tube.
(ii) The window area of a gamma detector is 5cm 2. The window is
placed horizontally and lies 80cm from a source of gamma. If
75 photons from source are incident on the window per minute,
estimate the rate of emission of photons from the source per
second.

10. (a) (i) Distinguish between Rutherford’s model and Bohr’s model of
an atom.
(ii) Explain one failure of Rutherford’s model of an atom.
(b) Explain why during Rutherford’s model alpha scattering experiment
is carried out in a vacuum.
(c) The deuterium-tritium fusion reaction is shown below
2
1𝐻 + 3
1𝐻 4
2𝐻𝑒 + 1
0𝑛 . If the temperature at the core of the sun is
8
7.42 𝑋 10 𝐾,
(i) Explain why the reaction occurs at the core centre of the sun.
(ii) Calculate the closest distance of approach between the two
hydrogen isotopes.
(d) Explain briefly Bragg’s law of diffraction.

11. (a) (i) Define line spectrum.

(ii) Explain how a line spectrum accounts for the existence of
energy levels.
(b) (i) Describe with aid of a labeled diagram production of x-rays in
x-ray tube.
(ii) Explain using a suitable sketch graph of intensity versus
frequency how x-ray spectra in an x-ray tube are formed.
(c) In an x-ray tube, 99% of the electrical power supplied to the tube is
dissipated as heat. If the accelerating voltage is 75kV and power of
742.5 W is dissipated as heat, find the number of electrons arriving
at the target per second.

12. (a) Define electron volt.

(b) The figure below shows two planes parallel metal plates PQ and RS
in an vacuoles enclosure. The separation of the plates is 2.0cm and

4
 RS is maintained at a potential of +100V relative to PQ. A and B are
two slits in the plate RS separated by 5.0cm. A collimated beam of
electrons of different kinetic energies is directed at A at an angle of
600 to the plate as shown.
P Q
2 cm
R S
60o
5 cm
Electron
Find the;
(i) kinetic energy of the electron which just reach plate PQ.
(ii) velocity of the electrons that emerge from B.
(c) (i) Distinguish between positive rays and cathode rays.
(ii) Explain motion positive rays in magnetic field.
(d) Describe an experiment while stating precautions how to determine
electronic charge on an oil molecule.

P510/2 Paper Two

Where necessary assume the following constants:

Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.81ms-2
 Speed of light in vacuum, c = 3.0 x 108ms-1
 Speed of sound in air, v = 340ms-1
 Electronic Charge, e = 1.6 x 10-19C

Electronic mass, me = 9.1 x 10-31kg
 Permeability of free space, μ0 = 4.0π x 10-7Hm-1
 Permittivity of free space, ε0 = 8.85 x 10-12 Fm-1
1
 The Constant, = 9.0 x 109F-1m
4𝜋𝜀0

SECTION A
1. (a) (i) State the laws of reflection of light.
(ii) Explain why a parallel beam of light is scattered after it is
reflected from a rough surface surface.

5
 (b) (i) Derive the relationship between focal length and radius of
curvature of a convex mirror.
(ii) Describe an experiment to determine the focal length of a
convex mirror using a convex lens.
(c) In figure 1 is a prism having refracting angle 4𝑜 and refractive index
1.5 is placed in front of a vertical plane mirror as shown in figure 1.

4𝑜

Prism Plane mirror

Fig.1
A horizontal ray of light is incident on the prism. Find the;
(i) angle of incidence on the plane mirror.
(ii) total deviation of the ray after action of prism and the mirror.
(d) (i) Explain short sightedness as a defect of vision.
(ii) A student uses a converging lens of focal length 78cm to
correct his long sightedness. Determine the shortest distance
of clear vision for the defective eye.

2. (a) (i) Define focal length and power in relation to a convex lens.
(ii) Show that the effective power of two thin convex lenses in
contact is equal to the sum of the powers of the individual
lenses.
(b) Two convex lenses A and B of focal length 20cm and 10cm
respectively are placed co-axially 10cm apart. An object of height `
5cm is placed on their common axis at a distance 10cm from
lens A. Find the;
(i) position of the final image.
(ii) size of the final image.
(c) (i) With the aid of a diagram, describe how a prism binocular
works.
(ii) State two advantages of a prism binocular over refracting
astronomical telescopes.
(d) The focal length of a projector lens is 2.8cm. If a magnification of
300 is required, find the distance:

6
 (i) of the screen from the lens.
(ii) between the slide and the lens.
(e) Explain why spy satellites use cameras with lenses of large
diameters.

SECTION B
2. (a) (i) Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves.
(iii) With aid of a sketch graph, explain how pressures varies along
a longitudinal wave.
(b) (i) What is meant by a phase and pitch as applied to waves.
(ii) On same axes, sketch graphs of two waves of phase difference
π radians.
(iii) Explain damping of an oscillation. Give two applications of
damping oscillation.
(c) (i) What is meant by a node of a stationary wave.
(ii) Show that the distance between two successive nodes in the
𝜆
stationary wave is .
2

(iii) Explain why a note emitted by a string can easily be

distinguished from that of a tuning fork with which it is in
unison.
(d) (i) Describe an experiment to show that a string responds well to
forcing frequencies equal to its natural frequencies.
(ii) A stretched wire of length 80cm, radius 0.12mm and density
1360𝑘𝑔𝑚−3 is clamped at both ends and plucked in the middle.
The third harmonic produced by the wire resonates with the
first overtone in a pipe of length 49cm closed at one end.
Calculate the tension in the wire.
(e) (i) What is meant by doppler effect?
(ii) A police man on duty detects a drop of 20% in the pitch of the
horn of a car as it crosses him. Calculate the speed of the car
if speed of sound in air =340𝑚𝑠 −1 .
(f) A radar speed gun emitting radio waves of frequency f is pointed at
an approaching car moving at speed, 𝑢.
(i) Derive the expression for frequency, 𝑓𝑏 of the beats registered
by the speed gun.
(ii) Calculate speed of the car if 𝑓 = 5.9𝑀𝐻𝑧 and 𝑓𝑏 =1.6Hz.

7
3. (a) (i) State Huygen’s construction principle.
(iii) Use Huygen’s principle to verify the laws of refraction of light.
(b) With the aid of suitable sketches, explain the following;
(i) Division of wave front.
(ii) Division of amplitude.
(c) With reference to Young’s double slit experiment,
(i) Explain how interference patterns are formed.
(ii) Explain what happens to the fringes when the source slit is
moved closer to the double slits.
(iii) Describe the appearance of the fringes when the white light is
used.
(iv) When the slit separation is 0.25mm and the screen is 4m
away, the distance between the fourth bright fringe and the
central bright fringe is 1.3cm. Determine the wave length of
the light used in the experiment.
(d) (i) Two thin glass slides of length, L, are placed in contact at one
end and separated at the other by a thin wire of thickness, t,
to form an air wedge. Derive the expression for the width of the
interference fringes formed, when the wedge is illuminated
almost normally by light of wave length, λ.
(ii) Explain what would be observed when the air in the wedge is
replaced with water.
(e) (i) What is a diffraction grating?
(ii) Light of wave length 5.8x10-7m is incident on a diffraction
grating with 500 lines per mm. Find the angular deviation for
the 2nd order image.

SECTION C
4. (a) (i) Define the angle of dip in the earth’s magnetic field.
(ii) Describe the experiment to determine angle of dip in a given
location, using an earth inductor.
(b) (i) Define magnetic flux density and magnetic moment.
(ii) With aid of a sketch graph, explain the variation of
magnetization of soft iron with magnetizing current.

8
 (iii) Calculate the magnetic flux density at the centre of a solenoid
of 500 turns and 80cm long. If each turn carries current of
2.0A.
(c) In figure 2 are two long thin parallel cables A and B carrying
currents of 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 respectively are distance, 𝑑, apart in a
vacuum.

𝐼1 𝐼2

A B
Figure2
(i) Sketch the magnetic field pattern around the cables. Indicate
the direction of forces on the cables.
(ii) Show that the distance, 𝑥 between the neutral point and cable
𝐼2
B is given by 𝑥 = ( ) 𝑑.
𝐼1 +𝐼2
(iii) If 𝐼1 = 3𝐴, 𝐼2 = 8𝐴 and the separation of the cables is 8cm, find
the distance of the neutral point from cable A.
(iv) Explain any three desirable properties of the cables suitable
for long distance transmission of electricity.
(d) (i) Describe how a moving coil galvanometer works
(ii) A moving coil galvanometer has a coil of 100 turns and area
12.5𝑐𝑚2 each in a radial magnetic field of 0.5T. The restoring
torque of the control spring is 3𝑥1𝑚0−5 𝑁𝑚 per radian of twist if
current of 4A passes through the coil. Determine the deflection
of the coil.
(iii) Explain how the aluminium former causes damping in a
moving coil galvanometer.
(e) Figure 3 shows a bar magnet lying on a smooth horizontal surface,
with one end connected to a spring.

Coil
Spring Bar magnet

N S

K
Fig. 3
a.c source

9
 A coil, connected to a.c. source, is placed near the bar
magnet such that the axis of the magnet coincides with that
of the coil. Explain;

(i) what is observed when switch K is closed.

(ii) the effect of placing a soft-iron core inside the coil.
(iii) the effect of increasing the frequency of the ac source.

6. (a) (i) State Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction.

(ii) Explain self-induction and mutual induction.
(b) Figure 4 shows a circular coil of 100 turns and radius 9.6cm is
placed such that it encloses all the magnetic field produced in a gap
between poles of an electromagnet each of which measures 0.10m x
0.08m.
coil

0.10m

0.08m N S

Fig.4

The current in the electromagnet is reduced so that the magnetic

field falls linearly from 0.20T to zero in 4.8s.
(i) Calculate the initial flux linking the coil.
(ii) Explain why there is an emf generated in the coil during this
time.
(iii) If the coil is in a circuit of resistance 25Ω, find the current
flowing in the circuit.
(c) (i) Describe how a d.c motor works.
(ii) List two factors that reduce the efficiency of a motor, and
mention how each is minimized.
(iii) When a dc motor is switched on with no load, it accelerates
until a certain speed is reached and then continues to run at

10
 that speed. If it is loaded, the speed falls to a lower steady
value. Explain the observation.
(iv) A d.c motor of armature resistance 1.6Ω is connected to a
230 V supply. The armature current which flows is 4A.
Calculate the mechanical power developed by the motor.
(d) A magnet dropped in a vertical copper pipe experiences a retarding
force while falling but such a force is not experienced while falling
down in a plastic pipe. Explain the observation.

(e) Figure 5 shows two circuits containing iron cored coils P and Q
placed co-axially and close to each other.

P Q

A
Common axis

a.c supply Bulb

Fig. 5

When the a.c supply is switched on, the lamp lights up; and the
reading of the ammeter, A changes when the lamp is unscrewed
from its socket. Explain the observations.

7. (a) (i) Define the peak value of an alternating current.

(iii) Derive the relationship between the root mean square value
and the peak value of an alternating current.
(b) (i) Define reactance of a capacitor.
(ii) Draw a sketch graph showing how reactance of a capacitor
varies with frequency of the supply.
(c) A sinusoidal voltage of r.m.s. value 20V is applied across a 20𝜇𝐹
capacitor. If the frequency of the a.c. supply is 60Hz, calculate the:
(i) r.m.s. value of the current in the circuit.
(ii) maximum charge on the capacitor.
(d) A pure inductor is connected in series with a of resistance 10Ω
across an ac supply which produces a peak p.d of 12V at frequency
of 60Hz across the inductor terminals. If current through the circuit
is 0.45A;

11
 (i) find the self inductance of the coil.
(ii) determine the power dissipated in the circuit.
(iii) what is the phase relationship between the applied voltage
and the resulting current?
(e) Explain
(i) why an inductor is referred to as a wattless device.
(ii) the role of a capacitor in the primary circuit of an induction
coil.
(iii) how resonance finds application in tuning circuit of a radio.
(iv) what is meant by a net inductive circuit?
(f) Describe how an attraction type of moving iron ammeter
works.

SECTION D
8. (a) Define electrical resistivity and temperature coefficient of
resistance.
(b) A battery of e.m.f E and internal resistance, 𝑟 is connected to a
constant resistance, 𝑅𝑜 .
𝐸−𝑉 𝑟
(i) Show that = , where V is the p.d set up across the
𝑉 𝑅𝑜
resistor when current flows.
(ii) If the constant resistance is replaced with a variable resistor,
R, show that the power P, dissipated in the R is given by
𝐸2
𝑃= 𝑟2
.
𝑅+2𝑟+
𝑅

(iii) If E=10V, and 𝑟 = 1.2Ω, what is the maximum value of power

dissipated in the resistor.
(iv) Sketch a graph to show the variation of the current I that flows
in the circuit, with changing values of R. Explain the shape of
the graph.
(c) A coil of iron wire of diameter 2.5𝑥10−4 𝑚 and length 1.0m is
connected across the left hand gap of a metre bridge circuit. A
standard resistor of 2Ω is connected across its right hand gap.
The temperature 𝜃 𝑜 𝐶 of the coil is varied and the
corresponding balance length 𝑥 cm, from the left hand end of
the bridge is determined as shown in table 1.

12
 𝜃(𝑜 𝐶) 25.0 45.0 65.0 85.0
𝑥 (cm) 50.4 52.6 54.8 60.0
Plot a suitable graph, and use it to find the;
(i) resistivity of iron wire at 0𝑜 𝐶.
(ii) temperature coefficient of resistance of the iron wire.
(d) Describe how you would use a potentiometer to calibrate a voltmeter.
(e) The driver circuit of a potentiometer arrangement contains a resistor
R of a fixed resistance in series with the slide wire. The resistance
per metre of the slide wire is 5Ω. A constant current of 3.8x10 -3A
flows through the slide wire. A balance point is obtained when a cell
of e.m.f 1.50V is connected across R and 140cm length of the slide
wire. When a 2Ω resistor is connected across the cell a balance point
is obtained with a 110cm length of the slide wire. Calculate the;
(i) resistance of R.
(ii) internal resistance of the cell.

9. (a) (i) State Coulomb’s law of electrostatics.

(ii) Explain why electrostatic induction leads to attraction.
(b) (i) Define electric potential difference and electric field intensity.
(ii) Derive an expression for electric potential difference between
two points distance 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 from a charge Q, given that
𝑥1 > 𝑥2 .
(c) An oil drop of mass 5. 5𝑥10−11 𝑘𝑔 is introduced between two
horizontal parallel conducting plates 1.6cm apart in a vacuum. The
upper plate is maintained at a positive potential of 1.5kV, while the
lower plate is earthed. Find the;
(i) number of electrons that must be attached to the oil drop for it
to remain stationary between the plates.
(ii)initial acceleration of the charged oil drop if the upper plate is
suddenly changed to -1.5kV.
(d) (i) Describe with the aid of a diagram, how a high voltage can be
generated using a Van de Graaf generator.
(iii) State factors that affect the voltage generated by the generator
in d(i).
(e) Explain the following in line with principles of electrostatics:
(i) Vehicles carrying inflammable material such as gasoline
usually have metallic ropes touching the ground during
motion.
(ii) Tyres of aircraft are made of mildly conducting rubber.

13
11. (a) (i) Define dielectric constant and capacitance.
(ii) State two industrial uses of a capacitor.
(iii) State the factors affecting capacitance of a parallel plate
capacitor.
(b) An electroscope has capacitance of 100pF and its leaves diverge 80
divisions when charged to a potential of 600V. If in this position the
divergence of the leaf reduces at a rate of one 2 divisions in a minute
owing to imperfect insulation, find the leakage current and the
resistance of the insulation path.
(c) Describe an experiment to determine the dielectric constant of a
material using a vibrating reed circuit.
(d) A 3µF capacitor is charged to 400V and then the distance between
the plates is increased by quarter of the original separation.
(i) Find the change in energy stored in the capacitor.
(ii) Account for the energy change in b(i).
(e) Explain why energy stored in a capacitor increases during the
charging.
(f) (i) Draw a sketch graph of charging current against time for a
capacitor.
(ii) Explain the graph in f(i) above.

14