EXPECTED SEMINAR RESPONSES FOR O-LEVEL PHYSICS SEMINAR

SLATED FOR 14TH JUNE 2025 AT NTUNGAMO HIGH SCHOOL IN

CONJUCTION WITH SEPTA

Item 1
a) Distortion of sound was due to echoes & reverberation. It came about due
to mixing of the reflected sound (echo) with the original sound from the
hall. Echoes are formed when sound is reflected from a hard
surface/wall/the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface must be at least
17 metres or must return to the source in after 0.1 second.
The distortion can be minimised by covering the walls of halls with sound
absorbing materials such as heavy curtains, cushions, and carpets.
b) Using bright colours for walls and ceilings that reflect more light such as
white, and light blue
Using reflective accessories in the hall such as mirrors, glass and metallic
finishes, light coloured furniture and textiles.
Installing glass windows and sheer or light-coloured curtains that allow
entry of natural light into the hall.
c) In the bathrooms, plane mirrors should be installed on the walls to enable
clear viewing of people irrespective of their distances from the mirror since
the image is always;
• Same size as the object
• Same distance and as the object
• Erect
• Virtual

For checking under the cars, convex mirrors should be connected onto a long
handle, so as to enable the security team to place it underneath the cars;
because the give a wide field of view that would enable any illegal material hidden
below the car to be exposed as illustrated below;
Item 2
a) At night, the sound from the resort was louder than day due to refraction
of sound. Hence the cause of discomfort for the natives at night. The
temperatures of air are lower at night; the ground therefore becomes cooler
which makes the layers of air close to the ground to be cooler than those
above the ground. This makes sound to be refracted towards the ground
enabling it to travel through longer distances hence being heard from
further away.
While during day time, temperatures are high which makes the layers of
air closer to ground warmer than those away from the ground. Sound is
therefore refracted away from the ground reducing its distance of travel
and audibility.
𝑉
b) Using the formula; 𝜆 = 𝑓
330
𝜆= = 2.75𝑚
120
Therefore; the sound was harmful since its wavelength was greater than
2m
c) The appearance of the costumes kept on changing since;
▪ In presence of blue flash disco lights, their costumes appeared dark
because all light from disco lights was absorbed by the yellow
costumes and none was reflected.
▪ In presence of green flash lights, their costumes appeared green with
black strips. This is because green colour was reflected by the yellow
costumes because yellow colour was part of yellow colour (R+G)

Item 3

Count rate for uranium alone = (6600 − 200) = 6400 counts per hour

Half-life =2days

𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 = 6 × 2

= 12 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠

(b) Natural resources

• Cosmic rays (radiation that reaches the Earth from space)

• Rocks and soil(some rocks are radioactive and give off radioactive radon
gas)
• Living things (plants absorb radioactive materials from the soil and these
pass up the food chain)

Artificial sources include

 • Radioactive waste from nuclear power stations
• Medical X-rays
• Nuclear missiles (bombs when exploded release radiations into the
environment)

(c) Environmental effects of uranium mining;

• Contamination of soil
• Local thermal pollution from waste affects marine life (water pollution)
• Creates radioactive wastes which remain radioactive and dangerous to
human radioactive and dangerous to human health for thousands of years
• Dust pollution. Mining operations generate dust may contain radioactive
particles impacting air quality
• Uranium mining releases radon gas which can travel long distances in air
• Long-term waste storage. Waste is radioactive and safe disposal is very
difficult and expensive
• Disrupts ecosystem e.g underground mining disturbs large areas of land,
leading to habitat loss for plants and animals
• Uranium mining and milling contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.

Item 4

Item 5

(a) Assume Z is 𝑝𝑞𝑍,then from the equation of reaction,

235 + 𝑝 = 144 + 90 + 2

𝑝 = (144 + 90 + 2) − 235

𝑝=1

Also 92 + 𝑞 = 56 + 36 + 0

𝑞 = (56 + 36 + 0) − 92

𝑞=0

Hence Z is 10𝑍 which is a neutron.

139
is an isotope of X since they have the same atomic number but different
56𝑍
mass number.

(b) The cheap electricity is nuclear power generated in a nuclear reactor at a

power plant by a controlled nuclear fission reaction as follows;
 • Uranium fuel (raw material) is prepared in form of pellets that are
arranged in a fuel assembly(ies) which form a nuclear core
• When neutrons collide with uranium, nuclear fission takes place
with release of more neutron and heat energy.
• The heat energy generated is transferred to a coolant like water or
gas that circulates and transfers it to the steam generator upon
being heated hence producing steam.
• The steam produced drives the turbines that are connected to the
generator there by making them to spin.
• The connected generators to the spinning turbines covert their
mechanical energy to electrical energy which is transmitted to the
power grid and distributed to homes and industries for
consumption.
(c) Dangers associated with radioactive substances
• Cause cancer
• Cause mutation
• Affect soil fertility through pollution
• Can cause sterility
Safety measures include;
• Avoid unnecessary exposure
• Wearing protective gears when at work
• Using tongs to handle radioactive substances
• Storing them in lead containers
• Proper waste management e.g by properly disposing wastes.

Item 6

(a) This is due to rotation of the earth about its axis. The part of the earth
facing the sun experiences day time whereas the opposite side experiences
night time. This complete rotation of the earth about its axis takes about
24 hours. This is why Joan was experiencing day time in Kampala while
her Aunt is experiencing night in Sydney.
 (b) Cameras and microphones record the event in real time. The footage is
then sent to a studio. In a television studio, videos, pictures and sound
are converted into electromagnetic signals and sent to a ground station.
These signals are then sent to the communication satellite in a
geostationary orbit through an uplink process.
The satellite transponder receives the signals, amplifies them and changes
the frequency to avoid interference with the incoming signals.
The satellite transponder retransmits the signals to the ground station.
The signals are received by a satellite dish through a downlink process
where they are decoded and then converted to light and sound again.
This whole process takes place very fast since electromagnetic waves take
place at a speed of light.
Illustration

Item 7

(a) Changes in seasons are brought about by the earths axial tilt of 23.5
degrees to its orbital plane and its revolution around the sun.
As it revolves around the sun throughout the year plus areas being at
different latitudes (distances from the equator).
The areas close to the sun experience hot days, longer daytime that night
time there by experiencing dry season or summer.
The areas on the opposite side experience cold seasons, shorter days than
nights hence experiencing wet or winter seasons. When the sun is over
head(equinox). The length of days is equal to night hence spring.
(b) The colours of stars depend on their surface temperature. The hotter the
star the more blue it is and the colder the star, the more red it is.
Intermediate colours white and yellow have moderate temperature.
Brightness of stars depends on the following
• Distance from the earth. Stars closer to the earth are brighter than
those that are far from earth
• Surface temperature. Hotter stars are brighter than colder stars.
• Size of the star. Bigger stars with a larger surface area from which
light is emitted tend to be brighter than smaller stars of smaller
surface area
• Age of the star. Young stars are blue and brighter than in red giant
phase because young stars have high rates of nuclear fusion.
 What makes stars shine brightly;
• The energy released during nuclear fusion is what makes the stars
to shine.
• This energy is produced at the centre of the star where the pressure
is very high. Hydrogen atoms fuse together to form helium (nuclear
fusion). The nuclear fusion process releases a huge amount of
energy in the form of light and heat which makes the star to shine
brightly.

Heat & mechanics

Item 8
(a) Conductor’s query.
Yes, the engine has a cooling system that uses water as a coolant. Water is
chosen for being readily available and also majorly that with its high specific
heat capacity of 4200𝐽𝑘𝑔−1𝑘−1, it makes it absorb a good quantity of heat without
highly rising in temperature thereby being used as a coolant as compared to
other liquids.

Passengers’ queries
The passenger’ should kindly go by the driver’s request for safety. This is because
when the luggage is loaded at the bottom, this will make the bus have a lot of
weight at the bottom, as a result its centre of gravity is lowered, this increases
the stability of the bus thereby moving safely without giving chance to
eventualities. On the other hand, if the passengers insist and pit their luggage
at the top rack, this will shift the weight upwards and will rise the centre of
gravity of the bus thereby making it unstable which may lead to toppling of the
bus.

(b) The passengers should also bear and fasten seat belts. This will help
overcome the effect of Inertia as passengers may jerk forward and jerk
backward when the bus sets off and also breaks immediately. This is
because their bodies will be reluctant to changing their state of rest or
uniform motion in a straight line when acted upon by an external force, as
explained in Newton’s first law of motion.
To analyse this wrangle, we shall find the distance the bus covered while
decelerating uniformly to rest if it exceeds the 443m, between the bus and
the sign post then the driver will be on wrong.
Method 1
Given
79.2×1000
𝑢= 79.2 𝑘𝑚ℎ𝑟−1 = 3600
= 22𝑚𝑠 −1
0 − 22
𝐷𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 =
40
= −0.55𝑚𝑠 −1
1
Therefore, the distance covered; from 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2
1
𝑠 = 22 × 40 − × 0.55 × 402 = 440𝑚
2
,
Therefore, since the distance covered is less than 443𝑚, then the bus stopped
before reaching the signpost and therefore did not knock the signpost.
Method 2
We can also draw a velocity -time graph and use it to find the distance
covered.

1 1 40
The distance under graph = 2 𝑏ℎ = 2 × 3600 × 79.2 = 0.44 𝑘𝑚 = 440𝑚
Item 9
(a)
A metallic spoon with a plastic handle: The spoon is metallic for long lasting
and has a plastic handle to act as an
insulator so as to limit the transfer of heat to the handler that may
inconvenience while using
A percolator (electric kettle) labelled 𝟐𝟒𝟎𝑽, 𝟑𝟎𝟎𝟎𝑾 with a capacity of 𝟐𝒍, with
plastic casing.
The percolator has an inside still coil for heating the contents and the outside
plastic to avoid heat loss through conduction to the out side and also a plastic
handle to prevent both electric and heat shock.

A stainless-steel sauce pan, deeper than its width with a lid. The sauce pan
is made of stainless steel to prevent rusting and also to easily conduct heat to
the contents while cooking. Its also deeper than its width to limit the width of
the surface area exposed to the atmosphere, this limits heat loss by radiation
and convection.

(b) We shall look for the time the percolator will take to boil the water and
then compare with the 5 minutes.
From assumption that
E𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑜𝑖𝑙.
𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑥𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 = 𝑚𝑐∆𝜃.
2
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓2𝑙 = 1000 = 0.002𝑚3 .

H𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑚 = 𝜌×𝑣 = 1000×0.002 = 2𝑘𝑔.

Tℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 ∶ 3000𝑡 = 2×4200× (100 − 25). 3000𝑡 = 630,00.
𝑡 = 210𝑠 = 3.5 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
Hence the percolator will be able to boil the water within the required time
since it takes only 3.5 minutes to boil the water

(c) An experiment to find the specific heat capacity of water by method of

mixtures.

• A solid of known mass 𝑚2 is heated in boiling water to a known

temperature say θ2.
 • Then it is transferred very quickly into water of mass 𝑚1 in a
calorimeter of known mass 𝑚3 and known specific heat capacity 𝑐3,
initially at a temperature θ1 with its content.
• The mixture is stirred gently until a common temperature θ is reached
as in figure below

Assuming that no heat is lost to the surrounding then, the specific heat
capacity of water 𝑐1 is obtained from:

Heat lost by solid = Heat gained by liquid + Heat gained by the calorimeter

𝑚2 𝑐2 (𝜃 − 𝜃2 ) = 𝑚3 𝑐3 (𝜃1 − 𝜃2 ) + 𝑚1 𝑐1 (𝜃1 − 𝜃2 )

Item 10

• Along AB the temperature of ice rises from A to B as it is heated.

• Along BC the temperature remains constant when the ice melts at 0°C
and the ice consumes latent heat as per its specific latent heat of fusion
• Along CD the temperature of melted ice into water now rises from C to
D.

• Along DE the temperature remains constant at 100oC during boiling of

water as it absorbs latent heat of vaporisation to change to vapour.
 • The reverse of the above process takes place when the water cools or
when heat extracted from it.
(b)

Total time = time taken to boil ice (𝑡1) + time taken on road (𝑡2 ) +25 minutes.

For t1, assume heat supplied by heater =heat used to boil heat ice +heat used to
convert ice into water +heat used to boil water.

1270.5𝑡1 = 0.5×2100×3 + 0.5×336000 + 0.5×4200×100.

𝑡1 = 300𝑠= 5 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠 for t2. Since the acceleration is zero,

3000
𝑡2 =
20
= 150𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠 = 2.5 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
T𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 = 5min + 2.5 min + 25min = 32.5 minutes
ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 7: 25𝐴𝑚 + 00: 32.5 = 𝟎𝟕: 𝟓𝟕. 𝟓𝑨𝒎
hence, he was able to reach in time at 𝟎𝟕: 𝟓𝟕. 𝟓𝑨𝒎 before the set off time
08:00Am.

Height of the mountain h will be got from the pressure difference.

780−738.7
× 13600 × 10 = h × 1.25 × 10
1000

5589.6 = 12.5ℎ.
ℎ = 442.368𝑚
Since the mountain is 442.368𝑚, then the climber will climb the same height.
 Electricity and electromagnetism
Item 11
(a) Given that the unit cost of electricity = Ugx 750.
Item Flat iron Washing machine Bulb

Quantity 2 1 3

Time in 2 3 10
hours

Power in kW 1.2kW 2.2kW 0.1kW

Total cost = 2 × 2 × 1.2 × 750 = 1 × 3 × 2.2 × 750 =3 × 10 × 0.1 × 750

per day in
=3600 =4950 =2250
Ugx

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑟 30 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 = (3600 + 4950 + 2250) × 30

= 𝑈𝑔𝑥 324000

The man was not being cheated.

(b) The rotating device is a motor which receives electrical energy and
converts into mechanical energy by rotating or turning.

Illustration

How it works

• When the current flows in the coil, side BC experiences a downward

force and AD an upward force.
• The two equal and opposite forces constitute to couple which cause the
coil to rotate.
• When the coil reaches the vertical position, the brushes lose contact
with the commutator and current is cut off.
 • However, the coil continues to rotate past this vertical position because
of the momentum previously gain.
• The current in the coil therefore reverses, as the brushes change
contact with the commutator
• Side AD now experiences a downward force whereas BC experiences an
upward force hence the coil continues to rotate as long as the current
is flowing.
• The rotation of the motor makes the drum agitate(stir) the clothes and
water thereby removing dirt and stains.

Electricity costs can be minimized through

• Switching off devices that aren’t in use

• Using iron boxes instead of flat irons
• Using alternative cheaper sources of energy e.g solar and charcoal e.t.c
• Using energy saving machines.

Item 12
𝐼 𝑉
From 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝐼 𝑠𝑉𝑠 × 100
𝑃 𝑃

300 × 120
= × 100
500 × 240
= 30% which is significantly low

(i) Thick transmission wires are preferred in transmitting electricity

because they have a lower resistance to flow of current which
reduces energy losses due to heating during transmission.
(ii) The inefficiencies in a transformer arise as a result of energy loses
due to;
• Eddy currents induced in the soft iron core due to changing magnetic
flux linking the core which may result into unnecessary heat. Such
energy loss can be minimized through using a laminated core.
• Resistance in the windings. Some of the energy is dissipated in form of
heat due to electrical resistance in the wire. This can be minimized by
using thick copper wires of low resistance.
• Hysteresis loss or magnetic reversals. These arise due to constantly
magnetizing and demagnetizing. Each time the direction of
magnetization of the frame changes, some energy is wasted in
overcoming internal friction. This can be minimized by using a soft iron
core which can easily be magnetized and demagnetized.
• Magnetic flux leakage. This can be minimized by winding the secondary
coil on top of the primary coil.
Item 13

(a) (i) Lightning is an electric discharge that occurs when two electrically
charged regions collide with each other forming sparks with release of
energy.
How it occurs
• Within the clouds, ice crystals and water droplets collide with each
other there by getting charged by friction with the upper cloud being
positively charged and the lower cloud negatively charged
• The negatively charged cloud at the bottom induces an opposite charge
(positive) on the ground which concentrates on pointed bodies like tress
or tall buildings.
• Once the cloud becomes highly charged, negative charges rush down
towards the earth there by attracting positive charges on the ground
hence pulling them upwards.
• When these two charges meet, a strong electric current is generated
(discharge) which is depicted as a bright flash of light called lightning.
• During the discharge, the thermal energy generated (due to rapid
expansion of air) is converted to partly sound energy depicted as
thunder. So, thunder and lightning weren’t a punishment from gods as
previously adopted.
(iii) A lightning conductor should be installed in the church structure
because;
• When a negatively charged cloud passes over the spikes of the lightning
conductor, it induces positive charges at the spikes of the conductor.
• At the spikes, there is high charge density due to the high concentration
of charges.
• This high charge density causes ionization of air molecules around
forming positive and negative ions.
• The positive charges on the spikes repel away the positive ions and
attracts the negative ions which come neutralize the positives on spikes.
• The repelled positive ions also move upwards to the cloud and
neutralize some of the negatives on the clouds.
• The remaining excess charges(electrons) are conducted away by the
copper plate to the ground hence reducing the effect of lightning.
Illustration