THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

PRESIDENT’S OFFICE, REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL

GOVERNMENT
NJOMBE REGION
FORM SIX PRE-MOCK EXAMINATION
CODE: 131/1 PHYSICS 1
(For both school and private candidates)

TIME: 3:00 HRS Thursday, 17th August 2023 P.M

Instructions
1. This paper consists of section A and B with a total of ten (10) questions.
2. Answer all questions in section A and choose two (2) questions from section B.
3. Marks for each equation or part thereof are indicated.
4. Mathematical tables and non-programmable calculators may be used.
5. All writing must be in blue or black ink except drawing which must be in
pencil.
6. Cellular phones and any unauthorised materials are not allowed in the
examination room.
7. Write your Examination Number on every page of your answer booklet(s).
8. Where necessary the following constant(s) may be used
i. Acceleration due to gravity, g = 10ms −2
ii. Density of water=103 kgm−3
iii. Speed of sound in air, v=340m/s
iv. Atmospheric pressure=1.013x105 N/m2
v. Pie, 𝜋 = 3.14

Page 1 of 4
 SECTION A (70Marks)
Answer all questions from this section.
1. a) Apply the method of dimension to
(i) Derive an expression for the lift force of a helicopter due to the spinning of
blades in air. (04marks)
1
(ii) Check the correctness of the equation𝐾𝐸𝑟𝑜𝑡 = 𝐼𝜔2, where 𝐾𝐸𝑟𝑜𝑡 is the
2
rotational kinetic energy, I is the moment of inertia of a rotating body and
𝜔 is the angular speed of a rotating body (03marks)
b) The frequency of vibration of a body in a horizontal platform is given by
𝑔
𝑓=√ , where x is the amplitude and 𝑔is the acceleration due to gravity. Find
4𝜋 2 𝑥
the value of g from the following readings: frequency f= (1.58±0.01)𝐻𝑧
Amplitude 𝑥=(10 ± 0.01)𝑐𝑚

2. a) Explain how is the horizontal range of a projectile is affected when

its initial velocity is doubled for a given angle of projection, 𝜃?
(02marks)
b) The height y and distance x along the horizontal plane of a projectile on a certain
planet (with no surrounding atmosphere) are given by: 𝑦 = (8𝑡 − 5𝑡 2 )𝑚, 𝑥 =
(6𝑡)𝑚. Where t is in seconds. Find
(i) The velocity with which the projectile was projected
(03marks)
(ii) The angle with the horizontal projectile was projected(01mark)
(iii) Acceleration due to gravity. (02 marks)

3. a) i) Why do we say velocity and acceleration of a body executing S.H.M

are out of phase? (01mark)
ii)Briefly explain the importance of energy interchange in simple
harmonic motion. (03marks)
b) A mass of 0.5kg connected to a light spring of force constant 20Nm-1
oscillates on a horizontal surface.
(i) Calculate the total energy of the system and the maximum speed of the
mass if the amplitude of the motion is 3cm (02marks)
(ii) What is the velocity of the mass when the displacement is equal to 2cm?
(01mark)
(iii) Find the kinetic and potential energy of the system when the displacement
equals 20cm. (03marks)

4. a) Briefly explain why it is difficult to move a cycle with its brakes on (03marks)
b) i) Explain with the help of relation, how the angle of banking depends
on the mass of the vehicle? (02marks)
ii)A stone of mass 0.6kg tied to a rope of length 0.7m revolves along a
circular path in a vertical plane. To what height the stone will rise if
the rope breaks the moment the velocity is directed upwards? provided that,
tension on the rope is 48N (05marks)

Page 2 of 4
5. a) i) What is a thermometric property of a material? (02 marks)
ii) Why water is preferred as a cooling agent in many automobile engines?
(02 marks)
b) i) Briefly explain what you understand by the term temperature gradient
(01 mark)
ii)The ends of a straight uniform metal rod are maintained at temperature of 1000C
and 200C. Draw sketch-graph of the variation of the temperatures of the rod
along its length when the surface of the rod
• Lagged
• Coated with soot
• Polished
Give a qualitative explanation of the form of graph (05marks)

6. (a) what happens to the energy added to an ideal gas when it is heated
i) At constant volume (02 marks)
ii) At constant pressure (02 marks
(b) A particular resistance thermometer has a resistance of 30Ω at
the ice point, 41.58Ω at the steam point and 36.18Ω when immersed in a
boiling liquid. A constant volume gas thermometer gives the following readings:
1.33x105Pa, 1.81x105Pa and 1.58x105Pa at the same three temperatures.
Calculate the temperature, at which the liquid is boiling,
i) On the scale of the resistance thermometer (03 marks)
ii) On the scale of the gas thermometer (03 marks)

7. (a) i) What is the role of solar radiation in agriculture? (03 marks)

ii) How does soil texture affect water retention in agriculture? (03 marks
(b) i) How earthquakes are measured? (02 marks)
ii) What is the difference between the focus and the epicenter? (02 marks)

SECTION B (30Marks)
Answer two (2) questions from this section.
8. (a)i) Explain the fundamental principle of transformer and how they are
used to step up or step-down voltage in electrical systems? (02marks)
ii) Explain the concept of efficiency of transformer and provide an
example to illustrate how improving the efficiency of transformer
positively influences energy conservation and cost savings in electrical
systems. (03marks
b)i) Distinguish between an e.m.f of a cell and potential difference. (02marks)
ii)A battery consisting of 10 cells in series has two cells reverse connected
by mistake E.M.F of each cell is 1.5V and internal resistance 0.1Ω. The
value of external resistance is 4Ω. Find the reduction in current due to
the two cells being reverse connected (03marks)
c) i) State Kirchhoff’s laws of electric circuits (02marks)
ii) Find the current in each resistor in Figure 1: (03marks)

Page 3 of 4
 Figure 1
9. a)i) Why insulators do not conduct electricity under ordinary condition?
Explain in terms of energy band theory. (03marks)
ii)Under what condition a semiconductor diode behaves as an open
switch? (01mark)
b)i) Distinguish between breakdown voltage and knee voltage as applied
to PN junction. (02marks)
ii) Figure 2 shows a LED circuit. The LED has a minimum drop of
1.5V and a maximum drop of 2.3V. If the supply voltage is 10V
and 𝑅1 = 470𝑘𝛺. What is minimum and maximum value of current
in a LED circuit? (04marks)

Figure 2
d) i) List three types of transistor configuration. (03marks)
ii)Why is collector of a transistor made wider than emitter and base?
(02marks)
10. a) i) What is meant by a logic gate? (01 mark)
ii) Explain two functions of logic gate ( 02 mark)
b)i) What are three logic gates that make up all digital circuits? (03 marks)
ii)Construct the truth table from the logic gates shown in Figure 3 (05 marks)

Figure 03
c) i) How many NAND gates are required to make a NOT gate? 01 marks
ii) How can you implement a NOT gate using transistors? (03marks)

Page 4 of 4
 PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ADVANCED CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION
EXAMINATION
PRE- MOCK EXAMINATION NJOMBE REGION AND MBARALI
DISTRICT

PHYSICS 1
131/1
MARKING SCHEME
____________________________________________________________________

1. (a)
i. Lift force depend on length of the blades, velocity of
spinning v, and density of air .

…................................................................ 01mark
………………………………...….00
[ ]
[]
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
=( ) ( ) ( )
=( ) [ ] [ ][ ]
By comparing
C=1…………………………………………….....00
-b=-2 ……………………………………00
a-3c +b=1
a=2………………………………………………..00
is the expression of lift force……..….01 mark

ii.
For equation to be correct

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 [ ] * +…………………………………..01mark
[ ] [ ] [ ][ ] ………...01mark
[] [ ]
[ ]
* +
[ ]
* + [ ][ ] ……………….01mark
Since[ ] * +, then the equation is correct.

b From √

………………………………………….01 mark

( )

( )

……………………………………….01mark

( ) …………01mark

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2.
a) When the initial velocity of a projectile is doubled for a given angle
of projection, , the horizontal range will increase because the
projectile’s initial horizontal speed and time of flight both increase.
This effect is a result of the increase kinetic energy and longer
flight time allowing the projectile to cover a greater horizontal
distance before hitting the ground.
b) (i) y=8t-5t2

Compare with: y=

…..(i)

Compare with: x=
=6………(ii)
( ) ( ) = +

( )
But
√

(ii)

( )
(iii) From
y=8t-5t2
y=

3 (a)

i. We say that the velocity and acceleration of a body

executing S.H.M are out of phase because they reach their
maximum and minimum values at different points during the
motion.

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ii. The importance of energy interchange in S.H.M lies in the
substance and maintenance of the oscillatory motion. This
energy interchange play role as the driving force behind the
continuous motion and the predictable behaviour of
oscillating systems.

(b)

i. Total energy

r=3cm

( )

ii. √

√ √

324√

iii. ( )

( )
( )

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4
a) This is because the brakes of cycle on its wheel cannot
rotate but can only skid. Since sliding friction is greater
than the rolling friction (03 marks)
b)
i. From the relation , since the relation does not
contain mass of vehicle, so the angle does not depend on
the mass of vehicle (02marks)
ii. From the relation; (01 mark)

48-06x10=
(01 mark)
When the rope breaks, the stone raises to a height h until
its entire kinetic energy is converted into potential energy
01 mark
01 mark

01 mark

5. (a)
i. Thermometric properties refer to the characteristic or
physical properties of a material that change
measurably with temperature 02 marks.
ii. High specific heat capacity. Water has a relatively high
specific heat capacity compared to many other fluids.
This means it can absorb and retain a significant
amount of heat without a substantial increase in its own
temperature. As a result, water is effective at absorbing
heat generated by the engine and helps maintain a
stable operating temperature 02 marks

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(b)

i. Temperature gradient refers to the rate of change of

temperature with respect to distance or position in a
given medium or material 01mark
ii. The graph of the lagged and that of the polished rod
are similar since polishing prevents escape of the
heat in form of radiation.
For the lagged coated with soot or polished rod.
01mark

For the one with soot on the surface. 01mark

 A lagged rod will have a straight line indicating that

no heat is lost to the surrounding and so heat is
conducted/ transmitted uniformly. 01mark
 For the one coated with soot, is a good radiator of the
heat so heat is lost as it is conducted from the hot end
to the cold end hence the graph is the curve. 01mark
 For the polished one, this is similar to the lagged one.
A polished surface has a very low tendency of losing
heat. Hence the graph is straight line indicating the
flow of heat is uniform. 01mark

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 6. (a)
i. When it is heated at constant volume the energy rise
the internal energy of the gas and then appears as the
increase in the internal energy of the gas. 02 marks
ii. When it is heated at constant pressure part of the
energy does external work and the rest rise the
internal energy of the gas. 02 marks

(b)

i.
Form ( )

( )

0
C
ii.
Form ( )

( )

0
C

7. (a)
i. Solar radiation produces energy for photosynthesis,
influencing plant growth and development in
agriculture. 03marks
ii. Soil texture determines the pore space and
influences water retentions sandy soils have lower
water-holding capacity while clay soils retain more
water 03 marks

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 (b)

i. Earthquakes are measured using seismometers. The most common

scale for measuring magnitude is the Richter Scale 02 marks
. The focus(hypocentre) is the actual location where the earthquake
originates beneath the Earth’s surface, while the epicenter is the
point directly above the focus on the Earth’s surface 02marks
8. (a)
i. Transformer operation is based on electromagnetic induction to
transfer electrical energy between two coils. When an alternating
current flows through the primary coil, it creates a changing
magnetic field, inducing a voltage in the secondary coil.
 To step up voltage, a transformer with more secondary
windings than primary windings is used.
 To step down voltage, a transformer with fewer secondary
windings is used. 02 marks
ii. Efficiency in transformers refers to how effectively the transformer
converts electrical power from the primary coil to the secondary coil
without significant energy losses. It is expressed as a percentage and
can be calculated using the formula

 By employing more efficient transformers with

superior core materials and optimized winding
technique, the overall energy losses during power
distribution are reduced. This conservation of energy
translates to cost saving for electricity providers and
consumers leading to more sustainable and
economical electrical system. 03 marks

(b)

i. E.M.F is the maximum voltage a cell can provide when it’s

not connected to any circuit, while potential difference is the
voltage across a component or between points in a circuit
when current is flowing. 02 marks

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 ii. When the cells are connected
( )

Substituting the given values

( ) ( )
( )

(c)

i.
Kirchhoff’s current Law (KCL). The total current flowing
into a junction (or node) in a circuit is equal to the total
current flowing out that junction. 01 mark
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL). The sum of the voltage
drops (or potential differences) around any closed loop in a
circuit is zero. 01 mark
ii. Assign current in a clockwise direction

Take the loop ABEF in clockwise direction.

-15+ + 9 -2 +10+(-3 )

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 2 (i)

Take the loop BCDE in clockwise direction

25-4I-9 +15-

But I=

4(I)=4( + )

25-4 -4 9 +15-

40-14

40=14

20=7 …………………(ii)

Solving for (i)& (ii) simultaneously we get

and

So current that will be passing across resistor 9Ω

is and current that will be passing through 2Ω

is

9. (a)
i. In terms of energy band theory:
Insulators do not conduct electricity under ordinary conditions
because their valence electrons are tightly bound to their atoms,
forming a completely filled valence band. At room temperature, the
valence band is fully occupied and the energy gap between the
conduction bands is relatively large.
This large energy gap requires a substantial amount of energy to
promote electrons from the valence band to the conduction band,
which cannot be easily achieved under normal conditions. As a result
insulators lack free electrons in the conduction band necessary for
electrical conduction, making them poor conductors of electricity
03marks.
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 ii. A semiconductor diode behaves as an open switch when it is reversed
biased. In a reverse-biased diode, the external voltage is applied in a
way that the positive terminal of the voltage source connects to the
diode’s-type semiconductor and the negative terminal connects to the
P-type semiconductor 01 mark

(b)

i. Breakdown voltage :
The breakdown voltage of a PN junction diode is the voltage at which
the diode experiences a rapid increase in reverse current and enters
the breakdown region. The phenomenon occurs when the reverse
bias voltage exceeds a critical value. 01 mark
Knee voltage (Cut –in Voltage)
The knee voltage of a PN junction diode is the voltage at which the
diode is the voltage at which the diode starts conducting in the
forward biased direction. It is the point where the diode begins to
allow current to flow through it with relatively low resistance. Before
the knee voltage is reached, the diode remains in a non-conducting
state. 01 mark
ii. Solution

For minimum LED circuit, the value of should be maximum,

So 01 mark

=16.4 01 mark
For maximum LED current, the value of should be minimum
So 01 mark

=18.1 01 mark

(c)
i. Three types of transistor configuration are
 Common base configuration 01mark

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  Common emitter configuration 01mark
 Common emitter configuration 01mark
ii. The collector of a transistor is made wider than the emitter and
base is to enhance the transistor current- carrying capacity and
increase its overall efficiency 02 marks

10. (a)
i. Logic gates are electronic circuits/devices that accept one or
more input signals but they produce only one output 01 mark
ii. Two functions of logic gate are;
 Logic gates perform fundamental logical operations on
binary input signals, which are represented as 0s and 1s.
01 mark
 Digital Circuit Building: Logic gates are the fundamental
building blocks of digital circuits 01 mark

(b)

i. The three fundamental logic gates that make up all digital

circuits are: AND gate, OR gate and NOT gate. 03 marks
ii. Truth table 05 marks

Inputs Outputs
A B S S Q
0 0 1 1 0
0 1 1 0 0
1 0 0 1 0
1 1 0 0 1

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(c)

i. A NOT gate can be made using only one NAND gate. By connecting
the input of the NAND gate together, you can achieve the NOT
function. 01mark
ii. To implement a NOT gate using transistors, you can connect the
input to the base of an NPN transistor, and the output to the
collector of the same transistor. The emitter should be connected
to the ground. When the input is low (0), the transistor will be in
an ON state, and the output will be high (1). Conversely, when the
input is high (1), the transistor will be in an OFF state, and the
output will be low (0).This setup effectively creates a NOT gate.
03marks

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