SS2 PHYSICS PRATICAL

FIRST TERM EXAMINATION

You are provided with a uniform metre rule, a knife-edge, some masses and other necessary materials.
0cm X Y 100cm

M N

i. Determine and record the centre of gravity of the metre rule.

ii. Fix the 100g mass marked N at a point Y, the 80cm mark of the rule using a sellotape.

iii. Suspend another 50g mass marked M at X, a distance A = 1Ocm from the 0cm mark of the rule.

iv. Balance the arrangement horizontally on the knife edge as illustrated in the diagram above.

v. Measure and record the distance B of a knife-edge from the 0cm mark of the rule.

vi. Repeat the procedure for four other values of A =15cm, 20cm, 25cm and 30cm.

vii. Tabulate your readings.

viii. Plot a graph with B on the vertical axis and A on the horizontal axis.

ix. Determine the slope, s, of the graph.

x. Also determine the intercept, c, on the vertical axis.

xi. Evaluate:
∝) K1 = { 1 – 2s ) 100
s
β] = k2 = 2c - 160
s
xii. State two precautions taken to obtain accurate results.

(b)i. Define the moment of a force about a point.

ii. State newton first and second law of motion

 Physics pratical ss3

A G 80cm

M M0

You are provided with a metre rule, a knife-edge, set of masses, inextensible string, retort support
and other necessary apparatus.

i. Place the metre rule on the knife edge. Read and record the point G where the metre rule
balances horizontally, as shown in Fig above.

ii. Suspend the metre rule at G with the aid of the string provided and attach the string to the retort
support as shown in Fig 1(b). Keep the string attached to this point throughout the experiment.

iii. Attach the mass M0 at the 80cm mark of the metre rule. Determine the distance of y from G. Keep
M0 at this position throughout the experiment.
iv. Suspend a mass M= 40g on the side AG and adjust its position until the metre rule balances
horizontally.

v. Measure and record the distance of x of M from G. Evaluate x −1

vi. Repeat the procedure for four other values of M= 60g, 80g, 100g and 120g. Measure and record
x and evaluate x−1 in each case.
vii. Tabulate the readings.

viii. Plot a graph of M on the vertical axis and x on the horizontal axis, starting both axes from the
origin (0,0).

ix. Determine the slope s of the graph:

x. Given that s = yM0, determine M0.

xi. State two precautions taken to obtain accurate results.

(b) i. Define the moment of a force about a point.

ii. A uniform metre rule is suspended by an inextensible string at its centre of gravity. If a mass of
60g is placed at the 25cm mark, what mass should be placed at the 80cm mark of the metre rule to
balance it horizontally?