THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

PRESIDENT’S OFFICE, REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

FORM SIX SPECIAL SCHOOLS JOINT EXAMINATION

CODE: 131/3A PHYSICS 3A (ACTUAL PRACTICAL)
Time: 3:20 HRS Thursday 07-March-2024 AM

INSTRUCTIONS

i. This paper consists of three (3) questions.

ii. Answer ALL questions.
iii. Question Number 1 carries 20 marks and the other two (2) carry 15 marks each.
iv. Mathematical tables and Non-programmable calculators may be used.
v. Cellular phones and any unauthorized materials are not allowed in the examination
room.
vi. Write your Examination Number on every page of your answer booklet(s)
vii. The following information may be useful: Pie π = 3.14.

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1. You are required to determine the acceleration due to gravity g at your school and the
constant C.
Proceed as follows:

(a) By using a bench clamp fix a metre ruler on one leg of a bench as shown in the figure
above.
(b) The flat part of the metre ruler projection should rest horizontally so that the length
X= 80 cm.
(c) Suspend the pendulum bob so that the length of the string L = 80 cm and displace the
bob through a small angle and set it to oscillate along the direction of the ruler with
small amplitude. Record the time t for 20 oscillations made hence find the period T
for one oscillation and find the value T2.
(d) Without altering the value of X (keep it 80 cm) repeat the procedure in (c) above for
the values of string length L = 70, 60, 50, 40, 30 and 20 cm
(i) Tabulate your results in a suitable table.
(ii) Plot the graph of T2 against length of pendulum L.
(iii) From your graph determine the acceleration due to gravity 𝒈 at your school and the
𝟑𝟗.𝟒𝟖𝑳
value of constant C given that 𝑻𝟐 = + 𝑪.
𝒈
(iv) What is the physical significance of constant C in your experiment?

2. You are required to determine the specific heat capacity of beaker (Cb).
Proceed as follows:
(a) Weigh the empty beaker (Mb).
(b) Put 100 mls of hot water which is heated about 90℃ into a beaker, quickly put lid
and start recording the temperature fall of hot water while stirring for every two-
minute interval until it reaches 58℃.
(c) Weigh the beaker with its content hence determine the mas mw water used in your
experiment.
(d) Tabulate the values of 𝜃(℃) and the corresponding values of time t (minutes),
starting with 𝜃 = 80℃ at t = 0 min.
(e) Measure and record the room temperature (𝜽𝑹 ).
(f) Plot a cooling curve for a liquid provided.
𝒅𝜽
(g) Draw the gradient at 66℃ to obtain the rate of cooling 𝒅𝒕 of the liquid.

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 (h) Using the relation;
𝒅𝜽
(𝑴𝒘 𝑪𝒘 + 𝑴𝒃 𝑪𝒃 ) ( ) = 𝟓𝟐𝟎 𝑱/𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔
𝒅𝒕 𝒘
Calculate the specific heat capacity of beaker (Cb), where Mw is the mass of
water.

3. The specific resistance and resistivity of the material of wire Q can be measured using a
meter bridge, as a Form Six student you have been given the standard resistor 𝑅 = 2Ω
which should be connected in left hand gap of the meter bridge. Carry out experiment by
finding the null point and record the corresponding to the length on the slide wire of the
meter bridge using procedures below.
(a) By means of a crocodile clip or otherwise, connect length L = 15 cm of wire Q across
the right gap.
(b) When the null point is attained, read and record the balancing length X corresponding
to the standard resistor in left hand gap.
(c) Increase L in steps of 15 cm up to 75 cm and in each value of L. Repeat the procedure
in (b) above.
(d) (i) Measure the diameter of the wire Q.
(ii) Draw the circuit diagram for your experiment.
(iii)Determine an appropriate relation between length L of the wire Q and the
balancing length X.
(iv) Tabulate your results in a suitable table.
(v) By using the information obtained in (d)(iii) and (iv) above plot the graph
(vi) Determine the specific resistance of the wire Q its resistivity.
(vii) What does it meant by the term null point? State its significance.
(viii) Suggest two ways to improve the accuracy of your experiment.