Name…………………………………….……………………… Adm. No………………Class…………….

School …………………………………………………………Candidate’s Signature …………..…………

232/1
PHYSICS
PAPER 1 (THEORY)
MARCH/APRIL -2025
TIME: 2 HOURS
FORM FOUR

CEKENAS END OF TERM ONE EXAM-2025

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (K.C.S.E)

232/1
PHYSICS
PAPER 1 (THEORY)
MARCH/APRIL -2025
TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
(a) This paper consists of 12 printed pages with two sections; A and B.
(b) Answer all questions in the spaces provided.
(c) All working must be clearly shown in the spaces provided.

FOR EXAMINER’S USE ONLY

SECTION QUESTION MAXIMUM CANDIDATE’S
SCORE SCORE
SECTION 1 –12 25
A
13 13
14 10
15 11
SECTION
16 13
B
17 8
TOTAL 80
SCORE

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SECTION A: 25 MARKS
1. A vernier calipers has an error of + 0.03cm. State the reading that is observed on the instrument when
used to measure the diameter of a spherical ball of actual diameter 3.38cm. (2mks)

2. You are provided with a liquid k, a top pan balance and a measuring cylinder. Describe an experiment
you would take in order to determine the density of liquid k. (3mks)
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3. The figure below shows a section of a pipe with flowing water. If water flows with a velocity of 10m/s
at point A. what would be the velocity of water at point B.

4. A 100g mass is suspended from a spring that obeys Hooke’s law. When 20g more is added the spring
stretches by 4cm. Calculate the total extension on the spring. (3mks)

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5. The figure below shows the shape of bimetallic strip after it was cooled below room temperature.

Explain why the strip curved as shown . (2mks)

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6. The figure below shows two masses A and B balancing on a sea-saw.

Explain why the heavier mass has to be placed close to the pivot in order for the sea saw to balance.
(2mks)
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7. A student carrying a heavy box using the right hand is observed to lean towards the left hand side.
Explain this observation. (2mks)
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8. A drop of blue ink was introduced at the bottom of a beaker containing water. It was observed that
after sometimes all water in the beakers turns blue. Name the process that takes place. (1mk)
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9. The pressure of a gas is measured using a manometer as shown in the diagram below.
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 The mercury is replaced with a liquid which is less dense. State and explain the effect on the height
”h” (2mks)
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10. The diagram below shows a section of a tape after passing through a ticker timer operated at a
frequency of 100Hz. The tape is attached to a trolley

Calculate the average velocity of the trolley between points A and B. (3mks)

11. Explain why two thin blankets are warmer than a single thick one (1mk)
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12. State two factors that affects stability of a body. (2mks)
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SECTION B (55 marks)

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13 a) Define the term relative density. (1mk)
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b) During an experiment the following measurements were taken;
Weight of solid K in air = W1
Weight of solid K in water = W2
Weight of solid k in liquid L = W3
Write an expression for;
i) Relative density of solid K. (1mk)

ii) Relative density of liquid P (1mk)

c) The diagram below shows a block of wood floating on water in a beaker.

The set up is at room temperature.

The water in the beaker is warmed with the block still floating on it . State and explain the changes
that are likely to occur on depth x. (2mks)
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d) i) State the principle upon which a common hydrometer depends on (1mk)

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ii) Draw a well labeled diagram of a common hydrometer which is suitable for measuring densities of
liquids varying between 1.0g/cm3 and 1.5g/cm3. Clearly show marks indicating 1.0g/cm3 upto
1.5g/cm3 (2mks)

e) The diagram below shows a block of mass 30 grams submerged in water and balanced by a mass of
20 grams.

Determine the ;
i) Apparent weight of the block. (3mks)

ii) Upthrust due to water on the block. (2mks)

14. a) Explain why it is advisable to use a pressure cooker at high altitude. (2mks)
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b) State two ways of lowering the melting point of a substance. (2mks)
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c) Water of mass 3.0kg initially at 20oc is heated in an electric kettle rated 3.0 kw. The water is
heated until it boils at 100oc. Taking
- Specific heat capacity of water = 4200J/KgK-1
- heat capacity of kettle = 450JKgK-1
Determine:
i) The heat absorbed by the water. (2mks)

ii) The heat absorbed by the electric kettle. (2mks)

iii) The time taken for the water to boil? (2mks)

15. a) A body in uniform circular motion accelerated yet the speed is constant. Explain this
observation. (1mk)

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b) A turntable makes 30 revolutions per second. Calculate its angular velocity. (2mks)

c) The graph below shows values of Tension T on a string against various values of angular
velocity when a body was rotated in a circle of radius 30cm.

Given that T = mw2r – c where T is the tension on the body, m is the mass of the body, r is the radius
of the circular path and c is a constant.
From the graph
i) Determine the mass m of the body. (3mks)

ii) The constant C and suggest what it represents. (2mks)

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 d) An object of mass 300g is attached to one end of a light inextensible string and whirled in a
vertical circle as shown.

i) If the tension at the lowest point S is 20N. Calculate the value of the centripetal force acting
on the object. (3mks)

ii) Sketch on the axes below a graph of the magnitude of tension in the string against time in a
complete revolution through points P,Q,R , and S. (1mk)

16. i) A high Jumper usually lands on a thick soft mattress.

Explain how the mattress helps in reducing the force of impact. (2mks)
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ii) The figure below shows a graph of force against time when a ball is hit.

Determine the mass of the ball whose velocity is 80m/s. Assume the ball was stationary before its
hit. (3mks)

iii) The diagram below shows a block being pulled with a force of 20N on a horizontal ground.
The block moves with a constant velocity.

State the value of the frictional force Fr and give a reason for your answer. (2mks)
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b) i) Define the term ‘ mechanical advantage’ of a machine. (1mk)

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ii) The figure below shows a crowbar.

On the diagram label to load, effort and fulcrum. (1mk)

c) A pulley system has an efficiency of 80%. Given that the velocity ratio of the system is 3.
i) State two reason why the efficiency is less than 100%. (2mks)
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ii) Calculate the mechanical advantage of the system. (2mks)

ii) Calculate the mechanical advantage of the system. (2mks)

17. The figure below shows an air bubble beneath the surface of water. The volume of the bubble at the

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 base is 3cm3. The bubble then rises, expands and upon reaching to surface of water it bursts.

a) State the reason as to why;

i) The air bubble rises. (1mk)
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ii) The air bubble expands. (1mk)
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iii) The air bubble bursts upon reaching the surface. (1mk)
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b) Given that the atmospheric pressure is 100cm of water calculate the volume of the air bubble
5cm below the surface of water. (3mks)

c) State two quantities that must be kept constant in order to verify Charles law of gases.(2mks)

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