NAMIBIAN COLLEGE OF OPEN LEARNING
Private Bag 15008, Katutura, Republic of Namibia
Telephone: + (061) 3205111 Fax: + (061) 216987
NSSCO
PHYSICS
ASSIGNMENT 2
LEARNER’S NAME :………………….................................................................
LEARNER NUMBER :….......………..….............................................................
Total Marks:
100
NB: STUDENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE SETTER
ONLY FOR ASSIGNMENT RELATED QUERIES,
FOR OTHER QUERIES CONTACT YOUR NEAREST
REGIONAL OFFICE AT THE
FOLLOWING TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
NORTHERN REGION:
065 - 233 780
NORTH-EASTERN REGION:
066 - 255 545/7
SOUTHERN REGION:
061 - 320 5274
CENTRAL REGION:
067 - 304 379
ALTERNATIVELY CONTACT NAMCOL HEAD OFFICE:
TEL. 061 320 5111; FAX; 061 216 987
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
•
•
•
•
•
Answer all questions.
This assignment consists of three sections A, B and C.
Read the instructions for each section carefully before you answer the questions.
Section A: Multiple choice questions [20 marks].

Write in soft pencil.

There are twenty questions in this section.

Answer all questions.

For each question there are four possible answers A, B, C and D.

Choose the one you consider correct and record your choice in soft pencil on the separate
Answer Sheet provided.

Each correct answer will score one mark.

Any rough working should be done in this booklet.





Section B: Structured questions [40 marks].
Write in dark blue or black pen.
You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid
You may lose marks if you do not show your working or if you do not use appropriate units.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.





Section C: Alternative to practical questions [40 marks].
Write in dark blue or black pen.
You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.
You may lose marks if you do not show your working or if you do not use appropriate units.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
Electronic calculators may be used.
Take the weight of 1.0 kg to be 10 N (acceleration of free fall = 10 m/s2).
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
2
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
Section A: Multiple choice questions [20 marks]
1
The diagram shows a wave.
Which row is correct?
2
A sound wave is created by a loudspeaker that vibrates backwards and forwards 96 000 times per
minute.
The speed of sound is 320 m/s.
What is the wavelength of the sound wave?
A
B
C
D
0.20 m
5.0 m
300 m
18 000 m
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
3
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
3
The water wave shown has a frequency of 4.0 Hz.
What is the speed of the wave?
A
B
C
D
4
3.0 cm/s
12 cm/s
48 cm/s
72 cm/s
The wavelength of a beam of X-rays, travelling through air, is 5.4 × 10–10 m.
What is its frequency?
A
B
C
D
5
5.6 × 10–17 Hz
5.6 × 1011 Hz
5.6 × 1017 Hz
5.6 × 1018 Hz
A card is placed in front of a plane mirror so that its label is facing the mirror, as shown.
The label is shown.
How does the image of the label formed by the mirror appear to the observer?
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
4
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
6
Which type of waves are produced by a television remote controller?
A
B
C
D
7
Which statement correctly compares radio waves and X-rays?
A
B
C
D
8
infrared waves
radio waves
ultraviolet waves
visible light
Radio waves have a longer wavelength and a greater speed in a vacuum.
Radio waves have a longer wavelength and the same speed in a vacuum.
Radio waves have a shorter wavelength and a greater speed in a vacuum.
Radio waves have a shorter wavelength and the same speed in a vacuum.
A thin converging lens can produce both real and virtual images.
Which row describes a real and a virtual image?
9
A student uses one eye to look at images in a plane mirror.
Objects are placed on the line XY.
Which objects give rise to images that can be seen by the eye at E?
A
B
C
D
P, Q, R, S, T and U
Q, R, S and T only
P and U only
R and S only
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
5
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
10
A plane mirror is fixed to a vertical wall.
A boy looks at the image of himself in the mirror.
Which statement describes the image formed?
A
B
C
D
11
real and upright
real and upside down
virtual and upright
virtual and upside down
A student counts how many iron pins an electromagnet picks up when its power supply is switched
on. Then, she counts how many pins are picked up when the power supply is switched off.
She repeats the experiment using cores made of different materials. The results are shown.
Which core is made out of soft iron?
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
6
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
12
The diagram shows the magnetic fields around three objects, P, Q and R, placed close to each other.
Which row shows the nature of each of the objects?
13
Which unit is equivalent to a volt (V)?
A
B
C
D
A/Ω
J/C
J/s
W/C
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
7
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
14
There is a current I in a resistor for a time t. The potential difference (p.d.) across the resistor is V.
A student calculates the product IVt.
In which unit is the student’s answer measured?
A
B
C
D
15
ampere
coulomb
joule
watt
A resistor converts 360 J of energy when there is a current of 3.0 A in it. The potential difference
across the resistor is 6.0 V.
For how long is there this current in the resistor?
A
B
C
D
16
0.05 s
20 s
180 s
720 s
A wire XY is connected to a resistor R. The wire is moved in the magnetic field between two
magnetic poles.
In which direction must the wire be moved so that the induced current is in the direction shown?
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
8
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
17
The circuit shown consists of a vertical wire, a resistor R and a battery.
The magnetic field near the wire is also shown.
Two changes are made to the circuit:
•
The polarity of the battery is reversed.
•
The resistor R is replaced with another resistor with a lower resistance than R.
What effect will these changes have on the magnetic field near the wire?
18
Carbon-14 has a proton number (Z) of 6 and a nucleon number (A) of 14.
Nitrogen-14 has a proton number of 7 and a nucleon number of 14.
Carbon-14 emits β-particles to form nitrogen-14.
Which nuclide equation describes this process?
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
9
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
19
A beam of radiation, containing α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays, passes between two parallel
plates. One plate is positively charged and the other is negatively charged.
Which radioactive emissions will be attracted towards the positively charged plate?
A
B
C
D
20
α-particles only
β-particles only
γ-rays only
α-particles, β-particles and γ-rays
How do the sizes of the two nuclei produced in a nuclear fission reaction compare to the size of the
original nucleus?
A
B
C
D
both larger than the original nucleus
one larger and one smaller than the original nucleus
both smaller than the original nucleus
one smaller and one the same size as the original nucleus
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
[20]
10
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
Section B: Structured questions [40 marks]
1
Sound waves are longitudinal and electromagnetic waves are transverse.
(a)
A sound wave used for a medical examination has a frequency of 1.5 MHz.
(i)
State and explain what type of sound wave this is.
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(ii)
The wave travels through soft human tissue at a speed of 1.3 km/s.
Calculate the wavelength of the wave in soft human tissue.
wavelength = ......................................................... [3]
(b)
Describe one use of X-rays in medicine.
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]
[7]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
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ASSIGNMENT - 2024
2
(a)
Fig. 2.1 shows a plan view of a room.
There is a plane mirror on one wall and a picture across the whole of wall AB.
Fig. 2.1
A person is standing at point X and is looking at the mirror. The person cannot see all of the
picture on wall AB reflected in the mirror.
There is a point P on wall AB which is the closest point to A that the person can see reflected
in the mirror.
(b)
On Fig. 2.1, draw a reflected ray and an incident ray to show the position of the point P.
[2]
State two properties of the image formed by the mirror.
1..........................................................................................................................................................
2..................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(c)
Visible light is an electromagnetic wave.
State the name of one region of the electromagnetic spectrum in which the waves have:
(i)
shorter wavelengths than visible light
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii)
longer wavelengths than visible light.
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]
[6]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
12
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
3
Fig. 3.1 is a full-size ray diagram showing the formation of an image by a thin glass lens.
Fig. 3.1 (full size)
(a)
Determine the focal length of the lens.
(b)
focal length = ......................................................... [1]
Circle two items in the list which describe the nature of the image formed.
enlarged same size diminished
inverted upright real virtual
(c)
State one feature of a virtual image.
[2]
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]
[4]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
13
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
4
(a)
Fig. 4.1 shows a magnet on the end of a spring and a coil of wire connected to a sensitive centre-zero galvanometer. The magnet can move freely through the coil.
Fig. 4.1
(i)
The magnet is pulled down and released.
Describe and explain what happens to the needle of the sensitive galvanometer.
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [4]
(ii)
The magnet is replaced with a stronger magnet.
State the effect of using a stronger magnet on what happens to the needle of the
galvanometer.
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
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ASSIGNMENT - 2024
(b)
A step-up transformer is used to step up the output voltage of a power station from 25 000 V
to 400 000 V for transmission along power lines.
The number of turns on the secondary coil is 36 000.
Calculate the number of turns on the primary coil.
number of turns = ......................................................... [2]
[7]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
15
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
5
Fig. 5.1 shows two bar magnets.
Fig. 5.1
(a)
On Fig. 5.1, sketch the pattern and the direction of the magnetic field lines between the bar
magnets.
[2]
(b)
Fig. 5.2 shows the same bar magnets with a coil of wire between them.
Fig. 5.2
(i)
Name the parts labelled A in Fig. 5.2.
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii)
The coil of wire is rotated in the direction shown in Fig. 5.2.
On Fig. 5.2, draw an arrow to show the direction of the current in the coil. Explain
your answer.
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii)
Explain how rotating the coil in Fig. 5.2 continuously causes the galvanometer needle
to show an alternating current.
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [4]
[9]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
16
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
6
A student places a sample of an isotope of protactinium (Pa-234) near a radiation detector.
The readings on the detector, taken every 20 s, are recorded in Table 6.1.
Table 6.1
Fig. 6.1 shows a graph of the count rate due to this sample against time.
Fig. 6.1
(a)
Explain why the readings in Table 6.1 are not the same as those plotted on the graph.
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
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ASSIGNMENT - 2024
(b)
Using the graph in Fig. 6.1, determine the half-life of this isotope of protactinium.
half-life = ....................................................... s [2]
(c)
The nuclide notation for this isotope of protactinium is
.
Protactinium-234 decays to an isotope of uranium (U) by β-emission.
Write down the nuclide equation for this decay of protactinium-234.
[3]
[7]
[40]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
18
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
Section C: Alternative to practical questions [40 marks]
1
A student investigates the refraction of light by a transparent block.
The student’s ray-trace sheet is shown full size in Fig. 1.1.
Fig. 1.1
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
19
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
(a)
The student places a transparent block ABCD near the centre of the ray-trace sheet, as
indicated in Fig. 1.1.
(i)
Draw a normal to point N extending above AB. Label the upper end of the normal
with the letter L.
[1]
(ii)
The student draws the line EN, as shown in Fig. 1.1.
On Fig. 1.1, measure the angle θ1 between the lines LN and EN.
(b)
θ1 = ......................................................... [1]
The student places two pins, P1 and P2, on the line EN, as shown in Fig. 1.1.
(i)
Measure the distance d between pins P1 and P2.
(ii)
d = ......................................................... [1]
Suggest whether the two pins are a suitable distance apart for accurate ray tracing.
Explain your answer.
statement.............................................................................................................................................
explanation..........................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(c)
The student places a plane mirror on line CD and views the images of pins P1 and P2 through
the transparent block.
She places two pins, P3 and P4, so that these pins, and the images of pins P1 and P2, all appear
exactly one behind the other.
On Fig. 1.1:
•
Draw a line through points P3 and P4 and extend the line 3 cm below CD.
•
Label the point at which this line meets AB with the letter G.
•
Label the lower end of the line with the letter H.
(d)
[1]
The student repeats the procedure for an angle θ2 = 35°.
She places two pins, P5 and P6, so that these pins, and the images of pins P1 and P2, all appear
exactly one behind the other.
On Fig. 1.1:
•
Draw a line through points P5 and P6, and extend the line 3 cm below CD.
•
Label the point at which this line meets AB with the letter R.
•
Label the lower end of this line with the letter S.
•
Label the point at which GH and RS cross with the letter T.
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
20
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
(i)
Measure the angle β, where β is the angle between lines GT and RT.
(ii)
β = ......................................................... [1]
A student suggests that the angle β should be equal to θs, where θs is calculated using
the equation
θs = θ2 – θ1.
State whether your results from (a)(ii) and (d) support this suggestion. Justify your
answer by reference to values from your results.
statement.............................................................................................................................................
justification..........................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(e)
Suggest two precautions to take in this type of experiment to ensure accurate results.
1..........................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
2..........................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(f)
Suggest one reason why different students, all carrying out this experiment carefully, may
not obtain identical results.
............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]
[11]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
21
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
2
A student is investigating reflection using a plane mirror.
Fig. 2.1 shows the student’s ray-trace sheet.
Fig. 2.1
(a)
The line MR marks the position of the mirror. The student draws another line XY parallel to
line MR. He draws a line from A at an angle of incidence i = 20°. He labels the end of this
line B. The student places a pin P1 at point B. He places a pin P2 on line AB at a suitable
distance from pin P1 to produce a ray trace.
(i)
On Fig. 2.1, measure the length l of line AB.
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
l = ...........................................................[1]
22
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
(ii)
(b)
On Fig. 2.1, mark with a cross (x) a suitable position for pin P2.
[1]
The student views the images of pins P1 and P2 from the direction indicated by the eye in Fig.
2.1. He places two pins P3 and P4, a suitable distance apart, so that pins P3 and P4, and the
images of P1 and P2, all appear exactly one behind the other.
He draws a line joining the positions of P3 and P4. He labels the point at which this line
crosses XY with the letter D. He measures the distance d between C and D.
He repeats the procedure using i values of 0°, 30°, 40°, 50° and 60°. The readings are shown
in Table 2.1.
Table 2.1
i/
0
20
30
40
50
60
d / cm
0.0
1.8
2.9
4.2
6.0
8.7
Plot a graph of d / cm (y-axis) against i / ° (x-axis).
[5]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
23
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
(c)
A student suggests that i should be directly proportional to d.
State whether the graph supports this suggestion. Justify your answer by reference to the
graph.
statement.............................................................................................................................................
justification..........................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(d)
Suggest two practical difficulties in obtaining accurate readings in this experiment.
1..........................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
2..........................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]
[11]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
24
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
3
A student is investigating the power of a lamp.
Fig. 3.1 shows the apparatus used.
Fig. 3.1
(a)
On Fig. 3.1, draw a voltmeter to measure the potential difference across the lamp.
(b)
The student switches on the power supply and measures the current, I, in the circuit and
potential difference (p.d).
[2]
The current, I, is 0.34 A and the potential difference (p.d) is 2.4 V.
(i)
On Fig. 3.2, complete the diagram by drawing in pointers to indicate these readings.
Fig. 3.2
(ii)
Use the equation P = VI to calculate the power, P, of the lamp.
[2]
P = ............................................. W [1]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
25
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
(c)
The student repeats the experiments using two different lamps connected in series. He
observes that one lamp is dim and the other lamp does not light at all.
The student predicts that one of the lamps has fused.
State whether you agree or disagree with the student’s prediction and give a reason for your
answer.
answer.................................................................................................................................................
reason..................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]
(d)
Another student suggests that the circuit should be rearranged to confirm whether one of the
lamps has fused or not.
Draw a circuit diagram to show the circuit in Fig. 3.1 rearranged such that:
•
the two lamps are connected in parallel
•
a variable resistor is connected to control the total current in the circuit
•
the ammeter to measure the total current in the circuit
•
the voltmeter to measure the p.d. across both lamps.
[3]
[10]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
26
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
4
A student investigates the heating of water using an immersion heater.
An immersion heater is an electrical heater that can be placed directly into water.
Plan an experiment to investigate how one factor affects the rate at which the temperature of the
water rises when heated using an immersion heater.
The apparatus available includes:
•
an immersion heater
•
equipment to connect the circuit, part of which is shown in Fig. 4.1
•
a stop-clock
•
a beaker to contain the water.
In your plan, you should:
•
state the one factor which you have chosen and list any additional apparatus needed to
measure the factor
•
complete the circuit diagram in Fig. 4.1
•
explain how to do the experiment, including any precautions to ensure reliable results
•
state the key variables to be kept constant
•
draw a table, or tables, with column headings, to show how to display the readings (you are
not required to enter any readings in the table)
•
explain how to use the readings to reach a conclusion.
Fig. 4.1
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NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
27
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
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....................................................................................................................................................... [8]
[40]
[100]
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
28
ASSIGNMENT - 2022
ASSIGNMENT - 2024
Namibian College of Open Learning
MULTIPLE-CHOICE ANSWER SHEET
Student Name
Student Number
Year
Subject
Assignment No.
1
A
B
C
D
21
A
B
C
D
2
A
B
C
D
22
A
B
C
D
3
A
B
C
D
23
A
B
C
D
4
A
B
C
D
24
A
B
C
D
5
A
B
C
D
25
A
B
C
D
6
A
B
C
D
26
A
B
C
D
7
A
B
C
D
27
A
B
C
D
8
A
B
C
D
28
A
B
C
D
9
A
B
C
D
29
A
B
C
D
10
A
B
C
D
30
A
B
C
D
11
A
B
C
D
31
A
B
C
D
12
A
B
C
D
32
A
B
C
D
13
A
B
C
D
33
A
B
C
D
14
A
B
C
D
34
A
B
C
D
15
A
B
C
D
35
A
B
C
D
16
A
B
C
D
36
A
B
C
D
17
A
B
C
D
37
A
B
C
D
18
A
B
C
D
38
A
B
C
D
19
A
B
C
D
39
A
B
C
D
20
A
B
C
D
40
A
B
C
D
NSSCO Physics - Assignment 2
Chemistry Assignment 1
29
18