ZIMBABWE SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
EXAMINERS’ REPORT
O LEVEL PHYSICS 4023/2
NOVEMBER 2022 SESSION
INTRODUCTION
This report serves to help the teaching and learning process of Ordinary Level Physics.
GENERAL COMMENTS
1. It is important that candidates use appropriate scientific vocabulary and terminology
accurately. When defining terms candidates need to make sure that the given definitions
are dimensionally correct.
2. When answering questions involving calculations, it is important for candidates to show
their working clearly. This includes stating the correct equation, followed by the correct
substitution of the raw data, and finally the correct numerical value with the
corresponding correct unit. If the working is clear and based on use of correct physics,
it is often possible for examiners to award partial credit even when the final answer is
incorrect. Correct answers that are not supported by the correct working method or
obtained from incorrect working method cannot be awarded credit.
3. Solutions to numerical questions should be given to an appropriate degree of accuracy.
The precision of the data provided in the question is generally indicative of the
appropriate number of significant figures for an answer.
4. Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific
phenomena, facts, laws, and theories as well as their applications, for example using
Fleming’s left-hand rule to predict the direction of motion of a current-carrying
conductor in a magnetic field.
5. The performance of the candidates was generally poor.
COMMENTS ON SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
SECTION A
Question 1
Q1 (a) Was generally well answered by most Candidates. However, some of the candidates
gave mm2 as the SI unit of area and g/cm3 as the SI unit for density.
Q1 (b) Was poorly answered by most candidates. They failed to read the vernier scale correctly.
Question 2
Q2 (a) The expected answer was the product of force and perpendicular distance from the pivot.
However, some candidates defined the moment of force as the turning effect of a force that did
not score a mark. Candidates also lost marks by failing to explicitly state the perpendicular
distance from the pivot.
Q2 (b) Was poorly done. A common mistake was the failure to convert mass to weight and
therefore, they obtained E in kilograms. E was supposed to be 2143 N/2102 N depending on
the value of g used.
Q2 (c) Majority of the students managed to score this mark; reduction of Effort
Question 3
Q3 (a) (i) Generally the question was poorly done. The most common wrong answer was “part
of a body in which the mass acts.” The expected answer was “the point where the whole mass
is concentrated.”
Q3 (a) (ii) The question was fairly answered. The majority of candidates gave the correct
answer “a point where the force of gravity appears to act.” Candidates who said “point where
force of gravity is concentrated’’ did not score a mark.
Q3 (b) Most candidates managed to score all three marks. However, some of the candidates
failed to express themselves in a clear logical manner.
Question 4
Q4 (a) (i) Most prevalent wrong answer was an attempt to define a beam as a structure that
bears a load. This was not credited as this would include trusses and cables. The expected
answer was a supported bar that bears a load.
Q4 (a) (ii) The wide choice available made it possible for candidates to answer it correctly and
score marks.
Q4 b(i) It was answered well by most Candidates. XY – tension, YZ – compression
Q4 b(ii) Any high tensile strength material such as steel, wood, fibre was acceptable.
Reinforced concrete was not credited.
Question 5
Q5(a) The question was not well answered. Candidates failed to refer to change in direction of
a wave as it moves from one medium to another of different optical density.
Q5b (i) Most Candidates managed to score all the 2 marks.
Q5b(ii) Majority of the candidates scored all the marks available. Angle of refraction, r is 35.30
Question 6
Q6(a) and (b) were well answered by majority of candidates. However, some candidates stated
that
electrons are attracted to the polythene but electrons are transferred to the polythene due to
friction.
Question 7
Q7 a. Most of the candidates got all the 2 marks
Q7 b. Most the Candidates were able to recall the equation R = pL/A. However, they failed to
convert 2.0 mm2 to m2. Expected answer was 3.3 x 10-5 Ωm.
Question 8
Q8 a. Majority of candidates managed to identify the logic gates. However, some of the
candidates identified the two gates as a NAND gate which did not score. A handful of
candidates failed to score marks by using small letters for the names of the logic gates (Not and
And). Expected names: NOT and AND.
Q8 b. Most Candidates were able to draw the correct truth tables with a few exceptions.
SECTION B
GENERAL COMMENT
Most popular questions were 9, 10, and 11. Number 10 was the most popular and number 12
was the least answered.
Question 9
Q9 (a) Was generally well answered as most candidates gave the correct SI units
Q9 b (i) and b(ii) were fairly answered but b(iii) was not done well by the majority of students.
Q9 c(i) Was answered well by those who could recall the formula for the volume of a cylinder,
πr2h. A sizable number of Candidates gave the wrong formula for volume, V = L x W x H. The
expected answer was 7069 cm3.
Q9 c(ii) This part was generally well answered. Some candidates lost marks in trying to convert
the units to kg/m3 and got the result wrong. Expected answer was Dx = 0.0057 g/cm3 / 5.7
kg/m3. Dy = 0.0071 g/cm3 / 7.1 kg/m3.
Q9 c (iii) The item was poorly done. Some candidates just added the densities of X and Y and
divided them by 2 to obtain the average. Candidates were expected to get the total mass and
total volume and then apply the formula to get the result. The expected answer was 0.0061
g/cm3 / 6.1 kg/m3.
Q9 d (i) and d (ii) were well answered. The expected answer, micrometer screw gauge/vernier
callipers were given and the description was well articulated.
Question 10
Q 10 a (i) Most of the candidates did very well
Q 10 a (ii) and a (iii) the items were well answered by majority of the candidates
Q10 b (i) Most candidates did very well on this item. However, the common wrong answer
given was “product of force and perpendicular distance.” Some of the candidates did not
explicitly state that the distance should be in the direction of the force.
Q10 b(ii) Was well answered although some of the candidates did not convert mass to weight.
Expected answer: 500 J
Q10 c. The item was poorly answered as many candidates failed to identify the thermometric
property. Those who managed to do so managed to get all the marks.
Q10 d (i) Most centres did well. Candidates were expected to state clearly how each labelled
component of the vacuum flask prevent heat loss. Heat loss is either by conduction, convection,
evaporation and radiation
Q10 d(ii) Most candidates did well. However, some candidates erroneously stated that water
molecules become less dense on heating instead of the liquid water becoming less dense on
heating.
Question 11
Q11 a(i) Exceptional candidates answered the item correctly. The expected answer:
propagation of an oscillatory disturbance of matter.
Q11 a(ii) The item was poorly done due to failure to understand what mechanical waves are.
The good candidates were able to state the differences in terms of ability to propagate in a
vacuum for an electromagnetic wave and need for a transmission medium for mechanical
waves.
Q 11 a(iii) A few candidates managed to score all the 3 marks. Most common challenge was
the inability to convert milliseconds to seconds in the calculation.
Expected answer; λ = 0.495 m.
Q 11 b(i) The item was well answered by majority of candidates.
Q 11 b(ii) Item was badly answered by most candidates. The expected answer is based on the
idea of focusing a distant object on a screen and measure the screen to lens centre distance as
the focal length.
Q 11 b(iii) It was poorly done by most candidates. However, very good illustrated answers
were obtained from the good candidates.
Q 11 b (iv) The item was well answered and very few candidates had problems.
Q c (i) The item was answered well by the majority. A common wrong answer noted was the
reference to voltage instead of current as a factor causing the fuse to melt.
Q 11 c (ii) 1. Most candidates managed to calculate the value of current. I = 0.42 A.
Q 11 c (ii) 2. Candidates did exceptionally well. Answer: 12 bulbs
Q 11 c (iii) it was well answered by the good candidates. Weak candidates confused the need
for high current with high voltage. Expected answer: Stove requires high current and to reduce
the heating effect of current, the wires should be thicker to reduce their resistance.
Question 12
Q 12 a (i) It was well answered across the centres
Q12 a (ii) Item was well answered by most candidates. However, some of the candidates simply
stated the Left-Hand rule instead of Fleming’s Left Hand rule.
Q 12 a (iii) Well answered by most candidates who took the question. The most common wrong
answers were given as cross-sectional area and size of the magnet.
Q 12 a (iv) This item was well answered, though some of the candidates stated the generator
instead of devices which use the electric motor.
Q 12 b (i) 1. This item was poorly answered. Most candidates referred to North – to – South or
Left –to – Right as direction of current instead of positive to negative (or anti-clockwise).
Q12 b (i) 2. Majority of the candidates manged to state iron as the correct material. However,
they failed to state the correct reason. (iron’s ability to be easily magnetized and demagnetized).
Q12 b (ii) Majority of candidates failed to identify energy losses in transformers. Expected
answers were; eddy currents, resistance in cables, hysteresis loss / magnetization and
demagnetization.
Q12 b (iii) The item was challenging for most candidates. Most candidates gave reference to
increasing number of turns on the primary and secondary coils, and increasing strength of the
magnet. Expected answers were; laminating the core, use of soft iron core, use of thick cables.
Q12 c (i) Most candidates performed well especially 1 and 2. However on part 3, candidates
failed to state that the charge on the nucleus decreases. They stated that the charge stays the
same, or it becomes positive or negative.
Q12 c (ii) The item was fairly answered. Some of the candidates failed to identify proton,
neutron and electron as answers for 1, 2 and 3. Instead, they gave alpha, beta and gamma.