UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2017/2018
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
CIT102 FOUNDATION PHYSICS AND ELECTRICITY
DATE: AUGUST, 2018 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question 1 AND any other TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE (COMPULSORY)
a) Define the following terms [4 Marks]
(i) Physics
(ii) Electricity
(iii) Distance
(iv) Frequency
b) Briefly describe the following forces when used in physics [4 Marks]
(i) Applied Force
(ii) Gravitational Force
(iii) Normal Force
(iv) Frictional force
c) Briefly explain “ work” as used in physics. Give the mathematical expression too [2 Marks]
d) Differentiate between series and parallel electronic circuits . A neat circuit diagram should be
included [4 Marks]
e) Energy in physics is the capacity for doing work. Explain the two main classifications of energy
[4 Marks]
f) State the SI units for the following [4 Marks]
(i) Current
(ii) Resistance
(iii) Force
(iv) Voltage
g) Define light and state its four properties [5 Marks]
h) State what is meant by the term electromotive force of a cell [1 Mark]
i) Calculate total resistance if four resistors of equal value are connected in series [2 Marks]
QUESTION TWO
a) Describe the following branches of physics [6 Marks]
(i) Mechanics
(ii) Geometrical optics
(iii) Atomic Physics
b) A force of 10 Newtons can move an object over a distance of 300 centimeters. Calculate the work
done in newton meters [3 Marks]
c) Define matter and differentiate between the three main states of matter [7 Marks]
D) State the Newton’s first and second laws of motion [4 Marks]
QUESTION THREE
a) State any four electronic circuit components [4 Marks]
b) Differentiate between the following electricity concepts [4 Marks]
(i) Protons and electrons
(ii) Conductors and insulators
c) State Ohm’s law [2 Marks]
d) Explain the term “short circuit” and how you could detect it using a multimeter [2 Marks]
e) An electronic circuit comprises of three resistors of 3 Ω, 6Ω and 4Ω connected in parallel across a
12Vd.c power source. Calculate [8 Marks]
(i) The total circuit resistance
(ii) The current from the d.c power source
(iii) The current flowing through each resistor
QUESTION FOUR
a) A mathematical relation in physics is a relationship between sets of numbers or sets of elements.
Explain any three mathematical relationships [6 Marks]
b) Briefly explain how energy can be transferred in waves [4 Marks]
c) A force of 200 Newton is exerted on an object of mass 40 kg that is located on a sheet of perfectly
smooth ice.
(i) Calculate the acceleration of the object. [2 Marks]
(ii) If a second object identical to the first object is placed on top of the first object, what
acceleration would the 200 Newton force produce? [2 Marks]
d) State what is meant by electromagnetism [2 Marks]
e) Discus the electromagnetic spectrum and give practical application of these waves in IT
[4 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) Differentiate between the following [6 Marks]
(i) Transverse and Longitudinal wave
(ii) Scalar and Vector quantity
(iii) Current and Voltage
b) Briefly explain the operation of any source of electricity. Include any relevant diagrams
[5 Marks]
c) All sources of electricity have internal resistance [5 Marks]
(i) Explain the term “internal resistance of a cell”
(ii) The potential drop (p.d) across the terminals of a cell is 3V when it is not connected to a
circuit and no current is flowing. When the cell is connected to a circuit and a current of
0.37 A is flowing the terminal p.d. falls to 2.8 V. What is the internal resistance of the
cell
d) State what the following electrical instruments will measure [4 Marks]
(i) Ohmmeter
(ii) Voltmeter
(iii) Ammeter
(iv) Multimeter
