WAEC SSCE - Physics - 2008

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The control in nuclear reactors is very important to ensure the safety and stability of the reactor. One of the methods used for control is the use of boron rods. These rods are inserted or withdrawn from the reactor core to regulate the nuclear reaction taking place. The reason boron rods are used for control in nuclear reactors is that they have the ability to absorb neutrons. Neutrons are the particles that are responsible for the nuclear reaction that takes place in the core of the reactor. When the boron rods are inserted into the reactor core, they absorb the neutrons and prevent them from interacting with the fuel, which slows down or even stops the nuclear reaction. This ability of boron to absorb neutrons makes it a good material for control rods. The concentration of boron in the rods can be adjusted to control the rate of reaction in the reactor. When the boron rods are withdrawn from the reactor core, fewer neutrons are absorbed, and the nuclear reaction can proceed at a faster rate. So, the answer is "absorb neutron".

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The unit of the time rate of flow of electric charges is ampere (A). Ampere is the SI unit of electric current, which is defined as the amount of charge flowing through a conductor per unit time. One ampere is equivalent to the flow of one coulomb of electric charge per second. Therefore, amperes are used to measure the rate of flow of electric charges in a circuit. Coulomb is a unit of electric charge, volt is a unit of electric potential or voltage, and watt is a unit of power.

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Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that travels in waves. There are two types of waves: longitudinal and transverse. Longitudinal waves are waves in which the particles of the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation, while in transverse waves, the particles vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Light is considered a transverse wave because it travels in a direction perpendicular to the plane containing the electric and magnetic fields. The electric and magnetic fields are at right angles to each other, and both are perpendicular to the direction in which the light is traveling. The oscillation of the electric and magnetic fields is perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave, which makes it a transverse wave. Moreover, light can travel through space without the need for a medium. Unlike sound waves, which require a medium such as air or water to propagate, light can travel through a vacuum. This is because light is made up of electromagnetic waves, which do not require a medium to travel through. So, the answer is "in a direction perpendicular to the plane containing the electric and magnetic fields".

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The cubic expansivity of a gas at constant pressure is defined as the fractional increase in volume per degree rise in temperature. Let the volume of the gas at 0°C be V₀ and the temperature at which we need to find the volume of the gas be T₁. The increase in temperature = T₁ - 0 = T₁. The fractional increase in volume = cubic expansivity x increase in temperature = \(\frac{1}{273}\) x T₁. The increase in volume = V₀ x fractional increase in volume = V₀ x \(\frac{1}{273}\) x T₁. The final volume of the gas at T₁ = V₀ + increase in volume = V₀ + V₀ x \(\frac{1}{273}\) x T₁ = V₀(1 + \(\frac{1}{273}\) x T₁). Substituting the given values, we get: Volume at 273^oC = 273m³(1 + \(\frac{1}{273}\) x 273) = 546m³. Therefore, the volume of the gas at 273^oC is 546m³. The correct option is (b).

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The correct statement about Archimedes' principle is that the upthrust on a body is a measure of the weight of the fluid displaced. This principle states that when an object is immersed in a fluid, it experiences an upward force or buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This means that the weight of the fluid displaced by an object is equal to the upthrust or buoyant force acting on the object. Therefore, option D, "weight of the fluid displaced," is the correct statement about Archimedes' principle.

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When a negatively charged rod is held close to an uncharged metal ball on an insulating stand, the electrons in the metal ball will be repelled by the negative charges in the rod, and will move as far away as possible from the rod. This movement of electrons will result in a net positive charge on the side of the ball nearest to the rod, and a net negative charge on the opposite side. Therefore, the ball will have an excess of positive charges on the side nearest the rod. So, the correct option is: the ball will have an excess of positively charged on the side nearest the rod.

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The working principle of a pressure cooker is based on the increase in the pressure of the pot. When a liquid is heated, its temperature increases, and it evaporates to form steam. In a normal cooking pot, the steam escapes into the atmosphere, and the pressure inside the pot remains constant. However, in a pressure cooker, the lid is airtight, which prevents the steam from escaping. As the steam is continuously generated, it builds up pressure inside the cooker, which increases the boiling point of water. This allows the food to cook faster and more evenly because the higher temperature causes the food to become tender quickly. In summary, the pressure cooker works by trapping the steam inside and increasing the pressure of the pot.

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Using a light pointer will not increase the sensitivity of a moving coil galvanometer. The sensitivity of a moving coil galvanometer depends on various factors, such as the strength of the magnetic field, the number of turns of the coil, the area of the coil, and the moment of inertia of the coil. A more sensitive galvanometer is one that can detect even a small current flowing through it and produce a large deflection. Using a strong temporary magnet, increasing the area and number of turns of the coil, and using a weak hair spring are all actions that can increase the sensitivity of a moving coil galvanometer. A strong magnet will increase the magnetic field strength and thus increase the torque on the coil. Increasing the area and number of turns of the coil will increase the amount of current induced in the coil for a given magnetic field, and a weak hair spring will reduce the restoring torque and allow the coil to be more easily deflected. However, using a light pointer will not affect the sensitivity of a moving coil galvanometer. A light pointer is simply used to reduce the moment of inertia of the coil, which makes it easier to deflect the coil for a given amount of torque. This does not directly affect the sensitivity of the galvanometer.

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The half-life of a radioactive element is the amount of time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay. The relationship between the decay constant (λ) and the half-life (t_1/2) is given by the equation: t_1/2 = ln(2) / λ where ln(2) is the natural logarithm of 2, which is approximately 0.693. Using the above equation and the given decay constant of 0.077s^-1, we can calculate the half-life as: t_1/2 = ln(2) / λ = 0.693 / 0.077 = 9.0s Therefore, the half-life of the radioactive element is 9.0 seconds. So, the correct option is: 9.0s.

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When a sound wave is produced from a source, it travels through a medium (such as air) until it reaches a reflecting surface (such as a wall). At the reflecting surface, the sound wave bounces off and returns back towards the source, producing an echo. Let's assume that the time interval between the production of the sound wave and the reception of its echo is t seconds. The speed of sound in the medium is represented by v, the wavelength of the sound wave is represented by λ, and the period of the sound wave is represented by T. We want to find the distance (d) between the source and the reflecting surface. To do this, we can use the formula: d = vt/2 This formula relates the distance (d) to the speed (v) of the sound wave and the time (t) it takes for the echo to be heard. We can also express the speed (v) of the sound wave in terms of its wavelength (λ) and period (T): v = λ/T Substituting this expression for v into the first formula, we get: d = λt/2T Therefore, the answer is (b) d = \(\frac{\lambda t}{2T}\).

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The image of an object formed by a convex mirror is virtual, erect and diminished. A convex mirror is a spherical mirror that curves outward, and when an object is placed in front of it, the light rays from the object are reflected off the mirror's surface. The reflected rays of light do not converge at a point, but instead appear to diverge from a point behind the mirror. This point is called the virtual focus or focal point. The image formed by a convex mirror is virtual because the reflected rays do not actually converge at a real point, but only appear to diverge from the virtual focus. The image is erect because the object and the image are both oriented in the same direction. Lastly, the image is diminished because the size of the image is smaller than the size of the object.

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The explanation for this observation is that the acceleration of free fall due to gravity varies with location. At the North Pole, the object experiences a greater acceleration of free fall due to gravity than it does at the Equator. This is because the Earth is not a perfect sphere but rather an oblate spheroid. At the poles, the Earth's rotation axis is perpendicular to the ground, while at the equator, the Earth's rotation axis is parallel to the ground. This difference in orientation results in a difference in the centripetal force on the object due to the Earth's rotation, which affects the object's weight. Since the spring balance measures the force required to support the object's weight, the weight of the object decreases at the Equator due to the reduced gravitational force.

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When a radioactive substance undergoes a beta decay, its "atomic number increases by 1". Beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle (an electron) is emitted from the nucleus of an atom. During beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus of the atom is converted into a proton, and an electron is emitted from the nucleus. Since the neutron is converted into a proton, the atomic number of the nucleus increases by 1, since the atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus. However, the mass number (the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus) remains the same, since only one subatomic particle (the neutron) has been converted into another (the proton and electron). In summary, when a radioactive substance undergoes a beta decay, its "atomic number increases by 1". This is because a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton during beta decay, increasing the number of protons in the nucleus, which is equal to the atomic number.

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The defect of vision that is a result of the eye ball being too long is short sight. Short sight, also known as myopia, is a condition where distant objects appear blurred while near objects are seen clearly. In short-sightedness, the light entering the eye is focused in front of the retina instead of on it, due to the elongated shape of the eyeball. This makes it difficult for the eye to see distant objects clearly. To correct this defect, concave lenses are used to diverge the incoming light rays and bring them to focus on the retina.

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The correct answer is (i), (ii), and (iii). All the options given are examples of particles that undergo random motion. In liquids, such as water, particles move around in a random manner known as Brownian motion, caused by collisions with other particles. Pollen grains in water, being solid particles, will exhibit Brownian motion. Similarly, gas molecules such as hydrogen gas are in constant random motion, bouncing off one another in all directions. Lastly, small particles, such as fine chalk particles, suspended in air are also subject to random motion due to collisions with air molecules. Therefore, all the options given represent particles undergoing random motion.

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The tension in the string is related to the centripetal force required to keep the object moving in a circular path. According to centripetal force equation, F = mv²/r, where m is the mass of the object, v is the speed, and r is the radius of the circular path. Since the mass of the object remains constant, doubling the speed would increase the centripetal force required to keep it moving in a circular path by a factor of four (since F = mv²/r). Therefore, the tension in the string would also increase by a factor of four, so the correct answer is "four times as great."

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The design of the thermostat of an electric iron is based on the "increase in the size of metals when heated". The thermostat of an electric iron is designed to maintain a constant temperature of the iron's metal plate. It consists of a bimetallic strip made up of two different metals that have different coefficients of thermal expansion. This means that when the temperature changes, the two metals expand at different rates, causing the strip to bend. The bending of the bimetallic strip is used to control the temperature of the electric iron. When the iron is switched on, the bimetallic strip heats up and bends, which then opens or closes the electrical contacts that control the heating element. As the temperature rises, the strip bends further, eventually causing the contacts to open and turn off the heating element. As the temperature falls, the strip bends in the opposite direction, causing the contacts to close and turn on the heating element again. The reason why the bimetallic strip bends is due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion of the two metals. When heated, one metal expands more than the other, causing the strip to bend. This bending action is used to control the temperature of the electric iron. In summary, the design of the thermostat of an electric iron is based on the "increase in the size of metals when heated". The bimetallic strip used in the thermostat is made up of two metals with different coefficients of thermal expansion, which causes the strip to bend when heated, and is used to control the temperature of the iron.

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The electrical conductivity of a wire is defined as the inverse of its electrical resistivity, which is given by the formula: resistivity = (resistance x cross-sectional area) / length We can rearrange this formula to solve for the conductivity: conductivity = (length / cross-sectional area) x (1 / resistance) Substituting the given values, we get: conductivity = (1.0 m / 2.0 x 10^-7 m^2) x (1 / 0.1 Ω) = 5.0 x 10^7 Ω^-1 m^-1 Therefore, the electrical conductivity of the wire is 5.0 x 10^7 Ω^-1 m^-1.

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When light shines on an object, it can either be absorbed, transmitted, or reflected. When light is reflected, it can either be reflected in a single direction (like a mirror) or scattered in many different directions. When light hits a smooth surface, like a mirror, it reflects in a single direction. However, when light hits a rough surface, like a tree, the light is scattered in many different directions. This is known as diffuse reflection. Diffuse reflection causes light to scatter in all directions, including in the direction of your eyes. This is why you are able to see under shady areas like under a tree during the day. The leaves and branches of the tree scatter the light, allowing some of it to reach the ground and your eyes. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is diffuse reflection.

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To calculate the maximum pressure exerted by the rectangular block on a horizontal floor, we need to use the formula: Pressure = Force / Area where Force is the weight of the block, and Area is the area of the block that is in contact with the floor. The weight of the block is given as 200N. To find the area of the block that is in contact with the floor, we need to consider the dimensions of the block. The length and width of the block are 2.0m and 1.0m respectively, which means the area of the base of the block is: Area = Length x Width = 2.0m x 1.0m = 2.0m² Therefore, the maximum pressure exerted by the block on the floor is: Pressure = Force / Area = 200N / 2.0m² = 100Nm^-2 So, the answer is 100Nm^-2.

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The set of quantities that is fundamental is "length, mass, and time." These quantities are considered fundamental because they are independent and cannot be defined in terms of one another. All other physical quantities can be derived from these fundamental quantities using mathematical equations. For example, speed can be derived as distance over time, and acceleration can be derived as change in speed over time. Therefore, length, mass, and time are considered the three basic building blocks of physics and are used to describe all physical phenomena.

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The displacement-time graph represents the motion of an object thrown upwards. At point P, the object reaches its maximum height and then starts to fall back down due to gravity. At this point, the velocity of the object is zero, as it momentarily stops moving upwards and starts to fall downwards. Therefore, the correct answer is "zero".

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The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of water can be calculated using the formula: Q = mcΔT Where Q is the heat energy, m is the mass of water, c is the specific heat capacity of water and ΔT is the change in temperature. In this case, the mass of water is 1.5 kg, the specific heat capacity of water is 4200 Jkg^-1K^-1, and ΔT is 80 - 30 = 50 K. So, Q = 1.5 kg x 4200 Jkg^-1K^-1 x 50 K = 315000 J The power rating of the electric kettle is 5A x 230V = 1150W = 1150J/s. Therefore, the time taken to heat the water can be calculated using the formula: t = Q/P where t is the time taken, Q is the heat energy, and P is the power rating of the electric kettle. So, t = 315000 J / 1150 J/s = 273.91 s ≈ 4.57 minutes (to 2 decimal places) Therefore, the time taken to heat the water from 30^oC to 80^oC using the electric kettle is approximately 4.57 minutes. Hence, the correct option is (a) 4.57 minutes.

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In a Hare's apparatus, a liquid with a higher density is placed in the taller column and a liquid with a lower density is placed in the shorter column. The pressure at the base of each column is the same. Therefore, we can equate the pressures at the base of each column: \(\text{Pressure}=\text{Height} \times \text{Density} \times \text{Gravitational acceleration}\) Thus, we can write: \(\mathit{h}_1 \mathit{e}_1 g = \mathit{h}_2 \mathit{e}_2 g\) Where g is the acceleration due to gravity. We can cancel g from both sides of the equation, which gives: \(\mathit{h}_1 \mathit{e}_1 = \mathit{h}_2 \mathit{e}_2\) Then, we can rearrange this equation to find \(\mathit{h}_1\): \(\mathit{h}_1 = \frac{\mathit{h}_2 \mathit{e}_2}{\mathit{e}_1}\) Therefore, the correct equation is: \(\mathit{h}_1 = \frac{\mathit{h}_2 \mathit{e}_2}{\mathit{e}_1}\)

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The increase in length of a metal rod due to heating can be calculated using the formula: ΔL = L₀αΔT Where ΔL is the increase in length, L₀ is the original length of the rod, α is the linear expansivity of the material, and ΔT is the change in temperature. In this question, the original length of the rod is 50cm, or 0.5m. The change in temperature is 80^oC - 40^oC = 40^oC. Therefore, the increase in length of the rod is: ΔL = (0.5m)α(40^oC) = 20αm So the correct answer is 20\(\alpha\).

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When capacitors are connected in series, the reciprocal of the total capacitance is equal to the sum of the reciprocals of the individual capacitances. Mathematically, we can express it as: \(\frac{1}{C_{total}} = \frac{1}{C_1} + \frac{1}{C_2} + \frac{1}{C_3} + ...\) In this case, we have three capacitors of equal capacitance, so we can simplify the equation to: \(\frac{1}{C_{total}} = \frac{1}{1.5\mu F} + \frac{1}{1.5\mu F} + \frac{1}{1.5\mu F}\) \(\frac{1}{C_{total}} = \frac{3}{1.5\mu F}\) \(\frac{1}{C_{total}} = 2\) \(C_{total} = \frac{1}{2}\mu F\) Therefore, the total capacitance in the circuit is 0.5 \(\mu F\), which is option (D).

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The device that converts heat energy to electrical energy is a thermocouple. A thermocouple is made up of two different metals that are joined together at one end. When one junction of the two metals is heated, it generates a small voltage. This voltage is a result of the temperature difference between the two junctions, which is known as the Seebeck effect. The voltage generated by the thermocouple can be used to power a circuit or device. Therefore, the correct answer is "thermocouple". A transformer is a device that converts high-voltage, low-current power to low-voltage, high-current power (or vice versa). A dynamo is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A thermostat is a device that controls temperature by turning a heating or cooling system on and off. Therefore, these devices do not convert heat energy to electrical energy, and they are not the correct answers.

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In a head-on collision of two objects, the total momentum before the collision is equal to the total momentum after the collision. The equation for this is: m1v1i + m2v2i = (m1 + m2)vf where m1 and v1i are the mass and initial velocity of the first object, m2 and v2i are the mass and initial velocity of the second object, and vf is the final velocity of the combined objects. Plugging in the values given: (2 kg)(3 m/s) + (1 kg)(-4 m/s) = (2 kg + 1 kg) vf 6 kg·m/s - 4 kg·m/s = 3 kg vf 2 kg·m/s = 3 kg vf vf = 2/3 m/s Therefore, the common speed of the objects after the collision is 0.67 m/s. Answer: 0.67ms^-1.

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The correct answer is "pressure is lower." When you climb up a mountain, you go to a higher altitude where atmospheric pressure decreases. Since boiling occurs when the vapor pressure of the liquid becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure above it, when the atmospheric pressure is lower, the liquid boils at a lower temperature. This is because less heat is required to convert the liquid into vapor when the atmospheric pressure is low. Therefore, liquids boil at a lower temperature at higher altitudes because the pressure there is lower.

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The correct statements are i and ii only: i) When the air inside a rigid box is heated, the average speed of the molecules increases. This is because heat energy is transferred to the air molecules, causing them to move faster and increase their kinetic energy. ii) The pressure of the air inside the box increases as well. This is because as the air molecules move faster, they collide more frequently with the walls of the box, causing an increase in the force exerted by the molecules on the walls of the box, and hence an increase in pressure. iii) The average separation of the molecules does not increase. When the temperature of the air inside the box is increased, the volume of the air also increases (assuming the box is not allowed to expand). This means that the same number of molecules now occupy a larger volume, which results in a decrease in the average separation between the molecules. In summary, when the air inside a rigid box is heated, the average speed of the molecules increases, and the pressure of the air increases, while the average separation of the molecules decreases.

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The third statement, "Both gamma-rays and X-rays have short wavelengths," is correct. Gamma-rays and X-rays are both forms of electromagnetic radiation that have higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths than visible light. Gamma-rays have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength, followed by X-rays. Therefore, statement iii is true. However, the first statement, "Both gamma-rays and X-rays can be produced by thermionic emission," is not necessarily true. While X-rays can be produced by thermionic emission, which is the process of releasing electrons from a heated metal surface, gamma-rays are typically produced by nuclear reactions or radioactive decay. The second statement, "Both gamma-rays and X-rays have low frequencies," is not correct. As mentioned earlier, gamma-rays and X-rays have higher frequencies than visible light, which means they have higher energy and shorter wavelengths. Therefore, statement ii is false. In summary, only statement iii is correct, which is "Both gamma-rays and X-rays have short wavelengths."

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When viewed straight down, a fish in a pond appears nearer than it actually is. This is due to the bending of light as it travels from water to air, which causes the fish to appear closer to the surface than it actually is. This phenomenon is called refraction. As a result, the fish's actual position in the water is farther below than it appears to be when viewed from above.

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To determine the position and nature of the image formed by a concave mirror, we can use the mirror formula, which is given by: 1/v + 1/u = 1/f where v is the distance of the image from the mirror, u is the distance of the object from the mirror, and f is the focal length of the mirror. We are given u = -1.0 m (since the object is placed in front of the mirror) and f = -2.0 m (since the mirror is concave). To find v, we need to rearrange the equation: 1/v = 1/f - 1/u 1/v = -1/2 - 1/(-1) 1/v = -1/2 + 1 1/v = 1/2 v = 2.0 m Since the image is formed 2.0 m from the mirror, and the object is placed in front of the mirror, the image is formed behind the mirror. Therefore, the correct option is: - 2.00m behind the mirror.

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