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Grade 12 Physics entrance exam, 2008 E.C. (2016)

Real questions from the Grade 12 university entrance exam in Physics, as students sat it in 2008 E.C. Every question comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation.

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  • Natural science stream

    Who sits it

  • 2008 E.C. (2016)

    Exam year

  • 40 questions with answers

    In this set

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Answer each question yourself before opening the answer. The explanations point to the exact place in the textbook, so you know which page to reread when you miss one.

Question 1

A man is standing on a spring scale in an elevator. When the elevator is at rest, the scale reads 560N. When the elevator stars to move, the scale reads 600N. The elevator has

  1. A.An upward acceleration
  2. B.A constant down ward speed
  3. C.A constant upward speed
  4. D.A constant upward speed
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A An upward acceleration

Why

The scale reading represents the normal force (apparent weight). Since the scale reads 600 N, which is greater than the true weight of 560 N, there is a net upward force (N−mg=ma>0N - mg = ma > 0), indicating an upward acceleration.

Question 2

What is the necessary and sufficient condition for conservation of linear momentum?

  1. A.The presence of more linear than non linear forces in the system.
  2. B.Net force on the system is zero.
  3. C.The presence of only non-linear forces.
  4. D.Internal forces exceed external forces.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B Net force on the system is zero.

Why

By Newton's second law for a system, the rate of change of total linear momentum equals the net external force (dp⃗dt=F⃗net\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt} = \vec{F}_{\text{net}}). Thus, total linear momentum is conserved if and only if the net external force on the system is zero.

Question 4

An airplane flies at speed of 720.0 km/hr at 37∘37^\circ North of west direction. How far does the plane travel to the west in 1 hour?

  1. A.432km
  2. B.720km
  3. C.576km
  4. D.504km
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C 576km

Why

The westward component of the velocity is vw=vcos⁡(37∘)=720.0 km/h×0.8=576 km/hv_w = v \cos(37^\circ) = 720.0\text{ km/h} \times 0.8 = 576\text{ km/h}. In 1 hour, the distance traveled westward is 576 km/h×1 h=576 km576\text{ km/h} \times 1\text{ h} = 576\text{ km}.

Question 6

Determine the torque in Nm due to a force F =(2i � 3j + 4k)N acting at point r=(3i + 2j + 3k)m about the origin?

  1. A.6i ? 6j + 12K
  2. B.-6i + 6j + 12k
  3. C.17i - 6j � 13k
  4. D.-17i + 6j + 13k
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C 17i - 6j � 13k

Why

Torque is given by the cross product τ⃗=r⃗×F⃗\vec{\tau} = \vec{r} \times \vec{F}. Computing the determinant with r⃗=(3,2,3)\vec{r} = (3, 2, 3) and F⃗=(2,−3,4)\vec{F} = (2, -3, 4) yields τx=8−(−9)=17\tau_x = 8 - (-9) = 17, τy=6−12=−6\tau_y = 6 - 12 = -6, and τz=−9−4=−13\tau_z = -9 - 4 = -13, giving 17i^−6j^−13k^ N⋅m17\hat{i} - 6\hat{j} - 13\hat{k}\text{ N}\cdot\text{m}.

Question 7

An airplane travelled from Addis Ababa to Mekele, 780km in 45minutes. What was it average speed?

  1. A.0.28m/s
  2. B.1040km/hr
  3. C.17.3m/min
  4. D.585km/hr
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B 1040km/hr

Why

The time of travel is 45 minutes=0.75 hours45\text{ minutes} = 0.75\text{ hours}. Average speed is vavg=dt=780 km0.75 h=1040 km/hv_{\text{avg}} = \frac{d}{t} = \frac{780\text{ km}}{0.75\text{ h}} = 1040\text{ km/h}.

Question 8

An example of a body moving with constant speed but still accelerating is

  1. A.a body moving on a straight road.
  2. B.a body moving on a straight railway track
  3. C.a body moving in a circular path
  4. D.a body falling in a viscous fluid.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C a body moving in a circular path

Why

A body moving in a circular path at constant speed undergoes centripetal acceleration because the direction of its velocity vector is continuously changing.

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Physics papers from other years

2018 E.C. (2026)2017 E.C. (2025)2016 E.C. (2024)2015 E.C. (2023)2014 E.C. (2022)2013 E.C. (2021)2012 E.C. (2020)2011 E.C. (2019)2010 E.C. (2018)2009 E.C. (2017)2007 E.C. (2015)2006 E.C. (2014)2005 E.C. (2013)

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Are these the real 2008 E.C. Physics entrance exam questions?

Yes. They come from the national university entrance exam in Physics that students sat in 2008 E.C. (2016). Our set holds 40 of its questions, each with its answer and an explanation that points back to the textbook.

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