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Grade 12 Physics entrance exam, 2016 E.C. (2024), round 1

Real questions from the Grade 12 university entrance exam in Physics, as students sat it in 2016 E.C. Every question comes with the correct answer and a worked explanation. The 2016 E.C. exam was sat in more than one round. This page holds round 1.

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  • Natural science stream

    Who sits it

  • 2016 E.C. (2024), round 1

    Exam year

  • 46 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

In the following choices, given that the symbols N, m, J, kg, stand for Newton, meter, Joule, and kilogram, respectively, then which one is the correct SI unit of torque?

  1. A.N
  2. B.kg m²
  3. C.N m = J
  4. D.N m ≠ J
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D N m ≠ J

Why

Although torque has the same physical dimensions as work/energy (Newton-meter), by convention, the Joule (J) is reserved strictly for energy and work to avoid confusion, so for torque, N m≠J\text{N m} \neq \text{J}.

Question 2

Which one of the following waves is an example of longitudinal waves in material medium?

  1. A.Water wave at depth
  2. B.P-waves in earthquake
  3. C.Wave in a string
  4. D.S-waves in earthquake
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B P-waves in earthquake

Why

Primary waves (P-waves) in an earthquake are longitudinal compressional waves that travel through the Earth's interior, unlike S-waves and waves on a string which are transverse.

Question 4

Which one of the following statements is correct about the difference between orbital and escape velocities of a satellite orbiting the Earth?

  1. A.Orbital velocity depends on the radius of the Earth, whereas scape velocity depends on the radius of the satellite's orbit.
  2. B.Scape velocity depends on the radius of the Earth, whereas orbital velocity depends on the radius of the satellite's orbit.
  3. C.Orbital velocity is inversely proportional to the radius of the Earth, whereas scape velocity is directly proportional to the radius of the Earth.
  4. D.Orbital velocity depends on the mass of the earth, whereas scape velocity depends on the mass of the satellite.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B Scape velocity depends on the radius of the Earth, whereas orbital velocity depends on the radius of the satellite's orbit.

Why

The escape velocity from the surface of the Earth depends on the radius of the Earth (vesc=2GME/REv_{\text{esc}} = \sqrt{2GM_{\text{E}}/R_{\text{E}}}), whereas the orbital velocity of a satellite depends on the radius of its orbit (vorb=GME/rv_{\text{orb}} = \sqrt{GM_{\text{E}}/r}).

Question 5

Which one of the following statements is correct about actions of A.C. and D.C. generators?

  1. A.The voltage output of D.C. generators varies periodically whereas the voltage output of A.C generator is constant.
  2. B.The current outputs of both generator A.C. and D.C. generator have constant values.
  3. C.The voltage induced by A.C. generator reverses its direction periodically whereas by the D.C. generators has a constant value.
  4. D.The current outputs of both A.C. and D.C. generators reverse their directions periodically.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C The voltage induced by A.C. generator reverses its direction periodically whereas by the D.C. generators has a constant value.

Why

An AC generator produces an alternating voltage that periodically reverses its direction, whereas a DC generator uses a commutator to ensure the output voltage maintains a constant direction (polarity).

Question 6

An electric motor exerts a constant 10 N⋅m torque on a grindstone, which has a moment of inertia of 5.0 kg⋅m 2 about its axis. The system starts from rest and turns. What is the work done by the motor in 4.0 s?

  1. A.160 J
  2. B.40 J
  3. C.2 J
  4. D.320 J
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A 160 J

Why

Using Newton's second law for rotation, the angular acceleration is α=τ/I=10/5=2 rad/s2\alpha = \tau/I = 10/5 = 2\text{ rad/s}^2. The angular displacement is θ=12αt2=12(2)(4.0)2=16 rad\theta = \frac{1}{2}\alpha t^2 = \frac{1}{2}(2)(4.0)^2 = 16\text{ rad}, so the work done is W=τθ=10×16=160 JW = \tau \theta = 10 \times 16 = 160\text{ J}.

Question 7

Three charges Q 1 = 5 x 10 -10 C, Q 2 = 2 x 10 -10 C and Q 3 = 3 x 10 -10 C, are placed on the x axis at points x = 0, x = 2 cm and x = 4 cm, respectively, as shown in the figure below. What is the magnitude of electrostatic force exerted on Q 2 by the other two charges?

  1. A.3.6 x 10 -6 N
  2. B.9 x 10 -7 N
  3. C.9 N
  4. D.9 x 10 -15 N
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B 9 x 10 -7 N

Why

The electrostatic force on Q2Q_2 due to Q1Q_1 is F12=kQ1Q2/r2=2.25×10−6 NF_{12} = k Q_1 Q_2 / r^2 = 2.25 \times 10^{-6}\text{ N} (to the right), and due to Q3Q_3 is F32=kQ3Q2/r2=1.35×10−6 NF_{32} = k Q_3 Q_2 / r^2 = 1.35 \times 10^{-6}\text{ N} (to the left). The net force is the difference, which is 0.9×10−6 N=9×10−7 N0.9 \times 10^{-6}\text{ N} = 9 \times 10^{-7}\text{ N}.

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The other Physics papers of 2016 E.C.

2016 E.C. (2024)2016 E.C. (2024), Tigray2016 E.C. model exam

Physics papers from other years

2018 E.C. (2026)2018 E.C. (2026), version 12018 E.C. (2026), version 22017 E.C. (2025)2017 E.C. (2025), version 12017 E.C. (2025), version 22015 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)2008 E.C. (2016)2007 E.C. (2015)2006 E.C. (2014)2005 E.C. (2013)

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Are these the real 2016 E.C. Physics entrance exam questions?

Yes. They come from the national university entrance exam in Physics that students sat in 2016 E.C. (2024). Our set holds 46 of its questions, each with its answer and an explanation that points back to the textbook.

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