S3 Physics National Exam | NESA 2025

Physics National Exam

Section A: Compulsory Questions

For all multiple-choice questions, circle a letter corresponding to the correct answer.

Identify the answer choice that best completes each of the statements below.

a) ………………………………………………. is a contact force.

i)Friction force

ii) Nuclear force

iii) Gravitational force

iv) Magnetic force

Correct Answer

Friction force

b) Magnetic force is a force of attraction between a …………………. and magnetic material.

i) copper wire

ii) magnet

iii) wooden table

iv) non-magnetic material

Correct answer

 Magnet

C) ……………………………………...is a non-contact force.

i) Upthrust

ii) Friction force

iii) Air resistance

iv) Electric force

Correct answer

Electric force

 

D) A push or a pull in a given direction that can change the motion of an object is called a(n)….  

i) inertia

ii) velocity

iii) force

iv) accelerator

Correct answer

 Force.

2) Complete each of the following statements using appropriate term from the box.

                     Heat                  Solar energy              Power                   Kinetic energy

 

a) Kinetic energy of an object is the form of energy that it possesses due to its motion.

b) Two forms of energy produced when wood burns are light energy and Heat.

c) Power is defined as the rate at which work is done.

d) Solar energy is radiation from the Sun that is capable of generating electricity.

3) Draw an arrow from the item in column A that matches with the item in column B

For example: f) → v)

Column A

Column B

a) Knife

i) It is an example of inclined plane

b) Lever

ii) It is a type of simple machine that uses a wheel and rope to lift heavy loads.

c) Pulley

iii) It is an example of wedge

d) Ladder

iv) It is a bar that pivots around a fulcrum used for lifting or moving heavy things.

 

a) ------------- > iii

b) --------------> iv

c) ---------------> ii

d) -------------- > i

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4) Identify the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

a) Which of the following devices is based on the heating effect of electric current?

i) Electric switch

ii) Electric cooker

iii) Electric battery

iv) Electric conductor

Correct answer

Electric cooker

b) What is an electric generator?

i) A device that generates electricity

ii) A path along which electricity can flow

iii) A device that stores electricity

iv) A device that measures electricity

Correct answer

A device that generates electricity

c) If the symbols 𝐼𝐼, 𝑅𝑅 and 𝑉𝑉 represent electric current, electric resistance and voltage respectively, then the formula of the electric power is:

i) RI

ii) R2 I

iii) V/I

iv) VI

Correct

VI

5) Choose the correct alternative from the given options.

a) Which of the following metals is the most common metal used to make electrical wires?

i) Copper

ii) Zinc

iii) Lead

iv) Cobalt

Correct answer

Copper

b) What is the purpose of insulating electrical tools such as screwdrivers?

i) To prevent user from getting electrocuted

ii) To reduce electricity consumption

iii) To make tools lighter for handling

iv) To improve the efficiency of tools

Correct

To prevent user from getting electrocuted

c) Which of the following serves as protection against overload or short-circuit in a house electrical circuit?

i) Resistor

ii) Switch

iii) Circuit breaker

iv) Electric lamps

Correct

Circuit breaker

d) What does the following symbol represent (figure 1)?

Physics NESA Exam
Figure 1

i) Direct current supply

ii) Electric Fuse

iii) Open electric switch

iv) Variable resistor

Correct

Direct current supply

6) The following figure 2 represents a voltage regulator circuit.

Physics NESA Exam


Complete the table below using the names of the electronic components whose codes are shown in figure 2.

Code of the electronic component

Name of the electronic component

Q6

 

D5

 

D6

 

R9

 

 

Correct answer

D5: Zener Diode

D6: Diode

R9: Resistor

7) State whether each of the following statements is true or false.

a) Hydraulic press works on Archimedes’ principle.……………….

False.

b) The buoyant force also known as the upthrust force is given by the formula ρ × g × V, where 𝜌𝜌 is the density of the liquid, 𝑉𝑉 is the volume of liquid displaced and g is the acceleration due to gravity.…………………

True

c) A block of iron dropped in a vessel of water, sinks to the bottom. This is because the weight of the water displaced by the block is less than the weight of the block.………………

True

d) SI unit of atmospheric pressure is newton (N).…………………….

 False

8) Select the correct alternative that answers the question or completes the statement.

a) The pressure in a fluid at rest depends on….

i) surface area of the container

ii) volume of the liquid

iii) density of the liquid

iv) density of the container

Answer

Density of the liquid.

b) If the density of an object is less than the density of water, what happens to the object when placed in water?

i) The object sinks completely

ii) The object becomes denser

iii) The object becomes heavier

iv) The object floats

Answer

The object floats

c) The three containers in figure 3 are filled with water to the same level. Rank the hydrostatic pressures at the bottom of the containers.

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i) 𝑃𝑃1>𝑃𝑃2>𝑃𝑃3

ii) 𝑃𝑃1=4𝑃𝑃2>𝑃𝑃3

iii) 𝑃𝑃1<𝑃𝑃2

iv) 𝑃𝑃1=𝑃𝑃2=𝑃𝑃3

Answer

P1 = P2 = P3.

d) The pressure exerted by a person on the Earth’s surface is minimum when he/she…

i) stands on his/her feet.

ii) sleeps on the ground.

iii) sits with folded legs.

iv) stands on one foot.

Answer

Sleeps on the ground

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9) Identify the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

a) a) The speed of a body undertaking linear motion is given by 𝑣𝑣=𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 where t is time and 𝑣𝑣 is speed of the body, then the dimensional formula of acceleration 𝒂 is :

i) [𝐿𝐿𝑇𝑇−1]

ii) [𝐿𝐿𝑇𝑇−2]

iii) [𝑀𝑀𝑇𝑇−1]

iv) [𝑀𝑀𝐿𝐿−2]

Correct

[ LT-2]

b) In an experiment, it is found that the experimental value is very close to the true value, hence the experimental value can be called…………….

i) accurate

ii) sensitive

iii) suitable

iv) precise

Answer

Accurate

c) How many significant figures are in the number 406.060?

i) 3

ii) 4

iii) 5

iv) 6

Answer

6

10) Select the correct alternative that answers the question or completes the statement.

a) In the expression 𝜀𝜀=−∆ 𝑡𝑡 the negative sign signifies that

i) the induced emf is produced only when magnetic flux decreases.

ii) the induced emf opposes the change in the magnetic flux.

iii) the induced emf is opposite to the direction of the flux.

iv) the induced emf is independent of change in magnetic flux.

Answer

The induced emf opposes the change in the magnetic flux

b) If we increase the number of turns in a coil subjected to a varying magnetic flux, what happens to the induced electromotive force (emf)?

i) Induced emf increases

ii) Induced emf decreases

iii) Induced emf remains the same

iv) Induced emf decreases then increases

Correct

 Induced emf increases

c) What happens to the electric current induced in a coil while accelerating a magnet inside it?

i) reverses

ii) decreases

iii) remains constant

iv) increases

Answer

Increases

11) a) Figure 4 shows a transformer whose coils of wire are wound around an iron core.

Physics NESA Exam

a) Use the step up transformer or step down transformer to name the type of the above transformer.

This is a step-down transformer, as the secondary coil has fewer turns than the primary coil.

b) Why does a real transformer have an efficiency that is less than 100%?

i) Because some energy is lost as heat in the coils and core.

ii) Because transformer only works with direct current.

iii) Because transformer only works at very high voltages.

iv) Because a transformer cannot be used for transmitting electricity over long distances.

Answer

Because some energy is lost as heat in the coils and core.

c) A step-up transformer is used before electricity is transmitted by overhead cables. Which statement explains why the step-up transformer is used?

i) It increases the electric current to increase the speed at which the electricity travels.

ii) It increases the electric current to reduce energy loss in the cables.

iii)It increases the voltage to increase the speed at which the electricity travels.

iv) It increases the voltage to reduce energy loss in the cables.

Answer

It increases the voltage to reduce energy loss in the cables.

12) Consider the speed-time graph of a body shown in figure 5 and select the correct option that answers the question.

Physics NESA Exam

a) The acceleration of the body from O to A is equal to

i) 4 m/s2

ii) 24 m/s2

iii) 6 m/s2

iv) 1.5 m/s2

Correct

1.5 m/s².

b) The distance travelled by the body from A to B is

i) 0 m

ii) 36 m

iii) 40 m

iv) 60 m

Correct

 36 m.

13) An object of mass 10 kg is moving with a velocity of 4 m/s. Its velocity increases from 4 m/s to 8 m/s when a force acts on it for 0.2 s.

a) What is the linear momentum P1 of the object before the force acts?

i) 20 kgm/s

ii) 40 kgm/s

iii) 80 kgm/s

iv) 160 kgm/s

Correct

40 kgm/s.

b) What is the linear momentum P2 of the object after the force acts?

i) 20 kgm/s

ii) 40 kgm/s

iii) 80 kgm/s

iv)160 kgm/s

Correct

80 kgm/s.

c) Find the change in linear momentum ∆𝑃𝑃=𝑃𝑃2−𝑃𝑃1 produced by the applied force

i) 0 kgm/s

ii) 20 kgm/s

iii) 40 kgm/s

iv) 80 kgm/s

Correct

40 kgm/s

d) What is the value of the impulse acting on the object due to the applied force?

i) 0 Ns

ii) 20 Ns

iii) 40 Ns

iv) 80 Ns

Answer

40 Ns.

14) What will happen to the total mechanical energy of a falling system if air resistance and friction force are present? Explain your answer.

Mechanical Energy The total mechanical energy will decrease. Because of air resistance and friction, work is done against these non-conservative forces, causing some mechanical energy to be dissipated as heat (thermal energy) to the surroundings.

15) Discuss briefly any two environmental factors that affect plant growth. Use less than 10 lines to develop your ideas.

Plant Growth Factors Two environmental factors that affect plant growth are sunlight and water. Sunlight is required as the primary energy source for photosynthesis, allowing the plant to produce food. Water is essential for transporting dissolved nutrients from the soil through the plant's root system and maintaining cell structure.

Also read Mathematics Chemistry National Examination here


Section B: Attempt any three questions

16) Thermodynamics in Physics is a branch that deals with heat, work and temperature, and their relation to energy, entropy, radiation and physical properties of matter.

a) Complete the following statements using the terms from the list of states of matter: gas, liquid and solid.

i) Solid has definite shape and definite volume.

 ii) Liquid has definite volume and it takes the shape of the container.

iii) Gas does not have definite shape and volume.

b) State whether each of the following statements is true or false.

 i) The second law of Thermodynamics states that the heat energy cannot spontaneously flow from a body at a lower temperature to a body at a higher temperature without the addition of energy True

ii) If you mix equal masses of two substances at different temperatures, the final temperature will be the average of the two initial temperature False (This depends on their specific heat capacities)

iii) During the entire melting process of solid, the temperature changes.  False

c) In a certain process 523 J of heat is added to a system. The system does work equivalent to 781 J on the surrounding atmosphere.

i) What is the change in internal energy for the system?

Using the First Law of Thermodynamics: Delta U = Q - W. Heat added (Q) = 523 J. Work done by the system (W) = 781 J. U = 523 - 781 = -258 J.

c) Does the internal energy of the gas decrease or increase? Explain your answer.

The internal energy decreases because $\Delta U$ is negative. The system expended more energy doing work on the surroundings than it absorbed as heat.

17) An object 3 cm high is placed 15 cm from a concave mirror of focal length 6 cm as shown below, not to scale, in the figure 6.

Physics Exam


a) Angle of incidence of a ray of light on a concave mirror is equal to the angle of reflection. True or false?

True.

b) Complete the following statements with suitable terms or value from the box:

6 centre of curvature focal point

parallel Perpendicular 12

 

Two terms and one number are distractors.

i) The radius of curvature of the above concave mirror r =………… cm.

r = 12 cm (r = 2f).

ii) A ray of light that passes through the focal point of a concave mirror will reflect…………………….to the principal axis.

Reflect parallel.

iii) A ray of light passing through the ………………………. of a concave mirror is reflected back along the same path.

centre of curvature.

c) Find the position 𝑣𝑣 of the image formed by the above concave mirror.

Past Paper

 

d) Determine the size of the image.

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e) Is the image real or virtual and upright or inverted?

i) Virtual and inverted

ii) Virtual and upright

iii) Real and upright

iv) Real and inverted

Answer

iv) Real and inverted

18) A 3.0 Ω resistor, an unknown resistor, R, and two ammeters, A1 and A2 are connected with a 12-volt source as shown in figure 7. Ammeter A2 reads an electric current of 5.0 amperes. 3.0 Ω resistor and 𝑅𝑅 are connected in parallel.

Past Paper


a) i) Are the electrical appliances at home connected in series or in parallel?

Parallel.

ii) What is the potential difference/voltage between the terminals 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 of the 3.0 Ω resistor?

 12 V (Components in parallel share the source voltage).

ii) What is the instrument used for measuring electric potential difference?

Voltmeter.

b) Calculate:

 i) the electric current measured by ammeter A1.


ii. the electric current passing through the resistor R.


iii. the resistance of the unknown resistor, R.


iv) The equivalent resistance of the electric circuit.


19) a) Complete the following statements using suitable terms and symbols:

i) When the temperature of a rod of copper increases, its length ………………. due to linear expansion.

Increases.

ii) If the symbol of the coefficient of linear expansion is 𝛼𝛼 and the symbol of the coefficient of volumetric/cubic expansion is 𝛾𝛾 then the relation between the two coefficients is ……………. = 3 ………….  


iii) Which mode of heat transfer works best with solids? Justify your answer.

Conduction works best with solids because their atoms are tightly packed together, allowing vibrations and free electrons to easily pass kinetic energy to neighboring atoms.

b) calorimeter of mass 0.050 kg and specific heat capacity 420J/kg° C contains 0.0507 kg of water at 20 °C in thermal equilibrium with the calorimeter. A metal piece of mass 0.020 kg at 100° C is dropped into the calorimeter. After stirring, the final temperature of the mixture is found to be 22°C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J/kg°𝐶𝐶. Assume that in this experiment no heat is lost to the surroundings.

Calculate:

 i) Heat energy gained by water. Its temperature increased from 20°C to 22°C.

ii) Heat energy gained by the calorimeter. Its temperature increased from 20°C to 22°C.

iii) Heat energy lost by the metal piece of unknown specific heat capacity Its temperature decreased from 100°C to 22°C.

iv) The specific heat capacity of the metal piece.

 

20) a) i) Sketch electrostatic field lines around a positive electric point charge Q.



ii) ii) Complete this statement by using two terms “repel” and “attract” Unlike electric charges attract each other while like electric charges repel  each other.

b) When a charged rod is held close to a metal sphere placed on an isolated stand, the charge distribution on the sphere is shown in figure 8.


i) Is the sign of electric charge on the rod positive or negative?

Negative. The rod pushes negative charges to the far side of the sphere and attracts positive charges to the near side

 ii) What are two methods of charging body?

Friction and Induction (or Conduction).   

c) Two opposite electric point charges A and B of -3×10−9𝐶𝐶 and +3×10−9𝐶𝐶 respectively are situated 0.20 m apart in air. Position Y is 0.10 m beyond the second electric charge, as shown in figure 9 where the prefix 𝑛𝑛=10−9.



i) Copy the diagram and apply Coulomb’s law to draw the electrostatic force 𝐹𝐹2 ⃗⃗⃗ exerted by A on B.

    Note that the electrostatic force is a vector quantity.






i & ii) Force vectors F1 and F2 should be drawn pointing toward each other along the dotted line between A and B, representing an attractive force.

Section C: Compulsory question (15 marks)


21) A student determines the density of modelling clay by two methods.

Method 1 

He/she uses the block of modelling clay shown in figure 10 


a) i) Measure the dimensions of the block of modelling clay shown in Figure 10. Record the values in cm

𝑙=……………………………………………cm.

w=…………………………………………. cm.

h=……………………………………………cm.

 (Cannot be done, please contact our staff for more information)




  b) Why is the value of 𝑉𝐴𝐴 being only an approximation of the volume of the modelling block.

 The value VA is only an approximation because the block of clay has rounded corners and uneven edges, meaning it is not a perfect geometric rectangular prism. The accuracy can be improved by using a liquid displacement method (like Method 2) to capture the exact volume of the irregular shape.

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