Summary

• Description:

  The MS Word document comprises Grade 10 Physics Mid Term 2 2026 Exam with Marking Scheme. The PDF version is also available upon your request. The marking scheme is in a different document.

  This exam assesses Grade 10 Physics learners on branches of physics, pressure, elasticity, thermal expansion, stability, machines, waves, radioactivity, and heat — evaluating both conceptual understanding and quantitative problem-solving skills as required under the KCBE Senior School science curriculum.

  • Month Administered: June 2026
  • Duration: 2 Hours
  • Total Marks: 90 (Section A: 30 marks; Section B: 60 marks)
  • Structure:
    • Section A (30 marks) — Short-answer and calculation questions; all compulsory
    • Section B (60 marks) — Structured/extended-response and practical questions; all compulsory

  It covers the following topics:

  • Section A
    • Branches of Physics — definition of physics, matching activities to branches (thermodynamics, mechanics, geometrical optics), radiology, physics-geography connection
    • Pressure — atmospheric pressure and syringe operation, pressure calculations in a liquid, wide tyres and pressure distribution
    • Elasticity — elastic limit (yield point), spring constant calculation using Hooke's Law, distinguishing ductility and brittleness
    • Thermal expansion — metals in a bimetallic strip, how bending prevents overheating, slack in overhead power lines
    • Stability and equilibrium — identifying the most stable shape, moment of a force, beam equilibrium calculations, two conditions for equilibrium
  • Section B
    • Machines — work done, power, mechanical advantage, efficiency of a pulley system, sources of energy loss
    • Sound waves — type of wave from a guitar string, reflection vs. refraction of sound, resonance, wavelength calculation
    • Wave behaviour — stationary vs. progressive waves, Young's double slit experiment, conditions for minima in interference, diffraction patterns, sketching wave fronts past barriers, intensity measurement
    • Radioactivity — radioactive decay and isotopes, plotting activity vs. time graph for carbon-14, estimating half-life, Geiger-Müller tube (labeled diagram and operation), uses of radioactivity in medicine and agriculture, alpha decay equation for Radon-222, uses of cobalt-60, beta decay equation (carbon-14 to nitrogen), safety precautions for radioactive waste disposal
    • Heat and changes of state — specific latent heat of fusion (definition), experiment to determine latent heat of fusion of ice, heat exchange calculations involving ice, water, and a calorimeter
• Length:

  10 pages
• Category:

  Exams
• Level:

  Grade 10
• Subject:

  PHYSICS

Enter your details below to initiate a payment using MPESA.