Physics (Essay) Paper 2 Nov/Dec 2015

Candidates' Weakness

 

Most of the candidates inadequacies were attributed to the following weaknesses:

  • poor understanding of the concept of dimensions of physical quantities;
  • poor knowledge of molecular theory of matter;
  • inability to calculate energy gained by an electron accelerated under a given potential difference;
  • improper handling of computational problems;
  • inability to accurately give the statement of definitions;
  • poor language expressions;
  • poor explanations of some concepts such as: Young’s modulus; relative motion; latent heat; resonance in turning forks; transmutation; stopping potential
  • disregard to instructions in some questions by not complying to the restrictions e.g. in questions: 2 (maximum height); 7 (de-Broglie is assumptions) and 10c (total internal reflection).

 

The suggested remedies were as follows:

  • Teachers should endeavour to complete the syllabus;
  • Teachers should be motivated to attend workshops to improve their skills;
  • More periods should be allotted on the time table for the teaching of Physics;
  • Physics, mathematics and English teachers should work together to improve the computational skills and language expressions of candidates;
  • Teachers with sound knowledge should be engaged in schools;
  • Teachers should endeavour to mark candidates assignments and effect corrections promptly;
  • Candidates should be more studious.