2018 Physics WAEC SSCE (School Candidates) May/June

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Physics 1 - Objective Test Questions

The S.I. unit of sound energy is
1. Hz
2. cd
3. dB
4. J
The general definition of elastic modulus is
1. ${\tfrac {stress}{strain}}$
2. ${\tfrac {strain}{stress}}$
3. stress x strain
4. ${\sqrt {stress/strain}}$
The diagram illustrates a simple barometer. Which distance measures the atmospheric pressure?
1. PQ
2. QR
3. RS
4. QS
The property of a body to remain at rest or to continue in a uniform motion, in a straight line is called
1. momentum
2. inertia
3. impulse
4. energy
During a training session two footballers pass a ball repeatedly between each other. The ‘to and fro’ motion of the ball is not simple harmonic because the I. acceleration of the ball is not directed towards a fixed point. II. restoring force is not directed towards the centre. III. acceleration of the ball is not directly proportional to the displacement from a fixed point. Which of the statements above are correct?
1. I and III only
2. I and II only
3. II and III only
4. I, II, III
A dam is able to hold a large quantity of water because its wall is
1. thickest at the top
2. thickest at the middle
3. thickest at the bottom
4. of the same thickness throughout
A body of mass m moving round a circle of radius r with a uniform speed v experiences a centripetal force F. The work done by the centripetal force on it is
1. Fv
2. zero
3. Fmr
4. Fr/m
A block is acted upon by two horizontal forces as illustrated in the diagram above. The block accelerates at 1.5 ms^-2. Calculate the mass of the block.
1. 6 kg
2. 9 kg
3. 10 kg
4. 15 kg
Which of the following quantities are dimensionally independent? I. dielectric constant II. momentum Ill. efficiency IV. refractive index
1. I and II
2. II, III and IV
3. I, II, III and IV
4. I, III and IV
A body is projected with an initial velocity u at angle $\emptyset$ $\emptyset$ to the horizontal. If R_max is the maximum range of 2 the projectile, what does the relation R U² / mass
1. The vertical distance covered
2. Acceleration due to gravity
3. The horizontal distance covered
4. The acceleration of the body
An object at rest is said to possess
1. potential energy
2. kinetic energy
3. chemical energy
4. electrical energy
According to Newton’s law of cooling, the heat energy lost per unit area of a body depends on the I. Surface area. II. Nature the surface. III. Temperature of the surface. IV. Excess temperature over the surroundings.
1. I and II only
2. II and IV only
3. I,II and III
4. I,II and IV
The graph of density against temperature for water is correctly illustrated by
1. Option a
2. Option b
3. Option c
4. Option d
A football is kicked at an angle of 45° to the horizontal over a defence line up with a velocity of 15 ms^-1 Calculate the magnitude of horizontal velocity of the ball at its highest point. (Neglect friction, g = 10ms^-2)
1. 0.0 ms^-1
2. 5.6 ms^-1
3. 10.6 ms^-1
4. 15.0 ms^-1
The ice point on the absolute scale of temperature is
1. 0 k
2. 32 k
3. 100 k
4. 273 k
Which of the following factors does not increase the rate of evaporation of water in a lake?
1. Increase in the pressure of the atmosphere
2. Rise in temperature
3. Increase in the surface area of the lake
4. Increase in the speed of wind
The bob of a simple pendulum takes 8.0 s to complete 10 oscillations. Determine the frequency of oscillation of the bob.
1. 0.8 Hz
2. 1.25 Hz
3. 7.50 Hz
4. 8.00 Hz
The diagram above illustrates the mercury-in-glass thermometer used for determining the temperature of a room. Use the data on it to determine the room temperature
1. 3.3^oC
2. 7.0^oC
3. 13.0^oC
4. 30.0^oC
Frequency is measured in
1. meter per second
2. second
3. hertz
4. farad
Which of the following electromagnetic waves is most energetic?
1. Radio waves
2. X-ray
3. Gamma rays
4. Ultra-violet rays
Rainbow formation is a natural phenomenon illustrating that white light
1. splits into three components after rainfall.
2. is dispersed by glass prisms.
3. splits into its constituent colours before rainfall.
4. is dispersed into its constituent colours by raindrops.
The lens illustrated can best be described as a
1. converging meniscus
2. plano-convex
3. diverging meniscus
4. bi-convex
Two plane mirrors are inclined to each other such that an object placed between them has 11 images. Determine the angle of inclination
1. 30^o
2. 45^o
3. 60^o
4. 90^o
The pitch of a note is not affected by
1. frequency
2. tension in a vibrating string
3. mass of a vibrating string
4. amplitude of sound wave
When two flat plate conductors are arranged in such a way that they posses equal and opposite charges separated by a dielectric, they form a/an
1. electroscope
2. electrophorus
3. capacitor
4. cell
Which electrical device does the diagram above illustrate?
1. a.c. generator
2. a.c. motor
3. d.c. generator
4. d.c. motor
A simple barometer is constructed using a liquid Q, of density 16.2 g/cm³. Calculate the least length of the tube to be used to measure pressure of 1.5 atmospheres. I atmosphere= 76.0 cm of mercury. (Density of mercury = 13.6 g/cm³
1. 1358mm
2. 957 mm
3. 760 mm
4. 638 mm
A bar AB is balanced horizontally on two knife edges as illustrated in the diagram above. Determine the weight of the bar.
1. 10.0N
2. 20.0N
3. 40.0N
4. 50.0N
To obtain a virtual, erect and magnified image from a thin converging lens, an object must be placed
1. between the focus and the lens.
2. at the focus.
3. between the focus and twice the focal length.
4. beyond twice the focal length.
The diagram represents a transverse travelling wave. Which two points are 180° out of phase?
1. A and E
2. B and D
3. C and F
4. D and H
Two objects P and Q of masses 100 kg and 20 kg respectively are 1.2 m apart on a horizontal surface. Calculate the net gravitational force acting on Q. (G= 6.67 x 10^-1 Nm2kg^-2)
1. 1.11 x 10^-7 N towards P
2. 1.11 x 10^-7 N towards Q
3. 9.26 x 10^-8 N towards P
4. 9.26 x 10^-8 N towards Q
The primary of a transformer has 100 turns and its secondary has 200 turns. If the voltage at the primary is 100 V. determine the voltage at the secondary
1. 50 V
2. 100 V
3. 200 V
4. 400 V
In the diagram illustrated a block of mass M is at rest on a plane inclined at an angle ø to the horizontal. As ø increases, the velocity ratio of the plane
1. increases
2. decreases
3. remain the same
4. decreases and later increases
When the speed of a car is halved, is kinetic energy is
1. doubled
2. quartered
3. halved
4. quadrupled
A wire of length 400 cm is stretched between two fixed pointed. When plucked its fundamental frequency is 150 Hz. Calculate the speed of the wave produced.
1. 250 ms^-1
2. 625 ms^-1
3. 1200 ms^-1
4. 1500 ms^-1
The diagram above illustrates a waveform. Determine the number of wavelengths in it.
1. 4
2. 3½
3. 2½
4. 2
A resistor with fixed resistance value is called a
1. resistance box
2. standard resistor
3. shunt
4. multiplier
Which of the following statements is not an advantage, of an alkaline accumulator?
1. The electrolyte does not need attention
2. It can be recharged
3. It has low internal resistance
4. It has a much longer life than lead-acid accumulator
The diagrams illustrate the wire connections to a three-pin plug. The wires P, Q and R respectively are:
1. live, neutral and earth
2. neutral, earth and live
3. earth, live and neutral
4. earth, neutral and live
Which of the following statements about parallel plate capacitors is/are correct? I. Capacitance of the capacitor is inversely proportional to the distance between the plates. II. Capacitors can filter a.c. signals from d.c. III. Capacitors can store charges.
1. I only
2. I and II only
3. II and III only
4. I, II and III
A circuit contains three ammeters A₁,A₂ and A₃ with readings of A₂ and A₃ shown as indicated in the diagram. Determine the readings of A₁
1. 2A
2. 3A
3. 5A
4. 8A
Which of the following statements about magnetic lines of force is not correct? They
1. pass through even non-magnetic materials.
2. run from the north pole to the south pole
3. are in a state of tension and tend to be shorted
4. intersect one another.
In which of the following activities is an induction coil not useful?
1. Investigation of high voltages
2. Study of electric discharge
3. Operation of X-ray tubes
4. A.C. power transmission
In a series R-L-C circuit, R=10 $\Omega$ $\Omega$ .X =4 $\Omega$ $\Omega$ and = 9 $\Omega$ $\Omega$ . The impedance of the circuit is
1. 4.1 $\Omega$
2. 5.0 $\Omega$
3. 10.8 $\Omega$
4. 11.2 $\Omega$
A student uses two compass needles to investigate the magnetic field around a bar magnet. Which of the following diagrams show the correct directions of the needles?
1. Option a
2. Option b
3. Option c
4. Option d
Which of following particles may be emitted in a process of natural radioactivity?
1. $\alpha$ -particles and $\beta$ -particles
2. $\alpha$ -particles and X-rays
3. $beta$ -particles and X-rays
4. $\gamma$ -rays and X-rays
In which of the following situations is photoelectric effect employed? I. Automatic devices for switching on light at dusk II. Automatic doors in departmental stores III. Automatic devices for switching on air conditioners IV. Automatic voltage stabilization
1. I, lI and IV only
2. I, III and IV only
3. II and IV only
4. I and II only
Which of the following radiations has the longest wavelength?
1. Gamma ray
2. Radio wave
3. infrared ray
4. X-ray
In which of the following fields is radioisotopes not used?
1. Medicine
2. Oil industry
3. Agriculture
4. Weather forecast
A nuclide is represented by ${\ce {^{70}_{32}B}}$ ${\ce {^{70}_{32}B}}$ . Determine its neutron-proton radio.
1. Option a
2. Option b
3. Option c
4. Option d

Physics 2 - Theory Questions

Part 1

Question 1
1. Define strain.
2. A rubber band is stretched to twice its original length. Calculate the strain on the rubber band.
State three materials used for making optical fibres.
Name three classes of magnetic materials.
Question 4
1. What is an intrinsic semiconductor?
2. Distinguish between the p-type and n-type semi conductors.
A missile is projected so as to attain its maximum range. Calculate the maximum height attained if the initial velocity of projection is 200 ms^-1. [g= 10ms^-2
A black body radiates maximum energy when its surface temperature T and the corresponding wavelength. $\lambda$ _max are related by the equation, $\lambda$ _max T= constant Given the values of the constant and surface temperature as 2.9 x 10^-3 mK and 57°C respectively calculate the frequency of the energy radiated.
1. What does the acronym LASER stand for?
2. What is a laser?

Part 2

1. Define uniform acceleration.
2. Forces on a car in motion. List the:
  1. horizontal forces and their directions
  2. vertical forces and their directions
  3. Sub-question iii
  4. Sub-question iv
  5. Sub-question v
3. A car starts from rest and accelerate uniformly for 20 s to attain a speed of 25 ms^—1. It maintains the speed for 30 s before decelerating uniformly to rest. The total time for the journey is 60 s.
  1. Sketch velocity-time graph for the motion.
  2. Use the graph to determine the: ( $\alpha$ ) total distance travelled by car; ( $\beta$ ) deceleration of the car.
4. The figure here illustrates force-extension graph for a stretched spiral spring. Determine the work done on the spring.
1. List two factors each that affect heat loss by
  1. radiation
  2. convection
2. State two factors that determine the quantity of heat in a body.
3. Explain the statement: The specific latent heat of vaporization of mercury is 2.72 x10⁵ J /kg
4. A jug of heat capacity 250 Jkg ^-1 contains water at 28°C. An electric heater of resistance 3° is connected to a 220 V source is used to raise temperature of the water until it boils at 10°C - minutes. After another 5 minutes, 300 g of water has evaporated. Assuming no heat is lost to the surroundings, calculate the:
  1. mass of water in the jug before heating
  2. specific latent heat of vaporization of steam (specific heat capacity of water = 4200)
1. Define diffraction
2. 1. Explain critical angle
  2. The diagram here illustrates ray of light passing through a rectangular transparent plastic block (α). Determine the value of the critical angle (β). Calculate the refractive index of the block
3. A pipe closed at one end has fundamental frequency of 200Hz. The frequency of the first overtone of the closed pipe is equal to the frequency of the first overtone of an open pipe. Calculate the:
  1. fundamental frequency of the open pipe
  2. length of the closed pipe;
  3. length of the open pipe. [Speed of sound in air = 330 ms^-1]
1. Define:
  1. reactance;
  2. impedance in an a.c. circuit
2. The diagram here illustrates an a.c. generator. When the coil is rotated an e.m.f is introduced in the coil.
  1. Explain why an e.mf. is induced.
  2. State the purpose of the slip-rings.
  3. Name and state the law used to determine the direction of the induced current.
  4. State two ways to increase the induced e.m.f
3. A lamp is rated 12V. 6W. Calculate the amount of energy transformed by the lamp in 5 minutes
1. Define binding energy in an atom
2. List three evidence to support the claim that X-rays are electromagnetic waves.
3. List three peaceful uses of nuclear energy
4. Light of wavelength 4.5 x 10^-7m is incident on a metal resulting in the emission of photo electrons. If the work function of the metal is 3.0 x 10^-9 J, calculate the:
  1. frequency of the incident light;
  2. energy of the incident light;
  3. energy of the photoelectrons. [Speed of light = 3.0 x 10⁸ ms^-1, h = 6.6 x 10^-34 Js]

Physics 3 - Practical Questions

Alternative A

1. You are provided with a pendulum bob, a metre rule, a stop watch, a retort stand with clamp and other necessary apparatus.
  1. Suspend the pendulum-bob from the clamp as illustrated in the diagram.
  2. Adjust the pendulum such that AC = L = 90cm.
  3. Displace the pendulum bob slightly such that it oscillates in a vertical plane.
  4. Measure and record the time t for 20 complete oscillations.
  5. Evaluate T and ${\sqrt {L}}$ .
  6. Repeat the procedure for four other values of L = 80cm, 70cm, 60cm and 50cm.
  7. Tabulate your readings.
  8. Plot a graph with T on the vertical axis and ${\sqrt {L}}$ on the horizontal axis.
  9. Determine the slope, s, of the graph.
  10. Evaluate $g={\tfrac {4\pi ^{2}}{s^{2}}}$
  11. State two precautions taken to ensure accurate results.
2. 1. Determine from your graph the period of the pendulum for L = 75cm.
  2. A simple pendulum bob is set into simple harmonic motion. Sketch a diagram of the set up and indicate on it; the positions of: (a) maximum velocity; (b) maximum acceleration of the bob.
1. You are provided with a metre rule, lens, screen, ray box and other necessary apparatus.
  1. Set up the experiment as shown in the diagram above. Measure and record the diameter α_o of the illuminated object.
  2. Place the object at a distance x = 25cm from the lens. Adjust the screen until a sharp image is obtained on the screen.
  3. Measure and record the diameter, α, of the image.
  4. Measure and record the distance v between the lens and the screen.
  5. Evaluate $y{\tfrac {\alpha }{\alpha _{o}}}$ , $P={\tfrac {1+y^{2}}{y}}$ and T = x + v.
  6. Repeat the procedure for x = 30cm, 35cm, 40cm and 45cm. In each case, determine the corresponding values of a, v, y, P and T.
  7. Tabulate your results.
  8. Plot a graph of P on the vertical axis against T on the horizontal axis starting both axes from the origin (0,0).
  9. Determine the slope, s, of the graph.
  10. Determine the intercept, c, on the horizontal axis.
  11. Evaluate k = ${\tfrac {c}{2}}$
  12. State two precautions taken to ensure accurate results
2. 1. Explain the statement, the focal length of a converging lens is 20cm.
  2. An object is placed at a a distance x from a converging lens of focal length 20cm. If the magnification of the real image formed by the lens is 5, calculate the value of x.
1. You are provided with an ammeter, resistor key, metre bridge and other necessary apparatus.
  1. Connect a circuit as shown in the diagram above.
  2. Close the key and use the jockey to make contact with AB at N such that AN = d = 25cm.
  3. Read and record the ammeter reading I
  4. Evaluate I^-1
  5. Repeat the procedure for values of d =35cm, 50cm, 65cm and 80cm. In each case record I and determine I^-1
  6. Tabulate your results
  7. Plot a graph with logI^-1 on the vertical axis and d on the horizontal axis
  8. Determine the slope, s, of the graph
  9. State two precautions taken to obtain accurate results
2. 1. Use your graph to determine the value of d = I = 1.5A
  2. State two factors which affect the resistance of a wire