WAEC Physics Questions And Answers (Syllabus) 2023/2024

WAEC Physics Questions And Answers 2023-2024 is now available

Current 2023-2024 WAEC physics Questions and  Answers

Objectives/Theory

Here are 15 sample WAEC Physics questions and answers:

Question:

An object of mass 2 kg is moving with a velocity of 4 m/s. What is its kinetic energy?

Answer:

The kinetic energy of an object can be found using the equation:

KE = (1/2)mv^2

where KE is the kinetic energy, m is the mass of the object, and v is its velocity.

Substituting the values, we get:

KE = (1/2)(2 kg)(4 m/s)^2

KE = 16 J

Therefore, the kinetic energy of the object is 16 Joules.

Question:

A car is traveling at a constant speed of 30 m/s. What is the distance it travels in 2 minutes?

Answer:

We can convert 2 minutes to seconds by multiplying by 60:

2 minutes * 60 seconds/minute = 120 seconds

Now, we can find the distance the car travels using the equation:

distance = speed x time

Substituting the values, we get:

distance = 30 m/s x 120 s

distance = 3600 m

Therefore, the car travels a distance of 3600 meters in 2 minutes.

Question:

A diver jumps off a diving board and reaches a maximum height of 6 meters. What was the diver's initial velocity?

Answer:

Using the kinematic equation:

v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2ad

where v_f is the final velocity (i.e., 0 m/s at the maximum height), v_i is the initial velocity (what we're solving for), a is the acceleration due to gravity (i.e., -9.8 m/s^2), and d is the displacement (i.e., the maximum height).

Substituting the values, we get:

0^2 = v_i^2 + 2(-9.8 m/s^2)(6 m)

v_i^2 = 352.8 m^2/s^2

v_i = 18.8 m/s (rounded to one decimal place)

Therefore, the diver's initial velocity was approximately 18.8 meters per second.

Question:

A block of ice with a mass of 0.5 kg is placed on a level surface. If the coefficient of static friction between the ice and the surface is 0.2, what is the maximum force that can be applied horizontally to the block without causing it to move?

Answer:

The maximum force that can be applied horizontally without causing the block to move is equal to the product of the coefficient of static friction and the normal force (i.e., the force exerted by the surface on the block):

f_max = μ_s * N

where f_max is the maximum force, μ_s is the coefficient of static friction, and N is the normal force.

Since the block is on a level surface, the normal force is equal to the weight of the block:

N = mg

where m is the mass of the block and g is the acceleration due to gravity (i.e., 9.8 m/s^2).

Substituting the values, we get:

N = (0.5 kg)(9.8 m/s^2)

N = 4.9 N

Now we can find the maximum force:

f_max = μ_s * N

f_max = (0.2)(4.9 N)

f_max = 0.98 N

Therefore, the maximum force that can be applied horizontally without causing the block to move is 0.98 Newtons.

Question:

A ball is thrown horizontally with a speed of 10 m/s off a cliff that is

A 5 kg object is placed on a frictionless inclined plane that makes an angle of 30 degrees with the horizontal. What is the component of the gravitational force acting on the object parallel to the plane?

Answer: The component of the gravitational force acting on the object parallel to the plane is given by Fgsin(30) = 59.8*sin(30) = 24.5 N.

 A car is traveling at a constant speed of 60 km/hr. What is the car's speed in m/s?

Answer: To convert km/hr to m/s, we need to multiply by 1000/3600. Therefore, the car's speed in m/s is 60*(1000/3600) = 16.67 m/s.

9. An object is thrown straight up with an initial velocity of 20 m/s. How high does the object rise before it starts falling back down?

Answer: The maximum height the object reaches is given by h = (v^2)/(2g), where v is the initial velocity and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, the maximum height the object reaches is h = (20^2)/(2*9.8) = 20.4 m.

10. A circuit contains a 20 ohm resistor and a 30 ohm resistor in series. What is the equivalent resistance of the circuit?

Answer: The equivalent resistance of resistors in series is given by R_eq = R1 + R2, where R1 and R2 are the resistances of the individual resistors. Therefore, the equivalent resistance of the circuit is R_eq = 20 + 30 = 50 ohms.

11. What is the difference between a concave and a convex lens?

Answer: A concave lens is thicker at the edges than at the center, and it diverges light rays. A convex lens is thicker at the center than at the edges, and it converges light rays.

12. A wire of length 2 m and cross-sectional area 4 mm^2 has a resistance of 10 ohms. What is the resistivity of the wire?

Answer: The resistance of a wire is given by R = (rho * L) / A, where rho is the resistivity of the wire, L is the length of the wire, and A is the cross-sectional area of the wire. Therefore, the resistivity of the wire is rho = (R * A) / L = (10 * 10^-3) / (2 * (4 * 10^-6)) = 1.25 * 10^-3 ohm-m.

13. A ball is thrown horizontally off a cliff with a speed of 20 m/s. The cliff is 50 m high. How far from the base of the cliff will the ball land?

Answer: The time it takes for the ball to hit the ground is given by t = sqrt((2 * h) / g), where h is the height of the cliff and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, t = sqrt((2 * 50) / 9.8) = 3.19 s. The horizontal distance the ball travels is given by d = v * t, where v is the initial horizontal velocity of the ball. Therefore, d = 20 * 3.19 = 63.8 m.

14. An electron moves at a speed of 3 * 10^6 m/s in a magnetic field of 0.5 T. What is the magnitude of the force experienced by the electron?

Answer: The force experienced by a charged particle moving in a magnetic field is given by F = q * v * B, where q is the charge of the particle, v is the velocity of the particle, and B is the magnetic field. Therefore, the force experienced by the electron is F = (1.6 * 10^-19) * (3 * 10^6) * 0.5 = 2.4 * 10^-13 N.

15. What is the difference between an insulator and a conductor?

Answer: An insulator is a material that does not allow electric charges to flow through it easily, while a conductor is a material that allows electric charges to flow through it easily.

What is the difference between kinetic energy and potential energy?

Answer: Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, while potential energy is the energy an object possesses due to its position or configuration

WAEC Physics Syllabus  Questions And Answers 

I. Physical Quantities, Units and Measurements

SI units and their definitions

• Length - meter (m)
• Mass - kilogram (kg)
• Time - second (s)
• Electric current - ampere (A)
• Temperature - kelvin (K)
• Amount of substance - mole (mol)
• Luminous intensity - candela (cd)

Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional analysis is a method used to check the dimensional consistency of physical equations. It involves analyzing the dimensions of the quantities involved in an equation to ensure that the dimensions on both sides of the equation are the same.

Scalars and vectors

Scalars are physical quantities that have only magnitude, while vectors have both magnitude and direction. Examples of scalars include mass, volume, and temperature, while examples of vectors include velocity, force, and acceleration.

Measuring instruments and their uses

Measuring instruments are tools used to measure physical quantities. Examples include rulers, thermometers, balances, and voltmeters. They are used to obtain accurate and precise measurements of physical quantities.

II. Mechanics

Kinematics

Kinematics is the study of motion without considering the forces that cause the motion. It involves analyzing the position, velocity, and acceleration of objects. Some key concepts in kinematics include displacement, speed, and acceleration.

Dynamics

Dynamics is the study of the forces that cause motion. It involves analyzing the relationship between forces, mass, and acceleration. Some key concepts in dynamics include Newton's laws of motion, friction, and gravity.

Laws of motion

The laws of motion were developed by Sir Isaac Newton to describe the behavior of objects in motion. The three laws are:

1. Every object in a state of uniform motion will remain in that state of motion unless an external force acts on it.
2. The rate of change of momentum of an object is directly proportional to the force applied, and occurs in the direction in which the force is applied.
3. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Work, energy and power

Work, energy, and power are all related concepts that describe the ability of an object to do work. Work is the transfer of energy that occurs when a force is applied to an object and the object moves. Energy is the ability to do work, and power is the rate at which work is done.

Circular motion

Circular motion is the motion of an object along a circular path. It involves analyzing the velocity and acceleration of the object as it moves in a circle. Some key concepts in circular motion include centripetal force, centripetal acceleration, and tangential velocity.

Simple harmonic motion

Simple harmonic motion is the motion of an object back and forth along a straight line. It occurs when the restoring force on the object is directly proportional to the displacement of the object from its equilibrium position. Some examples of simple harmonic motion include the motion of a pendulum and the oscillation of a spring.

III. Waves and Optics

Properties of waves

Waves are a disturbance that travels through a medium or space, transporting energy without transporting matter. Some key properties of waves include wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and speed.

Wave phenomena

Wave phenomena are the effects that waves can have on their environment. Some examples include interference, diffraction, and standing waves. These phenomena can help us understand how waves behave and interact with each other.

Reflection, refraction and dispersion of light

Light is a type of electromagnetic wave that can be reflected, refracted, and dispersed. Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface, while refraction occurs when light passes through a medium and changes direction. Dispersion occurs when light is separated into its component colors, such as in a rainbow.

Lenses and their applications

Lenses are curved pieces of glass or plastic that can refract light and form images. They are used in a variety of applications, including eyeglasses, telescopes, and cameras. Some key concepts in lens optics include focal length, magnification, and lens power.

Optical instruments

Optical instruments are tools that use light to measure or analyze physical phenomena. Examples include microscopes, telescopes, and spectrometers. These instruments are used in a variety of fields, including biology, astronomy, and chemistry.

IV. Heat and Thermodynamics

Temperature and heat

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance. Heat is the transfer of energy from a hotter object to a cooler object. The amount of heat transferred depends on the temperature difference between the two objects and their thermal properties.

Thermal expansion

Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change in shape, area, and volume in response to a change in temperature. This phenomenon is caused by the fact that the spacing between particles in a substance increases as the temperature increases.

Laws of thermodynamics

The laws of thermodynamics describe the behavior of energy in physical systems. There are four laws, but the first and second laws are the most fundamental:

1. The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.
2. The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of an isolated system always increases over time.

Heat transfer

Heat can be transferred from one object to another in three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between two objects. Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids, such as air or water. Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.

Kinetic theory of gases

The kinetic theory of gases describes the behavior of gases in terms of the motion of their particles. It assumes that the particles in a gas are in constant, random motion and that the pressure of a gas is caused by the collisions of its particles with the walls of its container. Some key concepts in the kinetic theory of gases include temperature, pressure, and the ideal gas law.

V. Electricity and Magnetism

Electric charges and fields

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that can be positive or negative. Electric fields are created by charged objects and can exert a force on other charged objects within the field.

Coulomb's law

Coulomb's law describes the electrostatic force between two charged objects. The force is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the distance between them.

Electric potential and potential difference

Electric potential is a measure of the potential energy per unit charge in an electric field. Potential difference is the difference in electric potential between two points in an electric circuit and is measured in volts.

Capacitors and capacitance

Capacitors are electronic components that can store electrical energy in an electric field. The capacitance of a capacitor is a measure of its ability to store charge and is determined by its geometry and material properties.

Electromagnetic induction

Electromagnetic induction is the process by which a changing magnetic field induces an electric current in a conductor. This principle is used in a variety of devices, including generators, transformers, and motors.

Electric circuits

An electric circuit is a closed path through which an electric current can flow. Circuits can be simple or complex, and may include various components such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors. Understanding electric circuits is crucial in many fields, including electronics, power systems, and telecommunications.

VI. Modern Physics

Atomic physics

Atomic physics is the study of the properties and behavior of atoms. It includes topics such as atomic structure, spectroscopy, and the interactions between atoms and electromagnetic radiation.

Nuclear physics

Nuclear physics is the study of the properties and behavior of atomic nuclei. It includes topics such as nuclear reactions, radioactive decay, and the structure of atomic nuclei.

Quantum mechanics

Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level. It includes topics such as wave-particle duality, the uncertainty principle, and the Schrödinger equation.

Particle physics

Particle physics is the study of the fundamental particles and forces of nature. It includes topics such

VI. Modern Physics

Atomic physics

Atomic physics is the study of the properties and behavior of atoms. It includes topics such as atomic structure, spectroscopy, and the interactions between atoms and electromagnetic radiation.

Nuclear physics

Nuclear physics is the study of the properties and behavior of atomic nuclei. It includes topics such as nuclear reactions, radioactive decay, and the structure of atomic nuclei.

Quantum mechanics

Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level. It includes topics such as wave-particle duality, the uncertainty principle, and the Schrödinger equation.

Particle physics

Particle physics is the study of the fundamental particles and forces of nature. It includes topics such as the Standard Model of particle physics, the Higgs boson, and the search for dark matter and dark energy.

Applications of modern physics

Modern physics has a wide range of practical applications, including in medical imaging, nuclear power generation, semiconductor technology, and quantum computing.

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