To score high in JAMB Physics you need to know more than just the formula. The most important aspect of physics includes understanding physical principles, interpretation of questions correctly, application of appropriate formula and solving problems under examination conditions. Here, you have sample JAMB Physics CBT Questions and Answers that will help you.
The original JAMB-style Physics practice questions and answers gives explanations and practical preparation advice. How to use the official JAMB Physics syllabus for study is also explained. Candidates can also learn how to determine a study material is reliable or not and differentiate it from other unofficial and misleading study materials.
A word of caution – these questions are only for practice. They are NOT leaked JAMB questions, JAMB CBT Examination questions nor does it contain the whole content of the official JAMB syllabus for Physics.
This article covers:
- The official focus of the JAMB Physics syllabus
- Major Physics topics candidates should study
- 40 original JAMB-style objective questions
- Answers and explanations
- Additional practice questions
- Common mistakes candidates make
- Effective preparation strategies
- How to verify JAMB Physics information
- Frequently asked questions
What Is JAMB Physics?
Physics is one of the science subjects offered in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Whether a candidate needs Physics depends on the course and institution being applied to. Candidates should therefore check the subject requirements for their specific programme rather than assuming that Physics is required for every science-related course.
The official JAMB Physics syllabus is designed to assess candidates’ ability to understand and interpret physical phenomena and solve problems using relevant concepts and theories. Its stated objectives include encouraging accuracy, precision and objectivity and testing candidates’ ability to apply Physics knowledge correctly.
For current admission and subject-combination requirements, candidates can use JAMB’s Integrated Brochure and Syllabus System (IBASS), which is linked through the Board’s official systems.
Major Areas Covered in JAMB Physics
The official syllabus includes a broad range of topics, including areas such as:
Mechanics and Matter
- Measurements and units
- Scalars and vectors
- Motion
- Gravitation
- Equilibrium of forces
- Work, energy and power
- Machines
- Elasticity
- Pressure and properties of fluids
Heat and Thermal Physics
- Temperature and thermometry
- Thermal expansion
- Gas laws
- Quantity of heat
- Change of state
- Kinetic theory of matter
Waves and Optics
- Wave motion
- Light
- Sound waves and their properties
Electricity and Magnetism
- Electrostatics
- Current electricity
- Magnetism
- Electromagnetic fields
- Electromagnetic induction
- Alternating current and related concepts
Modern and Other Areas of Physics
The detailed syllabus should always be consulted for the complete list of topics and objectives because the official document specifies what candidates are expected to know and do.
Why You Should Study the Objectives, Not Just the Topic Names
Note: Studying Objectives and not just the topic names help you to know what you have to study in order to reach a particular level of understanding of a topic heading.
A topic heading alone will not accurately indicate the level of understanding you will require to cover that topic. For example, knowing that Motion is a topic on the syllabus does not mean that you will simply read through the topic. You will need to understand relevant quantities, understand relationships between them and be able to recognize corresponding sections of graphs and perform appropriate calculations.
When reading the syllabus note the action words i.e. Define, Explain, Identify, Distinguish, Calculate, Apply, Interpret.
- Define
- Explain
- Identify
- Distinguish
- Calculate
- Apply
- Interpret
These words are indicators of the kind of knowledge or skills that the student is expected to acquire.
40 JAMB Physics Questions and Answers With Explanations
These are examples of the original questions that were written to expose candidates to common concepts as well as to test their problem solving abilities in senior secondary and UTME-level Physics.
Measurements, Units and Vectors
1. Which of the following is an SI base quantity?
A. Force
B. Pressure
C. Mass
D. Density
Answer: C. Mass
Explanation: Mass is an SI base quantity. Force, pressure and density are derived quantities.
2. The instrument most suitable for measuring the diameter of a thin wire accurately is a
A. metre rule
B. measuring cylinder
C. micrometer screw gauge
D. spring balance
Answer: C. Micrometer screw gauge
Explanation: A micrometer screw gauge is designed for measuring very small dimensions such as the diameter of a wire.
3. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
A. Speed
B. Distance
C. Temperature
D. Velocity
Answer: D. Velocity
Explanation: Velocity has both magnitude and direction. Speed and distance are scalar quantities.
4. A force of 20 N acts on a body of mass 4 kg. What is its acceleration?
A. 5 m/s²
B. 16 m/s²
C. 24 m/s²
D. 80 m/s²
Answer: A. 5 m/s²
Explanation:
Using Newton’s second law:
F = ma
Therefore:
a = F/m = 20/4 = 5 m/s²
Motion and Forces
5. A car moves with a constant velocity of 15 m/s for 4 seconds. How far does it travel?
A. 19 m
B. 45 m
C. 60 m
D. 75 m
Answer: C. 60 m
Explanation:
Distance = velocity × time
= 15 × 4
= 60 m
6. The tendency of a body to resist a change in its state of rest or motion is called
A. momentum
B. inertia
C. friction
D. acceleration
Answer: B. Inertia
Explanation: Inertia is the property of matter that makes an object resist changes in its state of rest or uniform motion.
7. A body moving with uniform acceleration has a
A. constant velocity
B. constant acceleration
C. decreasing mass
D. zero displacement
Answer: B. Constant acceleration
Explanation: Uniform acceleration means the velocity changes by equal amounts in equal intervals of time.
8. A passenger in a moving vehicle tends to move forward when the vehicle suddenly stops because of
A. friction
B. gravity
C. inertia
D. momentum loss
Answer: C. Inertia
Explanation: The passenger’s body tends to continue moving forward due to inertia of motion.
9. Momentum is the product of
A. mass and acceleration
B. mass and velocity
C. force and distance
D. weight and height
Answer: B. Mass and velocity
Explanation:
Momentum, p = mv.
Its SI unit is kg m/s.
10. The resultant force on a body moving with constant velocity is
A. maximum
B. equal to its weight
C. zero
D. increasing
Answer: C. Zero
Explanation: According to Newton’s laws, a body moving with constant velocity has zero acceleration. Since F = ma, the resultant force is zero.
Work, Energy and Power
11. Work is done on a body when a force produces
A. mass
B. displacement
C. inertia
D. density
Answer: B. Displacement
Explanation: Mechanical work is done when a force causes displacement in the direction of the force or has a component in the direction of displacement.
12. A force of 50 N moves an object through 3 m in its direction. Calculate the work done.
A. 16.7 J
B. 47 J
C. 150 J
D. 300 J
Answer: C. 150 J
Explanation:
Work = Force × Distance
= 50 × 3
= 150 J
13. The energy possessed by a moving object is called
A. chemical energy
B. potential energy
C. kinetic energy
D. nuclear energy
Answer: C. Kinetic energy
Explanation: Kinetic energy is energy associated with motion.
14. A machine has an efficiency of 80%. This means that
A. all the input energy is useful
B. 80% of the input energy becomes useful output
C. the machine produces energy
D. 20% of the output is useful
Answer: B. 80% of the input energy becomes useful output
Explanation: Efficiency compares useful output energy or work with total input energy or work.
Properties of Matter and Fluids
15. Pressure is defined as force per unit
A. mass
B. volume
C. area
D. time
Answer: C. Area
Explanation:
Pressure = Force/Area.
The SI unit of pressure is the pascal (Pa).
16. Why does a sharp knife cut more easily than a blunt knife?
A. It has greater mass
B.It produces greater pressure on a smaller area
C. It has less force
D.It has lower density
Answer: B. It produces greater pressure on a smaller area
Explanation: For the same force, reducing the area increases pressure.
17. An object floats in a liquid when
A. its weight is greater than the upthrust
B. the upthrust balances its weight
C. there is no gravitational force
D. it has zero mass
Answer: B. The upthrust balances its weight
Explanation: For an object floating in equilibrium, the upward buoyant force equals the object’s weight.
18. Density is calculated as
A. mass × volume
B. volume/mass
C. mass/volume
D. weight/area
Answer: C. Mass/volume
Explanation:
Density = Mass/Volume.
Heat and Thermal Physics
19. The SI unit of temperature is
A. degree Celsius
B. kelvin
C. joule
D. watt
Answer: B. Kelvin
Explanation: The kelvin (K) is the SI base unit of thermodynamic temperature.
20. Heat transfer through a metal spoon placed in hot tea occurs mainly by
A. conduction
B. convection
C. radiation
D. evaporation
Answer: A. Conduction
Explanation: Metals are good conductors, allowing thermal energy to pass through the material by conduction.
21. The transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid is known as
A. conduction
B. convection
C. radiation
D. sublimation
Answer: B. Convection
Explanation: Convection occurs in liquids and gases through the bulk movement of particles.
22. During the melting of pure ice at constant pressure, its temperature remains constant because the heat supplied is used to
A. increase its kinetic energy only
B. change its state
C. decrease its mass
D. increase its density
Answer: B. Change its state
Explanation: The energy absorbed during a change of state is used to overcome intermolecular forces rather than raise the temperature.
23. Which gas law states that the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is inversely proportional to its volume at constant temperature?
A. Charles’s law
B. Boyle’s law
C. Ohm’s law
D. Hooke’s law
Answer: B. Boyle’s law
Explanation: Boyle’s law states that pressure and volume are inversely related for a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature.
Waves and Sound
24. The number of complete oscillations made per second is called
A. amplitude
B. wavelength
C. frequency
D. period
Answer: C. Frequency
Explanation: Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz).
25. The distance between two successive crests of a transverse wave is its
A. amplitude
B. wavelength
C. frequency
D. velocity
Answer: B. Wavelength
Explanation: Wavelength is the distance between two successive points in phase, such as adjacent crests.
26. The relationship between wave speed (v), frequency (f) and wavelength (λ) is
A. v = f/λ
B. v = λ/f
C. v = fλ
D. v = f + λ
Answer: C. v = fλ
Explanation: Wave speed equals frequency multiplied by wavelength.
27. Sound cannot travel through
A. air
B. water
C. steel
D. a vacuum
Answer: D. A vacuum
Explanation: Sound is a mechanical wave and requires a material medium for transmission.
28. The pitch of a sound is mainly determined by its
A. amplitude
B. frequency
C. speed
D. loudness
Answer: B. Frequency
Explanation: Higher-frequency sounds have higher pitch.
Light and Optics
29. The bending of light as it passes from one medium into another is called
A. reflection
B. diffraction
C. refraction
D. dispersion
Answer: C. Refraction
Explanation: Refraction occurs because the speed of light changes when it enters a different medium.
30. A plane mirror produces an image that is
A. real and inverted
B. virtual and upright
C. real and magnified
D. inverted and diminished
Answer: B. Virtual and upright
Explanation: A plane mirror forms a virtual, upright image of the same size as the object.
31. A convex lens is generally used to
A. diverge parallel rays
B. converge parallel rays
C. absorb light
D. prevent refraction
Answer: B. Converge parallel rays
Explanation: A convex lens is a converging lens and can bring parallel rays to a focus.
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Electricity
32. The SI unit of electric current is the
A. volt
B. ohm
C. ampere
D. watt
Answer: C. Ampere
Explanation: Electric current is measured in amperes (A).
33. Ohm’s law is expressed as
A. V = IR
B. P = IV²
C. Q = It²
D. R = VI
Answer: A. V = IR
Explanation: For a conductor under appropriate constant physical conditions, potential difference is proportional to current.
34. A resistor of 6 Ω carries a current of 2 A. What is the potential difference across it?
A. 3 V
B. 4 V
C. 8 V
D. 12 V
Answer: D. 12 V
Explanation:
V = IR
= 2 × 6
= 12 V
35. Electrical power can be calculated using
A.P = VI
B. P = V/I
C.P = I/R
D. P = R/V
Answer: A. P = VI
Explanation: Electrical power is the product of potential difference and current.
Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
36. The region around a magnet where magnetic effects can be detected is called the
A. electric circuit
B. magnetic field
C. magnetic domain
D. electromagnetic spectrum
Answer: B. Magnetic field
Explanation: A magnetic field is the region in which a magnetic force can act.
37. An electric generator works primarily on the principle of
A. electrolysis
B. electromagnetic induction
C. electrostatic attraction
D. thermal expansion
Answer: B. Electromagnetic induction
Explanation: A changing magnetic flux can induce an electromotive force in a conductor.
Modern Physics
38. An atom consists of a
A. nucleus surrounded by electrons
B. proton cloud surrounding neutrons
C. single particle with no structure
D. negatively charged nucleus
Answer: A. Nucleus surrounded by electrons
Explanation: The nucleus contains protons and neutrons, while electrons occupy regions around the nucleus.
39. Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation from
A. stable nuclei only
B. unstable atomic nuclei
C. ordinary molecules only
D. neutral conductors
Answer: B. Unstable atomic nuclei
Explanation: Unstable nuclei can emit particles or electromagnetic radiation as they change into more stable configurations.
40. Which of the following is an example of electromagnetic radiation?
A. Sound
B. Water waves
C. Radio waves
D. Seismic waves
Answer: C. Radio waves
Explanation: Radio waves are electromagnetic waves and can travel through a vacuum. Sound and water waves require material media.
More JAMB Physics Practice Questions
Use the following questions to test yourself before checking the answers.
Practice Question 1
A body of mass 10 kg accelerates at 2 m/s². Calculate the resultant force.
Answer: 20 N.
Solution: F = ma = 10 × 2 = 20 N.
Practice Question 2
A wave has a frequency of 50 Hz and wavelength of 2 m. Calculate its speed.
Answer: 100 m/s.
Solution: v = fλ = 50 × 2 = 100 m/s.
Practice Question 3
A 100 W electrical appliance operates for 10 seconds. How much electrical energy does it use?
Answer: 1,000 J.
Solution: Energy = Power × Time = 100 × 10 = 1,000 J.
Practice Question 4
State one difference between a scalar and a vector quantity.
Answer: A scalar has magnitude only, while a vector has both magnitude and direction.
Practice Question 5
Why are household electrical appliances commonly connected in parallel?
Answer: A parallel connection allows appliances to operate independently and receive the appropriate supply potential difference.
How to Solve JAMB Physics Calculation Questions
Step 1: Identify What the Question Is Asking
You have to know what the question is asking for and the relevant physics to answer it.
If a question asks for the acceleration and the force and mass are given, then the second law of motion, F=ma, is likely to be the relevant physical principle.
Step 2: Write Down the Known Quantities
Write down all the known values and their units before calculating. This can save a lot of confusion in your calculations including simplifying unit and conversions.
Step 3: Choose the Appropriate Formula
Avoid memorizing formulas. Understand the relationships between physical quantities instead.
For example:
F = ma
can be rearranged as:
F = ma
m = F/a
a = F/m
Step 4: Check Units Before Calculating
Make sure your units are compatible. Do the necessary conversion before substituting them into the equation.
Step 5: Estimate Whether Your Answer Makes Sense
Check if the answer makes sense. Simple! Most calculator errors or wrong formula choices can be easily found out by checking if the answer you have got is physically reasonable.
Mistakes Candidates Should Avoid in JAMB Physics
Memorizing Formulas without Understanding them
Although memorizing formulas is good, it may not help a candidate get full marks in Physics.
Reason: The question may demand for an application of a certain formula but the candidate will not know which one to apply.
Solution: Know what each figure stands for and how to apply it.
Not Distinguishing Units of Measurement
A candidate may apply the right formula but may get the wrong answer because he/she did not convert centimetres to metres or kilometres to metres.
Solution: Always remember the units of measurement and how to convert from one unit to another.
Getting Confused Between Related Terms
Examples of related terms are:
- Mass and weight,
- Speed and velocity,
- Distance and displacement,
- Heat and temperature,
- Frequency and period,
- Energy and power.
Solution: Learn the meaning of related terms and work out some examples.
Wasting Time on Questions with Simple Solutions
Some questions look very difficult but they have simple solutions if only the candidate will take the time to work them out.
Solution: Carefully check the question, see what data is given, what formula to use and what the question is asking before you start calculating.
Using “Expo” or “Leaked” Questions
I do not know if there are people who provide expo or leaked questions for JAMB but relying on them is a gamble that can lead to disaster.
Solution: Study hard using the recommended materials instead of relying on people who claim to provide expo.
How to Prepare For JAMB Physics
1. Study According to the Syllabus
Always remember to use the official JAMB Physics syllabus to study for the exam. According to the Physics syllabus for JAMB, the exam tests how well you have mastered the theories and how you apply the laws of physics.
2. Build Conceptual Knowledge Before Trying Tough Questions
If you do not fully understand a topic, it is better to go back and review the basic definitions and concepts of the topic. For example, it would not be wise to try to attempt electricity questions without understanding what current, voltage, resistance and power mean.
3. Practise Questions on Each Topic
When studying for JAMB Physics, it is a good idea to:
- Study a syllabus topic,
- Work out examples,
- Answer questions on the topic,
- Check your errors.
You can also go back to the topic at a later time to review and answer more questions.
4. Keep a Formula and Error Book
It is a good idea to keep a book or a notebook of formulas, unit conversions and questions you got wrong. You can also write down the reasons why you got certain questions wrong. This will help you to see the areas you need to work on and it will also help you review later.
5. Practice Under Timed Conditions
After going through the syllabus, you should start practising under timed conditions. This will help you to know how long it takes to answer various questions.
6. Practice Using a Computer
Since UTME is now computer-based, it is advisable to do computer-based practice. However, computer practice should not replace proper preparation.
Final Study Checklist
- Get the official JAMB Physics syllabus and make sure that you understand it.
- Make sure that you need to take Physics for your course.
- Master concepts before practising questions.
- Make sure you understand how to apply formulas.
- Practise questions from all syllabus topics.
- Keep track of errors and review topics you are not good at.
- Make sure you understand the units of measurement and how to convert from one unit to another.
- Get used to the computer-based exam format.
Always check the JAMB website for more information about the exam and make sure that you avoid scams.
Conclusion
To pass JAMB Physics, you need to understand the syllabus and master the concepts of the core topics. You should also do regular practice tests and review your errors. The questions listed in this article are just a starting point. To prepare fully, you need to study extensively and thoroughly using the syllabus as a guide.
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About the Author
Sylvester Victor
The founder of infoshoutloud has been publishing news on Exams, Post UTME, Admission and career opportunities with over six years of experience.