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Physics past questions: NECO SSCE 2003

45 objective questions, with answers. Free to read and practise.

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45 questions, one at a time, marked as you go or at the end. No account needed.

  1. 1.
    \(^{226}_{88}Ra\) \(\to\) \(^{222}_{86}Rn\) + X + Energy. The equation above represents a nuclear decay of radium isotope. What is X?
    1. A.Alpha particle
    2. B.Beta particle
    3. C.Gamma ray
    4. D.Neutron
    5. E.X – ray
    Show answer

    Answer: A Alpha particle

  2. 2.
    A ball of mass m moving at velocity u collides with another ball of equal mass at rest. If the two balls move off together after the impact, calculate their common velocity.
    1. A.\(\frac{u}{v}\)
    2. B.\(\frac{u}{2}\)
    3. C.u
    4. D.2u
    5. E.\(\frac{u}{m}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: B \(\frac{u}{2}\)

  3. 3.
    A body is launched from the earth's surface, of radius R, so that it just escapes from the gravitational influence of the earth; If the gravitational constant is G and the mass of the earth is M, what is the escape velocity of the boby.
    1. A.\(\sqrt{2GM}\) ÷ R
    2. B.\(\frac{\sqrt{2GM}}{R}\)
    3. C.\(\frac{\sqrt{2G}}{MR}\)
    4. D.\(\sqrt{2GMR}\)
    5. E.\(\frac{\sqrt{R}}{2GM}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: B \(\frac{\sqrt{2GM}}{R}\)

  4. 4.
    A body that produces its own light is said to be
    1. A.luminous
    2. B.non-incandescent
    3. C.opaque
    4. D.translucent
    5. E.transparent
    Show answer

    Answer: A luminous

  5. 5.
    A constant force of 5N acts for 5s on a mass of 5kg initially at rest. Calculate the final momentum of the mass.
    1. A.125 kgm\(s ^{-1}\)
    2. B.75 kgm\(s ^{-1}\)
    3. C.25 kgm\(s ^{-1}\)
    4. D.20 kgm\(s ^{-1}\)
    5. E.5 kgm\(s ^{-1}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: C 25 kgm\(s ^{-1}\)

  6. 6.
    A machine has an efficiency of 80%. If the machine is required to overcome a load of 60N with a force of 40N, calculate its velocity ratio.
    1. A.0.53
    2. B.0.83
    3. C.1.20
    4. D.1.50
    5. E.1.88
    Show answer

    Answer: E 1.88

  7. 7.
    A narrow, uniform glass tube, closed at one end, constains air which is sealed by a thread of mercury. The tube is placed first horizontally and then vertically with the open end at the top. Which of the following statements is correct?
    1. A.The length of the entrapped air in the horizontal position is less than that in the vertical position
    2. B.The length of the entrapped air in the vertical position is less than that in the horizontal position
    3. C.The length of the mercury column becomes shorter in the horizontal position than in the vertical position
    4. D.The length of the mercury column becomes shorter in the vertical position than in the horizontal position
    5. E.The pressure of the entrapped air is atmospheric in both cases
    Show answer

    Answer: B The length of the entrapped air in the vertical position is less than that in the horizontal position

  8. 8.
    A platinum-resistance thermometer has a resistance of 4Ω at 0°C and 12Ω at 100°C. Assuming that the resistance changes uniformly with temperature. Calculate the resistance of the thermometer when the temperature is 45°C.
    1. A.6.0Ω
    2. B.6.42Ω
    3. C.7.6Ω
    4. D.8.4Ω
    5. E.16.0Ω
    Show answer

    Answer: C 7.6Ω

  9. 9.
    A sheet of white paper viewed through blue glass appears blue because
    1. A.blue is a primary colour
    2. B.the glass absorbs all colours except the blue colour
    3. C.the glass reflects blue colour
    4. D.the paper reflects blue colour only
    5. E.white light is easily absorbed by the glass
    Show answer

    Answer: B the glass absorbs all colours except the blue colour

  10. 10.
    A short chain is usually attached to the rear side of petro tanker trailing behind it to ensure that the
    1. A.charges generated by friction in the tanker are conducted to the earth
    2. B.chain vibrates in resonance with the tanker's engine
    3. C.heat generated by friction in the engine is conducted to the earth
    4. D.petrol tanker is balanced on the road
    5. E.tanker does not exceed a certain speed limit
    Show answer

    Answer: A charges generated by friction in the tanker are conducted to the earth

  11. 11.
    A stone is released from a height of 80m above the ground. Calculate its velocity just before it strikes the ground. (g = 10ms \(^{-2}\) )
    1. A.25m\(s ^{-1}\)
    2. B.40 m\(s ^{-1}\)
    3. C.55 m\(s ^{-1}\)
    4. D.65m\(s ^{-1}\)
    5. E.80 m\(s ^{-1}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: B 40 m\(s ^{-1}\)

  12. 12.
    A transformer is required to give 120V from a 240V mains supply. If the primary has 5500 turns, how many turns has the secondary?
    1. A.232
    2. B.450
    3. C.550
    4. D.2750
    5. E.11000
    Show answer

    Answer: D 2750

  13. 13.
    A wire of length 100cm and cross-sectional area 2.0 × 10-3cm2 has a resistance of 0.10 ω. Calculate its electrical conductivity.
    1. A.2.0 × 10-6 ω ^{-1} c\(m ^{-1}\)
    2. B.5.0 × 105 ω ^{-1} c\(m ^{-1}\)
    3. C.2.0 × 106 ω ^{-1} c\(m ^{-1}\)
    4. D.5.0 × 10-6 ω ^{-1} c\(m ^{-1}\)
    5. E.5.0 × 107 ω ^{-1} c\(m ^{-1}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: B 5.0 × 105 ω ^{-1} c\(m ^{-1}\)

  14. 14.
    An evidence of the wave nature of matter is
    1. A.Browniam motion
    2. B.Compton effect
    3. C.diffraction
    4. D.diffusion
    5. E.photo electricity
    Show answer

    Answer: C diffraction

  15. 15.
    An object is placed 30 cm in front of a concave mirror of focal length 20cm. Calculate the distance between the object and the image.
    1. A.90cm
    2. B.40cm
    3. C.30cm
    4. D.20cm
    5. E.10cm
    Show answer

    Answer: C 30cm

  16. 16.
    Calculate the amount of heat generated in an external load of resistance 8Ω if an alternating current of peak value 5 A is passed through it for 100s.
    1. A.\(2.0 × 10 ^{4} J\)
    2. B.\(1.0 × 10 ^{4} J\)
    3. C.\(5.0 × 10 ^{3} J\)
    4. D.\(4.0 × 10 ^{3} J\)
    5. E.\(2.0 × 10 ^{2} J\)
    Show answer

    Answer: A \(2.0 × 10 ^{4} J\)

  17. 17.
    Calculate the critical angle for light traveling from water to air. (Refractive index of water = 1.33)
    1. A.36.9°
    2. B.41.3°
    3. C.48.8°
    4. D.49.2°
    5. E.51.4°
    Show answer

    Answer: C 48.8°

  18. 18.
    Evaporation of a liquid produces cooling of the liquid because the
    1. A.attraction between the vapour molecules and the liquid molecules is great
    2. B.average kinetic energy of the liquid is reduced
    3. C.density of the liquid decreases
    4. D.vapour pressure above the liquid rises
    5. E.volume of the liquid decreases
    Show answer

    Answer: B average kinetic energy of the liquid is reduced

  19. 19.
    For which of the following sets are the units fundamental?
    1. A.Area, length and volume
    2. B.Impulse, mass and time
    3. C.Length, time and mass
    4. D.Velocity, distance and time
    5. E.Volume, mass and density
    Show answer

    Answer: C Length, time and mass

  20. 20.
    How much heat is required to convert 50g of water at 100°C to steam at the same temperature? (Specific latent heat of vaporization of water = 2260 J\(g^{-1}1)\)
    1. A.\(1.13 × 10 ^{-4} J\)
    2. B.\(1.31 × 10 ^{2} J\)
    3. C.\(1.30 × 10 ^{4} J\)
    4. D.\(1.13 × 10 ^{5} J\)
    5. E.\(1.31 × 10 ^{6} J\)
    Show answer

    Answer: D \(1.13 × 10 ^{5} J\)

  21. 21.
    In 90 seconds, the mass of a radioactive element reduces to \(\frac{1}{16}\) of its original value. Determine the half- life of the element.
    1. A.15.0s
    2. B.18.0s
    3. C.22.5s
    4. D.30.0s
    5. E.45.0s
    Show answer

    Answer: C 22.5s

  22. 22.
    J.J. Thomson's model of the atom was abandoned because
    1. A.it could not explain the scattering of alpha particles
    2. B.it did not account for the neutron
    3. C.it did not account for the size of the atom
    4. D.it was known as plum-pudding model
    5. E.the model was not similar to any observable phenomena
    Show answer

    Answer: A it could not explain the scattering of alpha particles

  23. 23.
    Lenz's law of electromagnetic induction states that
    1. A.a force is exerted on a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field
    2. B.the induced current in a conductor is in such a direction as to oppose the change producing it
    3. C.the magnitude of the induced electromotive force in a circuit is proportional to the rate of change of the number of lines of force linking the circuit
    4. D.the magnitude of the induced electromotive force is proportional to the current producing the magnetic flux
    5. E.whenever there is a change in the magnetic flux linked with the circuit, an electromotive is induced
    Show answer

    Answer: B the induced current in a conductor is in such a direction as to oppose the change producing it

  24. 24.
    Lines of force I. Begin and end on equal and opposite electric charges. II. are in state of tension which causes them to shorten III. attract one another. Which of the statement(s) is/are correct?
    1. A.I only
    2. B.II only
    3. C.III only
    4. D.I and II only
    5. E.II and III only
    Show answer

    Answer: D I and II only

  25. 25.
    The area under the curve of a velocity time graph represents
    1. A.acceleration
    2. B.distance covered
    3. C.instantaneous speed
    4. D.time taken
    5. E.work done
    Show answer

    Answer: B distance covered

  26. 26.
    The distance between two successive crests of a water wave is 0.5m. If a particle on the surface of the water wave makes two complete vertical oscillations in 1s, calculate the speed of the wave.
    1. A.0.25m\(s ^{-1}\)
    2. B.0.50m\(s ^{-1}\)
    3. C.1.00m\(s ^{-1}\)
    4. D.2.00m\(s ^{-1}\)
    5. E.4.00m\(s ^{-1}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: C 1.00m\(s ^{-1}\)

  27. 27.
    The inability of the eye to focus near objects is known as
    1. A.astigmatism
    2. B.eye ring
    3. C.hypermatropia
    4. D.myopia
    5. E.presbyopia
    Show answer

    Answer: C hypermatropia

  28. 28.
    The mode of transference of heat which does not require any material medium is
    1. A.conduction
    2. B.convection
    3. C.evaporation
    4. D.radiation
    5. E.transmission
    Show answer

    Answer: D radiation

  29. 29.
    The motion of the prongs of a sounding turning fork is
    1. A.circular
    2. B.oscillatory
    3. C.random
    4. D.rotational
    5. E.translational
    Show answer

    Answer: B oscillatory

  30. 30.
    The resistance of a series R-C circuit is 5 ω If the impedance of the circuit is 13 ω calculate the reactance of the capacitor
    1. A.12 Ω
    2. B.14 Ω
    3. C.16 Ω
    4. D.18 Ω
    5. E.65 Ω
    Show answer

    Answer: A 12 Ω

  31. 31.
    The S.l unit of magnetic flux density is
    1. A.farad
    2. B.henry
    3. C.kg\(m ^{-3}\)
    4. D.tesla
    5. E.weber
    Show answer

    Answer: D tesla

  32. 32.
    The space surrounding a magnet in which the magnetic force is exerted is
    1. A.magnetic field
    2. B.magnetic flux
    3. C.magnetic point
    4. D.magnetic pole
    5. E.magnetic strength
    Show answer

    Answer: A magnetic field

  33. 33.
    The volume of a given mass of gas is 40c\(m^{3}\) at 27° C. What is its volume at 90° C if its pressure remains constant?
    1. A.32.84c\(m ^{3}\)
    2. B.40.02c\(m ^{3}\)
    3. C.48.40c\(m ^{3}\)
    4. D.57.44c\(m ^{3}\)
    5. E.72.84c\(m ^{3}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: C 48.40c\(m ^{3}\)

  34. 34.
    Two equal capacitances are connected first in series and then in parallel. The ratio of the effective series capacitance to the effective parallel capacitance is
    1. A.0.25
    2. B.0.50
    3. C.1.00
    4. D.2.20
    5. E.4.00
    Show answer

    Answer: A 0.25

  35. 35.
    Water in an open container boils at a lower temperature when heated at the top of a mountain than at sea-level because at the top of a mountain
    1. A.pressure is increased
    2. B.pressure is reduced
    3. C.the rays of the sun add more heat to the water
    4. D.the saturation vapour pressure of water is higher than at sea-level
    5. E.the temperature is lower than at sea-level
    Show answer

    Answer: B pressure is reduced

  36. 36.
    Which of the following instruments can be used to measure e.m.f. most accurately.
    1. A.Ammeter
    2. B.Galvanometer
    3. C.Metre bridge
    4. D.Potentiometer
    5. E.Voltmeter
    Show answer

    Answer: D Potentiometer

  37. 37.
    Which of the following motions will be produced by a pair of equal, opposite and non-collinear parallel forces acting on a body?
    1. A.Oscillatory
    2. B.Random
    3. C.Rotational
    4. D.Translational
    5. E.Vibratory
    Show answer

    Answer: C Rotational

  38. 38.
    Which of the following properties is NOT exhibited by sound waves?
    1. A.Diffraction
    2. B.interference
    3. C.Polarisation
    4. D.Reflection
    5. E.Refraction
    Show answer

    Answer: C Polarisation

  39. 39.
    Which of the following radiations have the longest wavelength?
    1. A.Gamma rays
    2. B.Infra-red
    3. C.Light waves
    4. D.Radio waves
    5. E.Ultra-violet rays
    Show answer

    Answer: D Radio waves

  40. 40.
    Which of the following scientists postulated that moving particles exhibit wave properties?
    1. A.Ernest Rutherford
    2. B.Erwin Schroedinger
    3. C.Frank Hertz
    4. D.Louis de Broglie
    5. E.Werner Heisenberg
    Show answer

    Answer: D Louis de Broglie

  41. 41.
    Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about the isotopes of an elements? They have the same I. chemical properties II. nucleon number III proton number
    1. A.I only
    2. B.II only
    3. C.I and II only
    4. D.I and III only
    5. E.I,II and III
    Show answer

    Answer: D I and III only

  42. 42.
    Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct? I. When a liquid expands its density falls II. When a mercury-in-glass thermometer is placed in a hot liquid, the mercury level first descends and then rises. III. The apparent expansion of a liquid is greater than its real expansion.
    1. A.I only
    2. B.II only
    3. C.III only
    4. D.I and II only
    5. E.II and III only
    Show answer

    Answer: A I only

  43. 43.
    Which of the following statements about the concept of solid friction is NOT true?
    1. A.It always acts in the direction of motion
    2. B.It causes wear and tear in car tyres
    3. C.It depends on the nature of the surfaces in contact
    4. D.It is independent of the area of the surfaces in contact
    5. E.It reduces the efficiency of the machine
    Show answer

    Answer: A It always acts in the direction of motion

  44. 44.
    Which of the following statements is NOT true?
    1. A.A lead-acid accumulator can deliver a large current because of its very large internal resistance.
    2. B.A secondary cell can be recharged.
    3. C.As a lead-acid accumulator is being charged, the density of the acid in it increases.
    4. D.The chemical action in a primary cell is irreversible.
    5. E.The conventional current in a circuit rlows from the positive to the negative terminal of the battery.
    Show answer

    Answer: A A lead-acid accumulator can deliver a large current because of its very large internal resistance.

  45. 45.
    Young's modulus of elasticity is the ratio of stress to strain, provided the load does not exceed the
    1. A.breaking point
    2. B.elastic limit
    3. C.plastic limit
    4. D.stress limit
    5. E.yield point
    Show answer

    Answer: B elastic limit

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