Physics past questions: JAMB UTME 2023

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

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

1.
A 200 kg load is raised using a 110 m long lever as shown in the diagram above. The load is 10m from the pivot P. If the efficiency of the the lever is 80%, find the effort E required to lift the load. [Take g = 10ms-2]
1. A.250
2. B.300
3. C.450
4. D.200
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Answer: A 250
2.
A 35 kΩ is connected in series with a resistance of 40 kΩ. What resistance R must be connected in parallel with the combination so that the equivalent resistance is equal to 25 kΩ?
1. A.40 kΩ
2. B.37.5 kΩ
3. C.45.5 kΩ
4. D.30 kΩ
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Answer: D 30 kΩ
3.
A 400 N box is being pushed across a level floor at a constant speed by a force P of 100 N at an angle of 30.0° to the horizontal, as shown in the the diagram below. What is the coefficient of kinetic friction between the box and the floor?
1. A.0.19
2. B.0.24
3. C.0.40
4. D.0.22
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Answer: B 0.24
4.
A beam of light travelling in water is incident on a glass which is immersed in the water. The incident beam makes an angle of \(40^o\) with the normal. Calculate the angle of refraction in the glass. [Refractive index of water = 1.33, Refractive index of glass = 1.5]
1. A.\(29.36^o\)
2. B.\(25.37^o\)
3. C.\(37.21^o\)
4. D.\(34.75^o\)
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Answer: D \(34.75^o\)
5.
A block of mass 0.5 kg is suspended at the 40 cm mark of a light metre rule AB that is pivoted at point E, the 90 cm mark, and is kept at equilibrium by a string attached at point D, the 60 cm mark, as shown in the figure above. Find the tension T in the string. [Take g = \(10 ms-2\) ]
1. A.16.67N
2. B.15.67N
3. C.14.67N
4. D.18.67N
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Answer: A 16.67N
6.
A charge of \(4.6 × 10^{-5}\) C is placed in an electric field of intensity \(3.2 × 10^4\) \(Vm^{-1}\) . What is the force acting on the electron?
1. A.1.5 N
2. B.3.7 N
3. C.4.2 N
4. D.2.5 N
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Answer: A 1.5 N
7.
A generator manufacturing company accidentally made an AC generator instead of a DC generator. To fix this error,
1. A.the magnetic field needs to be made stronger
2. B.the split rings should be replaced with slip rings
3. C.the number of turns of the armature coil needs to be decreased
4. D.the slip rings should be replaced with split rings
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Answer: D the slip rings should be replaced with split rings
8.
A lorry accelerates uniformly in a straight line with acceleration of \(4ms^-2\) and covers a distance of 250 m in a time interval of 10 s. How far will it travel in the next 10 s?
1. A.650
2. B.900
3. C.800
4. D.250
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Answer: A 650
9.
A metal sphere is placed on an insulating stand. A negatively charged rod is brought close to it. If the sphere is earthed and the rod is taken away, what will be the charge on the sphere?
1. A.The sphere will remain neutral
2. B.The sphere will have a net negative charge
3. C.The sphere will have a net positive charge
4. D.The sphere will become polarized
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Answer: C The sphere will have a net positive charge
10.
A missile is launched with a speed of 75 ms-1 at an angle of 22° above the surface of a warship. Find the horizontal range achieved by the missile. Ignore the effects of air resistance. [Take g = 10 ms-2]
1. A.195
2. B.271 m
3. C.391 m
4. D.136 m
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Answer: D 136 m
11.
A parallel plate capacitor separated by an air gap is made of \(0.8m^2\) tin plates and 20 mm apart. It is connected to 120 V battery. What is the charge on each plate? Take \(ε_o\) = \(8.85×10^-12 Fm^-1\)
1. A.3.54nC
2. B.42.5nC
3. C.35.4nC
4. D.4.25nC
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Answer: B 42.5nC
12.
A piano wire 50 cm long has a total mass of 10 g and its stretched with a tension of 800 N. Find the frequency of the wire when it sounds its third overtone note.
1. A.800 Hz
2. B.600 Hz
3. C.400 Hz
4. D.200 Hz
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Answer: A 800 Hz
13.
A positively charged particle is placed near a negatively charged particle. What is the direction of the electric force between the two particles?
1. A.The electric force is directed from the negative particle to the positive particle.
2. B.The electric force is zero.
3. C.The direction of the electric force cannot be determined.
4. D.The electric force is directed from the positive particle to the negative particle.
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Answer: D The electric force is directed from the positive particle to the negative particle.
14.
A relative density bottle has a mass of 19 g when empty. When it is completely filled with water, its mass is 66 g. What will be its mass if completely filled with alcohol of relative density 0.8?
1. A.47 g
2. B.52.8 g
3. C.37.6 g
4. D.56.6 g
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Answer: D 56.6 g
15.
A simple pendulum, has a period of 5.77 seconds. When the pendulum is shortened by 3 m, the period is 4.60 seconds. Calculate the new length of the pendulum
1. A.5.23 m
2. B.6.42 m
3. C.4.87 m
4. D.7.26 m
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Answer: A 5.23 m
16.
A step-down transformer is used on a 2.2 kV line to deliver 110 V. How many turns are on the primary windings if the secondary has 25 turns?
1. A.20
2. B.250
3. C.200
4. D.500
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Answer: D 500
17.
A travelling wave of amplitude 0.80 m has a frequency of 16 Hz and a wave speed of 20 \(ms-1\) Calculate the wave number of the wave.
1. A.3
2. B.4
3. C.5
4. D.2
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Answer: C 5
18.
A wire of radius 0.2 mm is extended by 0.5% of its length when supported by a load of 1.5 kg. Determine the Young's modulus for the material of the wire. [Take g = 10 ms \(^{-2}\) ]
1. A.\(2.4×10^{10}(Nm^{-2})\)
2. B.\(1.5×10^{10}(Nm^{-2})\)
3. C.\(2.4×10^9(Nm^{-2})\)
4. D.\(1.3×10^{10}(Nm^{-2})\)
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Answer: A \(2.4×10^{10}(Nm^{-2})\)
19.
An air bubble of radius 4.5 cm initially at a depth of 12 m below the water surface rises to the surface. If the atmospheric pressure is equal to 10.34 m of water, the radius of the bubble just before it reaches the water surface is
1. A.6.43 cm
2. B.8.24 cm
3. C.4.26 cm
4. D.5.82 cm
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Answer: A 6.43 cm
20.
An explosion occurs at an altitude of 312 m above the ground. If the air temperature is -10.00°C, how long does it take the sound to reach the ground? [velocity of sound at \(0^oC\) = 331 ms-1]
1. A.0.94s
2. B.0.96s
3. C.0.93s
4. D.0.95s
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Answer: B 0.96s
21.
An object is placed 35 cm away from a convex mirror with a focal length of magnitude 15 cm. What is the location of the image?
1. A.26.25 cm behind the mirror
2. B.10.5 cm behind the mirror
3. C.26.25 cm in front of the mirror
4. D.10.5 cm in front of the mirror
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Answer: B 10.5 cm behind the mirror
22.
An open-tube mercury manometer is used to measure the pressure in a gas tank. When the atmospheric pressure is 101,325 \(P_a\) , what is the absolute pressure in \(P_a\) in the tank if the height of the mercury in the open tube is 25 cm higher. density of mercury = \(13600kg/m^3, g = 9.8m/s^2\)
1. A.108,986 Pa
2. B.165,238 Pa
3. C.122,364 Pa
4. D.134,645 Pa
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Answer: D 134,645 Pa
23.
Calculate the absolute pressure at the bottom of a lake at a depth of 32.8 m. Assume the density of the water is \(1 x 10^3\) kgm-3 and the air above is at a pressure of 101.3 kPa. [Take g = 9.8 ms-2]
1. A.422.7
2. B.220.14
3. C.464.53
4. D.321.74
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Answer: A 422.7
24.
Find the tension in the two cords shown in the figure above. Neglect the mass of the cords, and assume that the angle is 38° and the mass m is 220 kg [Take g = 9.8 ms-2]
1. A.\(T_1\) = 2864 N, \(T_2\) = 3612 N
2. B.\(T_1\) = 3612 N, \(T_2\) = 2864 N
3. C.\(T_1\) = 3502 N, \(T_2\) = 2760 N
4. D.\(T_1\) = 2760 N, \(T_2\) = 3502 N
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Answer: C \(T_1\) = 3502 N, \(T_2\) = 2760 N
25.
From the diagram above, if the potential differences across the resistor, capacitor, and inductor are 30V, 120V, and 60V, respectively, the effective potential difference is
1. A.81
2. B.67
3. C.59
4. D.73
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Answer: B 67
26.
How much net work is required to accelerate a 1200 kg car from 10 \(ms^{-1}\) to 15 \(ms^{-1}\)
1. A.1.95× \(10^5 j\)
2. B.1.35× \(10^4 j\)
3. C.7.5× \(10^4 j\)
4. D.6.0× \(10^4 j\)
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Answer: A 1.95× \(10^5 j\)
27.
How much work is done against the gravitational force on a 3.0 kg object when it is carried from the ground floor to the roof of a building, a vertical climb of 240 m?
1. A.7.2 kJ
2. B.4.6 kJ
3. C.6.8 kJ
4. D.8.4 kJ
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Answer: A 7.2 kJ
28.
In an AC circuit, resonance occurs when the impedance of the circuit is:
1. A.Zero
2. B.Maximum
3. C.Equal to the capacitive reactance of the circuit
4. D.Minimum
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Answer: D Minimum
29.
In the diagram above, if the south poles of two magnets stroke a steel bar, the polarities at X and Y will respectively be
1. A.south and north
2. B.north and south
3. C.north and north
4. D.south and south
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Answer: D south and south
30.
Light of wavelength 589 nm in vacuum passes through a piece of fused quartz of index of refraction n = 1.458. What is the frequency of the light in fused quartz? [Speed of light c = \(3.00×10^8 ms^{-1}\) ]
1. A.\(5.09×10^{15}\) Hz
2. B.\(5.09×10^{14}\) Hz
3. C.\(1.77×10^{15}\) Hz
4. D.\(1.77×10^{14}\) Hz
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Answer: C \(1.77×10^{15}\) Hz
31.
Name the type of equilibrium for each position of the ball
1. A.A - unstable, B - neutral, C - stable
2. B.A - stable, B - neutral, C - unstable
3. C.A - stable, B - unstable, C - neutral
4. D.A - unstable, B - stable, C - neutral
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Answer: D A - unstable, B - stable, C - neutral
32.
On a particular hot day, the temperature is 40°C and the partial pressure of water vapor in the air is 38.8 mmHg. What is the relative humidity?
1. A.70
2. B.62
3. C.80
4. D.42
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Answer: A 70
33.
Rainbow formation is as a result of the combination of which of the following phenomena? (i) Reflection (ii) Dispersion (iii) Total internal reflection (iv) Refraction
1. A.(ii) and (iv) only
2. B.(i), (iii) and (iv) only
3. C.(ii), (iii) and (iv) only
4. D.(i), (ii) and (iv) only
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Answer: C (ii), (iii) and (iv) only
34.
The branch of physics that deals with the motion of objects and the forces acting on them is called:
1. A.Electromagnetism
2. B.Thermodynamics
3. C.Mechanics
4. D.Quantum mechanics
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Answer: B Thermodynamics
35.
The diagram above illustrates the penetrating power of some types of radiation. X, Y and Z are likely
1. A.X = α-particle; Y = γ-ray; Z = β-particle
2. B.X = α-particle; Y = β-particle; Z = γ-ray
3. C.X = γ-ray; Y = α-particle; Z = β-particle
4. D.X = β-particle; Y = γ-ray; Z = α-particle
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Answer: C X = γ-ray; Y = α-particle; Z = β-particle
36.
The electrolyte used in the Nickel-Iron (NiFe) accumulator is
1. A.dilute tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid
2. B.barium chloride solution
3. C.potassium hydroxide solution
4. D.sodium hydroxide solution
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Answer: A dilute tetraoxosulphate(VI) acid
37.
The half life of a radioactive material is 12 days. Calculate the decay constant.
1. A.0.8663 \(day^{-1}\)
2. B.0.04331 \(day^{-1}\)
3. C.0.17325 \(day^{-1}\)
4. D.0.05775 \(day^{-1}\)
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Answer: C 0.17325 \(day^{-1}\)
38.
The near point of a patient's eye is 50.0 cm. What power (in diopters) must a corrective lens have to enable the eye to see clearly an object 25.0 cm away?
1. A.2 diopters
2. B.2.5 diopters
3. C.0.5 diopters
4. D.3 diopters
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Answer: D 3 diopters
39.
The number of holes in an intrinsic semiconductor
1. A.is not equal to the number of free electrons
2. B.is greater than the number of free electrons
3. C.is equal to the number of free electrons
4. D.is less than the number of free electrons
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Answer: C is equal to the number of free electrons
40.
The pinhole camera works on
1. A.the principle of the reversibility of light
2. B.the principle of the rectilinear propagation of light
3. C.Huygen's principle
4. D.the principle of total internal reflection of light
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Answer: B the principle of the rectilinear propagation of light
41.
The pitch of a musical note is determined by the frequency of the sound wave that it produces. If two instruments have the same frequency, which of the following factors will most affect the difference in their pitches?
1. A.The shape of the instrument
2. B.The tension of the string
3. C.The size of the instrument
4. D.The material of the instrument
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Answer: C The size of the instrument
42.
The property of wave shown in the diagram above is?
1. A.Diffraction
2. B.Refraction
3. C.Polarisation
4. D.Interference
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Answer: A Diffraction
43.
The sensitivity of a thermometer is
1. A.All of the above
2. B.how quickly a temperature change can be detected
3. C.the difference between the maximum and the minimum temperature
4. D.the smallest temperature change that can be detected or measured
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Answer: D the smallest temperature change that can be detected or measured
44.
The surface temperature of a swimming pool on a warm day is 25ºC and the temperature at the bottom is 15ºC. If the swimming pool has a surface area of 620 \(m^2\) and a depth of 1.5m. Find the rate at which energy is transferred by conduction from the surface to the bottom of the swimming pool. [Thermal conductivity of water (k) = 0.6071 Wm-1K-1]
1. A.2.5kw
2. B.250kw
3. C.300kw
4. D.3.0kw
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Answer: A 2.5kw
45.
The terminals of a battery of emf 24.0 V and internal resistance of 1.0 Ω is connected to an external resistor 5.0 Ω. Find the terminal p.d.
1. A.18.0V
2. B.12.0V
3. C.16.0V
4. D.20.0V
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Answer: D 20.0V
46.
The working of the beam balance is based on the principle of
1. A.moments
2. B.conservation of energy
3. C.equivalence
4. D.floatation
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Answer: D floatation
47.
Three forces with magnitudes 16 N, 12 N and 21 N are shown in the diagram below. Determine the magnitude of their resultant force and angle with the x-axis
1. A.7.63N,61°
2. B.8.71N,61°
3. C.7.63N,29°
4. D.8.71N,29°
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Answer: B 8.71N,61°
48.
What is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a 0.02 kg of ice cube from \(-10^oC\) to \(10^oC\) ? [specific latent heat of fusion of ice = 3.34 x \(10^5\) \(Jkg^-1\) , Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 \(Jkg^-1\) \(k^-1\) Specific heat capacity of ice = 2100 \(Jkg^-1\) \(k^-1\)
1. A.6680 J
2. B.1680 J
3. C.7520 J
4. D.7940 J
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Answer: D 7940 J
49.
What is the name of the model of the atom that describes electrons as orbiting the nucleus in specific energy levels?
1. A.Bohr model
2. B.Dalton model
3. C.Rutherford model
4. D.Thomson model
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Answer: A Bohr model
50.
When a water droplet is placed on a freshly cut piece of wood, it spreads out to form a thin layer because the wood is
1. A.not at equilibrium with the water
2. B.cohesive to water
3. C.at equilibrium with the water
4. D.adhesive to water
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Answer: D adhesive to water
51.
When light of a certain frequency is incident on a metal surface, no photoelectrons are emitted. If the frequency of the light is increased, what happens to the stopping potential?
1. A.The stopping potential does not change.
2. B.The stopping potential decreases.
3. C.The stopping potential can either increase or decrease, depending on the intensity of the light.
4. D.The stopping potential increases.
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Answer: D The stopping potential increases.
52.
Which of the following is a type of incandescent light source?
1. A.Fluorescent lamp
2. B.LED lamp
3. C.Tungsten filament lamp
4. D.Neon lamp
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Answer: C Tungsten filament lamp
53.
Which of the following is a type of wave that is both mechanical and longitudinal?
1. A.Water waves
2. B.Seismic waves
3. C.Sound waves
4. D.Light waves
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Answer: C Sound waves
54.
Which of the following is an example of a couple?
1. A.All of the above.
2. B.The forces that are applied to the handle of a screwdriver when you twist it.
3. C.The forces that are applied to a cross wench to loosen or tighten the lug nuts on a wheel of a car.
4. D.The forces that are applied to the steering wheel of a car when you turn it.
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Answer: A All of the above.
55.
Which of the following is NOT a limitation of experimental measurements?
1. A.Systematic error
2. B.Instrument resolution
3. C.Random errors
4. D.Human error
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Answer: B Instrument resolution
56.
Which of the following is NOT an example of elementary modern physics?
1. A.Classical mechanics
2. B.Quantum mechanics
3. C.Special relativity
4. D.Nuclear physics
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Answer: D Nuclear physics
57.
Which of the following is/are not true about the heat capacity of a substance? (i) It is an intensive property (ii) Its S.I unit is \(jK-1\) (iii) It is an extensive property (iv) Its S.I unit is \(jkg-1\)
1. A.(i) and (iii) only
2. B.(i), (ii) and (iv) only
3. C.(i) and (iv) only
4. D.(ii) and (iii) only
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Answer: A (i) and (iii) only
58.
Which of the following liquids has the highest surface tension?
1. A.Soapy water
2. B.Water
3. C.Mercury
4. D.Oil
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Answer: C Mercury
59.
Which of the following materials is a good insulator?
1. A.Silver
2. B.Water
3. C.Rubber
4. D.Copper
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Answer: C Rubber
60.
Which of the following statements is correct about the angle of dip at various points on Earth?
1. A.The angle of dip is zero at the equator and 90 degrees at the magnetic poles
2. B.The angle of dip is greater at higher altitudes than at lower altitudes
3. C.The angle of dip is positive in the northern hemisphere and negative in the southern hemisphere
4. D.The angle of dip is constant at all points on Earth
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Answer: A The angle of dip is zero at the equator and 90 degrees at the magnetic poles
61.
Which of the following statements regarding the application of electrical conduction via gases is/are correct? Electrical conduction in gas is applied in: (i) The identification of gases (ii) Lighting/fluorescent tubes (iii) Photocells (iv) Cathode ray oscilloscope/T.V. tubes
1. A.(i), (iii) and (iv) only
2. B.(i), (ii) and (iv) only
3. C.(ii), (iii) and (iv) only
4. D.(i), (ii) and (iii) only
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Answer: B (i), (ii) and (iv) only
62.
Which of the following thermometers measures temperature from the thermal radiation emitted by objects?
1. A.Pyrometer thermometer
2. B.Platinum resistance thermometer
3. C.Thermocouple thermometer
4. D.Constant pressure gas thermometer
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Answer: A Pyrometer thermometer
63.
Which of the following types of electromagnetic waves is used in night vision goggles?
1. A.Microwaves
2. B.Ultraviolet waves
3. C.Infrared waves
4. D.Radio waves
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Answer: C Infrared waves
64.
Which process is responsible for production of energy in stars?
1. A.Nuclear reaction
2. B.Nuclear fission
3. C.Nuclear fusion
4. D.Radioactive decay
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Answer: C Nuclear fusion

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