Physics past questions: WAEC SSCE 2021

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

Sit this paper

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

1.
A ball is swung in a horizontal circle of centre O with a constant speed. What is the direction of its acceleration?
1. A.Away from O
2. B.Along the Circumference of the circle
3. C.Toward centre O
4. D.Along a tangent to the circle
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C Toward centre O
2.
A current of 2A passes through a wire of resistance 4Ω for 3 minutes. Calculate the energy lost.
1. A.960J
2. B.1440J
3. C.2880J
4. D.48J
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C 2880J
3.
A force of 10 N, acting continuously, increases the kinetic energy of an object from 20.J to 60 J. Find the distance moved by the object.
1. A.200m
2. B.40m
3. C.4m
4. D.400m
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C 4m
4.
A heat sensitive resistor made of a semiconductor is called?
1. A.thermometer
2. B.thermostat
3. C.thermistor
4. D.thermopile
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C thermistor
5.
A man weighing 200 N runs up a staircase in 5s. If the height of the staircase is 9 m, calculate the power of the man.
1. A.1000 W
2. B.360 W
3. C.40 W
4. D.1800 W
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B 360 W
6.
A metallic sphere is heated from 27°C to 200°C Without change of state. Which of the following changes would have resulted from the heating?
1. A.No changes occur in its volume and density
2. B.Its volume increases and its density increases
3. C.Its volume increases and its density decrease
4. D.Its volume increases without a change in density
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C Its volume increases and its density decrease
7.
A note produced by an instrument is distinguished from a similar note produced by another instrument by the?
1. A.intensity,
2. B.pitch
3. C.overtones
4. D.loudness
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C overtones
8.
A radioactive material has a half-life of 1.0 hour If 200.0 g of it was present at 6 a.m. on a certain day, how many grams will have decayed by 9 a.m. on the same day?
1. A.175.0 g
2. B.150.0 g
3. C.100.0 g
4. D.187.5 g
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A 175.0 g
9.
A rotating disc contains a set of holes in a circle. An air jet is directed onto the holes and a note of frequency 480 Hz is produced. If the number of holes is 20, calculate the speed of rotation of the disc.
1. A.10 rev/s
2. B.20 rev/s
3. C.24 rev/s
4. D.8 rev/s
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C 24 rev/s
10.
A stone is thrown horizontally with initial velocity 15m/s from a tower 20 m high. How long does it take to reach the ground? [g= 10m/s $^2$
1. A.2s
2. B.4s
3. C.5s
4. D.1s
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A 2s
11.
A student wishes to measure the potential difference across a resistor,R. She has a galvanometer,G and some connecting wires. What else does she need?
1. A.high value resistor connected in parallel with G
2. B.. low value resistor connected in parallel with G low value
3. C.resistor connected in series with G
4. D.high value resistor connected in series with G
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D high value resistor connected in series with G
12.
A wire of cross-sectional area 2π x 10 $^-{8}$ m $^2$ and resistivity 1.1 x 10 $^-{8}$ Ω m, has a resistance of 21Ω. Calculate the length of the wire. [π=22/7]
1. A.180 m
2. B.140 m
3. C.120 m
4. D.240 m
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C 120 m
13.
According to Pascal's principle, the pressure in a fluid is always?
1. A.dependent on density of the fluid.
2. B.distributed partially in all directions.
3. C.transmitted equally in all directions.
4. D.increasing with height.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C transmitted equally in all directions.
14.
An atom that emits an a-particle?
1. A.may become a different element.
2. B.becomes a different isotope of the element.
3. C.daughter with increased mass.
4. D.becomes a daughter of a different element always.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A may become a different element.
15.
An electric circuit consists of a resistor. a battery and a key. If the voltage of the battery is increased, there Would be an increase in the?
1. A.current and resistance only
2. B.current resistance and temperature
3. C.current and temperature only
4. D.resistance and temperature only
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C current and temperature only
16.
An electric pressing iron is connected to the mains using an insulated wire. wire becomes very hot. The heat generated in the wire can be minimized by replacing the wire with one of?
1. A.thinner insulation.
2. B.greater diameter.
3. C.smaller diameter.
4. D.thicker insulation.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B greater diameter.
17.
An ice cube has mass of 20 g at 5°C. Calculate the energy required to raise its temperature to 0°C. [Specific heat capacity of ice = 2.1 J/g°c]
1. A.105 J
2. B.100 J
3. C.42 J
4. D.210 J
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D 210 J
18.
Determine the speed of the wave.
1. A.64 cm/s
2. B.32 cm/s
3. C.24 cm/s
4. D.72 cm/s
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D 72 cm/s
19.
Electric motor primarily converts?
1. A.electrical energy to chemical energy
2. B.kinetic energy to potential energy
3. C.electrical energy to mechanical energy
4. D.electrical energy to heat energy
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C electrical energy to mechanical energy
20.
Formation of hydrogen bubbles at the copper plate of a primary cell is called?
1. A.polarization.
2. B.back e.m.f.
3. C.electrolysis.
4. D.local action.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A polarization.
21.
If the relative humidity of the atmosphere increases, the rate of evaporation of sweat from the human body?
1. A.decreases
2. B.remains the same
3. C.increases then decreases
4. D.increases
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A decreases
22.
In the diagram above, a bulb is lit by drawing 2.0A from 440V a.c. source. Calculate the cost of keeping the bulb on for two days at $0.40 per kilowatt-hour.
1. A.$16.90
2. B.$84.48
3. C.$1690.00
4. D.$8.48
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A $16.90
23.
Opening in the eye through which light passes to the retina is called the?
1. A.pupil
2. B.cornea
3. C.iris
4. D.optic nerve
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A pupil
24.
The acceleration of a moving object can be determined from the?
1. A.slope of its distance-time graph
2. B.area under its distance-time graph
3. C.slope of its velocity-time graph
4. D.area under its velocity-time graph
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C slope of its velocity-time graph
25.
The components of vectors Q and R are (-3.0, 5.5) and (9.2, 4.4) respectively. Determine the components of Q + R.
1. A.(3.7, 7.4)
2. B.(6.2, 9.9)
3. C.(2.5, -4 .8)
4. D.(14.7, 1.4)
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B (6.2, 9.9)
26.
The diagram above illustrates the velocity-time graph of a body. Calculate the distance covered by the body during the motion
1. A.15m
2. B.84m
3. C.72m
4. D.48m
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C 72m
27.
The diagram above is an illustration of an a.c. circuit.Calculate the reactance of the capacitor.
1. A.2016Ω
2. B.2000Ω
3. C.200Ω
4. D.4000Ω
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C 200Ω
28.
The distance between a node and its adjacent antinode of a transverse wave is equal to?
1. A.half of the wavelength.
2. B.the wavelength.
3. C.thrice the wavelength.
4. D.quarter of the wavelength.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D quarter of the wavelength.
29.
The following statements about a loudspeaker are correct except?
1. A.its contains a permanent magnet.
2. B.sound signal converted to varying current signal enters the speech coil.
3. C.the current in the speech coil creates a magnetic force on the coil.
4. D.the magnetic force on the speech coil is uni-directional.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D the magnetic force on the speech coil is uni-directional.
30.
The handle of a screw jack is 35 cm long and the pitch of the screw is 0.5 cm. What force must be applied at the end of the handle to lift a load of 2000N, if the efficiency of the jack is 30% [π = $\frac{22}{7}$ ]?
1. A.152.0N
2. B.132.0N
3. C.15.2N
4. D.440.0N
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C 15.2N
31.
The inductive reactance in a circuit of frequency 100Hz is 1ohms. Calculate the inductance of the inductor[π = 3.14]
1. A.2.00 x 10 $_{-3}$ H
2. B.1.59 x 10 $_{-3}$ H
3. C.1.09 x 10 $_{-3}$ H
4. D.6.28x 10 $_{-3}$ H
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B 1.59 x 10 $_{-3}$ H
32.
The reason for laminating the soft iron core of a transformer is to?
1. A.reduce eddy current.
2. B.reduce magnetic flux.
3. C.increase the magnetic flux.
4. D.reduce its efficiency.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A reduce eddy current.
33.
The sketched graph above represents a progressive wave moving from the left to the right. The period of the wave is 0.125s. Determine the values of the amplitude and wavelength, respectively, of the wave.
1. A.8 cm; 27 cm
2. B.8 cm; 9 cm
3. C.4 cm; 9 cm
4. D.16 cm; 27 cm
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B 8 cm; 9 cm
34.
Which of the arrangements of radiations below shows decreasing order of wavelengths?
1. A.X-rays> radio waves > infrared radiations
2. B.Radio waves> infrared radiations > X-rays
3. C.Infrared radiations > radio waves > X-rays
4. D.X-rays> infrared radiations > radio waves
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B Radio waves> infrared radiations > X-rays
35.
Which of the following actions will increase capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor? I. Decreasing the distance between the plates II. Increasing the distance between the plates. III. Increasing the area of the plates overlap. IV. Avoiding the use of dielectric between the plate
1. A.I and III only
2. B.II and III only
3. C.I and IV
4. D.. III and IV only
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A I and III only
36.
Which of the following curved surfaces will produce a real image? I. Concave mirror II. Convex mirror III. Diverging lens IV. Converging lens
1. A.I and III only
2. B.I, II and IV only
3. C.II, III and V only
4. D.I and IV only
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D I and IV only
37.
Which of the following factors does not affect the rate of evaporation of a liquid?
1. A.temperature
2. B.volume
3. C.wind
4. D.surface area
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B volume
38.
Which of the following factors is not among that determines the resistance of a wire?
1. A.mass
2. B.cross-sectional area
3. C.length
4. D.material
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A mass
39.
Which of the following quantities is not an example of force?
1. A.Mass
2. B.Tension
3. C.Weight
4. D.Friction
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A Mass
40.
Which of the following scientist suggested that moving particles exhibit wave properties?
1. A.Isaac Newton
2. B.Ernest Rutherford
3. C.Louis de Broglie
4. D.J.J. Thompson
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C Louis de Broglie
41.
Which of the following set of quantities have members which are all vectors?
1. A.Pressure, energy and force
2. B.Force, displacement and momentum
3. C.Distance, acceleration and work
4. D.Density, volume and weight
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B Force, displacement and momentum
42.
Which of the following statements about distance and displacement is not correct?
1. A.Displacement is a vector quantity
2. B.Distance has dimension
3. C.Displacement is measured in meters
4. D.Distance is a vector quantity
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D Distance is a vector quantity
43.
Which of the following statements about the molecules of solids and liquids is correct? They both
1. A.have weak attraction.
2. B.have wide separations.
3. C.exhibit random motion.
4. D.exhibit vibratory motion.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D exhibit vibratory motion.
44.
Which of the following statements about the universal gravitational constant, G, is true?
1. A.It is fundamental quantity
2. B.It has dimension M-¹L³T-²
3. C.Its S.I. unit is N m $^2$ kg
4. D.It is a vector quantity
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B It has dimension M-¹L³T-²
45.
Which of the following statements best describes the particles in a solid at room temperature? They are
1. A.far apart and moving randomly.
2. B.close together and vibrating.
3. C.close together and stationary.
4. D.close together and moving randomly.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B close together and vibrating.
46.
Which of the following statements is an effect of compressing gas molecules at constant temperature?
1. A.The pressure on the molecules decreases.
2. B.The molecules gain more kinetic energy.
3. C.The molecules make more impact per second on the walls of the container.
4. D.The molecules increase in size.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C The molecules make more impact per second on the walls of the container.
47.
Which of the following statements is not a characteristic of a plane progressive wave?
1. A.Energy travels out through the medium
2. B.Neighboring points along the profile possess different amplitudes
3. C.Neighboring points along the profile possess the same amplitude
4. D.Neighboring particles vibrate with different phase
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B Neighboring points along the profile possess different amplitudes
48.
Which of the following units is equivalent to the unit of electric current?
1. A.C s ${-1}$
2. B.W
3. C.J s ${-1}$
4. D.C
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A C s ${-1}$
49.
Which of the sketched graphs above illustrates the correct variation of the gravitational force, Fg between two objects and the distance, d, between the centre
1. A.A
2. B.B
3. C.C
4. D.D
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B B

Printing is turned off here to protect the question bank. Get the SmarTest app to study offline.

More free Physics papers

WAEC Physics 1988–2020 is in the app

The latest five years of each paper are free here. The SmarTest app has every year we hold, a worked explanation for each answer, and timed mock exams. It works offline.

Get the app

Android, Windows, Mac and Linux