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Physics past questions: WAEC SSCE 2022

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

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

  1. 1.
    .An inductor of inductance 10 H is connected across an a.c circuit source of 50 V, 100 Hz. What is the current in the circuit? [ \(\pi\) = 3.14]
    1. A.0.200A
    2. B.0.070A
    3. C.0.050A
    4. D.0.008A
    Show answer

    Answer: D 0.008A

  2. 2.
    A body of mass, M, moving with velocity, V, has a wavelength, X, associated with it. This phenomenon is called----------
    1. A.photoelectric effect
    2. B.heisenberg's uncertainty principle
    3. C.compton effect
    4. D.wave-particles paradox
    Show answer

    Answer: D wave-particles paradox

  3. 3.
    A freely suspended compass needle on the earth's surface settles in a plane called----------
    1. A.geographic meridian
    2. B.magnetic meridian
    3. C.magnetic declination
    4. D.isoganals
    Show answer

    Answer: B magnetic meridian

  4. 4.
    A galvanometer with a full-scale deflection of 20 mA is Converted to read 8 K by connecting a 395 \(\Omega\) resistor in series with it. Determine the internal resistance of the galvanometer
    1. A.2.5 \(\Omega\)
    2. B.5.0 \(\Omega\)
    3. C.8.0 \(\Omega\)
    4. D.10.0 \(\Omega\)
    Show answer

    Answer: B 5.0 \(\Omega\)

  5. 5.
    A hunter fires a gun at a point 408 m away from a cliff. If he hears an echo 2.4 s later, determine the speed of the sound wave
    1. A.340 ms \(^{-1}\)
    2. B.380 m s \(^{-1}\)
    3. C.400 m s \(^{-1}\)
    4. D.680 m s \(^{-1}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: A 340 ms \(^{-1}\)

  6. 6.
    A lamp is rated 240 V, 60 W. Determine the resistance of the lamp when lit?
    1. A.120 \(\Omega\)
    2. B.240 \(\Omega\)
    3. C.540 \(\Omega\)
    4. D.960 \(\Omega\)
    Show answer

    Answer: D 960 \(\Omega\)

  7. 7.
    A quantity of water at 0 °C is heated to 30 °C. For each degree rise in temperature, its density will---------
    1. A.rise steadily
    2. B.fall steadily
    3. C.fall and then rises
    4. D.rise and then falls
    Show answer

    Answer: D rise and then falls

  8. 8.
    A small object of mass 50 g is released from a point A. Determine the velocity of the object when it reaches a point B, a vertical distance of 30m below A. [g = 10 ms \(^{-2}\)
    1. A.1.5 ms \(^{-1}\)
    2. B.6.0 m s \(^{-1}\)
    3. C.17.3 m s \(^{-1}\)
    4. D.24.5 m s \(^{-1}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: D 24.5 m s \(^{-1}\)

  9. 9.
    An example of a mechanical wave is---------
    1. A.water waves
    2. B.radio waves
    3. C.x-rays
    4. D.light rays
    Show answer

    Answer: A water waves

  10. 10.
    An object is placed at different distances, u, from a converging lens of focal length, 15.0cm. For what value of u does the lens act as a microscope?
    1. A.u = 15cm only
    2. B.u = 30cm only
    3. C.M < 15cm only
    4. D.u > 30cm only
    Show answer

    Answer: C M < 15cm only

  11. 11.
    Arrange the following radiations in order of increasing ionization of air. I. Alpha Il. Gamma IIl. Beta
    1. A.I < III < II
    2. B.II < I < III
    3. C.II < III < I
    4. D.I < II
    Show answer

    Answer: C II < III < I

  12. 12.
    Current is passed through two parallel conductors in the same direction. If the conductors are placed near each other, they will------------------
    1. A.move in a circle
    2. B.repel each other
    3. C.remain stationary
    4. D.attract each other
    Show answer

    Answer: D attract each other

  13. 13.
    From the principle of flotation, a body sinks in a fluid until it displace a quantity equal to its own?
    1. A.density
    2. B.mass
    3. C.weight
    4. D.volume
    Show answer

    Answer: C weight

  14. 14.
    Gamma rays are produced when?
    1. A.high velocity electrons are abruptly stopped in metals
    2. B.energy changes occur within the nuclei of atoms
    3. C.energy changes occur within the electronic structure of atoms
    4. D.electrons are deflected in very strong magnetic fields
    Show answer

    Answer: B energy changes occur within the nuclei of atoms

  15. 15.
    If the kinetic energy of an electron is 100 eV, what is the wavelength of the de-Broglie wave associated with it? [h = 6.6 x 10 \(^{-34}\) J s, e = 1.6 x 10 \(^{-19}\) C, m \(_{e}\) , = 9.1 x 10 \(^{-31}\) kg]
    1. A.1.22 x 10 \(^{-10}\) m
    2. B.4.10 x 10 \(^{-10}\) m
    3. C.3.90 x 10 \(^{-10}\) m
    4. D.5.50 x 10 \(^{-14}\) m
    Show answer

    Answer: A 1.22 x 10 \(^{-10}\) m

  16. 16.
    In a series R-L-C circuit at resonance, impedance is----
    1. A.maximum
    2. B.minimum
    3. C.capacitive
    4. D.inductive
    Show answer

    Answer: B minimum

  17. 17.
    In doping an intrinsic semiconductor to produce a p-type semiconductor,
    1. A.the semiconductor is heated up
    2. B.a donor element is added
    3. C.an acceptor element is added
    4. D.the semiconductor is conducted to a battery
    Show answer

    Answer: C an acceptor element is added

  18. 18.
    In which of the following situations is friction not useful?
    1. A.Operation of a grinding machine
    2. B.Walking
    3. C.Application of brakes
    4. D.Moving piston in a sleeve
    Show answer

    Answer: D Moving piston in a sleeve

  19. 19.
    Molecules move in random motion within a liquid. The total internal energy of the liquid depends on all of the following except its?
    1. A.temperature
    2. B.mass
    3. C.specific heat capacity
    4. D.melting point
    Show answer

    Answer: D melting point

  20. 20.
    One major reason why electrical appliances in homes are normally earthed is that the-----------
    1. A.person touching the appliance is safe from electric shock
    2. B.appliances are maintained at a higher p.d. than the earth
    3. C.appliances are maintained at a lower p.d. than the earth
    4. D.appliances are maintained at the same p.d. with that of the earth
    Show answer

    Answer: A person touching the appliance is safe from electric shock

  21. 21.
    Suppose three identical steel balls Q, R, and S, are placed on an undulating ground as illustrated in the diagram above. Which of the balls is/are in neutral equilibrium?
    Diagram for this question
    1. A.S only
    2. B.Q only
    3. C.R only
    4. D.Q and S only
    Show answer

    Answer: C R only

  22. 22.
    The area under a force-time graph represents--------
    1. A.change in kinetic energy
    2. B.change in momentum
    3. C.change in work done
    4. D.change in internal energy
    Show answer

    Answer: B change in momentum

  23. 23.
    The basic principle of operation of a beam balance is------------------
    1. A.Hooke's law
    2. B.Archimedes principle
    3. C.law of flotation
    4. D.principle of moments
    Show answer

    Answer: D principle of moments

  24. 24.
    The correct relationship between the displacement, s, of a particle initially at rest in a linear motion and the time, t, is?
    1. A.s \(\alpha\) t \(^{-2}\)
    2. B.s \(\alpha\) t \(^{-1}\)
    3. C.s \(\alpha\) t
    4. D.s \(\alpha\) t \(^{2}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: D s \(\alpha\) t \(^{2}\)

  25. 25.
    The diameter of a brass ring at 30 °C is 50.0 cm. To what temperature must this ring be heated to increase its diameter to 50.29 cm? [ linear expansivity of brass = 1.9 x 10 \(^{-5}\) K \(^{-1}\) ]
    1. A.152.6 °C
    2. B.182.6 °C
    3. C.306.1 °C
    4. D.335.3 °C
    Show answer

    Answer: D 335.3 °C

  26. 26.
    The distance between the fixed points of a mercury-in-glass thermometer is 30 cm. Determine the temperature when the mercury level is 10.5 cm above the lower fixed point
    1. A.28.6ºC
    2. B.30.0 ºC
    3. C.35.0 ºC
    4. D.40.5 ºC
    Show answer

    Answer: C 35.0 ºC

  27. 27.
    The efficiency of a wheel and axle is 100% and the ratio of their radii is 5:1. calculate the effort required to lift a load of mass 20kg using this machine, [g = 10 m s \(^{-2}\) ]
    1. A.20N
    2. B.25N
    3. C.40N
    4. D.100N
    Show answer

    Answer: C 40N

  28. 28.
    The engine of a car provides a forward force of 1240 N and the total resistive force on the car is 800N. If the mass of the car is 1220 kg, determine the distance the car has to travel from the rest before acquiring a speed of 4 m s \(^{-1}\) .
    1. A.44.0 m
    2. B.22.2 m
    3. C.11.1 m
    4. D.5.5 m
    Show answer

    Answer: B 22.2 m

  29. 29.
    The half-life of a radioactive substance is 15 hours. If at some instance, the sample has a mass of 512 g, calculate the time it will take \(\frac{7}{8}\) of the sample to decay
    1. A.15 hours
    2. B.30 hours
    3. C.45 hours
    4. D.60 hours
    Show answer

    Answer: C 45 hours

  30. 30.
    The joule is equivalent to?
    1. A.Kg m \(^{2}\) s \(^{-1}\)
    2. B.Kg \(^{2}\) m s \(^{-2}\)
    3. C.Kg m \(^{2}\) s \(^{-2}\)
    4. D.Kg m s \(^{-1}\)
    Show answer

    Answer: C Kg m \(^{2}\) s \(^{-2}\)

  31. 31.
    The length of a simple pendulum is increased by a factor of four. By what factor is its period increase?
    1. A.0.5 \(\pi\)
    2. B.2
    3. C.2 \(\pi\)
    4. D.4
    Show answer

    Answer: B 2

  32. 32.
    The linear expansivity, \(\alpha\) , and cubic expansivity, \(\gamma\) , of a material are related by the equation?
    1. A.\(\gamma\) =a
    2. B.\(\gamma\) =3 \(\alpha\)
    3. C.\(\gamma\) =2a
    4. D.\(\gamma\) = \(\frac{1}{3} \alpha\)
    Show answer

    Answer: B \(\gamma\) =3 \(\alpha\)

  33. 33.
    The magnetic material produced from the chemical combination of metal oxides and has a very high resistance to electric current is called
    1. A.ferrite substance
    2. B.paramagnetic substance
    3. C.ferromagnetic substance
    4. D.diamagnetic substance
    Show answer

    Answer: A ferrite substance

  34. 34.
    The period of a 10 kHz radio wave traveling at 10 \(^{8}\) ms \(^{-1}\) is--
    1. A.3.0 x 10 \(^{-5}\) s
    2. B.1.0 x 10 \(^{-4}\) s
    3. C.1.0 x 10 \(^{4}\) s
    4. D.3.0 x 10 \(^{4}\) s
    Show answer

    Answer: B 1.0 x 10 \(^{-4}\) s

  35. 35.
    The periodic rise and fall in the intensity of sound produced whn two notes of nearly equal frequencies are sounded together is called?
    1. A.doppler effect
    2. B.beat
    3. C.interference
    4. D.resonance
    Show answer

    Answer: B beat

  36. 36.
    The power of the lens is +2.5D. What is the radius of the curvature?
    1. A.2.5 cm
    2. B.25.0 cm
    3. C.40.0 cm
    4. D.80.0 cm
    Show answer

    Answer: D 80.0 cm

  37. 37.
    The reason for having a large number of turns in the coil of a moving coil galvanometer is to--------
    1. A.make the deflection of the needle proportional to the current
    2. B.increase the sensitivity of the galvanometer
    3. C.decrease the magnetic flux produced by the magnet
    4. D.make the permanent magnet stronger
    Show answer

    Answer: B increase the sensitivity of the galvanometer

  38. 38.
    The speed of fast-moving neutrons in a nuclear reactor can be reduced by using?
    1. A.graphite rods
    2. B.concrete shield
    3. C.iron rods
    4. D.boron rods
    Show answer

    Answer: A graphite rods

  39. 39.
    The viscosity of a fluid depends on the following factors except the?
    1. A.relative motion between the layers of the fluid
    2. B.nature of the material of the fluid
    3. C.surface area of the fluid in contact
    4. D.normal reaction in the fluid
    Show answer

    Answer: D normal reaction in the fluid

  40. 40.
    Three cells each of emf, 1.0 V, and internal resistance, 2 \(\Omega\) , are connected in parallel across a 3 \(\Omega\) resistor. Determine the current in the resistor.
    1. A.0.90A
    2. B.0.39A
    3. C.0.30A
    4. D.0.01A
    Show answer

    Answer: C 0.30A

  41. 41.
    Using venier calipers, which of the following readings gives the correct measurement for the length of a rod?
    1. A.4.1 cm
    2. B.4.13cm
    3. C.125 cm
    4. D.1254 cm
    Show answer

    Answer: B 4.13cm

  42. 42.
    When the direction of vibration of the particles of a medium is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of a wave, the wave is said to be--------
    1. A.longitudinal
    2. B.transverse
    3. C.mechanical
    4. D.a sound wave
    Show answer

    Answer: B transverse

  43. 43.
    Which of the following concepts is a method of heat transfer that does not require a material medium?
    1. A.Conduction
    2. B.Diffusion
    3. C.Convection
    4. D.Radiation
    Show answer

    Answer: D Radiation

  44. 44.
    Which of the following descriptions of the image formed by a plane mirror is not correct. the image is----
    1. A.erect and of the same size as the object
    2. B.laterally inverted and of the same size as the object
    3. C.erect and bigger than the object
    4. D.virtual and if the same size
    Show answer

    Answer: C erect and bigger than the object

  45. 45.
    Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about a fixed mass of gas compressed in an inexpansible container; I. The average speed of the molecules increases II. The temperature of the gas increases III. The molecules hit the walls of the container more often than before the compression
    1. A.I only
    2. B.I and II only
    3. C.I, II, and III only
    4. D.I and III
    Show answer

    Answer: C I, II, and III only

  46. 46.
    Which of the following statements about a straight current-carrying wire placed in a uniform magnetic field is correct? The wire experiences ---------------
    1. A.maximum motor force if the current reverses its direction
    2. B.no motor force of it is parallel to the field
    3. C.no motor force if it is perpendicular to the field
    4. D.a motor force with constant direction if either the current or the magnetic field is reversed
    Show answer

    Answer: B no motor force of it is parallel to the field

  47. 47.
    Which of the following statements about electric potential energy is not correct?
    1. A.The electric potential energy of a positively charged particle increases when it moves to a point of higher potential
    2. B.The electric potential energy of a negatively charged particle increases when it moves to a point of lower potential
    3. C.The electric potential energy of a positively charged particle decreases when it moves to a point of higher potential
    4. D.The work done in taking a charged particle around a closed path in an electric field is zero
    Show answer

    Answer: C The electric potential energy of a positively charged particle decreases when it moves to a point of higher potential

  48. 48.
    Which of the following statements-about electromagnetic waves is not correct?
    1. A.They carry energy as they travel through space
    2. B.They travel with the speed of light
    3. C.They are longitudinal
    4. D.The electric and magnetic fields are at right angles to each other
    Show answer

    Answer: C They are longitudinal

  49. 49.
    Which of the illustrated graphs above represents a body moving with uniform retardation?
    Diagram for this question
    1. A.A
    2. B.B
    3. C.C
    4. D.D
    Show answer

    Answer: D D

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