Physics past questions: WAEC SSCE 2023

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.
A 100 kg device is pulled up a plane inclined at 30° to the horizontal with a force of 1000 N. If the coefficient of friction between the device and the surface is 0.25, determine the total force opposing the motion. [ g = 10 ms-2]
1. A.283.5N
2. B.975.0N
3. C.216.5N
4. D.716.5N
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Answer: D 716.5N
2.
A ball of mass 0.8 kg is dropped from a height, H. Just before hitting the ground, its velocity is 5.0 m/s. Determine H. [g = 10 ms-2]
1. A.1.25m
2. B.4.00m
3. C.6.25m
4. D.1.60m
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Answer: A 1.25m
3.
A ball, P, is released from the roof of a building at the same time as another ball, Q, is thrown vertically upward from the base of the building. Which of the following statements is correct?
1. A.The acceleration of P is greater than that of Q and both are in the same direction.
2. B.The acceleration of P is less than that of Q and both are in the same direction.
3. C.The acceleration of P is equal to that of Q and both are in the same direction.
4. D.The acceleration of P is equal to that of Q and are in opposite directions.
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Answer: C The acceleration of P is equal to that of Q and both are in the same direction.
4.
A body starts with an initial velocity of 20 m/s and moves with a uniform acceleration, a, for 15 seconds. Which of the following equations represents the distance, S, traveled?
1. A.300 + 56 \(\frac{a}{2}\)
2. B.300 + \(\frac{225a}{2}\)
3. C.300 + \(\frac{225}{2a}\)
4. D.300a + \(\frac{225}{2}\)
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Answer: B 300 + \(\frac{225a}{2}\)
5.
A car, P, with a velocity of 30 m/s is traveling in the same direction as a car, Q, with a velocity of 20 m/s. The velocity of P relative to Q is
1. A.\(50ms^1\)
2. B.\(45ms^1\)
3. C.\(20ms^1\)
4. D.\(10ms^1\)
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Answer: D \(10ms^1\)
6.
A cell of emf 2 V has an internal resistance of 0.5 Ω. A current of 0.4 A passes through an external resistor, P. Determine the resistance of P.
1. A.4.5Ω
2. B.5Ω
3. C.1Ω
4. D.4Ω
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Answer: A 4.5Ω
7.
A charge of 10 C is transferred across a potential difference of 220 V. Determine the work done.
1. A.22J
2. B.2200J
3. C.210J
4. D.230J
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Answer: B 2200J
8.
A direct current cannot pass through a parallel plate capacitor because
1. A.the plates are non-conducting.
2. B.the dielectric between the plates is non-conducting.
3. C.there is a leakage of charge from the plates.
4. D.the plates have equal but opposite charges.
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Answer: B the dielectric between the plates is non-conducting.
9.
A lead bullet of mass 0.05 kg is fired with a speed of 200 m/s into a lead block of mass 0.95 kg at rest. Given that the lead block moves after the impact, determine its kinetic energy.
1. A.150J
2. B.200J
3. C.50J
4. D.100J
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Answer: C 50J
10.
A liquid is left in an open dish. After several days, there is less liquid in the dish. Which of the following statements explains this observation? The
1. A.most energetic molecules leave the surface and escape into the air.
2. B.least energetic molecules leave the surface and escape into air.
3. C.most energetic molecules leave the surface and return.
4. D.least energetic molecules leave the surface and return.
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Answer: A most energetic molecules leave the surface and escape into the air.
11.
A planet has mass, M, and radius R, If the universal gravitational constant is G, what is the expression for the escape velocity of an object on the planet?
1. A.\(\frac{\sqrt{GR}}{2}\)
2. B.\(\frac{\sqrt{2GM}}{R}\)
3. C.\(\frac{\sqrt{2G}}{R}\)
4. D.\(\frac{\sqrt{GM}}{R}\)
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Answer: B \(\frac{\sqrt{2GM}}{R}\)
12.
A solenoid is constructed by winding an insulated copper on a long test tube. A constant direct current is passed through the solenoid. Which of the following actions will not increase the strength of the magnetic field of the solenoid? Inserting a
1. A.steel rod in the test tube
2. B.Nickel rod in the test tube
3. C.Brass rod in the test tube
4. D.Soft iron rod in the test tube
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Answer: C Brass rod in the test tube
13.
A sound of frequency 512 Hz reaches a listener 100 m away. If the sound travels in air at s.t.p., what is its wavelength? [speed of sound in air = 331 m/s]
1. A.1.550m
2. B.0,646m
3. C.5.120m
4. D.0.195m
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Answer: B 0,646m
14.
An atom in an excited state is one whose
1. A.electrons are in the conduction band.
2. B.potential energy is minimum.
3. C.potential energy is maximum.
4. D.electrons have moved to a higher energy level.
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Answer: D electrons have moved to a higher energy level.
15.
An electron moves from an energy level of -8.6 eV to another level of -3.5 eV. Determine the frequency of the absorbed radiation. [1 eV = 1.6 × \(10^{19}\) J, h = 6.6 × \(10^{34}\) Js]
1. A.\(2.93 \times 10^{15}\) Hz
2. B.\(3.59 \times 10^{16}\) Hz
3. C.\(5.39 \times 10^{15}\) Hz
4. D.\(1.24 \times 10^{15}\) Hz
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Answer: D \(1.24 \times 10^{15}\) Hz
16.
In a controlled thermal fission reactor, the use of control rods will not affect the
1. A.energy generated in the nuclear reactor
2. B.rate of production of the neutrons
3. C.speed of the neutrons released on fission
4. D.amount of radiation produced in the nuclear reactor
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Answer: C speed of the neutrons released on fission
17.
In a mass spectrometer, an ion of charge, q, and mass, m, moving in a path of radius, r, in a field of flux density, B, has a speed of
1. A.\(\frac{qBr}{m}\)
2. B.\(\frac{mr}{qB}\)
3. C.\(\frac{qm}{Br}\)
4. D.\(\frac{mq}{r}\)
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Answer: A \(\frac{qBr}{m}\)
18.
In an RLC series circuit at resonance, the voltages across the resistor and the inductor are 30 V and 40 V respectively. Determine the voltage across the capacitor.
1. A.50V
2. B.30V
3. C.70V
4. D.40V
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Answer: D 40V
19.
In the Rutherford scattering experiment, a beam of alpha particles was fired at a thin gold film and few of the particles were deflected considerably. This shows that the nucleus of an atom
1. A.is positively charged and is concentrated in a tiny volume
2. B.contains protons and electrons distributed in a tiny volume
3. C.is concentrated in a tiny volume and contains alpha particles
4. D.is distributed in a tiny volume and emits alpha particles
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Answer: A is positively charged and is concentrated in a tiny volume
20.
Increasing the frequency of a sound wave produces a sound with
1. A.higher pitch
2. B.longer wavelength
3. C.more overtones
4. D.reduced loudness
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Answer: A higher pitch
21.
The colours of the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum that have the shortest and longest wavelengths respectively are
1. A.red and blue
2. B.indigo and violet
3. C.violet and red
4. D.yellow and blue
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Answer: C violet and red
22.
The conclusive test for magnetism in a steel bar suspended horizontally at its midpoint is when the bar
1. A.always settles in the magnetic N-S direction
2. B.is repelled by a magnet
3. C.always settles in the magnetic E-W direction
4. D.is attracted by a magnet
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Answer: A always settles in the magnetic N-S direction
23.
The diagram above illustrates a hot metal suspended at the centre of a closed uniform box. Thermometers E, F, G and H are placed in contact with four sides of the box. Which of the thermometers would register the highest temperature?
1. A.G
2. B.F
3. C.H
4. D.E
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Answer: D E
24.
The diagram above illustrates a mode of vibration of a wire of length 125 cm. The speed of the waves along the wire is 120 ms-1. Use the diagram to answer questions 2 and 3. Determine the frequency of the waves
1. A.240Hz
2. B.24Hz
3. C.192Hz
4. D.286Hz
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Answer: A 240Hz
25.
The diagram above illustrates a mode of vibration of a wire of length 125 cm. The speed of the waves along the wire is 120 ms-1. Use the diagram to answer questions 2 and 3. Determine the wavelength of the waves.
1. A.1.00m
2. B.0.75m
3. C.0.25m
4. D.0.50m
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Answer: D 0.50m
26.
The diagram above illustrates a velocity-time graph. Determine the distance between X and Y.
1. A.80.0m
2. B.160.0m
3. C.40.0m
4. D.10.0m
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Answer: B 160.0m
27.
The following statements are advantages of a solid dielectric material between the plates of a capacitor except that
1. A.the maximum potential difference the capacitor can withstand is increased.
2. B.it increases the electrical conduction of the capacitor.
3. C.the capacitance of the capacitor of given dimensions is much greater than that of the plates in a vacuum.
4. D.it keeps the plates at a fixed separation.
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Answer: B it increases the electrical conduction of the capacitor.
28.
The following statements are observations made about a towing vehicle and a bus that is being towed I. The force exerted on the bus by the towing vehicle is of the same magnitude as the force that the bus exerts on the road. II. The force exerted on the bus by the towing vehicle is of the same magnitude as the force exerted on the towing vehicle by the bus. III. The towing vehicle exerts a force on the bus greater than the force exerted by the bus on the towing vehicle. IV. The towing vehicle exerts a force on the bus that is the same as the force the road exerts on the towing vehicle. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. A.II, III and IV
2. B.II only
3. C.I, II and III only
4. D.I only
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Answer: B II only
29.
The instrument used to measure relative humidity is a
1. A.Hygrometer
2. B.Barometer
3. C.Hydrometer
4. D.Manometer
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Answer: A Hygrometer
30.
The most appropriate value of fuse for a kettle rated 220 V, 1.06 kW is
1. A.3A
2. B.6A
3. C.5A
4. D.4A
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Answer: C 5A
31.
The process of producing electric current by a changing magnetic field is referred to as
1. A.magnet induction
2. B.electromagnetic induction
3. C.flux linkage
4. D.electrostatic induction
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Answer: B electromagnetic induction
32.
The property of a body that determines the direction of heat flow when the body is in contact with another body is the
1. A.Heat capacity
2. B.mass
3. C.Power
4. D.Temperature
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Answer: D Temperature
33.
The purpose of commutators in a direct current motor is to
1. A.reverse the direction of the current after every half rotation
2. B.increase the number of rotations per second
3. C.enable a uniform couple to act on the coil
4. D.increase the efficiency of the motor
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Answer: A reverse the direction of the current after every half rotation
34.
The range of wavelengths of the infrared waves in an electromagnetic spectrum is \(10^{-3}\) m to \(10^{-6}\) m. The wavelength of the radiation is
1. A.longer than \(10^{-6} m\) .
2. B.shorter than \(10^{-6} m\) .
3. C.shorter than \(10^{3} m\) .
4. D.longer than \(10^{3} m\) .
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Answer: A longer than \(10^{-6} m\) .
35.
The ratio of maximum range to maximum height of a projectile is 4. Determine the angle of projection.
1. A.\(30^0\)
2. B.\(60^0\)
3. C.\(45^0\)
4. D.\(0^0\)
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Answer: C \(45^0\)
36.
The sagging of overhead electrical wires is caused by
1. A.radiation of heat
2. B.rough handling
3. C.gravitational attraction
4. D.Linear expansion
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Answer: D Linear expansion
37.
The specific latent heat of vapourization of lead is 8.7 × \(10^5 Jkg_1\) . This means that 8.7 × \(10^5\) J of thermal energy is required to change
1. A.a given mass of molten lead to vapour at constant temperature and pressure.
2. B.1 kg of molten lead to vapour at constant temperature and pressure.
3. C.1 kg of solid lead to vapour at constant temperature and pressure.
4. D.1 kg of molten lead to vapour for every degree rise in temperature.
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Answer: B 1 kg of molten lead to vapour at constant temperature and pressure.
38.
The type of mirror used by dentists to inspect the teeth of patients is a
1. A.Plane mirror
2. B.cylindrical mirror
3. C.concave mirror
4. D.convex mirror
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Answer: C concave mirror
39.
Two objects, A and B, accelerate from rest at uniform rates. B accelerates twice as much as Compared to A, B travels
1. A.at the same distance as A
2. B.six times as far
3. C.two times as far
4. D.three times as far
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Answer: C two times as far
40.
What is the name given to the force of attraction between the nucleons in the nucleus of an atom?
1. A.Gravitational force.
2. B.Electrostatic force.
3. C.Magnetic force.
4. D.Nuclear force.
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Answer: D Nuclear force.
41.
When a light-weight body and a massive body are acted upon by the same force for the same period of time, the
1. A.massive body has a higher momentum.
2. B.massive body builds up a higher velocity.
3. C.lighter body has a higher momentum.
4. D.momenta of both bodies remain the same.
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Answer: D momenta of both bodies remain the same.
42.
When an electron jumps directly from an orbit of n = 4 to n = 2,
1. A.a photon is absorbed
2. B.a photon is emitted
3. C.two photons are emitted
4. D.two photons are absorbed
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Answer: B a photon is emitted
43.
Which of the following devices is associated with alternating currents only?
1. A.Step-up transformer
2. B.Induction coil
3. C.Moving coil galvanometer
4. D.Lead-acid accumulator
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Answer: A Step-up transformer
44.
Which of the following devices is used to compare the relative magnitudes of charges on two given bodies?
1. A.Ebonite rod
2. B.Proof Plane
3. C.Gold Leaf Electroscope
4. D.Electrophorus
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Answer: C Gold Leaf Electroscope
45.
Which of the following diagrams correctly illustrates the mode of oscillation of air in a tube for the first overtone? ( The diagrams above are meant to help you in answering this question)
1. A.A
2. B.B
3. C.C
4. D.D
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Answer: B B
46.
Which of the following equations is not a correct mirror formula? [The symbols have their usual meanings]
1. A.N = \(\frac{360}{\theta}\) - 1
2. B.\(\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{u} + \frac{1}{v}\)
3. C.m = \(\frac{v}{u}\)
4. D.f = \(\frac{1}{D}\)
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Answer: D f = \(\frac{1}{D}\)
47.
Which of the following statements about a ferromagnetic material is correct? It
1. A.has a high susceptibility.
2. B.attracts non-magnetic materials.
3. C.has low relative permeability.
4. D.repels other magnetic materials.
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Answer: A has a high susceptibility.
48.
Which of the following statements about the properties of the electric field produced by charged parallel plates is not correct?
1. A.The electric field in the region outside the parallel plate is zero, except for the edge effects
2. B.The magnitude of the electric field strength at any point between the plates, except near the edges, depends on the magnitude of the charge on each plate
3. C.The magnitude of the electric field strength at any point between the plates is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge on each plate
4. D.The electric field is uniform everywhere in the space between the parallel plates
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Answer: C The magnitude of the electric field strength at any point between the plates is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge on each plate
49.
Which part of the human eye performs the same function as the diaphragm in a lens camera?
1. A.Choroid
2. B.Retina
3. C.Iris
4. D.Cornea
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Answer: C Iris

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