Physics past questions: WAEC SSCE 2024

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

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

1.
A 2 μF capacitor is connected directly across a 150 V \(_{rms}\) , 60 Hz A.C source. Calculate the r m s value of the current.
1. A.0.113 A
2. B.0.160 A
3. C.150 A
4. D.1324 A
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Answer: A 0.113 A
2.
A body moves with uniform velocity when the resultant force on it is
1. A.greater than the frictional force acting on it
2. B.less than the frictional force acting on it
3. C.equal to zero
4. D.equal to unity
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Answer: C equal to zero
3.
A body of mass, m is projected vertically upward with a velocity, y. At what position will the potential energy be maximum?
1. A.\(\frac{y}{g}\)
2. B.\(\frac{2y^2}{g}\)
3. C.\(\frac{y^2}{2g}\)
4. D.\(\frac{y^2}{4g}\)
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Answer: C \(\frac{y^2}{2g}\)
4.
A boy of mass 40 kg jumps off a stationary skateboard and moves horizontally with a speed of 1.5 m/s while the skateboard moves in the opposite direction with a speed of 20 m/s. Calculate the mass of the skateboard.
1. A.60 kg
2. B.40 kg
3. C.3 kg
4. D.2 kg
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Answer: C 3 kg
5.
A capacitor described as a mica capacitor has
1. A.both plates are made of mica
2. B.a mica dielectric
3. C.a dielectric made of mica
4. D.the same capacitance as that of mica
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Answer: C a dielectric made of mica
6.
A constant voltage source supplies a sinusoidal alternating e.m.f. The voltage marked against the components are their peak values. Determine the peak value of the applied e.m.f
1. A.1V
2. B.4V
3. C.5V
4. D.2V
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Answer: C 5V
7.
A convex mirror is used as a driving mirror; however, a disadvantage in this regard is that the image
1. A.it produces is virtual
2. B.it produces is real
3. C.is not as bright as we would like
4. D.appears farther away from the driver
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Answer: D appears farther away from the driver
8.
A cube of water with side 10.0 cm floats vertically in water with 4.5 cm its length submerged. Calculate the density of the wood. [Density of water = 1 g/cm \(^3\) ; D = 0.090 g/cm \(^3\) ]
1. A.0.090 g/cm \(^3\)
2. B.0.450 g/cm \(^3\)
3. C.0.230 g/cm \(^3\)
4. D.0.0450 g/cm \(^3\)
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Answer: B 0.450 g/cm \(^3\)
9.
A galvanometer of full-scale deflection 10 mA has a resistance of 5 \(\Omega\) . Calculate the shunt needed to convert it to measure currents of 2 A.
1. A.0.025 \(\Omega\)
2. B.0.050 \(\Omega\)
3. C.0.250 \(\Omega\)
4. D.0.500 \(\Omega\)
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Answer: A 0.025 \(\Omega\)
10.
A non-conducting vessel contains a liquid of mass 70 g at 25º C. Another 70.0g of the same liquid at 35ºC is quickly poured into the vessel. Determine the final temperature of the mixture
1. A.15ºC
2. B.20ºC
3. C.30ºC
4. D.40ºC
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Answer: C 30ºC
11.
A particle of mass 3.6 x 10 \(^{-6}\) kg revolving around the earth has a radial acceleration of 4.3 x 10 \(^7\) ms \(^{-2}\) . Calculate the centripetal force of the particle.
1. A.1.55 x 10 \(^2\) N
2. B.2.00 x 10 \(^{-2}\) N
3. C.6.25 x 10 \(^{-14}\) N
4. D.1.00 x 10 \(^2\) N
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Answer: A 1.55 x 10 \(^2\) N
12.
A ray of light travels from a less dense medium to a denser medium. How are the speed and frequency of the light affected? The speed
1. A.Increases and the frequency increases
2. B.decreases and the frequency decreases
3. C.increases and the frequency remains the same
4. D.decreases and the frequency remains the same
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Answer: D decreases and the frequency remains the same
13.
A stone of mass 200 g attached to a string is made to revolve in a horizontal circle of radius 1.5 m at a steady speed of 5 m/s. Calculate the tension in the string at the bottom of the circle.
1. A.5.3 N
2. B.3.3 N
3. C.2.0 N
4. D.1.3 N
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Answer: A 5.3 N
14.
A temperature of 60º C is equivalent to
1. A.25ºF
2. B.140ºF
3. C.50ºF
4. D.108ºF
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Answer: B 140ºF
15.
All of the following uses are practical applications of x-ray except
1. A.the treatment of tumors
2. B.determining the depth of a mine
3. C.dental operation
4. D.detecting fractures in bones
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Answer: B determining the depth of a mine
16.
An object 2.0 cm high is placed at the radius of curvature of a concave mirror such that it is perpendicular to the principal axis of the mirror. Determine the height of the image.
1. A.0.5 cm
2. B.1.0 cm
3. C.1.5 cm
4. D.2.0 cm
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Answer: D 2.0 cm
17.
An object is placed 1.5 m from a plane mirror. How far is the image from the object?
1. A.3.0 m
2. B.1.3 m
3. C.1.0 m
4. D.0.3 m
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Answer: A 3.0 m
18.
Atmospheric pressure decreases with an increase in altitude because:
1. A.Acceleration due to gravity increases with altitude.
2. B.Temperature increases with altitude.
3. C.Internal energy increases with altitude.
4. D.Interaction among air molecules decreases due to less quantity of air.
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Answer: D Interaction among air molecules decreases due to less quantity of air.
19.
Chromatic aberration in lenses can be corrected by using a combination of
1. A.diverging and converging lenses.
2. B.an opaque material to cover the rims of lenses.
3. C.wide parallel beams on the lenses' surface.
4. D.a thin convex lens.
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Answer: A diverging and converging lenses.
20.
For a convex lens to form a real image, the distance between the object and the screen will be:
1. A.equal to the focal length of the lens
2. B.less than the focal length of the lens
3. C.twice the focal length of the lens
4. D.four times the focal length of the lens
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Answer: C twice the focal length of the lens
21.
Four pieces of constantan wire, marked E, F, G, and H, each of length 1.0m, are at the temperature. Their respective diameters are 1 mm, 2 mm, 6 mm, and 10 mm. Which wire has the highest resistance?
1. A.E
2. B.F
3. C.G
4. D.H
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Answer: A E
22.
In storing magnets, the keeper is used to
1. A.cancel the effect of the earth's magnetism
2. B.reduce self demagnetization
3. C.protect the magnet from stray electric field
4. D.increase the strength of the magnet
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Answer: B reduce self demagnetization
23.
In the circuit diagram above, which lamp causes the other to go off?
1. A.P
2. B.Q
3. C.R
4. D.S
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Answer: D S
24.
In which of the following devices is the thermal expansion considered a disadvantage?
1. A.Fire alarm
2. B.Thermostat
3. C.Bimetallic thermometer
4. D.Balance wheel of a watch
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Answer: D Balance wheel of a watch
25.
In which of the following states is MAXIMUM pressure exerted on a person
1. A.Standing on two feet
2. B.Standing on one foot
3. C.Lying on the floor
4. D.Kneeling on the floor
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Answer: B Standing on one foot
26.
Light of energy 1.12 x 10 \(^{-18}\) J is incident on a metal of ejected electrons with maximum energy of 8.0 x 10 \(^{-19}\) J. Calculate the threshold frequency of the metal. [h = 6.626 x 10 \(^{-34}\) Js]
1. A.4.8 x 10 \(^{14}\) Hz
2. B.1.2 x 10 \(^{15}\) Hz
3. C.1.7 x 10 \(^{15}\) Hz
4. D.2.8 x 10 \(^{15}\) Hz
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Answer: A 4.8 x 10 \(^{14}\) Hz
27.
The amount of heat energy that will be extracted when 0.02kg of water vapor condenses to water at 97ºC is [specific heat capacity of water = 4200Jkg \(^{-1}\) k \(^{-1}\) , Specific heat of vaporization of water = 2.26 x 10 \(^6\) Jkg \(^{-1}\) ]
1. A.45,452J
2. B.45,200J
3. C.25,200J
4. D.252J
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Answer: A 45,452J
28.
The capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor
1. A.decreases when the temperature between the plates decreases
2. B.increases when the potential difference between the plates is increased
3. C.is greater without a dielectric between the plates than with dielectric
4. D.is greater with dielectric between the plates than without dielectric
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Answer: D is greater with dielectric between the plates than without dielectric
29.
The constant temperature at which a liquid change into gaseous state is known as
1. A.evaporation point
2. B.boiling point
3. C.melting point
4. D.dew point
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Answer: B boiling point
30.
The correct sequence of ionization power of alpha particle, gamma ray, and beta particle respectively is
1. A.low, medium, high.
2. B.high, medium, low.
3. C.medium, low, high.
4. D.high, low, medium.
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Answer: D high, low, medium.
31.
The depolarizing agent in a Leclanché cell is
1. A.powdered carbon.
2. B.manganese (IV) oxide.
3. C.carbon rod.
4. D.ammonium.
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Answer: B manganese (IV) oxide.
32.
The diagram above illustrates the graph for
1. A.the variation of the volume of a gas with increasing temperature
2. B.expansion curve of mercury
3. C.expansion curve of liquid oxygen
4. D.anomalous expansion of water
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Answer: D anomalous expansion of water
33.
The diagram above illustrates the motion of a cyclist from P to R. The distance travelled is determined by the
1. A.area under QR
2. B.area under PQR
3. C.gradient of PQR
4. D.gradient of QR
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Answer: B area under PQR
34.
The diagram above illustrates two boxes P and Q of masses 27.3 kg and 6.2 kg respectively on a smooth horizontal surface. If a force F of 150 N is applied to the combined forces, calculate the acceleration.
1. A.4.5 ms \(^{-2}\)
2. B.33.5 ms \(^{-2}\)
3. C.70 ms \(^{-2}\)
4. D.150 ms \(^{-2}\)
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Answer: A 4.5 ms \(^{-2}\)
35.
The function of a fuse in an electric circuit is to
1. A.break the circuit when the current exceeds a certain value
2. B.save energy by reducing voltage
3. C.ensure that the current in the circuit exceeds a certain value
4. D.save energy by reducing the current
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Answer: A break the circuit when the current exceeds a certain value
36.
The inside portion of a hollow metal sphere of diameter 20 cm is polished. The portion will therefore form a
1. A.Concave mirror of focal length 5cm
2. B.Concave mirror of focal length 10 cm
3. C.Convex mirror of focal length 10 cm
4. D.Convex mirror of focal length 5cm
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Answer: A Concave mirror of focal length 5cm
37.
The law of conservation of momentum is stated for closed and isolated system. What are the two conditions for a system to be closed and isolated?
1. A.No external force acts on the system and there is no change in mass of the system.
2. B.No external force acts on the system and there is a gain in mass.
3. C.No external force acts on the system and there is a loss in mass.
4. D.An external force acts on the system and there is no change in mass.
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Answer: A No external force acts on the system and there is no change in mass of the system.
38.
The magnitude of the acceleration of a moving object is equal to the
1. A.gradient of a displacement-time graph
2. B.gradient of a velocity-time graph
3. C.area below a force-time graph
4. D.area below a velocity-time graph
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Answer: B gradient of a velocity-time graph
39.
The main difference between X-rays and gamma rays is in their
1. A.ionizing ability.
2. B.absorbing rate.
3. C.mode of propagation.
4. D.mode of production.
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Answer: D mode of production.
40.
The maximum displacement of particles from equilibrium position in a wave motion is known as
1. A.wave length.
2. B.amplitude.
3. C.frequency.
4. D.polarization.
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Answer: B amplitude.
41.
The phenomenon used for explaining the formation of a rainbow in the sky is
1. A.interference.
2. B.refraction.
3. C.reflection.
4. D.dispersion.
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Answer: D dispersion.
42.
The vacuum and silvered wall surfaces of a vacuum flask walls are respectively
1. A.minimize conduction and convection and prevent radiation
2. B.prevent conduction and convection and minimize radiation
3. C.prevent conduction and minimize convection and radiation
4. D.minimize convection and prevent conduction and radiation
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Answer: B prevent conduction and convection and minimize radiation
43.
To convert a milli-ammeter to an ammeter, a resistor of low value is necessary to connect a resistor of
1. A.low value in series with it
2. B.high value in series with it
3. C.low value in parallel with it
4. D.high value in parallel with it
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Answer: C low value in parallel with it
44.
Two isolated charged spheres each of magnitude + 1.0 x 10 \(^{-6}\) C are seperated by a distance of 2.0 x 10 \(^{-1}\) m. Calculate the magnitude of the electrostatic force between them [K = \(\frac{1}{4\pi \epsilon_o}\) = 9 x 10 \(^9\) Nm \(^2\) C \(^{-2}\) ]
1. A.2.25 x 10 \(^{-1}\) N
2. B.4.50 x 10 \(^{-1}\) N
3. C.2.25 x 10 \(^1\) N
4. D.4.50 x 10 \(^1\) N
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Answer: A 2.25 x 10 \(^{-1}\) N
45.
Water is readily available but it is not a thermometric liquid mainly because
1. A.clings to glass
2. B.does not expand uniformily
3. C.boils at low temperature
4. D.is colourless
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Answer: B does not expand uniformily
46.
What are cathode rays?
1. A.Stream of electrons
2. B.Beam of neutrons
3. C.Beam of protons
4. D.Stream of alpha particles
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Answer: A Stream of electrons
47.
Which of the following factors does not affect the speed of sound?
1. A.Loudness
2. B.Wind direction
3. C.Temperature
4. D.Material density
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Answer: A Loudness
48.
Which of the following modes is the most economical method of transmitting electrical power over a long distance?
1. A.Alternating current at high voltage and low current.
2. B.Alternating current at low voltage and high current.
3. C.Direct current at high voltage and low current.
4. D.Direct current at low voltage and high current.
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Answer: A Alternating current at high voltage and low current.
49.
Which of the following statements about a projectile is not correct?
1. A.Projectile motion is a two-dimensional motion
2. B.A projectile is an object launched into the air and allowed to move freely due to gravity
3. C.The range of a projectile is independent of the acceleration due to gravity
4. D.The time of flight dependent of the acceleration due to gravity
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Answer: C The range of a projectile is independent of the acceleration due to gravity
50.
Which of the following terms has different dimension from the others?
1. A.Stress x Strain
2. B.Pressure
3. C.\(\frac{\text{stress}}{\text{strain}}\)
4. D.Torque
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Answer: D Torque

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