Physics

PHYSICS

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Physics is
to prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their
achievement of the course objectives, which are to:

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(1) sustain their interest in physics;
(2) develop attitude relevant to physics that encourage accuracy, precision and

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objectivity;
(3) interpret physical phenomena, laws, definitions, concepts and other theories;
(4) demonstrate the ability to solve correctly physics problems using relevant theories

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and concepts.
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TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES
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1. MEASUREMENTS AND UNITS Candidates should be able to:
(a) Length, area and volume: Metre rule, i. identify the units of length, area
Venier calipers, Micrometer and volume;
Screw-guage, measuring cylinder. ii. use different measuring
instruments;
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iii. determine the lengths, surface

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areas and volume of regular and

(b) Mass irregular bodies;
(i) unit of mass;
(ii) use of simple beam balance;
(iii) concept of beam balance. iv. identify the unit of mass;
v. use simple beam balance, e.g
Buchart’s balance and chemical
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(c) Time balance;

(i) unit of time;
(ii) time-measuring devices. vi. identify the unit of time;
vii. use different time-measuring
(d) Fundamental physical quantities devices;

viii. relate the fundamental physical

quantities to their units;

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(e) Derived physical quantities and their

units ix. deduce the units of derived
(i) Combinations of fundamental quantities physical quantities;
and determination of their units;
x. determine the dimensions of
(f) Dimensions physical quantities;

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(i) definition of dimensions xi. use the dimensions to determine
(ii) simple examples the units of physical quantities;
xii. test the homogeneity of an

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equation;

xiii. determine the accuracy of

(g) Limitations of experimental measuring instruments;
measurements xiv. estimate simple errors;
(i) accuracy of measuring xv. express measurements in standard

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instruments; form.
(ii) simple estimation of errors;
(iii) significant figures;
(iv) standard form.
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(h) Measurement, position, distance and
displacement
(i) concept of displacement; Candidates should be able to:
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(ii) distinction between distance and
displacement; i. use strings, meter ruler and
(iii) concept of position and coordinates; engineering calipers, vernier
(iv) frame of reference. calipers and micrometer, screw
guage;
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ii. note the degree of accuracy;

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iii. identify distance travel in a

specified direction;
iv. use compass and protractor to
locate points/directions;
v. use Cartesians systems to locate
positions in x-y plane;
vi. plot graph and draw inference
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from the graph.

2. Scalars and Vectors
(i) definition of scalar and vector quantities; Candidates should be able to:
(ii) examples of scalar and vector quantities;
(iii) relative velocity; i. distinguish between scalar and
(iv) resolution of vectors into two vector quantities;
perpendicular directions including ii. give examples of scalar and vector
graphical methods of quantities;
solution.

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iii. determine the resultant of two or

more vectors;
iv. determine relative velocity;
v. resolve vectors into two
perpendicular components;
vi. use graphical methods to solve

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vector problems.

3. Motion

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(a) Types of motion: Candidates should be able to;
translational, oscillatory, rotational, spin
and random i. identify different types of motion;
ii. solve numerical problem on collinear
(b) Relative motion motion;
iii. identify force as cause of motion;

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(c) Causes of motion iv. identify push and pull as forms of
force;
(d) Types of force v. identify electric and magnetic
attractions, gravitational pull as
(i) contact
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(ii) force field
vi. differentiate between speed, velocity
(e) linear motion and acceleration;
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(i) speed, velocity and acceleration; vii. deduce equations of uniformly
(ii) equations of uniformly accelerated accelerated motion;
motion; viii. solve problems of motion under
(iii) motion under gravity; gravity;
(iv) distance-time graph and velocity time
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graph; ix. interpret distance-time graph and

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(v) instantaneous velocity and velocity-time graph;

acceleration. x. compute instantaneous velocity and
acceleration;

(f) Projectiles: xi. establish expressions for the range,

(i) calculation of range, maximum height maximum height and time of flight of
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and time of flight from the ground and a projectiles, rockets, missiles
height; xii. solve problems involving projectile
(ii) applications of projectile motion. motion;

(g) Newton’s laws of motion: xiii. solve numerical problems involving

(i) inertia, mass and force; impulse and momentum;
(ii) relationship between mass and xiv. interpretation of area under force –
acceleration; time graph;
(iii) impulse and momentum; xv. interpret Newton’s laws of motion;

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(iv) force – time graph; xvi. compare inertia, mass and force;
(v) conservation of linear momentum xvii. deduce the relationship between
(Coefficient of restitution not mass and acceleration;
necessary). xviii. interpret the law of conservation of
linear momentum and application;
xix. establish expression for angular

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(h) Motion in a circle: velocity, angular acceleration and
(i) angular velocity and angular centripetal force;
acceleration; xx. solve numerical problems involving

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(ii) centripetal and centrifugal forces; motion in a circle;
(iii) applications. xxi. establish the relationship between
period and frequency;
(i) Simple Harmonic Motion (S.H.M): xxii. analyse the energy changes
(i) definition and explanation of simple occurring during S.H.M;
harmonic motion; xxiii. identify different types of forced

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(ii) examples of systems that execute vibration;
S.H.M; xxiv. enumerate applications of
(iii) period, frequency and amplitude of resonance.
S.H.M;
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(iv) velocity and acceleration of S.H.M;
(iii) simple treatment of energy change in
S.H.M;
(iv) force vibration and resonance (simple
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treatment).

4 Gravitational field
(i) Newton’s law of universal gravitation; Candidates should be able to:
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(ii) gravitational potential; i. identify the expression for gravitational

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(iii) conservative and non-conservative force between two bodies;

fields; ii. apply Newton’s law of universal
(iv) acceleration due to gravity; gravitation;
(v) variation of g on the earth’s surface; iii. give examples of conservative and non-
(vi) distinction between mass and weight conservative fields;
escape velocity; iv. deduce the expression for gravitational
(vii) parking orbit and weightlessness. field potentials;
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v. identify the causes of variation of g on

the earth’s surface;
vi. differentiate between mass and weight;
vii. determine escape velocity.

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5. Equilibrium of Forces
(a) equilibrium of particles: Candidates should be able to:
(i) equilibrium of coplanar forces; i. apply the conditions for the equilibrium
(ii) triangles and polygon of forces; of coplanar forces to solve problems;
(iii) Lami’s theorem. ii. use triangle and polygon laws of forces

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to solve equilibrium problems;
(b) principles of moments iii. use Lami’s theorem to solve problems;
(i) moment of a force; iv. analyse the principle of moment of a

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(ii) simple treatment and moment of a couple force;
(torque); v. determine moment of a force and couple;
(iii) applications. vi. describe some applications of moment
of a force and couple;
vii. apply the conditions for the equilibrium
(c) conditions for equilibrium of rigid bodies of rigid bodies to solve problems;

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under the action of parallel and non- viii. resolve forces into two perpendicular
parallel forces directions;
(i) resolution and composition of forces in ix. determine the resultant and equilibrant
two perpendicular directions; of forces;
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(ii) resultant and equilibrant. x. differentiate between stable, unstable
and neutral equilibra.
(d) centre of gravity and stability
(i) stable, unstable and neutral equilibra.
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6. (a) Work, Energy and Power
(i) definition of work, energy and power; Candidates should be able to:
(ii) forms of energy; i. differentiate between work, energy and
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(iii) conservation of energy; power;

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(iv) qualitative treatment between different ii. compare different forms of energy,
forms of energy; giving examples;
(v) interpretation of area under the force- iii. apply the principle of conservation of
distance curve. energy;
iv. examine the transformation between
different forms of energy;
v. interpret the area under the force –
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distance curve.
vi. solve numerical problems in work,
energy and power.

(b) Energy and society Candidates should be able to:

(i) sources of energy; i. itemize the sources of energy;
(ii) renewable and non-renewable energy e.g. ii. distinguish between renewable and non-
coal, crude oil, sun, wind etc.; renewable energy, examples should be
(iii) uses of energy; given;

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(iv) energy and development; iii. identify methods of energy transition;

(v) energy diversification; iv. explain the importance of energy in the
(vi) environmental impact of energy e.g. development of the society;
global warming, greenhouse effect and v. analyze the effect of energy use to the
spillage; environment;
(vii) energy crises; vi. identify the impact of energy on the

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(viii) conversion of energy; environment;
(ix) devices used in energy production. vii. identify energy sources that are
friendly or hazardous to the

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environment;
(c) Dams and energy production viii. identify energy uses in their
immediate environment;
(i) location of dams ix. suggests ways of safe energy use
(ii) energy production
x. state different forms of energy

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(d) nuclear energy conversion.

(e) solar energy

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(i) solar collector;
(ii) solar panel for energy supply.
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7. Friction
(i) static and dynamic friction; Candidates should be able to:
(ii) coefficient of limiting friction and its i. differentiate between static and
determination; dynamic
(iii) advantages and disadvantages of friction friction;
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(iv) reduction of friction; ii. determine the coefficient of limiting

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(v) qualitative treatment of viscosity and friction;

terminal velocity; iii. compare the advantages and
(vi) Stoke’s law. disadvantages of friction;
iv. suggest ways by which friction can be
reduced;
v. analyse factors that affect viscosity and
terminal velocity;
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vi. apply Stoke’s law.

8. Simple Machines
(i) definition of simple machines; Candidates should be able to:
(ii) types of machines; i. identify different types of simple
(iii) mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and machines;
efficiency of machines. ii. solve problems involving simple
machines.

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9. Elasticity: Hooke’s Law and Young’s Modulus

(i) elastic limit, yield point, breaking point, Candidates should be able to:
Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus; i. interpret force-extension curves;
(ii) the spring balance as a device for measuring ii. interpret Hooke’s law and Young’s
force; modulus of a material;

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(iii.) work done per unit volume in springs and iii use spring balance to measure force;
elastic strings; iv. determine the work done in spring and
elastic strings.

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10. Pressure
(a) Atmospheric Pressure Candidates should be able to:
(i) definition of atmospheric pressure; i. recognize the S.I units of pressure (Pa);
(ii) units of pressure (S.I) units (Pa); ii. identify pressure measuring

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(iii) measurement of pressure; instruments;
(iv) simple mercury barometer; iii. relate the variation of pressure to
aneroid barometer and manometer; height;
(v) variation of pressure with height; iv. use a barometer as an altimeter;
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(vi) the use of barometer as an altimeter. v. determine the relationship between
pressure depth and density;
(b) Pressure in liquids vi apply the principle of transmission of
(i) the relationship between pressure, depth and pressure in liquids to solve problems;
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density (P = gh) vii. determine and apply the principle of
(ii) transmission of pressure in liquids (Pascal’s pressure in liquid.
Principle)
(iii) application
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11. Liquids At Rest

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(i) determination of density of solids and liquids Candidates should be able to:
(ii) definition of relative density i. distinguish between density and relative
(iii) upthrust on a body immersed in a liquid density of substances;
(iv) Archimedes’ principle and law of floatation ii. determine the upthrust on a body
and applications, e.g. ships and hydrometers. immersed in a liquid;
iii. apply Archimedes’ principle and law of
floatation to solve problems.
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12. Temperature and Its Measurement

(i) concept of temperature Candidates should be able to:
(ii) thermometric properties i. identify thermometric properties of
(iii) calibration of thermometers materials that are used for different
(iv) temperature scales –Celsius and Kelvin. thermometers;
(v) types of thermometers ii. calibrate thermometers;
(vi) conversion from one scale of temperature to
another

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iii. differentiate between temperature

scales e.g. Celsius, Faranheight and
Kelvin;
iv. compare the types of thermometers;
vi. convert from one scale of temperature
to another.

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13. Thermal Expansion
(a) Solids Candidates should be able to:

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(i) definition and determination of linear,
volume and area expansivities; i. determine linear and volume
(ii) effects and applications, e.g. expansion in expansivities;
building strips and railway lines; ii. assess the effects and applications of
(iii) relationship between different thermal expansivities;
expansivities. iii. determine the relationship between

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different expansivities;
(b) Liquids
(i) volume expansivity; iv. determine volume, apparent, and real
(ii) real and apparent expansivities; expansivities of liquids;
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(iii) determination of volume expansivity; v. analyse the anomalous expansion of
(iv) anomalous expansion of water. water.
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14. Gas Laws
(i) Boyle’s law (isothermal process) Candidates should be able to:
i. interpret the gas laws;
(ii) Charle’s law (isobaric process) ii. use expression of these laws to solve
(iii) Pressure law (volumetric process) numerical problems;
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iii. interpret Van der waal equation for one

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(iv) absolute zero of temperature mole of a real gas.

(v) general gas equation:

PV
( = constant )
T
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(vi) ideal gas equation

Pv = nRT
(iv) Van der waal gas

15. Quantity of Heat

Candidates should be able to:
(i) heat as a form of energy;
i. differentiate between heat capacity and
specific heat capacity;

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(ii) definition of heat capacity and specific heat ii. determine heat capacity and specific heat
capacity of solids and liquids; capacity using simple methods;
(iii) determination of heat capacity and specific iii. solve numerical problems.
heat capacity of substances by simple
methods e.g. method of mixtures and
electrical method and Newton’s law of

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cooling

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16. Change of State
(i) latent heat; Candidates should be able to:
(ii) specific latent heats of fusion and i. differentiate between latent heat and
vaporization; specific latent heats of fusion and
(iii) melting, evaporation and boiling; vaporization;
(iv) the influence of pressure and of dissolved ii. differentiate between melting,

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substances on boiling and melting points; evaporation and boiling;
(v) application in appliances. iii. examine the effects of pressure and of
dissolved substance on boiling and
melting points.
ool iv. solve numerical problems.
17. Vapours
(i) unsaturated and saturated vapours; Candidates should be able to:
(ii) relationship between saturated vapour i. distinguish between saturated and
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pressure (S.V.P) and boiling; unsaturated vapours;
(iii) determination of S.V.P by barometer tube ii. relate saturated vapour pressure to
method; boiling point;
(iv) formation of dew, mist, fog, clouds and rain; iii. determine S.V.P by barometer tube
(v) study of dew point, humidity and relative method;
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humidity; iv. differentiate between dew point,

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(vi) hygrometry; estimation of the humidity of humidity and relative humidity;

the atmosphere using wet and dry bulb vi. estimate the humidity of the
hygrometers. atmosphere using wet and dry bulb
hygrometers;
vii. solve numerical problems.
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18. Structure of Matter and Kinetic Theory

(a) Molecular nature of matter Candidates should be able to:
(i) atoms and molecules; i. differentiate between atoms and
(ii) molecular theory: explanation of Brownian molecules;
motion, diffusion, surface tension, capillarity, ii. use molecular theory to explain
adhesion, cohesion and angles of contact law Brownian motion, diffusion, surface,
of definite proportion; tension, capillarity, adhesion, cohesion
(iii) examples and applications. and angle of contact;

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(b) Kinetic Theory iii. examine the assumptions of kinetic

(i) assumptions of the kinetic theory theory;
(ii) using the theory to explain the pressure iv. interpret kinetic theory, the pressure
exerted by gas, Boyle’s law, Charles’ law, exerted by gases, Boyle’s law,
melting, boiling, vapourization, change in Charles’s law, melting, boiling,
temperature, evaporation, etc. vaporization, change in temperature,

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evaporation, etc.

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19. Heat Transfer
(i) conduction, convection and radiation as Candidates should be able to:
modes of heat transfer; i. differentiate between conduction,
(ii) temperature gradient, thermal conductivity convection and radiation as modes of
and heat flux; heat transfer;
(iii) effect of the nature of the surface on the ii. solve problems on temperature

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energy radiated and absorbed by it; gradient, thermal conductivity and heat
(iv) the conductivities of common materials; flux;
(v) the thermos flask and vacuum flask; iii. assess the effect of the nature of the
(vi) land and sea breeze; surface on the energy radiated and
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(vii) combustion engine. absorbed by it;
iv. compare the conductivities of common
materials;
v. relate the component part of the working
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of the thermos flask;
vi. differentiate between land and sea
breeze;
vii. analyse the principles of operating
internal combustion jet engines,
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rockets.
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20. Waves
(a) Production and Propagation Candidates should be able to:
(i) wave motion; i. interpret wave motion;
(ii) vibrating systems as source of waves; ii. identify vibrating systems as sources of
(iii) waves as mode of energy transfer; waves;
(iv) distinction between particle motion and iii use waves as a mode of energy transfer;
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wave motion; iv distinguish between particle motion and

(v) relationship between frequency, wavelength wave motion;
and wave velocity (V=f λ); v. relate frequency and wave length to
(vi) phase difference, wave number and wave wave
vector; velocity;
(vii) progressive wave equation e.g. vi. determine phase difference, wave
2
Y = A sin (vt  ) number and wave vector;
 vii. use the progressive wave equation to
compute basic wave parameters;

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viii. differentiate between mechanical and

(b) Classification electromagnetic waves;
(i) types of waves; mechanical and ix. differentiate between longitudinal and
electromagnetic waves; transverse waves;
(ii) longitudinal and transverse waves; x. distinguish between stationary and
(iii) stationary and progressive waves; progressive waves;

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(iv) examples of waves from springs, ropes, xi. indicate the example of waves generated
stretched strings and the ripple tank. from springs, ropes, stretched strings
and the ripple tank;

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(c) Characteristics/Properties xii. differentiate between reflection,
(i) reflection, refraction, diffraction and refraction, diffraction and plane
plane polarization; polarization of waves;
(ii) superposition of waves e.g. interference xiii. analyse the principle of superposition
(iii) Beats; of

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(iv) Doppler effects (qualitative treatment waves;
only). xiv. solve numerical problems on waves
explain the phenomenon of beat, beat
frequency and uses;
ool xv. explain Doppler effect of sound and
application
21. Propagation of Sound Waves
(i) the necessity for a material medium; Candidates should be able to:
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(ii) speed of sound in solids, liquids and air; i. determine the need for a material
(iii) reflection of sound; echoes, reverberation medium in the propagation of sound
and their applications; waves;
(v) advantages and disadvantages of echoes ii. compare the speed of sound in solids,
and reverberations. liquids and air;
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iii. relate the effects of temperature and

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pressure to the speed of sound in air;

iv. solve problem on echoes, reverberation
and speed;
v. compare the disadvantages and
advantages of echoes.
vi. solve problems on echo, reverberation
and speed of sound.
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22. Characteristics of Sound Waves

(i) noise and musical notes; Candidates should be able to:
(ii) quality, pitch, intensity and loudness and i. differentiate between noise and musical
their application to musical instruments; notes;
(iii) simple treatment of harmonics and overtones ii. analyse quality, pitch, intensity and
produced by vibrating strings and their loudness of sound notes;
columns iii. evaluate the application of (ii) above in
the construction of musical
instruments;

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1 T iv. identify overtones by vibrating stings

Fo= (  = m / ) and air columns;
2L 
iv. itemize acoustical examples of
resonance;
(iv) acoustic examples of resonance; vi. determine the frequencies of notes
(v) frequency of a note emitted by air columns emitted by air columns in open and
in closed and open pipes in relation to their

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closed pipes in relation to their lengths.
lengths.

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23. Light Energy
(a) Sources of Light Candidates should be able to:
(i) natural and artificial sources of light; i. compare the natural and artificial
(ii) luminous and non-luminous objects. sources of light;
ii. differentiate between luminous and non

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(b) Propagation of light luminous objects;
(i) speed, frequency and wavelength of light; iii. relate the speed, frequency and
(ii) formation of shadows and eclipse; wavelength of light;
(iii) the pin-hole camera. iv. interpret the formation of shadows and
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v. solve problems using the principle of
operation of a pin-hole camera.
24. Reflection of Light at Plane and Curved
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Surfaces Candidates should be able to:
(i) laws of reflection; i. interpret the laws of reflection;
(ii) application of reflection of light; ii. illustrate the formation of images by
(iii) formation of images by plane, concave and plane, concave and convex mirrors;
convex mirrors and ray diagrams; iii. apply the mirror formula to solve
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(iv) use of the mirror formula: optical

1 1 1
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= + problems;
f u v iv. determine the linear magnification;
v. apply the laws of reflection of light to
(v) linear and angular magnification. the working of periscope, kaleidoscope
and the sextant.

25. Refraction of Light Through at Plane and

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Curved Surfaces
(i) explanation of refraction in terms of Candidates should be able to:
velocity of light in the media; i. interpret the laws of reflection;
(ii) laws of refraction; ii. determine the refractive index of glass
(iii) definition of refractive index of a medium; and liquid using Snell’s law;
(iv) determination of refractive index of glass iii. determine the refractive index using the
and liquid using Snell’s law; principle of real and apparent depth;
(v) real and apparent depth and lateral iv. determine the conditions necessary for
total internal reflection;

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displacement; v. examine the use of periscope, prism,

(vi) critical angle and total internal reflection. binoculars, optical fibre;
vi. apply the principles of total internal
(b) Glass Prism reflection to the formation of mirage;
(i) use of the minimum deviation formula: vii. use of lens formula and ray diagrams to
solve optical numerical problems;
 A + D

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viii. determine the magnification of an
sin   image;
U=  2 
ix. calculate the refractive index of a glass
 A

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sin   prism using minimum deviation
2 formula.

(ii) type of lenses: triangular, rectangular etc

(iii) use of lens formula:

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1 1 1
= + and Newton’s formular (F2 = ab)
f u v
v
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(iv) magnification.

26. Optical Instruments

(i) general principles of microscopes, Candidates should be able to:
telescopes, projectors, cameras and the i. apply the principles of operation of
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human eye (physiological details of the optical
eye are not required); instruments to solve problems;
(ii) power of a lens; ii. distinguish between the human eye and
(iii) angular magnification; the cameras;
iii. calculate the power of a lens;
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(iv) near and far points;

(v) sight defects and their corrections. iv. evaluate the angular magnification of
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optical instruments;
v. determine the near and far points;
vi. detect sight defects and their
corrections.

27. (a) Dispersion of light and colours

Candidates should be able to:
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(i) dispersion of white light by a triangular

Prism; i. identify primary colours and obtain
(ii) production of pure spectrum; secondary colours by mixing;
(iii) colour mixing by addition and subtraction; ii. understand the formation of rainbow;
(iv) colour of objects and colour filters; iii. deduce why objects have colours;
(v) rainbow and formation. iv. relate the expression for gravitational
force between two bodies;
v. apply Newton’s law of universal
gravitation;
vi. analyse colours using colour filters;

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(b)Electromagnetic spectrum vii. analyse the electromagnetic spectrum in

(i) description of sources and uses of various relation to their wavelengths, sources,
types of radiation. detection and uses.

28. Electrostatics

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(i) existence of positive and negative charges in Candidates should be able to:
matter; i. identify charges;
(ii) charging a body by friction, contact and ii. examine uses of an electroscope;
iii. apply Coulomb’s square law of

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induction;
(iii) electroscope; electrostatics to solve problems;
(iv) Coulomb’s inverse square law, electric field iv. deduce expressions for electric field
and potential; intensity and potential difference;
(v) electric field intensity potential and potential v. identify electric field flux patterns of
difference; isolated and interacting charges;

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(vi) electric discharge and lightning. vi. analyse the distribution of charges on a
conductor and how it is used in
lightening conductors.
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29. Capacitors Candidates should be able to:
(i) types and functions of capacitors; i. determine uses of capacitors;
(ii) parallel plate capacitors; ii. analyse parallel plate capacitors;
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(iii) capacitance of a capacitor; iii. determine the capacitance of a
(iv) the relationship between capacitance, area capacitor;
separation of plates and medium between iv. analyse the factors that affect the
the plates capacitance of a capacitor;
v. solve problems involving the
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EA arrangement of a capacitor;
C=
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d vi. determine the energy stored in

capacitors.
(v) capacitors in series and parallel;
(vi) energy stored in a capacitor.

30. Electric Cells

Candidates should be able to:
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(i) simple voltaic cell and its defects;

(ii) Daniel cell, Leclanche cell (wet and dry); i. identify the defects of the simple voltaic
(iii) lead –acid accumulator and Nickel-Iron cell and their correction;
(Nife) Lithium lon and Mercury cadmium; ii. compare different types of cells
(iv) maintenance of cells and batteries (detail including solar cell;
treatment of the chemistry of a cell is not iii. compare the advantages of lead-acid
required); and Nikel iron accumulator;
(vi) arrangement of cells; iv. solve problems involving series and
(vii) efficiency of a cell. parallel combination of cells.

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31. Current Electricity Candidates should be able to:

(i) electromagnetic force (emf), potential i. differentiate between emf, p.d., current
difference (p.d.), current, internal resistance and internal resistant of a cell;
of a cell and lost Volt; ii. apply Ohm’s law to solve problems;
(ii) Ohm’s law, resistivity and conductivity; iii. use metre bridge to calculate resistance;

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(iii) measurement of resistance; iv. compute effective total resistance of
(iv) meter bridge; both parallel and series arrangement of
(v) resistance in series and in parallel and their resistors;

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combination; v. determine the resistivity and the
(vi) the potentiometer method of measuring conductivity of a conductor;
emf, current and internal resistance of a cell. vi. measure emf. current and internal
(i) electrical networks. resistance of a cell using the
potentiometer;
vii. identify the advantages of the

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potentiometer;
viii. apply Kirchoff’s law in electrical
networks.
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32. Electrical Energy and Power Candidates should be able to:
(i) concepts of electrical energy and power; i. apply the expressions of electrical
(ii) commercial unit of electric energy and energy and power to solve problems;
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power; ii. analyse how power is transmitted from
(iii) electric power transmission the power station to the consumer;
(v) heating effects of electric current; iii. identify the heating effects of current
(vi) electrical wiring of houses; and its uses;
(vii) use of fuses. iv. identify the advantages of parallel
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arrangement over series;

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v. determine the fuse rating.

33. Magnets and Magnetic Fields Candidates should be able to:

(i) natural and artificial magnets; i. give examples of natural and artificial
(ii) magnetic properties of soft iron and steel; magnets;
(iii) methods of making magnets and ii. differentiate between the magnetic
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demagnetization; properties of soft iron and steel;

(iv) concept of magnetic field; iii. identify the various methods of making
(v) magnetic field of a permanent magnet; magnets and demagnetizing magnets;
(vi) magnetic field round a straight current iv. describe how to keep a magnet from
carrying conductor, circular wire and losing its magnetism;
solenoid; v. determine the flux pattern exhibited
(vii) properties of the earth’s magnetic field; when two magnets are placed together
north and south poles, magnetic meridian and pole to pole;
angle of dip and declination;

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(viii) flux and flux density; vi. determine the flux of a current carrying
(ix) variation of magnetic field intensity over the conductor, circular wire and solenoid
earth’s surface including the polarity of the solenoid;
(x) applications: earth’s magnetic field in vii. determine the flux pattern of a magnet
navigation and mineral exploration. placed in the earth’s magnetic fields;
viii. identify the magnetic elements of the
earth’s flux;

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ix. determine the variation of earth’s
magnetic field on the earth’s surface;
x. examine the applications of the earth’s

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magnetic field.

34. Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor in a Candidates should be able to:

Magnetic Field i. determine the direction of force on a

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(i) quantitative treatment of force between current carrying conductor using
two parallel current-carrying conductors; Fleming’s left-hand rule;
(ii) force on a charge moving in a magnetic ii. interpret the attractive and repulsive
field; forces between two parallel current-
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(iii) the d. c. motor; carrying conductors using diagrams;
(iv) electromagnets; iii. determine the relationship between the
(v) carbon microphone; force, magnetic field strength, velocity
(vi) moving coil and moving iron instruments; and the angle through which the charge
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(viii) conversion of galvanometers to ammeters enters the field;
and voltmeter using shunts and iv. interpret the working of the d. c. motor;
multipliers; v. analyse the principle of electromagnets
(ix) sensitivity of a galvanometer. and give examples of its application;
vi. compare moving iron and moving coil
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instruments;
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vii. convert a galvanometer into an

ammeter or a voltmeter;
viii. identify the factors affecting the
sensitivity of a galvanometer.

35. (a) Electromagnetic Induction Candidates should be able to:

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(i) Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic i. interpret the laws of electromagnetic

induction; induction;
(ii) factors affecting induced emf; ii. identify factors affecting induced emf;
(iii) Lenz’s law as an illustration of the iii. recognize how Lenz’s law illustrates
principle of conservation of energy; the
(iv) a.c. and d.c generators; principle of conservation of energy;
(v) transformers;
(vi) the induction coil. iv. interpret the diagrammatic set up of A.
C. generators;

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(b) Inductance v. identify the types of transformer;

(i) explanation of inductance; vi. examine principles of operation of
(ii) unit of inductance; transformers;
(iii) energy stored in an inductor: vii. assess the functions of an induction
1 coil;
E=2 I2L
viii. draw some conclusions from the

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principles of operation of an induction
(iv) application/uses of inductors.
coil;
ix. interpret the inductance of an inductor;

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x. recognize units of inductance;
(c) Eddy Current
xi. calculate the effective total inductance
(i) reduction of eddy current
in series and parallel arrangement;
(ii) applications of eddy current
xii. deduce the expression for the energy
stored in an inductor;
xiii. examine the applications of inductors;

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xiv. describe the method by which eddy
current losses can be reduced;
xv. determine ways by which eddy
currents can be used.
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36. Simple A. C. Circuits
Candidates should be able to:
(i) explanation of a.c. current and voltage;
i. identify a.c. current and d.c. voltage;
(ii) peak and r.m.s. values;
ii. differentiate between the peak and r.m.s.
(iii) a.c. source connected to a resistor;
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values of a.c.;
(iv) a.c source connected to a capacitor-
iii. determine the phase difference between
(capacitive reactance);
current and voltage;
(v) a.c source connected to an inductor
iv. interpret R-L-C circuits;
(inductive reactance);
v. analyse vector diagrams;
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(vi) R-L-C circuits;

vi. calculate the effective voltage,
(vii) vector diagram, phase angle and power
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reactance and impedance;

factor;
vii. recognize the condition by which the
(viii) resistance and impedance;
(ix) effective voltage in an R-L-C circuits;
circuit is at resonance;
viii. determine the resonant frequency of
(x) resonance and resonance frequency:
R-L-C arrangement;
1
F0 = ix. determine the instantaneous power,
2 LC average power and the power factor in
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a. c. circuits.

37. Conduction of Electricity Through Candidates should be able to:

(a) liquids i. distinguish between electrolytes and non-
electrolytes;
(i) electrolytes and non-electrolyte; ii. analyse the processes of electrolysis;
(ii) concept of electrolysis; iii. apply Faraday’s laws of electrolysis to
(iii) Faraday’s laws of electrolysis; solve problems;

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(iv) application of electrolysis, e.g.

electroplating, calibration of ammeter etc.

(b) gases iv. analyse discharge through gases;

(i) discharge through gases (qualitative v. determine some applications/uses of
treatment only); conduction of electricity through gases.

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(ii) application of conduction of electricity
through gases;

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38. Elementary Modern Physics-Bohr’s Theory Candidates should be able to:
(i) models of the atom and their limitations; i. identify the models of the atom and write
(ii) elementary structure of the atom; their limitations;
(iii) energy levels and spectra; ii. describe elementary structure of the
(iv) thermionic and photoelectric emissions; atom;
(v) Einstein’s equation and stopping potential iii. differentiate between the energy levels

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(vi) applications of thermionic emissions and and spectra of atoms;
photoelectric effects; iv. compare thermionic emission and
(vii) simple method of production of x-rays; photoelectric emission;
(viii) properties and applications of alpha, beta v. apply Einstein’s equation to solve
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and gamma rays; problems of photoelectric effect;
(ix) half-life and decay constant; vi. calculate the stopping potential;
(x) simple ideas of production of energy by vii. relate some application of thermionic
fusion and fission; emission and photoelectric effects;
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(xi) binding energy, mass defect and Einstein’s viii. interpret the process involved in the
Energy equation production of x-rays;
ix. identify some properties and
[∆E = ∆Mc2] applications of x-rays;
x. analyse elementary radioactivity;
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(xii) wave-particle (duality of matter); xi. distinguish between stable and unstable
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(xiii) electron diffraction; nuclei;

(xiv) the uncertainty principle. xii. identify isotopes of an element;
xiii. compare the properties of alpha, beta
and gamma rays;
xiv. relate half-life and decay constant of a
radioactive element;
xv. determine the binding energy, mass
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defect and Einstein’s energy equation;

xvi. analyse wave particle duality;
xvii. solve some numerical problems based
on the uncertainty principle and wave –
particle duality.

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39. Introductory Electronics Candidates should be able to:

(i) distinction between metals, semiconductors i. differentiate between conductors, semi-
and insulators (elementary knowledge of band conductors and insulators;
gap is required); ii. distinguish between intrinsic and
(ii) intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors (n- extrinsic semiconductors (n-type and

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type and p-type semiconductors); p-type semiconductors);
(iii) uses of semiconductors and diodes in iii. distinguish between electron and hole
rectification and transistors in amplification; carriers;

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(iv) elementary knowledge of diodes and iv. analyse diodes and transistor
transistors. v. relate diodes to rectification and
transistor to amplification.

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RECOMMENDED TEXTS

Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.

Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.

Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.

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Nelkon, M. and Parker … (1989). Advanced Level Physics, (Sixth Edition): Heinemann.

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Okeke, P.N. and Anyakoha, M.W. (2000). Senior Secondary School Physics, Lagos: Pacific
Printers.

Olumuyiwa, Awe. and Ogunkoya, O. O. (1992). Comprehensive Certificate Physics, Ibadan:

University Press Plc.

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