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:

(1) sustain their interest in physics;

(2) develop attitude relevant to physics that encourage accuracy, precision and
objectivity;
(3) interpret physical phenomena, laws, definitions, concepts and other theories;
(4) demonstrate the ability to solve correctly physics problems using relevant theories
and concepts.

DETAILED SYLLABUS

TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

1. MEASUREMENTS AND UNITS Candidates should be able to:

(a) Length, area and volume: Metre rule, i. identify the units of length, area and
Venier calipers Micrometer volume; ii. use different
Screw-guage, measuring cylinder. measuring instruments; iii.
determine the lengths, surface areas and
volume of regular and irregular bodies;

iv. identify the unit

(b) Mass
of mass;
(i) unit of mass
v. use simple beam balance, e.g
(ii) use of simple beam balance
Buchart’s
(iii) concept of beam balance
balance and chemical
balance; vi. identify the unit of
time; vii.
(c) Time
use different time-
(i) unit of time
measuring
(ii) time-measuring devices
devices;
(d) Fundamental physical quantities
viii. relate the fundamental physical

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quantities to their units;

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(e) Derived physical quantities and their ix. deduce the units of derived physical
units quantities;
(i) Combinations of fundamental
quantities and determination of their x. determine the dimensions
units of physical quantities; xi.
use the dimensions to
(f) Dimensions determine the units of physical
(i) definition of dimensions quantities; xii. test the
(ii) simple examples homogeneity of an equation; xiii.
determine the
accuracy of
measuring instruments; xiv.
estimate simple errors;
(g) Limitations of experimental measurements xv. express measurements in standard
(i) accuracy of measuring form.
instruments
(ii) simple estimation of errors.
(iii) significant figures. (iv) standard
form.

(h) Measurement, position,

distance and displacement Candidates should be able to:
(i) concept of displacement
(ii) distinction between distance and i. use strings, meter ruler and
displacement engineering calipers, vernier calipers and
(iii) concept of position and coordinates micrometer, screw guage ii. note the degree
(iv) frame of reference of accuracy 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 from the graph.

Candidates should be able to:

i. distinguish between scalar and

2. vector quantities;
Scalars and Vectors
ii. give examples of scalar and vector
(i) definition of scalar and vector quantities
quantities;
(ii) examples of scalar and vector quantities
iii. determine the resultant of two or
(iii) relative velocity
more vectors;
(iv) resolution of vectors into two
iv. determine relative velocity;
perpendicular directions including

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graphical methods of
solution.

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v. resolve vectors into two

perpendicular components;
vi. use graphical methods to solve
vector
problems;

3. Motion
(a) Types of motion: Candidates should be able to :
translational, oscillatory, rotational, spin
and random i. identify different types of motion ;

(b) Relative motion

(c) causes of motion

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

ix. interpret distance-time graph and

velocity-time graph;
(f) Projectiles: x. compute instantaneous velocity and
(i) calculation of range, maximum height acceleration
and time of flight from the ground
and a height
(ii) applications of projectile motion xi. establish expressions for the range,
maximum height and time of flight of
projectiles;
(g) Newton’s laws of motion:
xii. solve problems involving projectile
(i) inertia, mass and force motion;
(ii) relationship between mass

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and acceleration

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(iii) impulse and momentum xiii. solve numerical problems involving

impulse and momentum;

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(iv) force – time graph xiv. interpretation of area under force – time
(v) conservation of linear momentum graph
(Coefficient of restitution not xv. interpret Newton’s laws of motion; xvi.
necessary) compare inertia, mass and force;
xvii. deduce the relationship between mass
(h) Motion in a circle: and acceleration;
(i) angular velocity and angular
acceleration
(ii) centripetal and centrifugal forces. (iii)
applications xviii. interpret the law of conservation of
linear momentum and application
(i) Simple Harmonic Motion (S.H.M): xix. establish expression for angular
(i) definition and explanation of simple velocity, angular
harmonic motion acceleration and centripetal force;
(ii) examples of systems that execute
S.H.M
(iii) period, frequency and amplitude of xx. solve numerical problems involving
S.H.M motion in a circle; xxi. establish the
(iv) velocity and acceleration of S.H.M relationship between period and
(v) simple treatment of energy change in frequency;
S.H.M xxii. analyse the energy
(vi) force vibration and resonance changes occurring during S.H.M
xxiii. identify different types
(simple treatment)
of forced vibration
xxiv. enumerate applications of
resonance.
4 Gravitational field
(i) Newton’s law of universal gravitation
(ii) gravitational potential Candidates should be able to:
(iii) conservative and non-conservative i. identify the expression for gravitational
fields force between two bodies;
(iv) acceleration due to gravity ii. apply Newton’s law of
(v) variation of g on the earth’s surface universal gravitation;
(iv) distinction between mass and weight iii. give examples of conservative and non-
(v) escape velocity conservative fields;
(vi) parking orbit and weightlessness iv. deduce the expression for gravitational
field potentials;
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 Candidates should be able to:

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

(b) principles of moments

iii. use Lami’s theorem to solve problems; iv.
(i) moment of a force
analyse the principle of moment of a
(ii) simple treatment and moment of a couple force;
(torgue) 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; viii.
under the action of parallel and nonparallel resolve forces into two perpendicular
forces directions;
(i) resolution and composition of forces in two ix. determine the resultant and equilibrant
perpendicular directions, of forces;
(ii) resultant and equilibrant x. differentiate between stable, unstable and
neutral equilibra.
(d) centre of gravity and stability
(i) stable, unstable and neutral equilibra

6. (a) Work, Energy and Power Candidates should be able to:

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

Candidates should be able to:

i. itemize the sources of energy ii.
distinguish between renewable and non-
(b) Energy and society
renewable energy, examples should be
(i) sources of energy
given

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(ii) renewable and non-renewable energy eg

coal, crude oil etc
(iii) uses of energy

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(iv) energy and development

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(v ) energy diversification vi) environmental iii. identify methods of energy transition iv.
( impact of energy eg global warming, green explain the importance of energy in the
house effect and spillage development of the society
( vii) energy crises viii) conversion of v. analyze the effect of energy use to the
( energy ix) devices used in energy environment
( production. vi. identify the impact of energy on the
environment
vii. identify energy sources that are friendly
or hazardous to the 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
(d) x. state different forms of
nuclear energy energy conversion.
(e)
solar energy

(i) solar collector

(ii) solar panel for energy supply.

7.
Friction
(i) static and dynamic friction Candidates should be able to:
(ii) coefficient of limiting friction and its i. differentiate between static and dynamic
determination. friction
(iii) advantages and disadvantages of ii.determine the coefficient of limiting
friction friction;
(iv) reduction of friction iii.compare the advantages and
(v) qualitative treatment of viscosity and disadvantages of
terminal velocity. friction;
(vi) Stoke’s law. iv. suggest ways by which friction can be
reduced;
v. analyse factors that affect viscosity and
terminal velocity;
vi. apply Stoke’s law.

8. Candidates should be able to:

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

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i. interpret force-extension curves;

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9. Elasticity
(i) elastic limit, yield point, breaking point,
Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus

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(ii) the spring balance as a device for measuring ii. interpret Hooke’s law and Young’s
force modulus of a material;
(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
(i) work done per unit volume in springs and
elastic strings.
Candidates should be able to:
10. Pressure i. recognize the S.I units of pressure; (Pa)
(a) Atmospheric Pressure ii. identify pressure measuring instruments;
(i) definition of atmospheric pressure iii. relate the variation of pressure to height;
(ii) units of pressure (S.I) units (Pa) iv. use a barometer as an altimeter.
(iii) measurement of pressure (iv) simple v. determine the relationship between
mercury barometer, aneroid barometer and pressure,
manometer. (v) variation of pressure with height depth and density;
(vi) the use of barometer as an altimeter. vi apply the principle of transmission of
pressure
(b) Pressure in liquids in liquids to solve problems;
(i) the relationship between pressure, depth and vii. determine and apply the principle of
density (P = gh) pressure in liquid;
(ii) transmission of pressure in liquids (Pascal’s
Principle)
(iii) application

11. Liquids At Rest Candidates should be able to:

(i) determination of density of solids and liquids i. distinguish between density and relative
(ii) definition of relative density density of substances;
(iii) upthrust on a body immersed in a liquid ii. determine the upthrust on a body
(iv) Archimede’s principle and law of floatation and immersed in a liquid
applications, e.g. ships and hydrometers. iii. apply Archimedes’ principle and law of
floatation to solve problems

12. Temperature and Its Measurement Candidates should be able to:

(i) concept of temperature i. identify thermometric properties of
(ii) thermometric properties materials that are used for different
(iii) calibration of thermometers thermometers;
(iv) temperature scales –Celsius and Kelvin. ii. calibrate thermometers;
(v) types of thermometers iii. differentiate between temperature scales
(vi) conversion from one scale of temperature to e.g
another Celsius and Kelvin.
iv. compare the types of thermometers; vi.

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convert from one scale of temperature to

another.

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13. Thermal Expansion Candidates should be able to:

(a) Solids
(i) definition and determination of linear, volume i. determine linear and volume
and area expansivities expansivities;
(ii) effects and applications, e.g. expansion in ii. assess the effects and applications of
building strips and railway lines thermal expansivities
(ix) relationship between different expansivities iii. determine the relationship between
different expansivities.
(b) Liquids
(i) volume expansivity iv. determine volume, apparent, and real
(ii) real and apparent expansivities expansivities of liquids;
(iii) determination of volume expansivity v. analyse the anomalous expansion of
(iv) anomalous expansion of water water.

Candidates should be able to: i.

14. Gas Laws
interpret the gas laws;
(i) Boyle’s law (isothermal process) ii. use expression of these laws to solve
numerical problems. iii. interprete Van der
(ii) Charle’s law (isobaric process) waal equation for one mole of a real gas
(iii) Pressure law (volumetric process

(iv) absolute zero of temperature

(v) general gas quation

PV
( = constant )
T

(vi) ideal gas equation Eg Pv = nRT

(vii) Van der waal gas
Candidates should be able to:

15. Quantity of Heat i. differentiate between heat capacity and

specific heat capacity;
(i) heat as a form of energy ii. determine heat capacity and specific heat
capacity using simple methods; iii. solve
(ii) definition of heat capacity and specific heat
numerical problems.
capacity of solids and liquids

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(iii) determination of heat capacity and specific heat

capacity of substances by simple methods e.g
method of mixtures and

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TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

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electrical method and Newton’s law of

cooling

16. Change of State Candidates should be able to:

(i) latent heat i. differentiate between latent heat and
(ii) specific latent heats of fusion and specific latent heats of fusion and
vaporization; vaporization;
(iii) melting, evaporation and boiling ii. differentiate between
(iv) the influence of pressure and of dissolved melting,
substances on boiling and melting points. evaporation and boiling;
(ii) application in appliances iii. examine the effects of pressure and of
dissolved substance on boiling and
melting points.
iv. solve numerical problems
17. Vapours
(i) unsaturated and saturated vapours
(ii) relationship between saturated vapour pressure Candidates should be able to:
(S.V.P) and boiling i. distinguish between saturated and
(iii) determination of S.V.P by barometer tube unsaturated
method vapours;
(iv) formation of dew, mist, fog, and rain ii. relate saturated vapour pressure to
(v) study of dew point, humidity and relative boiling point;
humidity iii. determine S.V.P by barometer tube
(vi) hygrometry; estimation of the humidity of the method
atmosphere using wet and dry bulb iv. differentiate between dew point, humidity
hygrometers. and
relative humidity; vi. estimate the
humidity of the atmosphere using wet and
dry bulb hygrometers. vii. solve numerical
problems
18. Structure of Matter and Kinetic Theory
Candidates should be able to:
(a) Molecular nature of matter
i. differentiate between atoms
(i) atoms and molecules
and molecules;
(ii) molecular theory: explanation of Brownian ii. use molecular theory to
motion, diffusion, surface
explain
tension, capillarity, adhesion, cohesion and
angles of contact etc Brownian motion , diffusion, surface,
(iii) examples and applications. tension, capillarity, adhesion, cohesion and
angle of contact;
iii. examine the assumptions of kinetic
(b) Kinetic Theory theory;
(i) assumptions of the kinetic theory iv. interpret kinetic theory, the pressure
exerted by

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gases Boyle’s law, Charle’s law

melting,boiling vaporization, change in

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(ii) using the theory to explain the pressure exerted

by gas, Boyle’s law, Charles’ law, melting,
boiling, vapourization, change in

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temperature, evaporation, etc. temperature,

evaporation, etc.

19. Heat Transfer Candidates should be able to:

(i) conduction, convection and radiation as modes i. differentiate between conduction,
of heat transfer convection and radiation as modes of
(ii) temperature gradient, thermal conductivity and heat transfer;
heat flux ii. solve problems on temperature gradient,
(iii) effect of the nature of the surface on the energy thermal
radiated and absorbed by it. conductivity and heat flux;
(iv) the conductivities of common materials. iii. assess the effect of the nature of the
(v) the thermos flask surface on the energy radiated and
(vii) land and sea breeze absorbed by it;
(viii) engines iv. compare the conductivities of common
materials;
v. relate the component part of the working
of the thermos flask;
vi. differentiate between land and sea
breeze. vii. to analyse the principles of
operating internal combustion jet
engines, rockets

Candidates should be able to:

20. Waves i. interpret wave motion;
(a) Production and Propagation ii. identify vibrating systems as sources of
(i) wave motion, waves;
(ii) vibrating systems as source of waves iii use waves as a mode of energy transfer;
(iii) waves as mode of energy transfer iv distinguish between particle motion and
(iv) distinction between particle motion and wave wave
motion motion;
(v) relationship between frequency, wavelength v. relate frequency and wave length to
and wave velocity (V=f λ) wave velocity;
(vi) phase difference, wave number and wave vi. determine phase difference, wave
vector number and wave vector
(vii) progressive wave equation e.g vii. use the progressive wave equation to
2 compute basic wave parameters;

vt
viii. differentiate between mechanical and
Y = A sin electromagnetic waves;
ix. differentiate between longitudinal and
(b) Classification transverse waves
(i) types of waves; mechanical and x. distinguish between stationary and
electromagnetic waves progressive waves;

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(ii) longitudinal and transverse waves

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(iii) stationary and progressive waves

(iv) examples of waves from springs, ropes,

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

(c) Characteristics/Properties vii. differentiate between

(i) reflection, refraction, diffraction and plane reflection, refraction, diffraction
Polarization and plane polarization of waves;
(ii) superposition of waves e.g interference viii. analyse the principle of superposition
(iii) beats of waves.
ix. solve numerical problems on waves
(iv) doppler effects (qualitative treatment only)
x. explain the phenomenon of beat, beat
frequency and uses
xi. explain Doppler effect of sound and
application

Candidates should be able to:

i. determine the need for a material medium
21. Propagation of Sound Waves in the
(i) the necessity for a material medium propagation of sound waves;
(ii) speed of sound in solids, liquids and air; ii. compare the speed of sound in solids,
(iii) reflection of sound; echoes, reverberation and liquids and air;
their applications iii. relate the effects of temperature and
(iv) disadvantages of echoes and reverberations pressure to the speed of sound in air;
iv. solve problem on echoes, reverberation
and speed
iv. compare the disadvantages and
advantages of echoes. vi. solve problems on
echo, reverberation and speed of sound

Candidates should be able to:

i. differentiate between noise and musical
22. Characteristics of Sound Waves notes;
(i) noise and musical notes ii. analyse quality, pitch, intensity and
(ii) quality, pitch, intensity and loudness and their loudness of sound notes;
application to musical instruments; iii. evaluate the application of (ii) above in
(iii) simple treatment of overtones produced by the construction of musical instruments;
vibrating strings and their columns iv. identify overtones by vibrating stings and
air columns;
v. itemize acoustical examples of
1T resonance;
Fo= ( m/) vi. determine the frequencies of notes
2L emitted by air columns in open and closed
pipes in relation to their lengths.
(iv) acoustic examples of resonance
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(v) frequency of a note emitted by air columns

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in closed and open pipes in relation to their

lengths.

23. Light Energy Candidates should be able to:

(a) Sources of Light: i. compare the natural and artificial sources
(i) natural and artificial sources of of light;
light ii. differentiate between luminous and non
(ii) luminous and non-luminous luminous objects;
objects iii. relate the speed, frequency and
wavelength of
(b) Propagation of light light;
(i) speed, frequency and iv. interpret the formation of shadows and
wavelength of light eclipses;
(ii) formation of shadows and v. solve problems using the principle of
eclipse (iii) the pin-hole operation of a pin-hole camera.
camera.
Candidates should be able to:
i. interpret the laws of reflection; ii.
illustrate the formation of images by
24. Reflection of Light at Plane and Curved plane,
Surfaces concave and convex mirrors;
(i) laws of reflection. iii. apply the mirror formula to solve optical
(ii) application of reflection of light problems; iv. determine the linear
(iii) formation of images by plane, concave and magnification;
convex mirrors and ray diagrams v. apply the laws of reflection of light to the
(iii) use of the mirror formula working of periscope, kaleidoscope and
11 the sextant.
1
f u v
Candidates should be able to:
(v) linear magnification i. interpret the laws of reflection; ii.
determine the refractive index of glass and
liquid using Snell’s law;
25. Refraction of Light Through at Plane and iii. determine the refractive index using the
Curved Surfaces principle of real and apparent depth;
(i) explanation of refraction in terms of velocity of iv. determine the conditions necessary for
light in the media. total internal reflection;
(ii) laws of refraction v. examine the use of periscope, prism,
(iii) definition of refractive index of a medium binoculars, optical fibre;
(iv) determination of refractive index of glass and vi. apply the principles of total internal
liquid using Snell’s law reflection to the formation of mirage;
(v) real and apparent depth and lateral
displacement

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(vi) critical angle and total internal reflection vii. use of lens formula and ray diagrams to
solve optical numerical problems; viii.
(b) Glass Prism determine the magnification of an

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(i) use of the minimum deviation formula

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image;
ix. calculate the refractive index of a glass
prism using minimum deviation formula.
2
sin A D

U=
sin A2

(ii) type of lenses

(iii) use of lens formula

111 and Newton’s formular (F2 =
ab) f u v

(iv) magnification
Candidates should be able to:
26. Optical Instruments i. apply the principles of operation of
(i) the principles of microscopes, telescopes, optical instruments to solve problems;
projectors, cameras and the human eye ii. distinguish between the human eye and
(physiological details of the eye are not the cameras;
required)
iii. calculate the power of a lens; iv.
evaluate the angular magnification of
(ii) power of a lens
optical instruments;
(iii) angular magnification v. determine the near and far points; vi.
(iv) near and far points detect sight defects and their corrections.
(v) sight defects and their corrections

Candidates should be able to:

27. (a) dispersion of light and colours i. identify primary colours and obtain
(i) dispersion of white light by a triangular prism secondary
(ii) production of pure spectrum colours by mixing; ii. understand the
(iii) colour mixing by addition and subtraction (iv)formation of rainbow iii. deduces why
colour of objects and colour filters objects have colours; iv. relate the
(v)rainbow expression for gravitational force between
two bodies;
v. apply Newton’s law of
(b)electgromagnetic spectrum universal
(i) description of sources and uses of various gravitation;
types of radiation. vi. analyse colours using colour filters
vii. analyse the electromagnetic spectrum in
relation to their wavelengths, sources,
detection and uses

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28. Electrostatics
(i) existence of positive and negative charges in
matter
(ii) charging a body by friction, contact and Candidates should be able to: i.
induction identify charges; ii. examine uses of
(iii) electroscope an electroscope;
(iv) Coulomb’s inverse square law, electric field iii. apply Coulomb’s square law of
and potential electrostatics to solve problems;
(v) electric field intensity and potential difference
iv. deduce expressions for electric field
(vi) electric discharge and lightning
intensity and potential difference;
v. identify electric field flux patterns of
isolated and interacting charges; vi.
analyse the distribution of charges on
a
conductor and how it is used in
29. Capacitors lightening conductors.
(i) Types and functions of capacitors
(ii) parallel plate capacitors
(iii) capacitance of a capacitor
(iv) the relationship between capacitance, area
separation of plates and medium between the Candidates should be able to:
plates. i. determine uses of capacitors; ii. analyse
parallel plate capacitors; iii. determine the
EA capacitance of a capacitor;
C= d iv. analyse the factors that affect the
capacitance of a capacitor;
(v) capacitors in series and parallel v. solve problems involving the arrangement
(vi) energy stored in a capacitor of capacitor;
vi. determine the energy stored in capacitors
30. Electric Cells

(i) simple voltaic cell and its defects;

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

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31. Current Electricity

(i) electromagnetic force (emf), potential
difference (p.d.), current, internal resistance
of a cell and lost Volt Candidates should be able to:
(ii) Ohm’s law i. differentiate between emf, p.d., current
(iii) measurement of resistance and internal resistant of a cell;
(iv) meter bridge ii. apply Ohm’s law to solve problems; iii.
(v) resistance in series and in parallel and their use metre bridge to calculate resistance;
combination iv. compute effective total resistance of
(vi) the potentiometer method of measuring emf, both
current and internal resistance of a cell. (v) parallel and series arrangement of
electrical networks resistors;
v. determine the resistivity and the
conductivity of a conductor;
vi. measure emf. current and internal
resistance of a cell using the
potentiometer.
vii. identify the advantages of
the potentiometer
viii. apply kirchoff’s law in electrical
32. Electrical Energy and Power networks
(i) concepts of electrical energy and power (ii)
commercial unit of electric energy and power
(iii) electric power transmission Candidates should be able to:
(v) heating effects of electric current. i. apply the expressions of electrical
(vi) electrical wiring of houses energy and power to solve problems;
(vii) use of fuses ii. analyse how power is transmitted from
the power station to the consumer;
iii. identify the heating effects of current
and its uses;
iv. identify the advantages of parallel
arrangement over series
33. Magnets and Magnetic Fields v. determine the fuse rating
(i) natural and artificial magnets
(ii) magnetic properties of soft iron and steel
(iii) methods of making magnets and Candidates should be able to:
demagnetization i. give examples of natural and artificial
(iv) concept of magnetic field magnets
(v) magnetic field of a permanent magnet ii. differentiate between the magnetic
(vi) magnetic field round a straight current properties of soft iron and steel;
carrying conductor, circular wire and solenoid iii. identify the various methods of making
magnets and demagnetizing magnets;
iv. describe how to keep a magnet from
losing its magnetism;

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(vii) properties of the earth’s magnetic field; north

and south poles, magnetic meridian and angle
of dip and declination

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v. determine the flux pattern exhibited when

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(viii) flux and flux density two magnets are placed together pole to
(ix) variation of magnetic field intensity over the pole;
earth’s surface vi. determine the flux of a current carrying
conductor, circular wire and solenoid
(x) applications: earth’s magnetic field in
navigation and mineral exploration.
including the polarity of the solenoid;
vii. determine the flux pattern of a magnet
placed in the earth’s magnetic fields;
viii. identify the magnetic elements of the
earth’s flux;
ix. determine the variation
of earth’s magnetic
field on the earth’s surface;
x. examine the applications of the earth’s
magnetic field.
34. Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor in
a
Magnetic Field
(i) quantitative treatment of force between two
parallel current-carrying conductors Candidates should be able to:
(ii) force on a charge moving in a magnetic field; i. determine the direction of force on a
current carrying conductor using
(iii) the d. c. motor
(iv) electromagnets Fleming’s left-hand rule; ii. interpret the
attractive and repulsive forces
(v) carbon microphone
between two parallel current-carrying
(vi) moving coil and moving iron instruments
conductors using diagrams;
(vii) conversion of galvanometers to ammeters
iii. determine the relationship between the
and voltmeter using shunts and multipliers
force, magnetic field strength, velocity
(viii) sensitivity of a galvanometer
and the angle through which the charge
enters the field;
iv. interpret the working of the d. c. motor;
v. analyse the principle of electromagnets
and give examples of its application;
vi. compare moving iron and moving coil
instruments;
vii. convert a galvanometer into an ammeter
or a voltmeter.
viii. identify the factors affecting the
35. (a) Electromagnetic Induction sensitivity of a galvanometer
(i) Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic induction (ii) Candidates should be able to:
factors affecting induced emf
i. interpret the laws of electromagnetic
induction;

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(iii) Lenz’s law as an illustration of the principle ii. identify factors affecting induced emf;
of conservation of energy

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(iv) a.c. and d.c generators iii. recognize how Lenz’s law illustrates the
(v) transformers principle of conservation of energy; iv.
(vi) the induction coil interpret the diagrammatic set up of A.
C. generators;
(b) Inductance v. identify the types of transformer; vi.
(i) explanation of inductance examine principles of operation of
(ii) unit of inductance transformers;
vii. assess the functions of an induction coil;
(iii) energy stored in an inductor
viii. draw some conclusions from the
E principles of operation of an induction coil;
L ix. interpret the inductance of an inductor;
x. recognize units of inductance;
(iv) application/uses of inductors xi. calculate the effective total inductance in
series and parallel arrangement;
xii. deduce the expression for the energy
(ix) Eddy Current
stored in an inductor;
(i) reduction of eddy current xiii. examine the applications of inductors;
(ii) applications of eddy current xiv. describe the method by which eddy
current losses can be reduced. xv.
determine ways by which eddy currents
can be used.

Candidates should be able to:

i. identify a.c. current and d.c. voltage ii.
differentiate between the peak and r.m.s.
36. Simple A. C. Circuits values of a.c.;
(i) explanation of a.c. current and voltage iii. determine the phase difference between
current and voltage
(ii) peak and r.m.s. values
iv. interpret series R-L-C circuits; v.
(iii) a.c. source connected to a resistor;
analyse vector diagrams;
(iv) a.c source connected to a capacitor- capacitive
reactance vi. calculate the effective voltage, reactance
and impedance;
(v) a.c source connected to an inductor
vii. recognize the condition by which the
inductive reactance
circuit is at resonance;
(vi) series R-L-C circuits
viii. determine the resonant frequency of
(vii) vector diagram, phase angle and power factor
R-L-C arrangement; ix. determine the
(viii) resistance and impedance (ix) effective instantaneous power, average power and the
voltage in an R-L-C circuits power factor in a. c. circuits
(x) resonance and resonance frequency
1
F0 =
2 LC
Candidates should be able to:

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37. Conduction of Electricity Through

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(a) liquids

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i. distinguish between electrolytes and

(i) electrolytes and non-electrolyte (ii) non- electrolytes;
concept of electrolysis ii. analyse the processes of electrolysis
(iii) Faraday’s laws of electrolysis iii. apply Faraday’s laws of electrolysis to
solve problems;
(iv) application of electrolysis, e.g electroplating,
calibration of ammeter etc.

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

38. Elementary Modern Physics

(i) models of the atom and their limitations Candidates should be able to:
(ii) elementary structure of the atom; i. identify the models of the atom and write
(iii) energy levels and spectra their limitations;
ii. describe elementary structure of the atom;
(iv) thermionic and photoelectric emissions; (v)
iii. differentiate between the energy levels
Einstein’s equation and stopping potential
and spectra of atoms;
(vi) applications of thermionic emissions and iv. compare thermionic emission and
photoelectric effects photoelectric emission;
(vii) simple method of production of x-rays v. apply Einstein’s equation to solve
(viii) properties and applications of alpha, beta and problems of photoelectric effect.
gamma rays vi. calculate the stopping potential; vii. relate
(xiii) half-life and decay constant some application of thermionic emission
(xiv) simple ideas of production of energy by and photoelectric effects;
fusion and fission viii. interpret the process involved in the
(xv) binding energy, mass defect and Einstein’s production of x-rays. ix identify some
Energy equation properties and applications of x-rays
x. analyse elementary radioactivity xi.
[∆E = ∆Mc2] distinguish between stable and unstable
nuclei; xii. identify isotopes of an element;
(xvi) wave-particle paradox (duality of matter) xiii. compare the properties of alpha, beta
and gamma rays;
(xvii) electron diffraction
xiv. relate half-life and decay constant of a
(xviii) the uncertainty principle
radioactive element;
xv. determine the binding energy, mass
defect and Einstein’s energy equation; xvi.
analyse wave particle duality; xvii. solve
some numerical problems based on the
uncertainty principle and wave –

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particle duality

39. Introductory Electronics

(i) distinction between metals, semiconductors Candidates should be able to:
and insulators (elementary knowledge of band i. differentiate between conductors, semi-
gap is required) conductors and insulators;
(ii) intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors; ii. distinguish between intrinsic and
(iii) uses of semiconductors and diodes in extrinsic semiconductors;
rectification and transistors in amplification iii. distinguish between electron and hole
(iv) n-type and p-type semiconductors carriers;
(v) elementary knowledge of diodes and iv. distinguish between n-type and p-type
transistors semiconductor;
v. analyse diodes and transistor vi. relate
diodes to rectification and transistor to
amplification.

RECOMMENDED TEXTS

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

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 Physics

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

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

Nelson M. and Parker … (1989) Advance Level Physics, (Sixth Edition) Heinemann

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

Olumuyionwa A. and Ogunkoya O. O (1992) Comprehensive Certificate Physics, Ibadan:

University Press Plc.

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