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
Venier calipers Micrometer and volume;
Screw-guage, measuring cylinder ii. use different measuring
instruments;
iii. determine the lengths, surface
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
(c) Time balance;
(i) unit of time
(ii) time-measuring devices vi. identify the unit of time;
vii. use different time-measuring

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(d) Fundamental physical quantities devices;

viii. relate the fundamental physical

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

(h) Measurement, position, distance and

displacement
(i) concept of displacement Candidates should be able to:
(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
ii. note the degree 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.
2. Scalars and Vectors

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(i) definition of scalar and vector quantities

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

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

(c) causes of motion

(d) Types of force ii. solve numerical problem on collinear

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

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ix. interpret distance-time graph and

(f) Projectiles: velocity-time graph;
(i) calculation of range, maximum height x. compute instantaneous velocity and
and time of flight from the ground and acceleration
a height
(ii) applications of projectile motion
xi. establish expressions for the range,
(g) Newton’s laws of motion: maximum height and time of flight of
(i) inertia, mass and force projectiles;
(ii) relationship between mass and xii. solve problems involving projectile
acceleration motion;
(iii) impulse and momentum
(iv) force – time graph xiii. solve numerical problems involving
(v) conservation of linear momentum impulse and momentum;
(Coefficient of restitution not xiv. interpretation of area under force –
necessary) time graph
xv. interpret Newton’s laws of motion;
xvi. compare inertia, mass and force;
(h) Motion in a circle: xvii. deduce the relationship between
(i) angular velocity and angular mass and acceleration;
acceleration
(ii) centripetal and centrifugal forces.
(iii) applications
xviii. interpret the law of conservation of
(i) Simple Harmonic Motion (S.H.M): linear momentum and application
(i) definition and explanation of simple xix. establish expression for angular
harmonic motion velocity, angular acceleration and
(ii) examples of systems that execute centripetal force;
S.H.M
(iii) period, frequency and amplitude of
S.H.M xx. solve numerical problems involving
(iv) velocity and acceleration of S.H.M motion in a circle;
(v) simple treatment of energy change in xxi. establish the relationship between
S.H.M period and frequency;
(vi) force vibration and resonance xxii. analyse the energy changes
(simple treatment) occurring during S.H.M
xxiii. identify different types of forced
vibration
4 Gravitational field xxiv. enumerate applications of
(i) Newton’s law of universal gravitation resonance.
(ii) gravitational potential

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(iii) conservative and non-conservative

fields Candidates should be able to:
(iv) acceleration due to gravity i. identify the expression for gravitational
(v) variation of g on the earth’s surface force between two bodies;
(iv) distinction between mass and ii. apply Newton’s law of universal
weight gravitation;
(v) escape velocity iii. give examples of conservative and non-
(vi) parking orbit and weightlessness conservative fields;
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

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
(iii) Lami’s theorem coplanar forces to solve problems;
ii. use triangle and polygon laws of forces to
(b) principles of moments solve equilibrium problems;
(i) moment of a force
(ii) simple treatment and moment of a couple
(torgue) iii. use Lami’s theorem to solve problems;
(iii) applications iv. analyse the principle of moment of a
force;
v. determine moment of a force and
(c) conditions for equilibrium of rigid bodies couple;
under the action of parallel and non- vi. describe some applications of moment
parallel forces of a force and couple;
(i) resolution and composition of forces in vii. apply the conditions for the equilibrium
two perpendicular directions, of rigid bodies to solve problems;
(ii) resultant and equilibrant viii. resolve forces into two perpendicular
directions;
(d) centre of gravity and stability ix. determine the resultant and equilibrant
(i) stable, unstable and neutral equilibra of forces;
x. differentiate between stable, unstable
and neutral equilibra.

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6. (a) Work, Energy and Power

(i) definition of work, energy and power
(ii) forms of energy
(vii) conservation of energy
(iv) qualitative treatment between different Candidates should be able to:
forms of energy i. differentiate between work, energy and
(viii) interpretation of area under the force- power;
distance curve ii. compare different forms of energy,
giving examples;
iii. apply the principle of conservation of
energy;
iv. examine the transformation between
different
forms of energy;
v. interpret the area under the force –
(b) Energy and society distance curve.
(i) sources of energy vi. solve numerical problems in work,
(ii) renewable and non-renewable energy eg energy and power.
coal, crude oil etc
(iii) uses of energy Candidates should be able to:
(iv) energy and development i. itemize the sources of energy
(v) energy diversification ii. distinguish between renewable and non-
(vi) environmental impact of energy eg global renewable energy, examples should be
warming, green house effect and spillage given
(vii) energy crises iii. identify methods of energy transition
(viii) conversion of energy iv. explain the importance of energy in the
(ix) devices used in energy production. development of the society
v. analyze the effect of energy use to the
environment
(c) Dams and energy production vi. identify the impact of energy on the
environment
(i) location of dams vii. identify energy sources that are friendly
(ii) energy production or hazardous to the environment
viii. identify energy uses in their immediate
(d) nuclear energy environment
ix. suggests ways of safe energy use
(e) solar energy
x. state different forms of energy
(i) solar collector conversion.
(ii) solar panel for energy supply.

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7. Friction
(i) static and dynamic friction
(ii) coefficient of limiting friction and its
determination.
(iii) advantages and disadvantages of friction
(iv) reduction of friction Candidates should be able to:
(v) qualitative treatment of viscosity and i. differentiate between static and dynamic
terminal velocity. friction
(vi) Stoke’s law. ii.determine the coefficient of limiting
friction;
iii.compare the advantages and
disadvantages of
friction;
iv. suggest ways by which friction can be
reduced;
8. Simple Machines v. analyse factors that affect viscosity and
(i) definition of simple machines terminal velocity;
(ii) types of machines vi. apply Stoke’s law.
(iii) mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and
efficiency of machines Candidates should be able to:
i. identify different types of simple
9. Elasticity machines;
(i) elastic limit, yield point, breaking point, ii. solve problems involving simple
Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus machines.
(ii) the spring balance as a device for measuring
force Candidates should be able to:
(iii.) work done per unit volume in springs and i. interpret force-extension curves;
elastic strings ii. interpret Hooke’s law and Young’s
modulus of a material;
(i) 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
10. Pressure
(a) Atmospheric Pressure
(i) definition of atmospheric pressure Candidates should be able to:
(ii) units of pressure (S.I) units (Pa) i. recognize the S.I units of pressure; (Pa)
(iii) measurement of pressure ii. identify pressure measuring
(iv) simple mercury barometer, instruments;
aneroid barometer and manometer. iii. relate the variation of pressure to
(v) variation of pressure with height height;

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(vi) the use of barometer as an altimeter. iv. use a barometer as an altimeter.

v. determine the relationship between
(b) Pressure in liquids pressure,
(i) the relationship between pressure, depth depth and density;
and density (P = ρgh) vi apply the principle of transmission of
(ii) transmission of pressure in liquids (Pascal’s pressure
Principle) in liquids to solve problems;
(iii) application vii. determine and apply the principle of
pressure in liquid;
11. Liquids At Rest
(i) determination of density of solids and liquids
(ii) definition of relative density
(iii) upthrust on a body immersed in a liquid
(iv) Archimede’s principle and law of floatation Candidates should be able to:
and applications, e.g. ships and hydrometers. i. distinguish between density and relative
density of substances;
ii. determine the upthrust on a body
immersed in a liquid
iii. apply Archimedes’ principle and law of
12. Temperature and Its Measurement floatation to solve problems
(i) concept of temperature
(ii) thermometric properties
(iii) calibration of thermometers
(iv) temperature scales –Celsius and Kelvin. Candidates should be able to:
(v) types of thermometers i. identify thermometric properties of
(vi) conversion from one scale of temperature to materials that are used for different
another thermometers;
ii. calibrate thermometers;
iii. differentiate between temperature
scales e.g
Celsius and Kelvin.
iv. compare the types of thermometers;
vi. convert from one scale of temperature
13. Thermal Expansion to
(a) Solids another.
(i) definition and determination of linear,
volume and area expansivities
(ii) effects and applications, e.g. expansion in
building strips and railway lines
(ix) relationship between different expansivities Candidates should be able to:

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(b) Liquids i. determine linear and volume

(i) volume expansivity expansivities;
(ii) real and apparent expansivities ii. assess the effects and applications of
(iii) determination of volume expansivity thermal expansivities
(iv) anomalous expansion of water iii. determine the relationship between
different expansivities.

14. Gas Laws iv. determine volume, apparent, and real

(i) Boyle’s law (isothermal process) expansivities of liquids;
v. analyse the anomalous expansion of
(ii) Charle’s law (isobaric process) water.
(iii) Pressure law (volumetric process

(iv) absolute zero of temperature Candidates should be able to:

i. interpret the gas laws;
(v) general gas quation ii. use expression of these laws to solve
PV numerical problems.
( = constant )
T iii. interprete Van der waal equation for
one mole of a real gas
(vi) ideal gas equation
Eg Pv = nRT
(vii) Van der waal gas

15. Quantity of Heat

(i) heat as a form of energy

(ii) definition of heat capacity and specific heat
capacity of solids and liquids
(iii) determination of heat capacity and specific
heat capacity of substances by simple Candidates should be able to:
methods e.g method of mixtures and
electrical method and Newton’s law of i. differentiate between heat capacity and
cooling specific heat capacity;
ii. determine heat capacity and specific
heat
16. Change of State capacity using simple methods;
(i) latent heat iii. solve numerical problems.
(ii) specific latent heats of fusion and
vaporization;

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(iii) melting, evaporation and boiling

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

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19. Heat Transfer iv. interpret kinetic theory, the pressure

(i) conduction, convection and radiation as exerted by
modes of heat transfer gases Boyle’s law, Charle’s law
(ii) temperature gradient, thermal conductivity melting,boiling vaporization, change in
and heat flux temperature,
(iii) effect of the nature of the surface on the evaporation, etc.
energy radiated and absorbed by it.
(iv) the conductivities of common materials.
(v) the thermos flask Candidates should be able to:
(vii) land and sea breeze i. differentiate between conduction,
(viii) engines convection and radiation as modes of
heat transfer;
ii. solve problems on temperature
gradient, thermal
conductivity and heat flux;
iii. assess the effect of the nature of the
surface on the energy radiated and
absorbed by it;
iv. compare the conductivities of common
20. Waves materials;
(a) Production and Propagation v. relate the component part of the
(i) wave motion, working of the thermos flask;
(ii) vibrating systems as source of waves vi. differentiate between land and sea
(iii) waves as mode of energy transfer breeze.
(iv) distinction between particle motion and vii. to analyse the principles of operating
wave motion internal combustion jet engines, rockets
(v) relationship between frequency, wavelength
and wave velocity (V=f λ) Candidates should be able to:
(vi) phase difference, wave number and wave i. interpret wave motion;
vector ii. identify vibrating systems as sources of
(vii) progressive wave equation e.g waves;
2π iii use waves as a mode of energy transfer;
Y = A sin (vt ± ×) iv distinguish between particle motion and
λ
wave
(b) Classification motion;
(i) types of waves; mechanical and v. relate frequency and wave length to
electromagnetic waves wave
(ii) longitudinal and transverse waves velocity;
(iii) stationary and progressive waves vi. determine phase difference, wave
(iv) examples of waves from springs, ropes, number and wave vector
vii. use the progressive wave equation to

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stretched strings and the ripple tank. compute basic wave parameters;

viii. differentiate between mechanical and

(c) Characteristics/Properties electromagnetic waves;
(i) reflection, refraction, diffraction and ix. differentiate between longitudinal and
plane Polarization transverse waves
(ii) superposition of waves e.g interference x. distinguish between stationary and
(iii) beats progressive waves;
(iv) doppler effects (qualitative treatment xi. indicate the example of waves generated
only) from springs, ropes, stretched strings
and the ripple tank;

vii. differentiate between reflection,

refraction, diffraction and plane
polarization of waves;
viii. analyse the principle of
superposition of waves.
21. Propagation of Sound Waves ix. solve numerical problems on waves
(i) the necessity for a material medium x. explain the phenomenon of beat,
(ii) speed of sound in solids, liquids and air; beat frequency and uses
(iii) reflection of sound; echoes, reverberation xi. explain Doppler effect of sound and
and their applications application
(iv) disadvantages of echoes and
reverberations
Candidates should be able to:
i. determine the need for a material
medium in the
propagation of sound waves;
ii. compare the speed of sound in solids,
liquids and air;
iii. relate the effects of temperature and
pressure to the speed of sound in air;
22. Characteristics of Sound Waves iv. solve problem on echoes, reverberation
(i) noise and musical notes and speed
(ii) quality, pitch, intensity and loudness and iv. compare the disadvantages and
their application to musical instruments; advantages of echoes.
(iii) simple treatment of overtones produced by vi. solve problems on echo, reverberation
vibrating strings and their columns and speed of sound

Candidates should be able to:

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1 T i. differentiate between noise and musical

Fo= ( µ = m / ) notes;
2L µ
ii. analyse quality, pitch, intensity and
loudness of sound notes;
(iv) acoustic examples of resonance
iii. evaluate the application of (ii) above in
(v) frequency of a note emitted by air columns
the construction of musical
in closed and open pipes in relation to their
instruments;
lengths.
iv. identify overtones by vibrating stings
and air columns;
v. itemize acoustical examples of
23. Light Energy
resonance;
(a) Sources of Light:
vi. determine the frequencies of notes
(i) natural and artificial sources of light
emitted by air columns in open and
(ii) luminous and non-luminous objects
closed pipes in relation to their lengths.
(b) Propagation of light
(i) speed, frequency and wavelength of
light
(ii) formation of shadows and eclipse
Candidates should be able to:
(iii) the pin-hole camera.
i. compare the natural and artificial
sources of light;
ii. differentiate between luminous and non
luminous objects;
24. Reflection of Light at Plane and Curved
iii. relate the speed, frequency and
Surfaces
wavelength of
(i) laws of reflection.
light;
(ii) application of reflection of light
iv. interpret the formation of shadows and
(iii) formation of images by plane, concave and
eclipses;
convex mirrors and ray diagrams
v. solve problems using the principle of
(iii) use of the mirror formula
operation of a pin-hole camera.
1 1 1
= +
f u v Candidates should be able to:
i. interpret the laws of reflection;
(v) linear magnification ii. illustrate the formation of images by
plane,
concave and convex mirrors;
25. Refraction of Light Through at Plane and iii. apply the mirror formula to solve optical
Curved Surfaces problems;
(i) explanation of refraction in terms of velocity iv. determine the linear magnification;
of light in the media. v. apply the laws of reflection of light to
(ii) laws of refraction the working of periscope, kaleidoscope

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(iii) definition of refractive index of a medium and the sextant.

(iv) determination of refractive index of glass
and liquid using Snell’s law
(v) real and apparent depth and lateral Candidates should be able to:
displacement i. interpret the laws of reflection;
(vi) critical angle and total internal reflection ii. determine the refractive index of glass
and liquid using Snell’s law;
(b) Glass Prism iii. determine the refractive index using the
(i) use of the minimum deviation formula principle of real and apparent depth;
iv. determine the conditions necessary for
 A + D total internal reflection;
sin 
U=  2  v. examine the use of periscope, prism,
binoculars, optical fibre;
 A
sin   vi. apply the principles of total internal
2 reflection to the formation of mirage;
vii. use of lens formula and ray diagrams to
(ii) type of lenses solve optical numerical problems;
viii. determine the magnification of an
(iii) use of lens formula image;
1 1 1 ix. calculate the refractive index of a glass
= + and Newton’s formular (F2 = ab)
f u v prism using minimum deviation
formula.
(iv) magnification

26. Optical Instruments

(i) the principles of microscopes, telescopes,
projectors, cameras and the human eye
(physiological details of the eye are not
required)

(ii) power of a lens

(iii) angular magnification
(iv) near and far points
(v) sight defects and their corrections

27. (a) dispersion of light and colours Candidates should be able to:
(i) dispersion of white light by a triangular i. apply the principles of operation of
prism optical
(ii) production of pure spectrum instruments to solve problems;
(iii) colour mixing by addition and subtraction ii. distinguish between the human eye and

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(iv) colour of objects and colour filters the cameras;

(v)rainbow iii. calculate the power of a lens;
iv. evaluate the angular magnification of
optical instruments;
(b)electgromagnetic spectrum v. determine the near and far points;
(i) description of sources and uses of various vi. detect sight defects and their
types of radiation. corrections.

Candidates should be able to:

i. identify primary colours and obtain
secondary
colours by mixing;
28. Electrostatics ii. understand the formation of rainbow
(i) existence of positive and negative charges iii. deduces why objects have colours;
in matter iv. relate the expression for gravitational
(ii) charging a body by friction, contact and force between two bodies;
induction v. apply Newton’s law of universal
(iii) electroscope gravitation;
(iv) Coulomb’s inverse square law, electric field vi. analyse colours using colour filters
and potential vii. analyse the electromagnetic spectrum in
(v) electric field intensity and potential relation to their wavelengths, sources,
difference detection and uses
(vi) electric discharge and lightning

Candidates should be able to:

29. Capacitors i. identify charges;
(i) Types and functions of capacitors ii. examine uses of an electroscope;
(ii) parallel plate capacitors iii. apply Coulomb’s square law of
(iii) capacitance of a capacitor electrostatics to solve problems;
(iv) the relationship between capacitance, area iv. deduce expressions for electric field
separation of plates and medium between intensity and potential difference;
the plates. v. identify electric field flux patterns of
isolated and interacting charges;
EA vi. analyse the distribution of charges on a
C=
d conductor and how it is used in
lightening conductors.

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(v) capacitors in series and parallel

(vi) energy stored in a capacitor

30. Electric Cells Candidates should be able to:

i. determine uses of capacitors;
(i) simple voltaic cell and its defects; ii. analyse parallel plate capacitors;
(ii) Daniel cell, Leclanche cell (wet and dry) iii. determine the capacitance of a
(iii) lead –acid accumulator and Nickel-Iron capacitor;
(Nife) Lithium lron and Mercury cadmium iv. analyse the factors that affect the
(iv) maintenance of cells and batteries (detail capacitance of a capacitor;
treatment of the chemistry of a cell is not v. solve problems involving the
required arrangement of capacitor;
(v) arrangement of cells vi. determine the energy stored in
(vi) Efficiency of a cell capacitors

31. Current Electricity

(i) electromagnetic force (emf), potential
difference (p.d.), current, internal resistance Candidates should be able to:
of a cell and lost Volt i. identify the defects of the simple voltaic
(ii) Ohm’s law cell and their correction
(iii) measurement of resistance ii. compare different types of cells including
(iv) meter bridge solar cell;
(v) resistance in series and in parallel and their iii. compare the advantages of lead-acid and
combination Nikel iron accumulator;
(vi) the potentiometer method of measuring iv. solve problems involving series and
emf, current and internal resistance of a parallel combination of cells.
cell.
(v) electrical networks

Candidates should be able to:

i. differentiate between emf, p.d., current
and internal resistant of a cell;
32. Electrical Energy and Power ii. apply Ohm’s law to solve problems;
(i) concepts of electrical energy and power iii. use metre bridge to calculate resistance;
(ii) commercial unit of electric energy and iv. compute effective total resistance of
power both

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(iii) electric power transmission parallel and series arrangement of

(v) heating effects of electric current. resistors;
(vi) electrical wiring of houses v. determine the resistivity and the
(vii) use of fuses conductivity of a conductor;
vi. measure emf. current and internal
resistance of a cell using the
potentiometer.
vii. identify the advantages of the
33. Magnets and Magnetic Fields potentiometer
(i) natural and artificial magnets viii. apply kirchoff’s law in electrical
(ii) magnetic properties of soft iron and steel networks
(iii) methods of making magnets and
demagnetization
(iv) concept of magnetic field Candidates should be able to:
(v) magnetic field of a permanent magnet i. apply the expressions of electrical energy
(vi) magnetic field round a straight current and power to solve problems;
carrying conductor, circular wire and ii. analyse how power is transmitted from
solenoid the power station to the consumer;
(vii) properties of the earth’s magnetic field; iii. identify the heating effects of current
north and south poles, magnetic meridian and its uses;
and angle of dip and declination iv. identify the advantages of parallel
(viii) flux and flux density arrangement over series
(ix) variation of magnetic field intensity over v. determine the fuse rating
the earth’s surface
(x) applications: earth’s magnetic field in
navigation and mineral exploration. Candidates should be able to:
i. give examples of natural and artificial
magnets
ii. differentiate between the magnetic
properties of soft iron and steel;
iii. identify the various methods of making
magnets and demagnetizing magnets;
iv. describe how to keep a magnet from
losing its magnetism;
v. determine the flux pattern exhibited
when two magnets are placed together
pole to pole;
34. Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor in a vi. determine the flux of a current carrying
Magnetic Field conductor, circular wire and solenoid
(i) quantitative treatment of force between including the polarity of the solenoid;
two parallel current-carrying conductors vii. determine the flux pattern of a magnet

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(ii) force on a charge moving in a magnetic placed in the earth’s magnetic fields;
field; viii. identify the magnetic elements of the
(iii) the d. c. motor earth’s flux;
(iv) electromagnets ix. determine the variation of earth’s
(v) carbon microphone magnetic
(vi) moving coil and moving iron instruments field on the earth’s surface;
(vii) conversion of galvanometers to x. examine the applications of the earth’s
ammeters and voltmeter using shunts magnetic
and multipliers field.
(viii) sensitivity of a galvanometer

Candidates should be able to:

i. determine the direction of force on a
current carrying conductor using
Fleming’s left-hand rule;
ii. interpret the attractive and repulsive
forces
35. (a) Electromagnetic Induction between two parallel current-carrying
(i) Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic induction conductors using diagrams;
(ii) factors affecting induced emf iii. determine the relationship between the
(iii) Lenz’s law as an illustration of the principle force, magnetic field strength, velocity
of conservation of energy and the angle through which the charge
(iv) a.c. and d.c generators enters the field;
(v) transformers iv. interpret the working of the d. c. motor;
(vi) the induction coil v. analyse the principle of electromagnets
and give examples of its application;
(b) Inductance vi. compare moving iron and moving coil
(i) explanation of inductance instruments;
(ii) unit of inductance vii. convert a galvanometer into an
(iii) energy stored in an inductor ammeter or a voltmeter.
1 2
E= I L viii. identify the factors affecting the
2
sensitivity of a galvanometer
(iv) application/uses of inductors
Candidates should be able to:
(ix) Eddy Current i. interpret the laws of electromagnetic
(i) reduction of eddy current induction;
(ii) applications of eddy current ii. identify factors affecting induced emf;
iii. recognize how Lenz’s law illustrates the
principle of conservation of energy;

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 TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

iv. interpret the diagrammatic set up of A.

C. generators;
v. identify the types of transformer;
vi. examine principles of operation of
transformers;
vii. assess the functions of an induction coil;
36. Simple A. C. Circuits viii. draw some conclusions from the
(i) explanation of a.c. current and voltage principles of operation of an induction
(ii) peak and r.m.s. values coil;
(iii) a.c. source connected to a resistor; ix. interpret the inductance of an inductor;
(iv) a.c source connected to a capacitor- x. recognize units of inductance;
capacitive reactance xi. calculate the effective total inductance
(v) a.c source connected to an inductor in series and parallel arrangement;
inductive reactance xii. deduce the expression for the energy
(vi) series R-L-C circuits stored in an inductor;
(vii) vector diagram, phase angle and power xiii. examine the applications of inductors;
factor xiv. describe the method by which eddy
(viii) resistance and impedance current losses can be reduced.
(ix) effective voltage in an R-L-C circuits xv. determine ways by which eddy
(x) resonance and resonance frequency currents can be used.
1
F0 =
2π LC Candidates should be able to:
i. identify a.c. current and d.c. voltage
ii. differentiate between the peak and
r.m.s. values of a.c.;
iii. determine the phase difference
37. Conduction of Electricity Through between current and voltage
(a) liquids iv. interpret series R-L-C circuits;
v. analyse vector diagrams;
(i) electrolytes and non-electrolyte vi. calculate the effective voltage, reactance
(ii) concept of electrolysis and impedance;
(iii) Faraday’s laws of electrolysis vii. recognize the condition by which the
(iv) application of electrolysis, e.g circuit is at resonance;
electroplating, calibration of ammeter etc. viii. determine the resonant frequency of
R-L-C arrangement;
(b) gases ix. determine the instantaneous power,
(i) discharge through gases (qualitative average power and the power factor in
treatment only) a. c. circuits
(ii) application of conduction of electricity
through gases

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 TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

38. Elementary Modern Physics Candidates should be able to:

(i) models of the atom and their limitations i. distinguish between electrolytes and non-
(ii) elementary structure of the atom; electrolytes;
(iii) energy levels and spectra ii. analyse the processes of electrolysis
(iv) thermionic and photoelectric emissions; iii. apply Faraday’s laws of electrolysis to
(v) Einstein’s equation and stopping potential solve problems;
(vi) applications of thermionic emissions and
photoelectric effects
(vii) simple method of production of x-rays
(viii) properties and applications of alpha, beta
and gamma rays iv. analyse discharge through gases;
(xiii) half-life and decay constant v. determine some applications/uses of
(xiv) simple ideas of production of energy by conduction of electricity through gases.
fusion and fission
(xv) binding energy, mass defect and Einstein’s
Energy equation Candidates should be able to:
i. identify the models of the atom and write
2
[∆E = ∆Mc ] their limitations;
ii. describe elementary structure of the
(xvi) wave-particle paradox (duality of matter) atom;
(xvii) electron diffraction iii. differentiate between the energy levels
(xviii) the uncertainty principle and spectra of atoms;
iv. compare thermionic emission and
photoelectric emission;
v. apply Einstein’s equation to solve
problems of photoelectric effect.
vi. calculate the stopping potential;
vii. relate some application of thermionic
emission and photoelectric effects;
viii. interpret the process involved in the
production of x-rays.
ix identify some properties and
applications of x-rays
x. analyse elementary radioactivity
xi. distinguish between stable and
39. Introductory Electronics unstable
(i) distinction between metals, semiconductors nuclei;
and insulators (elementary knowledge of xii. identify isotopes of an element;
band gap is required) xiii. compare the properties of alpha, beta
(ii) intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors; and gamma rays;

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 TOPICS/CONTENTS/NOTES OBJECTIVES

(iii) uses of semiconductors and diodes in xiv. relate half-life and decay constant of a
rectification and transistors in amplification radioactive element;
(iv) n-type and p-type semiconductors xv. determine the binding energy, mass
(v) elementary knowledge of diodes and defect and Einstein’s energy equation;
transistors xvi. analyse wave particle duality;
xvii. solve some numerical problems based
on the uncertainty principle and wave –
particle duality

Candidates should be able to:

i. differentiate between conductors, semi-
conductors and insulators;
ii. distinguish between intrinsic and
extrinsic semiconductors;
iii. distinguish between electron and hole
carriers;
iv. distinguish between n-type and p-type
semiconductor;
v. analyse diodes and transistor
vi. relate diodes to rectification and
transistor to amplification.

192
 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

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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