JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Physics 2002
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2002 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

Which of the following is a vector quantity?

A. Temperature
B. Speed
C. Velocity
D. Energy
Explanation

Velocity is a vector with magnitude and direction, unlike temperature, speed, and energy, which are scalars.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A stone is dropped from a height of 45 m. How long does it take to reach the ground? (g = 10 ms^-2)

A. 2 s
B. 3 s
C. 4 s
D. 5 s
Explanation

Using s = ut + (1/2)gt^2, u = 0, s = 45 m, g = 10 ms^-2: 45 = 5t^2 → t^2 = 9 → t = 3 s.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A force of 10 N acts on a 2 kg body for 4 s. What is the change in momentum?

A. 20 kgms^-1
B. 30 kgms^-1
C. 40 kgms^-1
D. 50 kgms^-1
Explanation

Change in momentum = force × time = 10 × 4 = 40 kgms^-1.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A projectile is launched at 30° with a velocity of 20 ms^-1. What is the horizontal component of its velocity?

A. 10 ms^-1
B. 15 ms^-1
C. 17.3 ms^-1
D. 20 ms^-1
Explanation

Horizontal component = v × cos(30°) = 20 × (√3/2) ≈ 17.3 ms^-1.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A 5 kg body moves at 8 ms^-1. What is its kinetic energy?

A. 80 J
B. 160 J
C. 200 J
D. 320 J
Explanation

Kinetic energy = (1/2)mv^2 = (1/2) × 5 × 64 = 320 J.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A pulley system lifts a 600 N load with a 200 N effort. What is the mechanical advantage?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
Explanation

Mechanical advantage = load / effort = 600 / 200 = 3.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A helium-filled balloon rises because

A. helium is lighter than air
B. helium is a noble gas
C. the balloon is rubber
D. air pressure decreases with altitude
Explanation

Helium’s lower density than air creates buoyancy, causing the balloon to rise.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A liquid exerts 5000 Pa at a depth of 2 m. What is its density? (g = 10 ms^-2)

A. 250 kgm^-3
B. 500 kgm^-3
C. 750 kgm^-3
D. 1000 kgm^-3
Explanation

P = ρgh. 5000 = ρ × 10 × 2 → ρ = 5000 / 20 = 250 kgm^-3.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A gas is compressed to half its volume at constant temperature. What happens to its pressure?

A. It doubles
B. It halves
C. It remains the same
D. It quadruples
Explanation

At constant temperature, P1V1 = P2V2 (Boyle’s law). If V2 = V1/2, P2 = P1 × 2, so pressure doubles.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A metal cube of side 0.1 m is heated from 20°C to 220°C. If its linear expansivity is 2 × 10^-5 K^-1, what is the volume increase?

A. 1.2 × 10^-4 m^3
B. 2.4 × 10^-4 m^3
C. 3.6 × 10^-4 m^3
D. 4.8 × 10^-4 m^3
Explanation

γ = 3α = 3 × 2 × 10^-5 = 6 × 10^-5 K^-1. V = (0.1)^3 = 0.001 m^3. ΔV = V × γ × ΔT = 0.001 × 6 × 10^-5 × 200 = 3.6 × 10^-4 m^3.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

What is the specific heat capacity if 1500 J raises 0.5 kg of a substance by 5°C?

A. 300 Jkg^-1K^-1
B. 600 Jkg^-1K^-1
C. 900 Jkg^-1K^-1
D. 1200 Jkg^-1K^-1
Explanation

Q = mcΔT. c = Q / (mΔT) = 1500 / (0.5 × 5) = 600 Jkg^-1K^-1.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

The boiling point of water decreases when

A. pressure increases
B. pressure decreases
C. temperature increases
D. temperature decreases
Explanation

Lower pressure reduces the energy needed for boiling, decreasing the boiling point.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A wave travels at 300 ms^-1 with a frequency of 600 Hz. What is its wavelength?

A. 0.2 m
B. 0.5 m
C. 1.0 m
D. 2.0 m
Explanation

λ = v / f = 300 / 600 = 0.5 m.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

The speed of sound in air at 20°C is 343 ms^-1. What is it at 40°C?

A. 349 ms^-1
B. 355 ms^-1
C. 361 ms^-1
D. 367 ms^-1
Explanation

v ∝ √T. v2/v1 = √(313/293) ≈ 1.034. v2 = 343 × 1.034 ≈ 355 ms^-1.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A pipe closed at one end has a fundamental frequency of 170 Hz. If the speed of sound is 340 ms^-1, what is the pipe’s length?

A. 0.25 m
B. 0.50 m
C. 1.00 m
D. 2.00 m
Explanation

f = v / (4L). 170 = 340 / (4L) → 4L = 2 → L = 0.50 m.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

Which phenomenon demonstrates the particle nature of light?

A. Interference
B. Diffraction
C. Polarization
D. Photoelectric effect
Explanation

The photoelectric effect shows light as photons ejecting electrons.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

An object is 20 cm from a concave mirror with a 15 cm focal length. What is the nature of the image?

A. Virtual and upright
B. Real and inverted
C. Virtual and inverted
D. Real and upright
Explanation

1/f = 1/u + 1/v. 1/15 = 1/20 + 1/v → 1/v = 1/60 → v = 60 cm (real). Beyond focal point, image is real and inverted.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A glass prism (n = 1.5) has a 60° apex angle. What is the angle of minimum deviation?

A. 30°
B. 40°
C. 50°
D. 60°
Explanation

δ_m = (n - 1)A = (1.5 - 1) × 60 = 30°.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A charged particle (q = 2 × 10^-6 C, v = 5 ms^-1) moves at 60° to a magnetic field, experiencing a 3 × 10^-3 N force. What is the field strength?

A. 0.2 T
B. 0.3 T
C. 0.4 T
D. 0.5 T
Explanation

F = qvB sin(60°). B = F / (qv × 0.866) = (3 × 10^-3) / (2 × 10^-6 × 5 × 0.866) ≈ 0.4 T.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A wire with 2 A current in a 0.5 T field (0.1 m length, 90° angle) experiences what force?

A. 0.05 N
B. 0.10 N
C. 0.15 N
D. 0.20 N
Explanation

F = BIL sin(90°) = 0.5 × 2 × 0.1 × 1 = 0.10 N.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A transformer has 200 primary and 800 secondary turns. If the primary voltage is 50 V, what is the secondary voltage?

A. 100 V
B. 150 V
C. 200 V
D. 250 V
Explanation

Vs/Vp = Ns/Np. Vs/50 = 800/200 → Vs = 50 × 4 = 200 V.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A 12 V battery connects two resistors (4 Ω and 8 Ω) in series. What is the voltage across the 8 Ω resistor?

A. 4 V
B. 6 V
C. 8 V
D. 12 V
Explanation

Total R = 12 Ω. I = V/R = 12/12 = 1 A. Voltage across 8 Ω = 1 × 8 = 8 V.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A household uses 10 kWh in 5 hours. What is the average power consumption?

A. 1 kW
B. 2 kW
C. 3 kW
D. 4 kW
Explanation

Power = energy / time = 10 kWh / 5 h = 2 kW.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

Which is NOT a property of electromagnetic waves?

A. Travel at light speed
B. Require a medium
C. Are transverse waves
D. Can be polarized
Explanation

Electromagnetic waves propagate through a vacuum, unlike mechanical waves.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A substance with an 8-day half-life takes how long for 75% to decay?

A. 8 days
B. 16 days
C. 24 days
D. 32 days
Explanation

75% decay → 25% remains = (1/2)^2. 2 half-lives = 2 × 8 = 16 days.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

Which particle has the highest penetrating power?

A. Alpha particle
B. Beta particle
C. Gamma ray
D. Neutron
Explanation

Gamma rays, being electromagnetic, penetrate most materials easily.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A metal’s threshold wavelength is 600 nm. What is its work function? (h = 6.63 × 10^-34 Js, c = 3 × 10^8 ms^-1)

A. 2.0 × 10^-19 J
B. 3.3 × 10^-19 J
C. 4.0 × 10^-19 J
D. 5.0 × 10^-19 J
Explanation

φ = hc/λ = (6.63 × 10^-34 × 3 × 10^8) / (6 × 10^-7) ≈ 3.3 × 10^-19 J.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A neutron splits a uranium nucleus into two fragments in

A. Fusion
B. Fission
C. Beta decay
D. Alpha decay
Explanation

Fission splits a heavy nucleus into smaller fragments.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A p-n junction diode conducts easily when

A. Reverse-biased
B. Forward-biased
C. At low temperature
D. At zero voltage
Explanation

Forward bias reduces the barrier, allowing current flow.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A particle’s de Broglie wavelength is 2 × 10^-10 m, mass 9.1 × 10^-31 kg. What is its velocity? (h = 6.63 × 10^-34 Js)

A. 2.0 × 10^3 ms^-1
B. 3.0 × 10^3 ms^-1
C. 4.0 × 10^3 ms^-1
D. 5.0 × 10^3 ms^-1
Explanation

λ = h / (mv). v = h / (mλ) = (6.63 × 10^-34) / (9.1 × 10^-31 × 2 × 10^-10) ≈ 4.0 × 10^3 ms^-1.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

Which is a characteristic of X-rays?

A. Charged particles
B. Low penetrating power
C. Electromagnetic waves
D. Deflected by electric fields
Explanation

X-rays are electromagnetic waves with high penetration, not deflected by fields.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A 2 μF capacitor is charged to 100 V. What is the stored energy?

A. 0.01 J
B. 0.02 J
C. 0.03 J
D. 0.04 J
Explanation

Energy = (1/2)CV^2 = (1/2) × 2 × 10^-6 × (100)^2 = 0.02 J.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A mass of 0.5 kg oscillates with a period of 2 s. What is the spring constant? (Assume SHM)

A. 2.47 Nm^-1
B. 4.94 Nm^-1
C. 7.41 Nm^-1
D. 9.87 Nm^-1
Explanation

T = 2π√(m/k). 2 = 2π√(0.5/k) → 1/π = √(0.5/k) → k = 0.5 × π^2 ≈ 4.94 Nm^-1.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

Two charges of 4 μC and 9 μC are 0.3 m apart. What is the electric field strength at a point midway between them? (k = 9 × 10^9 Nm^2C^-2)

A. 2.0 × 10^5 NC^-1
B. 3.0 × 10^5 NC^-1
C. 4.0 × 10^5 NC^-1
D. 5.0 × 10^5 NC^-1
Explanation

E = kq/r^2. At midpoint, r = 0.15 m. E_total = E1 + E2 = (9 × 10^9 × 4 × 10^-6 / 0.15^2) + (9 × 10^9 × 9 × 10^-6 / 0.15^2) ≈ 4.0 × 10^5 NC^-1.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A source emits sound at 500 Hz, moving at 20 ms^-1 toward a stationary observer. If the speed of sound is 340 ms^-1, what frequency is observed?

A. 520 Hz
B. 530 Hz
C. 540 Hz
D. 550 Hz
Explanation

f’ = f × (v / (v - vs)) = 500 × (340 / (340 - 20)) = 500 × (340/320) ≈ 540 Hz.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A wire of length 0.5 m and cross-sectional area 2 × 10^-6 m^2 extends by 0.02 m under a 100 N force. What is Young’s modulus?

A. 1.0 × 10^10 Nm^-2
B. 2.0 × 10^10 Nm^-2
C. 3.0 × 10^10 Nm^-2
D. 4.0 × 10^10 Nm^-2
Explanation

Y = (F/A) / (ΔL/L) = (100 / 2 × 10^-6) / (0.02 / 0.5) = (5 × 10^7) / 0.04 = 2.0 × 10^10 Nm^-2.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A convex lens has a focal length of 20 cm. An object is placed 30 cm from the lens. What is the image distance?

A. 12 cm
B. 15 cm
C. 60 cm
D. 90 cm
Explanation

Using the lens formula 1/f = 1/u + 1/v: 1/20 = 1/30 + 1/v → 1/v = 1/20 - 1/30 = 1/60 → v = 60 cm.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A car accelerates uniformly from rest to 20 ms^-1 in 5 s. What is the acceleration?

A. 2 ms^-2
B. 3 ms^-2
C. 4 ms^-2
D. 5 ms^-2
Explanation

a = (v - u) / t = (20 - 0) / 5 = 4 ms^-2.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A 1000 kg car moves at 20 ms^-1. What is the work done to bring it to rest?

A. 2 × 10^5 J
B. 3 × 10^5 J
C. 4 × 10^5 J
D. 5 × 10^5 J
Explanation

Work done = initial kinetic energy = (1/2)mv^2 = (1/2) × 1000 × (20)^2 = 2 × 10^5 J.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2002

A transverse wave has an amplitude of 0.02 m and a wavelength of 4 m. What is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position?

A. 0.01 m
B. 0.02 m
C. 0.04 m
D. 0.08 m
Explanation

Maximum displacement in a transverse wave is the amplitude, which is 0.02 m.

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