JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Physics 2009
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2009 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

Which of the following is a fundamental physical quantity?

A. Velocity
B. Mass
C. Force
D. Work
Explanation

Mass is a fundamental physical quantity, measured in kilograms, as it is not derived from other quantities, unlike velocity, force, or work, which are derived.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

Two cars moving in the same direction have speeds of 100 kmh⁻¹ and 130 kmh⁻¹. What is the velocity of the faster car as measured by an observer in the slower car?

A. 130 kmh⁻¹
B. 230 kmh⁻¹
C. 200 kmh⁻¹
D. 30 kmh⁻¹
Explanation

Relative velocity is the difference in speeds: 130 kmh⁻¹ - 100 kmh⁻¹ = 30 kmh⁻¹.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The diagram above shows a velocity-time graph. The statement that is true about this motion is that, the car

A. decelerates between points F and H
B. accelerates between points F and G
C. has a constant speed between points E and F
D. has no acceleration between point F and G
Explanation

The positive slope between points F and G on the velocity-time graph indicates acceleration.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

A stone and a feather are dropped from the same height above the earth surface. Ignoring air resistance, which of the following is correct?

A. The stone and feather will both reach the ground at the same time
B. The stone will reach the ground first
C. The feather will reach the ground first
D. The feather will be blown away by the wind while stone will drop steadily
Explanation

In the absence of air resistance, all objects fall at the same rate regardless of mass, reaching the ground simultaneously.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

A car moves with an initial velocity of 25 ms⁻¹ and reaches a velocity of 45 ms⁻¹ in 10 s. What is the acceleration of the car?

A. 5 ms⁻²
B. 25 ms⁻²
C. 20 ms⁻²
D. 2 ms⁻²
Explanation

Acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time = (45 - 25) / 10 = 2 ms⁻².

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

An object is weighed at different locations on the earth. What will be the right observation?

A. Both the mass and weight vary
B. The weight is constant while the mass varies
C. The mass is constant while the weight varies
D. Both the mass and weight are constant
Explanation

Mass remains constant as it is intrinsic, while weight varies with gravitational field strength at different locations.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The diagram above represents balls in an undulating surface. Which of the following options represents positions of stable equilibrium?

A. II, V and VIII
B. I, II and VII
C. III, VI and IX
D. III, IV and VII
Explanation

Stable equilibrium occurs at the lowest points where the ball rests naturally: positions II, V, and VIII.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

A bob of weight 0.1 N hangs from a massless string of length 50 cm. A variable horizontal force which increases from zero is applied to pull the bob until the string makes an angle of 60° with the vertical. The work done is

A. 0.250 J
B. 0.025 J
C. 0.050 J
D. 0.500 J
Explanation

Work done = weight × vertical displacement = 0.1 × 0.5 × (1 - cos60°) = 0.1 × 0.5 × 0.5 = 0.050 J.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The surfaces of conveyor belts are made rough so as to

A. prevent the load from slipping
B. make them stronger
C. enable them to carry more load
D. protect them while carrying load
Explanation

Rough surfaces increase friction, preventing loads from slipping during transport.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

A machine of velocity ratio 6 requires an effort of 400 N to raise a load of 800 N through 1 m. Find the efficiency of the machine

A. 50%
B. 22.2%
C. 33.3%
D. 55.6%
Explanation

Efficiency = (mechanical advantage / velocity ratio) × 100 = (800 / 400) / 6 × 100 = 33.3%.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

If a wire 30 cm long is extended to 30.5 cm by a force of 300 N. Find the strain energy of the wire

A. 7.500 J
B. 750.000 J
C. 75.00 J
D. 0.75 J
Explanation

Strain energy = 0.5 × force × extension = 0.5 × 300 × 0.005 = 0.75 J.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

In a hydraulic press, the pump piston exerts a pressure of 100 Pa on the liquid. What force is exerted in the second piston of cross-sectional area 3 m²?

A. 300 N
B. 100 N
C. 150 N
D. 200 N
Explanation

Force = pressure × area = 100 × 3 = 300 N.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The accurate measurement of the relative density of a substance in its powdered form is done with a

A. eureka can
B. burette
C. pipette
D. density bottle
Explanation

A density bottle is used to precisely measure the relative density of powdered substances.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

A hydrometer is an instrument used in measuring

A. density of liquid
B. relative density of a liquid
C. relative humidity of a liquid
D. vapour pressure of a fluid
Explanation

A hydrometer measures the relative density of a liquid by comparing its density to that of water.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

One special advantage of alcohol over mercury as a thermometric liquid is its

A. low freezing point
B. low boiling point
C. high specific heat capacity
D. low density
Explanation

Alcohol’s low freezing point allows it to remain liquid at lower temperatures, making it suitable for cold environments.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

Two metals P and Q of lengths l₁ and l₂ are heated through the same temperature difference. If the ratio of the linear expansivities of P to Q is 2:3 and the ratio of their lengths is 3:4. What is the ratio of increase in lengths of P to Q?

A. 5:7
B. 2:1
C. 1:2
D. 7:5
Explanation

Increase in length ∝ expansivity × length; ratio = (2/3) × (3/4) = 1/2, so P:Q = 2:1.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

A liquid has a mass of 4000 kg when its volume is 5 m³. What is its density?

A. 800 kgm⁻³
B. 2000 kgm⁻³
C. 400 kgm⁻³
D. 1000 kgm⁻³
Explanation

Density = mass / volume = 4000 / 5 = 800 kgm⁻³.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

Heat is radiated by all hot objects in the form of

A. light energy
B. solar energy
C. infrared ray
D. x-rays
Explanation

Hot objects emit heat primarily as infrared rays, a form of electromagnetic radiation.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

If a container is filled with ice to the brim, what happens to the level of water when the ice completely melts?

A. The water in the glass outflows
B. The level of water drops
C. The level of water remains unchanged
D. The level of water goes up
Explanation

Ice displaces its equivalent volume of water; when it melts, the water level remains unchanged.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The small droplet of water that forms on the grass in the early hours of the morning is

A. dew
B. mist
C. fog
D. hail
Explanation

Dew forms when water vapor condenses on cool surfaces like grass overnight.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

A vapour is said to be saturated when

A. a dynamic equilibrium exists such that more molecules return to the liquid than are leaving it
B. the vapour pressure is atmospheric
C. the temperature of the vapour varies
D. a dynamic equilibrium exists between liquid molecules and the vapour molecules
Explanation

A saturated vapour is in dynamic equilibrium, where the rate of evaporation equals the rate of condensation.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The pressure of one mole of an ideal gas of volume 10⁻² m³ at a temperature of 27°C is [Molar gas constant = 8.3 Jmol⁻¹K⁻¹]

A. 2.24 x 10⁴ Nm⁻²
B. 2.24 x 10⁵ Nm⁻¹
C. 2.49 x 10⁵ Nm⁻¹
D. 2.49 x 10⁴ Nm⁻¹
Explanation

Using PV = nRT, P = (1 × 8.3 × 300) / 0.01 = 2.49 × 10⁵ Nm⁻².

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

Which of the following has no effect on radiation?

A. density
B. temperature
C. surface area
D. nature of the surface
Explanation

Density does not directly influence the rate of thermal radiation, unlike temperature, surface area, or surface properties.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The wavelength of a wave travelling with a velocity of 420 ms⁻¹ is 42 m. What is its period?

A. 1.0 s
B. 0.1 s
C. 0.5 s
D. 1.2 s
Explanation

Period = wavelength / velocity = 42 / 420 = 0.1 s.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The sound of an electric bell dies down slowly when air is slowly pumped out from a bottle because

A. sound cannot pass through the bottle
B. sound can pass through a vacuum
C. sound needs a medium
D. the wavelength of sound becomes greater in the bottle
Explanation

Sound requires a medium like air to propagate; removing air creates a vacuum, stopping sound transmission.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

During a thunderstorm, the sound is heard over a long time. This phenomenon is referred to as

A. reflection of sound
B. reverberation
C. superposition
D. diffraction of sound
Explanation

Reverberation occurs when thunder sound echoes multiple times, prolonging the sound.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The velocity of sound in air at 16°C is 340 ms⁻¹. What will it be when the pressure is doubled and its temperature is raised to 127°C?

A. 4000 ms⁻¹
B. 160,000 ms⁻¹
C. 8,000 ms⁻¹
D. 400 ms⁻¹
Explanation

Velocity ∝ √T; v = 340 × √(400 / 289) ≈ 340 × 1.176 = 400 ms⁻¹.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

In comparing the camera and the human eye, the film of the camera functions as the

A. iris
B. pupil
C. cornea
D. retina
Explanation

The film in a camera captures light to form an image, similar to the retina in the human eye.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

An object 4 cm high is placed 15 cm from a concave mirror of focal length 5 cm. The size of the image is

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

Using 1/v + 1/u = 1/f, 1/v + 1/15 = 1/5; v = 7.5 cm. Magnification = v/u = 7.5/15 = 0.5. Image height = 4 × 0.5 = 2 cm.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

An object is placed 20 cm below the surface of a liquid with a refractive index of 1.33. What is the apparent depth of the object?

A. 15.04 cm
B. 26.60 cm
C. 10.00 cm
D. 20.00 cm
Explanation

Apparent depth = real depth / refractive index = 20 / 1.33 ≈ 15.04 cm.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

Which of the following is used for the correction of short-sightedness?

A. Concave lens
B. Concave mirror
C. Convex mirror
D. Convex lens
Explanation

Concave lenses diverge light to correct short-sightedness, allowing distant objects to focus on the retina.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

Dispersion occurs when white light passes through a glass prism because of the

A. different speeds of the colours in the glass
B. high density of the glass
C. defects in the glass
D. different hidden colours in the glass
Explanation

Different colors of light travel at different speeds in glass, causing dispersion as they refract at different angles.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

When a positively charged rod is brought nearer the cap of a positively charged electroscope, the leaves diverge will

A. converge
B. remain constant
C. diverge
D. be induced
Explanation

Like charges repel, causing the positively charged leaves to diverge further.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

Three capacitors of capacitance, 2 µF, 4 µF and 8 µF are connected in parallel and a p.d of 6 V is maintained across each capacitor, the total energy stored is

A. 6.90 x 10⁻⁶ J
B. 6.90 x 10⁻⁴ J
C. 2.52 x 10⁻⁴ J
D. 2.52 x 10⁻⁶ J
Explanation

Total capacitance = 2 + 4 + 8 = 14 µF. Energy = 0.5 × C × V² = 0.5 × 14 × 10⁻⁶ × 6² = 2.52 × 10⁻⁴ J.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The diagram above shows a balanced metre bridge the value of x is

A. 66.7 cm
B. 25.0 cm
C. 33.3 cm
D. 75.0 cm
Explanation

For a balanced meter bridge, 8 / (100 - x) = 4 / x; solving gives x = 33.3 cm.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

Three 4 Ω resistors connected in parallel have a potential difference of 16 V applied across them. What is the total current in the circuit?

A. 12 A
B. 8 A
C. 10 A
D. 14 A
Explanation

Equivalent resistance = 4 / 3 Ω. Total current = V / R = 16 / (4/3) = 12 A.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

A galvanometer with full-scale deflection of 10 mA is to be converted to a voltmeter with full-scale deflection of 5 V. If a series resistance of 498 Ω is used for the conversion, the resistance of the galvanometer is

A. 2 Ω
B. 10 Ω
C. 5 Ω
D. 1 Ω
Explanation

Total resistance = V / I = 5 / 0.01 = 500 Ω. Galvanometer resistance = 500 - 498 = 2 Ω.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The force experienced by a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field is used in the operation of a

A. moving coil galvanometer
B. transformer
C. capacitor
D. diode
Explanation

A moving coil galvanometer operates based on the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field, causing deflection.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

Which of the following is a unit of magnetic flux?

A. Tesla
B. Ampere
C. Weber
D. Gauss
Explanation

The unit of magnetic flux is the weber, measuring the total magnetic field passing through a given area.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2009

The primary coil of a transformer has 200 turns and the secondary coil has 800 turns. If the input voltage is 120 V, what is the output voltage?

A. 30 V
B. 120 V
C. 480 V
D. 960 V
Explanation

Using the transformer equation, V_s / V_p = N_s / N_p, where V_p = 120 V, N_p = 200, and N_s = 800. Thus, V_s = (800 / 200) × 120 = 480 V.

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