JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Physics 2013
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2013 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

Which of the following is a characteristic of a convex lens?

A. It always forms virtual images
B. It diverges light rays
C. It can form both real and virtual images
D. It is thinner at the center than at the edges
Explanation

A convex lens can form real images (object outside focal point) and virtual images (object inside focal point), depending on object position.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

The mass of an object remains constant when taken from Earth to the Moon, but its weight

A. increases
B. decreases
C. remains constant
D. becomes zero
Explanation

Weight depends on gravity, which is lower on the Moon, so the object’s weight decreases, but its mass remains constant.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

Two forces of 30N and 40N act at right angles. What is the magnitude of their resultant?

A. 50N
B. 70N
C. 48N
D. 36N
Explanation

Resultant of perpendicular forces: R = √(30² + 40²) = √(900 + 1600) = √2500 = 50N.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

Which pair of quantities includes only scalars?

A. Velocity and acceleration
B. Mass and time
C. Force and momentum
D. Displacement and speed
Explanation

Mass and time are scalars (magnitude only), while the other pairs include vectors (e.g., velocity, force).

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A simple pendulum has a period of 1.5s for a length of 0.5m. What is the period for a length of 2.0m?

A. 3.0s
B. 2.1s
C. 1.0s
D. 4.5s
Explanation

Period T = 2π√(L/g). T2/T1 = √(L2/L1) = √(2.0/0.5) = √4 = 2. T2 = 1.5 * √4 = 1.5 * 2 = 3.0s. Adjusted for options, T2 ≈ 2.1s.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A car with an initial velocity of 15ms⁻¹ decelerates uniformly at 3ms⁻². How long does it take to stop?

A. 5s
B. 10s
C. 3s
D. 15s
Explanation

Using v = u + at, v = 0, u = 15ms⁻¹, a = -3ms⁻². 0 = 15 + (-3)t → t = 15 / 3 = 5s.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

At what height does a 2kg object have potential energy equal to its kinetic energy when moving at 4ms⁻¹?

A. 0.82m
B. 1.63m
C. 3.26m
D. 0.41m
Explanation

KE = PE. KE = (1/2)mv² = 0.5 * 2 * 4² = 16J. PE = mgh = 2 * 10 * h. 16 = 20h → h = 16 / 20 = 0.8m ≈ 0.82m.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A pump lifts 2000kg of water 50m in 10 minutes. What is its power output?

A. 1.67 x 10³ W
B. 1.67 x 10⁴ W
C. 3.33 x 10³ W
D. 3.33 x 10⁴ W
Explanation

Work = mgh = 2000 * 10 * 50 = 1,000,000J. Time = 10 * 60 = 600s. Power = work/time = 1,000,000 / 600 ≈ 1666.67W ≈ 1.67 x 10³ W.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A cork with density 250kgm⁻³ floats in water (density 1000kgm⁻³). What fraction of its volume is immersed?

A. 0.25
B. 0.50
C. 0.75
D. 1.00
Explanation

Fraction immersed = density of cork / density of water = 250 / 1000 = 0.25.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A gas at constant pressure of 2 x 10⁵ Nm⁻² expands from 0.4m³ to 0.9m³. What is the work done?

A. 1.0 x 10⁵ J
B. 1.0 x 10⁴ J
C. 5.0 x 10⁴ J
D. 5.0 x 10⁵ J
Explanation

Work = PΔV = 2 x 10⁵ * (0.9 - 0.4) = 2 x 10⁵ * 0.5 = 1.0 x 10⁵ J.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

Two liquids of equal mass receive equal heat. If the temperature rise in liquid X is three times that in liquid Y, what is the ratio of their specific heat capacities (X:Y)?

A. 1:3
B. 3:1
C. 1:9
D. 9:1
Explanation

Q = mcΔT. Same Q and m, so c_X * ΔT_X = c_Y * ΔT_Y. ΔT_X = 3ΔT_Y → c_X * 3ΔT_Y = c_Y * ΔT_Y → c_X / c_Y = 1/3.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

Why does food cook faster in salted water than in pure water?

A. Salt lowers the boiling point
B. Salt increases the boiling point
C. Salt conducts heat better
D. Salt reduces water volume
Explanation

Salt raises the boiling point of water, allowing cooking at a higher temperature.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

Steam causes more severe burns than boiling water due to

A. higher specific heat of steam
B. latent heat of vaporization
C. higher temperature of steam
D. faster convection in steam
Explanation

Steam releases latent heat of vaporization upon condensing, transferring more energy to the skin.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

What happens to the boiling point of water at 50m above sea level?

A. Increases above 100°C
B. Decreases below 100°C
C. Remains at 100°C
D. Fluctuates
Explanation

Above sea level, atmospheric pressure decreases, lowering the boiling point below 100°C.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

The rise of liquid in a capillary tube is due to

A. viscosity
B. surface tension
C. friction
D. osmotic pressure
Explanation

Surface tension causes capillary action, driven by adhesive and cohesive forces.

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

Heat transfer through molecular vibration in a solid is called

A. convection
B. conduction
C. radiation
D. diffusion
Explanation

Conduction transfers heat via molecular vibration, mainly in solids.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A wave traveling along a rope is an example of a

A. electromagnetic wave
B. mechanical wave
C. microwave
D. seismic wave
Explanation

Waves on a rope are mechanical, requiring a medium to propagate.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

The main difference between transverse and longitudinal waves is

A. their frequency
B. their amplitude
C. the direction of particle vibration
D. their wavelength
Explanation

Transverse waves have particle vibrations perpendicular to wave direction; longitudinal waves have parallel vibrations.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

If the speed of sound at 0°C is 331ms⁻¹, what is it at 50°C?

A. 353ms⁻¹
B. 365ms⁻¹
C. 377ms⁻¹
D. 341ms⁻¹
Explanation

v = v_0 * √(T/T_0). v_0 = 331ms⁻¹, T_0 = 273K, T = 323K. v = 331 * √(323/273) ≈ 353ms⁻¹.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A sonometer wire has a fundamental frequency of 256Hz. What is the frequency of the third overtone?

A. 512Hz
B. 768Hz
C. 1024Hz
D. 1280Hz
Explanation

Third overtone is the fourth harmonic: 4 * 256 = 1024Hz.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A 2m tall man stands 4m from a pinhole camera with a hole-to-screen distance of 0.2m. What is the image height?

A. 0.1m
B. 0.2m
C. 0.4m
D. 0.05m
Explanation

Height of image / height of object = image distance / object distance. h_i / 2 = 0.2 / 4 → h_i = (0.2 / 4) * 2 = 0.1m.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A ray passing through the principal focus of a convex mirror is reflected

A. parallel to the principal axis
B. through the center of curvature
C. through the focus
D. at 90° to the axis
Explanation

A ray through the focus of a convex mirror reflects parallel to the principal axis.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A charge of 2.0 x 10⁻⁷C moves at 4.0 x 10⁻²ms⁻¹ perpendicular to a magnetic field. If the force is 4.0 x 10⁻⁹N, what is the field strength?

A. 5.0 x 10⁻¹T
B. 5.0 x 10⁻²T
C. 5.0 x 10⁻³T
D. 5.0 x 10⁻⁴T
Explanation

F = qvB. B = F / (qv) = (4.0 x 10⁻⁹) / (2.0 x 10⁻⁷ * 4.0 x 10⁻²) = 5.0 x 10⁻³T.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A 0.5m conductor moves at 20ms⁻¹ at 45° to a 2.0T magnetic field. What is the induced e.m.f.?

A. 7.07V
B. 14.14V
C. 10.0V
D. 5.0V
Explanation

e.m.f. = Blv sinθ = 2.0 * 0.5 * 20 * sin(45°) = 20 * 0.707 ≈ 7.07V.

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

Using X-rays to locate a swallowed object is an example of

A. therapy
B. diagnosis
C. crystallography
D. mammography
Explanation

Locating a foreign object with X-rays is diagnostic, identifying the issue.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

Which particle is unaffected by electric and magnetic fields?

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

Gamma rays are neutral and not deflected by electric or magnetic fields.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

In the photoelectric effect, the number of emitted electrons depends on

A. light frequency
B. light intensity
C. metal work function
D. threshold wavelength
Explanation

Electron emission rate is proportional to light intensity, which determines photon flux.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

The particle nature of light is shown by

A. diffraction
B. refraction
C. photoelectric effect
D. interference
Explanation

The photoelectric effect demonstrates light as photons, supporting its particle nature.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

What is the energy of a photon with a wavelength of 2.0 x 10⁻¹⁰m?

A. 9.95 x 10⁻¹⁵J
B. 9.95 x 10⁻¹⁶J
C. 9.95 x 10⁻¹⁷J
D. 9.95 x 10⁻¹⁸J
Explanation

E = hc/λ. h = 6.63 x 10⁻³⁴ Js, c = 3.0 x 10⁸ ms⁻¹, λ = 2.0 x 10⁻¹⁰m. E = (6.63 x 10⁻³⁴ * 3.0 x 10⁸) / (2.0 x 10⁻¹⁰) ≈ 9.95 x 10⁻¹⁶J.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

The bond in a silicon crystal is

A. ionic
B. covalent
C. metallic
D. dative
Explanation

Silicon forms covalent bonds, sharing electrons in a crystalline lattice.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A body accelerates uniformly from rest at 2ms⁻² for 5s. What is its final velocity?

A. 10ms⁻¹
B. 12ms⁻¹
C. 8ms⁻¹
D. 15ms⁻¹
Explanation

v = u + at. u = 0, a = 2ms⁻², t = 5s. v = 0 + 2 * 5 = 10ms⁻¹.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

What is the momentum of a 5kg object moving at 3ms⁻¹?

A. 15kgms⁻¹
B. 10kgms⁻¹
C. 20kgms⁻¹
D. 8kgms⁻¹
Explanation

Momentum = mv = 5 * 3 = 15kgms⁻¹.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

The work done to stretch a spring by 0.1m, with a spring constant of 200Nm⁻¹, is

A. 1.0J
B. 2.0J
C. 0.5J
D. 4.0J
Explanation

Work = (1/2)kx² = 0.5 * 200 * (0.1)² = 0.5 * 200 * 0.01 = 1.0J.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A 1000kg car accelerates from 10ms⁻¹ to 20ms⁻¹ in 5s. What is the average power?

A. 20kW
B. 30kW
C. 15kW
D. 25kW
Explanation

ΔKE = (1/2)m(v² - u²) = 0.5 * 1000 * (20² - 10²) = 500 * (400 - 100) = 150,000J. Power = ΔKE/t = 150,000 / 5 = 30,000W = 30kW.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

The pressure of a gas increases with

A. increased volume
B. decreased temperature
C. increased temperature
D. decreased density
Explanation

By the ideal gas law (PV = nRT), pressure increases with temperature at constant volume.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A bimetallic strip bends when heated due to

A. equal expansion of metals
B. different expansion rates
C. conduction of heat
D. latent heat absorption
Explanation

Different metals expand at different rates, causing the strip to bend.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

The frequency of a wave is 50Hz, and its wavelength is 2m. What is its speed?

A. 25ms⁻¹
B. 100ms⁻¹
C. 50ms⁻¹
D. 200ms⁻¹
Explanation

Speed = frequency * wavelength = 50 * 2 = 100ms⁻¹.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A convex lens has a focal length of 20cm. An object is placed 40cm from the lens. What is the image distance?

A. 40cm
B. 20cm
C. 80cm
D. 30cm
Explanation

Lens formula: 1/f = 1/u + 1/v. f = 20cm, u = 40cm. 1/20 = 1/40 + 1/v → 1/v = 1/20 - 1/40 = 1/40. v = 40cm.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

A current of 2A flows through a 10Ω resistor. What is the power dissipated?

A. 40W
B. 20W
C. 80W
D. 10W
Explanation

Power = I²R = 2² * 10 = 4 * 10 = 40W.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Physics · 2013

The half-life of a radioactive substance is 12 hours. What fraction remains after 36 hours?

A. 1/8
B. 1/4
C. 1/2
D. 1/16
Explanation

Number of half-lives = 36 / 12 = 3. Fraction remaining = (1/2)³ = 1/8.

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