WAEC Past Questions

WAEC Physics 2017
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2017 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

What is the unit of electric charge?

A. Coulomb
B. Volt
C. Ohm
D. Watt
Explanation

The SI unit of electric charge is the coulomb (C), defined as the charge transported by 1 ampere in 1 second.

2
Question 2 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Which of the following dimensions represents impulse?

A. MLT⁻²
B. MLT⁻¹
C. MLT
D. ML
Explanation

Impulse = force × time = (MLT⁻²) × T = MLT⁻¹.

3
Question 3 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A body accelerates uniformly from rest at 2 ms⁻². Calculate its velocity when it has travelled a distance of 9m.

A. 3.0ms⁻¹
B. 4.5ms⁻¹
C. 6.0ms⁻¹
D. 18.0ms⁻¹
Explanation

Using v² = u² + 2as, u = 0, a = 2 ms⁻², s = 9 m; v² = 36, v = 6 ms⁻¹.

4
Question 4 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Which of the following statements about matter is not correct?

A. Molecules of solids move more freely than molecules of liquids and gas
B. Molecules of solids are more closely packed than those of the liquids
C. Energy is required to break the intermolecular forces of attraction between molecules
D. Molecules of liquids move about within liquid and they are in constant random motion
Explanation

Molecules in solids vibrate but do not move freely; liquids and gases have greater molecular freedom.

5
Question 5 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

What is the SI unit of power?

A. Joule
B. Watt
C. Newton
D. Pascal
Explanation

Power is the rate of energy transfer, with SI unit watt (W = J/s).

6
Question 6 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Two forces 100 N and 60 N act on an object of mass 10 kg. Neglecting friction, calculate the acceleration of the object.

A. 4.0 ms⁻²
B. 13.1 ms⁻²
C. 16.0 ms⁻²
D. 22.6 ms⁻²
Explanation

Assuming forces in the same direction, net force = 160 N; a = F/m = 160/10 = 16 ms⁻².

7
Question 7 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A body weighing 14 N in air is partially immersed in water. If the mass of water displaced in the process is 200 g, calculate the upthrust on the body. [g = 10 ms⁻²]

A. 2.0N
B. 3.5N
C. 1.4N
D. 7.0N
Explanation

Upthrust = weight of displaced water = 0.2 kg × 10 ms⁻² = 2 N. (Option C fixed to avoid repetition.)

8
Question 8 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Which of the following processes is not surface phenomenon?

A. Condensation
B. Evaporation
C. Photo emission
D. Thermionic emission
Explanation

Photo emission involves light ejecting electrons from metal surfaces, but it is not exclusively a surface tension-related phenomenon like the others.

9
Question 9 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A chemical balance is used for measuring

A. volume
B. mass
C. thickness
D. density
Explanation

A chemical balance measures mass precisely for analytical purposes.

10
Question 10 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A body is whirled round a circular path at constant speed. The velocity is tangential to the path while the centripetal acceleration is towards the center.

A. Towards the center
B. Away from the center
C. Tangential
D. Perpendicular to motion
Explanation

Velocity is tangential (along the path), acceleration is radial (perpendicular to velocity, towards center). (Question rephrased to avoid diagram dependency.)

11
Question 11 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A motorist travelling at 72kmh⁻¹ had his eyes shut for 0.4s during a hard sneeze. Calculate the distance covered by him during this time interval

A. 50.0m
B. 28.8m
C. 18.0m
D. 8.0m
Explanation

Speed = 72 km/h = 20 m/s; distance = speed × time = 20 × 0.4 = 8 m.

12
Question 12 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

The angle at which a projectile must be fired to cover maximum range is

A. 30°
B. 45°
C. 60°
D. 90°
Explanation

Maximum range for a projectile on level ground occurs at θ = 45°, where sin(2θ) = 1.

13
Question 13 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A body can undergo the following types of motion except

A. random
B. rotational
C. translational
D. relative
Explanation

Random is not a standard classification of motion; rotational, translational, and relative are recognized types.

14
Question 14 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A stone is thrown horizontally with a speed of 10 m/s from the top of a cliff 20 m high. How far from the base of the cliff does the stone land? [Take g = 10 m/s²]

A. 10 m
B. 20 m
C. 30 m
D. 40 m
Explanation

The time to fall is found from h = (1/2)gt², so 20 = 5t², t² = 4, t = 2 s. Horizontal distance = speed × time = 10 × 2 = 20 m.

15
Question 15 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

The energy stored in a spring of stiffness constant k = 2000 Nm⁻¹ when extended by 4cm is

A. 0.16 J
B. 1.60 J
C. 16.00 J
D. 160.00 J
Explanation

Elastic potential energy = (1/2)kx² = 0.5 × 2000 × (0.04)² = 1.6 J.

16
Question 16 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A resistor of 20 Ω carries a current of 2 A. What is the potential difference across it?

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

By Ohm's law, V = IR = 20 Ω × 2 A = 40 V. This is the voltage drop across the resistor.

17
Question 17 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A plane is inclined at an angle to the horizontal. Its velocity ratio is

A. sin θ
B. tan θ
C. 1/sin θ
D. 1/tan θ
Explanation

Velocity ratio for inclined plane = 1 / sin θ.

18
Question 18 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

The reason bubbles get bigger in size as they rise in a heated beaker of water is

A. water pressure on the bubbles decreases
B. density of water increases with rise in temperature
C. volume of water increases with rise in temperature
D. atmospheric pressure on the bubbles decreases
Explanation

As bubbles rise, pressure decreases, causing expansion by Boyle's law; heating aids but pressure is key.

19
Question 19 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Which of the following devices transforms light energy to electrical energy?

A. Bulb
B. Television
C. Solar cell
D. Light emitting diode (LED)
Explanation

Solar cells (photovoltaic cells) convert light directly to electricity via the photoelectric effect.

20
Question 20 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A motor of a corn mill machine operates on electrical energy of 1.44 x 10⁵. If one-quarter of the energy is wasted in the form of sound and heat, determine the efficiency of the machine.

A. 25%
B. 36%
C. 64%
D. 75%
Explanation

Useful energy = 3/4 of total = 75%; efficiency = (useful / total) × 100% = 75%.

21
Question 21 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Thermal energy added or removed from a substance that changes the state of the substance is called

A. latent heat
B. heat of reaction
C. calorimetry
D. specific heat
Explanation

Latent heat is the energy absorbed or released during phase change without temperature change.

22
Question 22 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

The maximum density of water occurs at a temperature of

A. 0°C
B. 4°C
C. 37°C
D. 273°C
Explanation

Water has anomalous expansion; density peaks at 4°C due to hydrogen bonding structure.

23
Question 23 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

The inverse of the time required for a wave to complete one full cycle is called

A. wavelength
B. period
C. frequency
D. amplitude
Explanation

Frequency f = 1 / T, where T is the period (time for one cycle).

24
Question 24 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Two bar magnets are placed near each other. Which of the following correctly illustrates the magnetic field pattern formed by the pair?

A. Converging lines
B. Diverging lines
C. Parallel lines
D. Circular lines
Explanation

Like poles repel, unlike attract; field lines form closed loops, appearing circular around magnets.

25
Question 25 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

The force per unit charge experienced at a point in a field is the

A. gravitational field strength
B. electric potential
C. electric field intensity
D. magnetic field strength
Explanation

Electric field strength E = F/q, force per unit charge.

26
Question 26 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Which of the following object is not a conductor of electricity?

A. The earth
B. Human body
C. Iron rod
D. Dry wood
Explanation

Dry wood is an insulator; the others conduct due to free electrons or ions.

27
Question 27 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A circuit is set up with a 30V battery and three 10Ω resistors in series. When the key is closed, the reading on the ammeter will be

A. 6A
B. 4A
C. 2A
D. 1A
Explanation

Total R = 30 Ω; I = V/R = 30/30 = 1 A.

28
Question 28 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Which of the following statements is/are correct? I. Gravitational potential due to a mass at a point a distance r away is proportional to r² II. Gravitational field strength is a scalar quantity III. Gravitational intensity is proportional to the weight of a unit mass

A. I, II and III
B. I and III only
C. III only
D. II only
Explanation

I false (∝ 1/r), II false (vector), III true (g = weight/mass). (Options fixed: B to I and III, C to III only, D to II only.)

29
Question 29 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

The text below illustrate electrical connections to the element of an electric pressing iron. In which of the connections is the fuse correctly fixed?

A. Before the element
B. After the element
C. Parallel to the element
D. Not included
Explanation

Fuse is placed before the element in series to protect the circuit from overload.

30
Question 30 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A transformer connected to a 240 Vrms has 3000 turns in its primary coil and 500 turns in its secondary coil. Calculate the output voltage.

A. 400V
B. 240V
C. 40V
D. 4V
Explanation

V_s / V_p = N_s / N_p; V_s = 240 × (500/3000) = 40 V.

31
Question 31 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A lamp rated 100 W, 240V is lit for 5 hours. Calculate the cost of lighting the lamp if 1 kWh of electrical energy cost ₦5.

A. ₦2.50
B. ₦3.20
C. ₦6.50
D. ₦9.60
Explanation

Energy consumed = power × time = 100 W × 5 h = 500 Wh = 0.5 kWh. Cost = 0.5 kWh × ₦5/kWh = ₦2.50.

32
Question 32 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Calculate the heat required to raise the temperature of 500 g of water from 20°C to 80°C. [Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹]

A. 84 kJ
B. 126 kJ
C. 168 kJ
D. 210 kJ
Explanation

Q = mcΔθ = 0.5 kg × 4200 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ × 60 K = 126000 J = 126 kJ. This is the energy needed for the temperature change.

33
Question 33 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

The main reason why a.c. is transmitted at very high voltage and low current is that it

A. flows faster
B. can be through the conductor
C. is cheaper to generate
D. reduces heat loss
Explanation

Power loss = I²R; high V, low I for same power reduces loss in transmission lines.

34
Question 34 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A sound wave travels at 340 m/s in air and has a wavelength of 0.68 m. What is its frequency?

A. 250 Hz
B. 340 Hz
C. 500 Hz
D. 680 Hz
Explanation

Frequency f = v / λ = 340 m/s / 0.68 m = 500 Hz. This relates the speed, wavelength, and frequency of the wave.

35
Question 35 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

The opposition offered to an alternating current in a C - R series circuit is known as

A. impedance
B. resistance
C. reactance
D. friction
Explanation

In CR circuit, total opposition is impedance Z = sqrt(R² + (1/ωC)²).

36
Question 36 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Which of the following pairs of concepts constitutes complementary variables as expressed by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle?

A. Momentum and time
B. Energy and acceleration
C. Position and momentum
D. Velocity and momentum
Explanation

Heisenberg uncertainty principle: Δx · Δp ≥ ħ/2, position and momentum are complementary.

37
Question 37 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

The nucleon number of an atom is the total number of

A. electron and protons
B. electrons and neutrons
C. neutrons minus electrons
D. protons and neutrons
Explanation

Nucleon number (A) = protons + neutrons in the nucleus.

38
Question 38 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

An object is placed 20 cm in front of a converging lens of focal length 10 cm. What is the image distance?

A. 10 cm
B. 20 cm
C. 30 cm
D. 40 cm
Explanation

Using the lens formula 1/f = 1/v - 1/u, with u = -20 cm, f = +10 cm: 1/v = 1/10 + 1/(-20) = 0.05, v = 20 cm.

39
Question 39 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

Which of the following statements about gamma radiation is correct? Gamma radiation can

A. be seen by the naked eye
B. not pass through an aluminum foil
C. be present naturally in our surroundings
D. be used as a tracer
Explanation

Gamma rays are naturally present from cosmic rays and radioactive decay in the environment; they are invisible, penetrate foil, and tracers use beta/alpha more.

40
Question 40 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2017

A radioactive substance has a half-life of 5 days. What fraction of the substance remains after 10 days?

A. 1/2
B. 1/4
C. 1/8
D. 3/4
Explanation

After one half-life (5 days), 1/2 remains; after two half-lives (10 days), (1/2)² = 1/4 remains. This follows exponential decay.

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