WAEC Past Questions

WAEC Physics 2025
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2025 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

The dispersion of light would result in which of the following phenomena?

A. Eclipse
B. Shadow
C. Rainbow
D. Mirage
Explanation

Dispersion of light occurs when white light separates into its component colors due to different wavelengths refracting at different angles, forming a rainbow.

2
Question 2 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

The best color of shirt to be worn on a bright noon day is

A. Red
B. Black
C. Green
D. White
Explanation

White color reflects most sunlight, keeping the wearer cooler compared to darker colors that absorb more heat.

3
Question 3 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

The image formed when an object is placed between the focus and centre of a converging lens is

A. Real, inverted and magnified
B. Real, inverted and diminished
C. Erect, virtual and magnified
D. Erect, virtual and diminished
Explanation

For a converging lens, an object between F and 2F produces a real, inverted, and magnified image beyond 2F.

4
Question 4 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

For a charged body moving in an electric and magnetic crossed field, the ratio of the electric field intensity, E to the magnetic flux density, B is known as

A. Lorentz ratio
B. Charge ratio
C. Velocity selector
D. Electrochemical equivalence
Explanation

The ratio E/B gives the velocity at which the electric force balances the magnetic force, selecting particles of that speed in a velocity selector.

5
Question 5 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A note, K from a keyboard has an amplitude of 0.5cm and frequency 2000Hz. Another note, M from a guitar has an amplitude of 1.5cm and frequency 2000Hz. Which of the following statements is true if the two notes are compared?

A. K is louder than M
B. M is louder than K
C. M has a higher pitch than K
D. K and M have the same timbre
Explanation

Loudness depends on amplitude; higher amplitude (1.5cm for M) means M is louder. Same frequency means same pitch, and timbre differs due to different instruments.

6
Question 6 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A simple pendulum of length 0.8m is set oscillating on a planet. If the pendulum completes 20 oscillations in 60s, calculate the acceleration due to gravity on this planet. [π = 3.14]

A. 2.5ms⁻²
B. 3.0ms⁻²
C. 3.5ms⁻²
D. 3.8ms⁻²
Explanation

Time period T = 60s / 20 = 3s. T = 2π√(L/g), so g = 4π²L / T² = 4*(3.14)²*0.8 / 9 ≈ 3.0 ms⁻².

7
Question 7 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A liquid of mass 2kg at 61°C is kept in a lagged vessel. If another 2kg of the same liquid at 21°C is added to the liquid in the vessel, calculate the final temperature of the mixture

A. 50°C
B. 41°C
C. 30°C
D. 15°C
Explanation

Assuming no heat loss, heat lost = heat gained: 2m c (61 - θ) = 2m c (θ - 21), so θ = (61 + 21)/2 = 41°C.

8
Question 8 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

If two bodies, A and B are each in thermal equilibrium with another body C, then the three bodies are in thermal equilibrium with each other. This is the statement of

A. Zeroth law of thermodynamics
B. First law of thermodynamics
C. Second law of thermodynamics
D. Third law of thermodynamics
Explanation

The zeroth law defines temperature and thermal equilibrium transitively, allowing thermometers to work.

9
Question 9 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

What is the S.I unit of electric charge?

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

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

10
Question 10 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A body of mass 5kg falls freely from rest. Calculate the kinetic energy after 2 seconds [g = 10ms⁻²]

A. 50J
B. 100J
C. 150J
D. 200J
Explanation

Velocity after 2s, v = gt = 10*2 = 20 ms⁻¹. KE = (1/2)mv² = 0.5*5*400 = 100 J.

11
Question 11 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

The speed of light in medium A of refractive index 1.5 is 2.0 × 10⁸ms⁻¹. Determine the speed of light in medium B of refractive index 1.2

A. 1.8 × 10⁸ms⁻¹
B. 2.5 × 10⁸ms⁻¹
C. 2.7 × 10⁸ms⁻¹
D. 3.0 × 10⁸ms⁻¹
Explanation

Speed in vacuum c = n_A * v_A = 1.5 * 2.0e8 = 3.0e8 ms⁻¹. Then v_B = c / n_B = 3.0e8 / 1.2 = 2.5e8 ms⁻¹.

12
Question 12 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

The wavelength of a sound note travelling with a speed of 360ms⁻¹ is 600m. Determine the period of the note

A. 60,000s
B. 6,000s
C. 1.667s
D. 0.167s
Explanation

Period T = λ / v = 600 / 360 ≈ 1.667 s.

13
Question 13 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

In which of the following levers is the effort applied between the load and the fulcrum?

A. Pliers
B. Wheelbarrow
C. Sugar tongs
D. Table knife
Explanation

Sugar tongs are a class 3 lever where the effort is applied between the fulcrum and the load.

14
Question 14 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A current of 2A flows through a resistor of 5Ω. Calculate the power dissipated in the resistor

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

Power P = I²R = 2² * 5 = 20 W.

15
Question 15 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

Calculate the potential difference across a 10Ω resistor when a current of 0.5A flows through it

A. 2V
B. 5V
C. 10V
D. 15V
Explanation

V = IR = 0.5 * 10 = 5 V.

16
Question 16 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

Which of the statements is correct about the nucleus of an atom? I. is centrally located in the atom. II. contains the nucleons and electrons. III. is positively charged due to the protons. IV. decays when there is instability inside.

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

The nucleus is central (I), positively charged due to protons (III), and decays if unstable (IV). It contains nucleons (protons and neutrons), not electrons (II wrong).

17
Question 17 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A radioactive element of mass 16g was isolated and stored. It was discovered that after 40 days only 1g of the element remained undecayed. Calculate the half-life of the element

A. 2.5days
B. 5.0days
C. 10.0days
D. 15.0days
Explanation

From 16g to 1g is 4 half-lives (16→8→4→2→1). Time = 40 days, so half-life = 40/4 = 10 days.

18
Question 18 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

Which of the following reasons explains why the walls and ceilings of a standard concert hall are usually covered with perforated pads? To

A. increase the intensity of sound waves
B. increase the loudness of sound waves
C. reduce the effect of reverberation of sound waves
D. decrease the frequency of sound waves
Explanation

Perforated pads absorb sound waves, reducing echoes and reverberation for clearer acoustics.

19
Question 19 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A bucket of water of mass 10kg is swung in a vertical circle of radius 1.2m. While at the lowest position of the swing, its speed is 5ms⁻¹. Determine the tension in the string (g = 10ms⁻²)

A. 41.7N
B. 141.7N
C. 208.3N
D. 308.3N
Explanation

At lowest point, T - mg = mv²/r, T = mg + mv²/r = 10*10 + 10*25/1.2 = 100 + 208.3 ≈ 308.3 N.

20
Question 20 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A man's near point is 30cm. Which of the following eye defects is the man likely to suffer from?

A. Hypermetropia
B. Myopia
C. Presbyopia
D. Astigmatism
Explanation

Hypermetropia (farsightedness) has a near point farther than normal (25 cm), so 30 cm indicates hypermetropia.

21
Question 21 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

White light can be produced by a combination of I. magenta, yellow and cyan. II. red, blue and green. III. magenta and green. IV. yellow, red and green.

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

White light is produced by additive primary colors: red, green, and blue (II). The others do not combine to white.

22
Question 22 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

What is the S.I unit of power?

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

The S.I unit of power is the watt (W), which is joule per second.

23
Question 23 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

Which of the following statements about stationary wave is not true?

A. Particles between adjacent nodes vibrate out of phase with each other
B. Successive nodes or antinodes occur at intervals of half a wavelength
C. Particles between adjacent nodes vibrate in phase with each other
D. Particles between adjacent nodes have different amplitudes
Explanation

In a stationary wave, particles between adjacent nodes are out of phase (180°), not in phase.

24
Question 24 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

In a pipe closed at one end and open at the other end, the overtones that accompany the fundamental frequency are

A. odd integer multiples of the fundamental frequency
B. even integer multiples of the fundamental frequency
C. all integer multiples of the fundamental frequency
D. prime integer multiples of the fundamental frequency
Explanation

A closed pipe produces only odd harmonics (overtones) due to the boundary conditions.

25
Question 25 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A radioactive substance of mass 512.0g decays to 64.0g. Determine the number of half-life involved in the decay

A. 8
B. 6
C. 4
D. 3
Explanation

512 / 64 = 8, and 2³ = 8, so 3 half-lives.

26
Question 26 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

Two waves will interfere destructively if the path difference between the waves is

A. one wavelength
B. one-half wavelength
C. two wavelengths
D. zero
Explanation

Destructive interference occurs when path difference is an odd multiple of λ/2, such as λ/2.

27
Question 27 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A radioactive substance of mass 16g at GMT: 13:00 hour was received at a hospital. The half-life of the substance is 2 hours. Determine the fraction of the substance left after 4 hours

A. ½
B. ¼
C. 1/8
D. 1/16
Explanation

After 4 hours = 2 half-lives, fraction left = (1/2)² = 1/4.

28
Question 28 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

The mechanical advantage of a hospital bed is 1.71. Which of the following statements is correct? The effort applied

A. is less than the weight of the bed
B. is greater than the weight of the bed
C. equals the weight of the bed
D. cannot be determined
Explanation

MA = load/effort = 1.71 > 1, so effort < load (weight).

29
Question 29 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A sound from a microphone is transformed to electrical energy. The type of energy stored is

A. nuclear chemical energy
B. electrical energy
C. sound energy
D. thermal energy
Explanation

The microphone converts sound energy into electrical energy, which is then stored or transmitted.

30
Question 30 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

Calculate the velocity ratio of an inclined plane inclined at 45° to the horizontal

A. 0.71
B. 1.0
C. 1.41
D. 2.0
Explanation

VR = 1 / sinθ = 1 / sin45° = 1 / (√2/2) ≈ 1.41.

31
Question 31 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

The angle between the velocity vector and the acceleration vector for a body in uniform circular motion is

A. 45°
B. 60°
C. 90°
D. 120°
Explanation

In uniform circular motion, acceleration is centripetal, perpendicular to velocity, so 90°.

32
Question 32 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

The S.I unit of the power consumed by a system is

A. Newton
B. Coulomb
C. Watt
D. Tesla
Explanation

Power is measured in watts (W), the S.I unit for rate of energy transfer.

33
Question 33 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

The secondary coil of a transformer has more turns than the primary coil. If the number of turns in the secondary coil is 500 and the primary coil is 250, the step-up transformer is

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

Turns ratio N_s : N_p = 500 : 250 = 2:1, step-up since N_s > N_p.

34
Question 34 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

Which of the following statements is correct about the nucleus of an atom? It

A. contains electrons
B. is negatively charged
C. is positively charged
D. decays when there is stability
Explanation

The nucleus contains protons (positive charge) and neutrons, making it positively charged.

35
Question 35 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A radium nuclide decays by emitting alpha particle as shown below: ²²⁶₈₈Ra → X + ⁴₂He. Determine the daughter nuclide

A. ²²²₈₆X
B. ²²²₈₈Y
C. ²³₀₈₆X
D. ²³₀₈₈X
Explanation

Mass: 226 - 4 = 222, Atomic number: 88 - 2 = 86, so ²²²₈₆X (radon).

36
Question 36 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A bullet of mass 0.025kg moves at 250ms⁻¹. Calculate its deBroglie wavelength [h = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ Js]

A. 6.67 × 10⁻³⁸m
B. 5.34 × 10⁻³⁵m
C. 1.07 × 10⁻³⁴m
D. 2.13 × 10⁻³⁴m
Explanation

λ = h / (mv) = 6.63e-34 / (0.025 * 250) = 6.63e-34 / 6.25 ≈ 1.06 × 10⁻³⁴ m.

37
Question 37 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

An electron moving with a speed of 5.0 × 10⁵ms⁻¹ enters a uniform magnetic field at 90°. Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic force on the electron if the magnetic field intensity is 0.25T [e = 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹C]

A. 1.5 × 10⁻¹⁴N
B. 2.0 × 10⁻¹⁴N
C. 2.5 × 10⁻¹⁴N
D. 3.5 × 10⁻¹⁴N
Explanation

F = q v B sin90° = 1.6e-19 * 5.0e5 * 0.25 = 2.0 × 10⁻¹⁴ N.

38
Question 38 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A beam of light which appears to come from a point in space is said to be

A. convergent
B. divergent
C. parallel
D. circular
Explanation

A divergent beam appears to originate from a virtual point source behind the observer.

39
Question 39 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A sound wave made up of large number of unrelated frequencies superimposed on each other is called

A. harmonies
B. note
C. noise
D. pitch
Explanation

Noise consists of a random superposition of many unrelated frequencies, unlike musical notes with harmonics.

40
Question 40 of 40
WAEC · Physics · 2025

A boy pushes a box of mass 80kg along a horizontal floor with a force of 200N. If the box is pushed with a uniform velocity, what is the coefficient of friction between the box and the floor? [g = 10ms⁻²]

A. 0.25
B. 0.40
C. 0.50
D. 0.65
Explanation

For uniform velocity, F = frictional force = μ mg, so μ = F / (mg) = 200 / (80 * 10) = 0.25.

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