WAEC SSCE - Physics - 2003 (Objective)
Question 1 Report
A force acts on a body for 0.5s changing its momentum from 16.0kg ms-1 to 21.0kgms-1, calculate the magnitude of the force
Answer Details
The magnitude of the force F can be calculated using the formula:
F = Δp/Δt
where Δp is the change in momentum and Δt is the time taken for the change.
In this case, Δp = final momentum - initial momentum = 21.0 kg ms^-1 - 16.0 kg ms^-1 = 5.0 kg ms^-1
Δt = 0.5 s
Substituting these values into the formula:
F = Δp/Δt = 5.0 kg ms^-1 / 0.5 s = 10.0 N
Therefore, the magnitude of the force is 10.0 N.
Answer: 10.0N
Question 2 Report
A moving object is said to have a uniform acceleration if its
Answer Details
A moving object is said to have a uniform acceleration if its velocity increases by equal amount in equal time intervals. Uniform acceleration refers to a constant rate of change in velocity over time. This means that for every unit of time that passes, the velocity of the object changes by the same amount. For example, if an object has a uniform acceleration of 5 meters per second squared, its velocity will increase by 5 meters per second every second. This is also known as a constant acceleration, as opposed to a variable acceleration where the rate of change in velocity is not constant.
Question 3 Report
A lamp is rated 240V 60W, calculate the resistance of its filament
Answer Details
To calculate the resistance of the filament in a lamp rated 240V and 60W, we can use Ohm's Law and the formula for electrical power.
Ohm's Law states that resistance (R) is equal to voltage (V) divided by current (I), or R = V/I. The formula for electrical power (P) is given by P = IV, where I is the current in amperes.
First, we can use the formula for electrical power to find the current in the circuit. We know that the lamp is rated 60W and 240V, so we can write:
P = IV
60W = 240V x I
I = 60W / 240V
I = 0.25A
Next, we can use Ohm's Law to find the resistance of the filament:
R = V/I
R = 240V / 0.25A
R = 960Ω
Therefore, the resistance of the filament in the lamp is 960Ω.
The correct answer is (iii) 960Ω.
Question 4 Report
Which of the following condition is necessary for the occurrence of total internal reflection of light?
Answer Details
Total internal reflection occurs when light travels from a denser medium to a less dense medium, such as from water to air or from glass to air, and the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle. The critical angle is the angle of incidence that produces an angle of refraction of 90 degrees. Therefore, the correct option is: "the angle of incidence must be greater than the critical angle".
Question 5 Report
A radioactive element has a decay constant of 0.077s-1, calculate its half life
Answer Details
The decay constant (λ) of a radioactive element is defined as the probability of decay of an individual nucleus per unit time. It can be mathematically shown that the number of nuclei (N) of a radioactive element remaining after time (t) is given by: N = N0 e-λt where N0 is the initial number of nuclei. The half-life of a radioactive element is the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei to decay. Therefore, when N = 1/2 N0, we can rearrange the above equation to obtain the half-life (t1/2): t1/2 = ln2/λ Substituting the given value of the decay constant, we get: t1/2 = ln2/0.077 s-1 ≈ 9.0 s Therefore, the half-life of the radioactive element is approximately 9.0 s. Answer: 9.0s
Question 6 Report
The image which cannot be formed on a screen is said to be
Answer Details
The image which cannot be formed on a screen is said to be a virtual image.
A virtual image is an image that appears to be behind the mirror or lens and cannot be projected onto a screen. It is formed by the apparent intersection of the light rays that are reflected or refracted by a mirror or lens. The rays of light do not actually converge to a point but only appear to do so. Virtual images are always erect (upright) and are usually smaller than the object. Examples of objects that produce virtual images include mirrors, lenses, and some optical instruments such as microscopes and telescopes.
Question 8 Report
Which of the following statements is not true of the isotopes of an element? They
Answer Details
The statement that is not true of the isotopes of an element is "have the same mass number". Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same atomic number (same number of protons in the nucleus), but a different mass number (different number of neutrons in the nucleus). Therefore, isotopes have the same chemical properties, since chemical properties are determined by the number and arrangement of electrons in the atom, which is determined by the atomic number. However, because isotopes have a different number of neutrons, they may have slightly different physical properties, such as different atomic masses, densities, and radioactive properties.
Question 9 Report
Which of the following statements is true of ultra violet radiations? It
Answer Details
Ultra violet radiation is an electromagnetic wave. Electromagnetic waves include radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays. These waves have different frequencies and wavelengths, with ultraviolet radiation having a higher frequency and shorter wavelength than visible light.
Ultra violet radiation is capable of causing sunburns because it has enough energy to break the bonds of molecules in our skin, causing damage to our cells. This can lead to skin cancer and other health problems.
Therefore, the statement that is true about ultraviolet radiation is that it is an electromagnetic wave. The correct answer is.
Question 10 Report
An object is placed on the principal axis and at the centre of curvature of a concave mirror, the image of the image formed by the mirror is
Answer Details
When an object is placed at the center of curvature of a concave mirror, its image will be formed at the center of curvature itself. In this case, the image formed by the mirror will be real and inverted. Therefore, the correct answer is real and inverted.
Question 11 Report
The tendency of a body to remain at least when a force is supplied to it is called
Answer Details
The tendency of a body to remain at rest or in a state of uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force is called inertia. In simpler terms, it means that a stationary object will stay at rest, and a moving object will continue to move in a straight line unless a force is applied to it. Therefore, the correct option is "inertia."
- Impulse is the change in momentum resulting from a force applied to an object for a specific amount of time.
- Momentum is the product of an object's mass and velocity, and it describes how difficult it is to stop the object.
- Friction is a force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact.
Question 12 Report
A tuber of cassava can be processed into powder. This explains the face that
Question 14 Report
The mass on a loaded spiral spring oscillates vertically between two extreme positions P and R equidistant from the equilibrium position Q. Which of the following statements about the system is not correct
Answer Details
Question 15 Report
a metal rod of length 100cm is heated through 100oC, calculate the change in length of the rod [linear expansivity of the material of the rod is 3 x 10-6K-1]
Answer Details
The change in length of a material can be determined using the formula:
ΔL = LαΔT
where ΔL is the change in length, L is the original length of the material, α is the coefficient of linear expansion of the material, and ΔT is the change in temperature.
In this case, the length of the rod is 100cm, the coefficient of linear expansion is 3 x 10^-6 K^-1, and the change in temperature is 100oC.
Substituting these values into the formula, we have:
ΔL = (100cm)(3 x 10^-6 K^-1)(100oC)
ΔL = 0.3cm or 3mm
Therefore, the change in length of the rod is 3mm.
The answer is (B) 3mm.
Question 16 Report
Which of the following instruments gives a pure note when sounded?
Answer Details
A pure note is a sound wave of a single frequency or pitch without any harmonics. The instrument that can produce a pure note when sounded is a tuning fork. A tuning fork is a small metal object with two tines that vibrate when struck against a surface. The vibration of the tines creates a pure tone with a specific frequency, which is determined by the size, shape, and material of the tuning fork. This pure tone makes a tuning fork useful in tuning musical instruments or testing the frequency response of audio equipment.
Question 17 Report
A sonometer wire of linear density 0.08kg m-1 subjected to a tension of 800N is plucked. Calculate the speed of a pulse which moves from one end of the wire to the other
Answer Details
The speed of a pulse that moves through a wire is given by the formula: v = √(T/μ) where T is the tension in the wire and μ is the linear density of the wire. Substituting the given values into the formula, we get: v = √(800 N / 0.08 kg/m) v = √10000 m2/s2 v = 100 m/s Therefore, the speed of the pulse that moves from one end of the wire to the other is 100.0 m/s. Answer: 100.0 ms-1
Question 18 Report
A converging lens has a focal length of 5cm. Determine its power
Answer Details
Power is defined as the reciprocal of the focal length of a lens, expressed in meters and denoted by the unit dioptre (D). To convert from centimeters to meters, we divide by 100. Thus, the power of the lens is:
P = 1/f = 1/0.05m = 20 D
Therefore, the answer is +20.0.
Question 19 Report
A converging lens produces an image four times as large as an object placed 25cm from the lens. Calculate its focal length
Answer Details
Question 20 Report
The horizontal floor of a water reservoir appears to be 1.0m deep when viewed vertically from above. If the refractive index of water is 1.35, calculate the real depth of the reservoir
Question 21 Report
Nuclear fission is preferred to nuclear fusion in the generation of energy because?
Answer Details
Question 22 Report
Which of the following statement about latent heat of vaporization is correct? It
Answer Details
Question 23 Report
Which of the following pairs of rays shows the widest separation in the spectrum of white light?
Answer Details
Question 24 Report
The minimum energy required to remove an electron from an atom is known as
Answer Details
The minimum energy required to remove an electron from an atom is known as ionization energy. It is the energy needed to overcome the attractive force between the negatively charged electrons and positively charged nucleus of an atom. Once an electron is removed from the atom, the atom becomes a positively charged ion. The ionization energy varies depending on the atomic number of the element and the number of electrons in the outermost shell. The ionization energy is an important property of atoms and is used to determine their reactivity and chemical behavior.
Question 25 Report
Which of the following statements correctly defines a simple machine? a device
Answer Details
The statement that correctly defines a simple machine is: "a device with which work can be done easily".
A simple machine is a mechanical device that can change the magnitude or direction of a force, making it easier to perform work. Simple machines include the lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, wedge, and screw. By using a simple machine, the force needed to perform a task can be reduced, but the distance through which that force must be applied is increased. This trade-off allows us to apply smaller forces over longer distances to accomplish tasks that would otherwise require much greater forces over shorter distances.
Question 26 Report
A wave of weight length 0.30m travels 900m in 3.0s, calculate its frequency
Answer Details
The formula for the wave speed is given by:
wave speed = frequency x wavelength
We know that the wavelength of the wave is 0.30m, and it travels a distance of 900m in 3.0s. Therefore, the wave speed can be calculated as:
wave speed = distance/time = 900m/3.0s = 300m/s
We can then rearrange the formula to solve for the frequency:
frequency = wave speed / wavelength
Substituting the given values:
frequency = 300m/s / 0.30m = 1000 Hz
Therefore, the frequency of the wave is 1000 Hz.
Answer: 3) 1000Hz
Question 27 Report
The maximum power dissipated by a 100\(\Omega\) resistor in a circuit is 4W. Calculate the voltage across the resistor
Answer Details
The maximum power dissipated by a resistor in a circuit occurs when the resistor is operating at its maximum voltage. The power dissipated by a resistor can be calculated as:
P = V^2 / R
where P is the power in watts, V is the voltage across the resistor in volts, and R is the resistance in ohms.
In this case, the power is given as 4W and the resistance is 100Ω, so we can rearrange the formula to solve for V:
V^2 = P * R
V = sqrt(P * R)
Substituting the values given, we get:
V = sqrt(4W * 100Ω) = sqrt(400V^2) = 20V
Therefore, the voltage across the resistor is 20V.
Answer: 20V
Question 28 Report
The bar magnet illustrated in the diagram above picks up an unmagnetised steel nail X. In turn, X picks up a similar nail Y and so on. The nail are said to be magnetised by
Answer Details
The nail X is picked up by the bar magnet because of the magnetic field produced by the magnet. When nail X comes into contact with nail Y, it induces a temporary magnetism in nail Y due to the magnetic field of nail X. This temporary magnetism in nail Y allows it to attract another similar nail Z, and the process continues.
The process by which nail X magnetizes nail Y is called "induction." Induction is the process by which a magnetic field induces a magnetic field in a nearby object without physical contact. In this case, the magnetic field of nail X induces a temporary magnetic field in nail Y, making it temporarily magnetized.
Therefore, the nails are magnetized by induction. The correct answer is.
Question 29 Report
A platinum resistance thermometer has a resistance 4\(\Omega\) at 0oC and 10\(\Omega\) at 100oC. Assuming the resistance changes uniformly with temperature. Calculate the resistance of the thermometer when the temperature is 45oC.
Answer Details
The resistance of a platinum resistance thermometer changes uniformly with temperature.
Let's use the formula for the resistance-temperature relationship of a platinum resistance thermometer:
R = R₀(1 + αT)
Where R is the resistance at a given temperature T, R₀ is the resistance at 0°C (4Ω in this case), and α is the temperature coefficient of resistance of platinum.
We can find α by using the resistance values at two different temperatures, say 0°C and 100°C:
α = (R₁ - R₀) / (R₀ × ΔT)
Where ΔT is the temperature difference between the two resistance values (100°C - 0°C = 100°C), and R₁ is the resistance at the higher temperature (10Ω in this case).
α = (10Ω - 4Ω) / (4Ω × 100°C) = 0.015Ω/°C
Now we can use the formula to find the resistance at 45°C:
R = R₀(1 + αT) = 4Ω(1 + 0.015Ω/°C × 45°C) ≈ 6.7Ω
Therefore, the answer is 6.7Ω.
Question 30 Report
Which of the following factors does not affect the the electric resistance of a wire?
Answer Details
The factor that does not affect the electric resistance of a wire is "mass". Mass is not a factor that determines the resistance of a wire. The resistance of a wire is dependent on its length, cross-sectional area, temperature, and the type of material it is made of.
The length of a wire is directly proportional to its resistance; the longer the wire, the higher the resistance. The cross-sectional area of a wire is inversely proportional to its resistance; the larger the area, the lower the resistance. The temperature of a wire affects its resistance because resistance increases with temperature for most materials. Finally, different materials have different resistance properties, and that affects the resistance of the wire.
Question 31 Report
Which of the following statements about the human eye and the camera is correct?
Answer Details
Question 32 Report
A current of 10A passes through a conductor for 10s, calculate the charge flowing through the conductor
Answer Details
The charge flowing through a conductor is given by the product of current and time. The equation for charge is Q = I x t.
In this case, the current is 10A and the time is 10s, therefore:
Q = 10A x 10s = 100C
Hence, the charge flowing through the conductor is 100C.
Therefore, the correct option is (a) 100.0C.
Question 33 Report
Which of the following reactions represents nuclear fusion?
Answer Details
Nuclear fusion is a process where two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus. In the given options, the reaction that represents nuclear fusion is:
\( ^2_1H + ^2_1H \to ^3_2He + ^1_0n\)
In this reaction, two hydrogen nuclei (also called protons) combine to form a helium nucleus (also called an alpha particle) and a neutron. This is the process that occurs in the sun and other stars, where the high temperature and pressure allow nuclear fusion to take place, releasing large amounts of energy.
Question 34 Report
When the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is doubled at constant temperature, the volume of the gas is
Answer Details
According to Boyle's law, when the temperature of a fixed mass of gas is constant, the pressure and volume of the gas are inversely proportional. Therefore, if the pressure of a fixed mass of gas is doubled at constant temperature, the volume of the gas must be halved to maintain a constant temperature. This is because the gas molecules are forced to occupy a smaller volume due to the increased pressure. Therefore, the correct option is:
- halved
Question 35 Report
A positively charged glass rod is placed by near the cap of a positively charge electroscope. The divergence of the leaf is observed to
Answer Details
When a positively charged glass rod is placed near the cap of a positively charged electroscope, it will repel the positive charges in the electroscope, causing the charges to move away from the cap and towards the leaves. As a result, the leaves will experience a repulsive force and will diverge, indicating that the electroscope is charged.
If the glass rod is brought closer to the cap, the repulsive force will become stronger, causing the leaves to diverge further. Therefore, the divergence of the leaves will increase.
So the correct answer is "increase".
Question 36 Report
The heat capacity of a calorimeter is the amount of energy required to
Answer Details
The heat capacity of a calorimeter is the amount of energy required to change the temperature of the calorimeter itself. Specifically, it is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of the calorimeter by 1 Kelvin (or 1 degree Celsius).
A calorimeter is a device used to measure the heat absorbed or released during a chemical or physical change. To do this, the calorimeter must be able to measure the change in temperature of the substances inside it. However, the calorimeter itself can also absorb or release heat during the process. The heat capacity of the calorimeter takes this into account by telling us how much energy is needed to change its own temperature.
So, the correct answer is (c) change the temperature of the calorimeter.
Question 37 Report
Two identical cells each of e.m.f 2v and internal resistance 1.0\(\Omega\) are connected in parallel. The combination is connected to an external load of 1.5\(\Omega\). Calculate the current in the circuit
Answer Details
To calculate the current in the circuit, we can use the following steps: 1. Find the equivalent internal resistance of the two cells in parallel: When two resistors are connected in parallel, their equivalent resistance is given by: 1/Req = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + ... Here, R1 = R2 = 1.0\(\Omega\) So, 1/Req = 1/1.0\(\Omega\) + 1/1.0\(\Omega\) => 1/Req = 2/1.0\(\Omega\) => Req = 0.5\(\Omega\) 2. Find the total e.m.f of the two cells in parallel: When two e.m.f sources are connected in parallel, their total e.m.f is the same as the e.m.f of each cell, i.e., 2V in this case. 3. Calculate the total current in the circuit: Using Ohm's law, the total current in the circuit is given by: I = E / (Rext + Req) Here, E is the total e.m.f (2V), Rext is the external resistance (1.5\(\Omega\)), and Req is the equivalent internal resistance of the two cells (0.5\(\Omega\)). => I = 2V / (1.5\(\Omega\) + 0.5\(\Omega\)) => I = 2V / 2\(\Omega\) => I = 1.0A Therefore, the current in the circuit is 1.0A. The correct answer is.
Question 38 Report
One difference between a reactance and a resistance in an alternating current circuit is
Answer Details
In an alternating current circuit, resistance and reactance are two important properties that determine the flow of current. Resistance is a property that resists the flow of current in a circuit and dissipates energy in the form of heat. On the other hand, reactance is a property that opposes the flow of current due to the presence of capacitance or inductance in the circuit.
One main difference between resistance and reactance is that energy is dissipated in a resistance, while energy is not dissipated in a reactance. In a resistance, the energy of the current is converted into heat, and some of the electrical energy is lost in the form of heat. In contrast, a reactance stores energy in the form of an electric or magnetic field and releases it back into the circuit when the polarity of the current changes. Therefore, a reactance does not dissipate energy but stores and releases it.
Another difference is that the current in a reactance can be lower than in a resistance, depending on the frequency of the alternating current and the type of reactance (capacitive or inductive). In a capacitive reactance, the current leads the voltage, while in an inductive reactance, the current lags the voltage. This means that the reactance can cause the current to be out of phase with the voltage, resulting in a lower net current flowing through the circuit.
In summary, resistance dissipates energy in the form of heat while reactance stores and releases energy. The current in a reactance can be lower than in a resistance depending on the frequency of the alternating current and the type of reactance.
Question 39 Report
A piece of metal of relative density 5.0 weighs 60N in air. Calculate its weight when fully immersed in water
Answer Details
The weight of an object is equal to the force of gravity acting on it. When an object is submerged in a fluid, it experiences a buoyant force, which is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
To calculate the weight of the metal when fully immersed in water, we need to first determine the volume of water displaced by the metal. We can do this by using the principle of Archimedes, which states that the buoyant force on an object is equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
The weight of the metal in air is 60N, which is equal to its mass times the acceleration due to gravity. We can calculate the volume of the metal using its density and mass.
Density is defined as mass per unit volume. Since the relative density of the metal is 5.0, its density is 5 times that of water, which has a density of 1000 kg/m^3.
Density of metal = 5 x Density of water = 5 x 1000 kg/m^3 = 5000 kg/m^3
Mass of metal = Weight of metal / Acceleration due to gravity = 60N / 9.81 m/s^2 = 6.11 kg
Volume of metal = Mass of metal / Density of metal = 6.11 kg / 5000 kg/m^3 = 0.001222 m^3
Since the metal is fully submerged in water, the volume of water displaced is equal to the volume of the metal.
Weight of water displaced = Density of water x Volume of water displaced x Acceleration due to gravity = 1000 kg/m^3 x 0.001222 m^3 x 9.81 m/s^2 = 12N
Therefore, the weight of the metal when fully immersed in water is 60N - 12N = 48N.
Answer: 48N
Question 40 Report
A ball f mass 5.0kg hits a smooth vertical wall normally with a speed of 2ms-1. Determine the magnitude of the resulting impulse
Answer Details
Question 41 Report
The diagram above shows the resultant electric field pattern due to two electric point charges P and S. Which of the following statements is correct?
Answer Details
Question 42 Report
The direction of induced current in a straight wire placed in magnetic field is determined by using?
Answer Details
The direction of the induced current in a straight wire placed in a magnetic field is determined by Lenz's law. Lenz's law states that the direction of the induced current in a conductor is such that it opposes the change in the magnetic flux that produced it.
When a wire is placed in a magnetic field and the magnetic field is changing, an electromotive force (emf) is induced in the wire. This emf causes a current to flow in the wire, which creates its own magnetic field. According to Lenz's law, the direction of this induced current is such that it opposes the change in the magnetic flux that produced it.
To determine the direction of the induced current in a straight wire placed in a magnetic field, we use Lenz's law along with the right-hand rule. The right-hand rule states that if we hold our right hand with our thumb pointing in the direction of the magnetic field and our fingers curled in the direction of the motion of the conductor, then the direction of the induced current can be determined by the direction in which the fingers of the right hand point.
In summary, Lenz's law is used to determine the direction of the induced current in a straight wire placed in a magnetic field. The right-hand rule is used in conjunction with Lenz's law to determine the direction of the induced current by using the direction of the magnetic field and the direction of motion of the conductor.
Question 43 Report
The period of an oscillatory motion is defined as the
Answer Details
The period of an oscillatory motion is defined as the time taken to complete one oscillation. This means that if an object oscillates, the period is the time it takes to complete one cycle of its motion. For example, if a pendulum swings back and forth, the period is the time it takes to go from one side to the other and back again. The period is an important quantity in oscillatory motion because it can be used to determine the frequency of the motion, which is the number of oscillations per unit time.
Question 44 Report
The volume of a given mass of an ideal gas at 327k and 9.52 x 104 Pa is 40cm3. calculate the volume of the gas at 273k and 1.034 x 105Pa.
Answer Details
Question 45 Report
Which of the following features of an electrostatic line of force is not correct?
Answer Details
The following feature of an electrostatic line of force is not correct: "it can cross another line of force in a region of intense electric field".
Electrostatic lines of force are used to represent the direction and strength of an electric field. They are drawn such that at any point on a line of force, the tangent to the line gives the direction of the electric field at that point.
Importantly, two lines of force cannot cross each other. This is because the direction of the electric field at any point must be uniquely defined, and if two lines crossed, there would be two different directions at the point of intersection.
Therefore, the statement "it can cross another line of force in a region of intense electric field" is not correct.
Question 46 Report
Which of the following statements about an electromagnet is correct?
Answer Details
