JAMB/UTME syllabus for physics

What is the aim of JAMB/UTME syllabus for physics?

The aim of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) syllabus in Physics is to
prepare the candidates for the Board’s examination. It is designed to test their achievement of the
course objectives, which are to:
(1) sustain their interest in physics;
(2) develop attitude relevant to physics that encourage accuracy, precision and objectivity;
(3) interpret physical phenomena, laws, definitions, concepts and other theories;
(4) demonstrate the ability to solve correctly physics problems using relevant theories and
concepts.

Things that you should know about this syllabus

•It is your compass in physics when preparing to sit for physics in jamb because it guides you on the topics to read and what you should know about the topics after reading them.
•Topics : These are the contents that you should read intensively, you can find them in the recommended textbooks by jamb.
•Objectives : These are what you should know or should be able to do after reading each topic.

Topics

1. Measurements and Units
(a) Length area and volume:
 Metre rule, Venier calipers Micrometer
 Screw-guage
(b) Mass
(i) unit of mass
(ii) use of simple beam balance
(c) Time
(i) unit of time
(ii) time-measuring devices
(d) Fundamental physical quantities
(e) Derived physical quantities and their
 units
(i) Combinations of fundamental
quantities and determination of their
units
(f) Dimensions
(i) definition of dimensions
(ii) simple examples
(g) Limitations of experimental
measurements
 (i) accuracy of measuring instruments
(ii) simple estimation of errors.
(iii) significant figures.
(iv) standard form.


Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. identify the units of length area and
volume;
ii. use different measuring instruments;
iii. determine the lengths, surface areas and
volume of regular and irregular bodies;
iv. identify the unit of mass;
v. use simple beam balance, e.g Buchart’s
balance and chemical balance;
vi. identify the unit of time;
vii. use different time-measuring devices;
viii. relate the fundamental physical quantities
to their units;
ix. deduce the units of derived physical
quantities;
x. Determine the dimensions of physical
quantities;
xi. use the dimensions to determine the units of physical quantities;
xii. test the homogeneity of an equation;
xiii. determine the accuracy of measuring
instruments;
xiv. estimate simple errors;
xv. express measurements in standard form.


Topics

2. Scalars and Vectors
(i) definition of scalar and vector
quantities
(ii) examples of scalar and vector
quantities
(iii) relative velocity
(iv) resolution of vectors into two
perpendicular directions including
graphical methods of
 solution.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. distinguish between scalar and vector
quantities;
ii. give examples of scalar and vector
quantities;
iii. determine the resultant of two or more
vectors;
iv. determine relative velocity;
v. resolve vectors into two perpendicular
components;
vi. use graphical methods to solve vector
problems;

Topics

3. Motion
(a) Types of motion:
translational, oscillatory, rotational,
spin and
random
(b) linear motion
(i) speed, velocity and acceleration
(ii) equations of uniformly accelerated
motion
 (iii) motion under gravity
 (iv) distance-time graph and velocity
time graph
(v) instantaneous velocity and
acceleration.
(c) Projectiles:
(i) calculation of range, maximum
height and
 time of fight
(ii) applications of projectile motion
(d) Newton’s laws of motion:
(i) inertia, mass and force
(ii) relationship between mass and
acceleration
(iii) impulse and momentum
(iv) conservation of linear momentum
(Coefficient of restitution not necessary)
(e) Motion in a circle:
(i) angular velocity and angular
acceleration
(ii) centripetal and centrifugal forces.
(iii) applications
(f) Simple Harmonic Motion (S.H.M):
(i) definition and explanation of simple
harmonic motion
(ii) examples of systems that execute
S.H.M
(iii) period frequency and amplitude of
S.H.M
(iv) velocity and acceleration of S.H.M
(v) energy change in S.H.M

Objectives

Candidates should be able to :
i. identify different types of motion ;
ii. differentiate between speed, velocity and
acceleration;
iii. deduce equations of uniformly accelerated
motion;
iv. solve problems of motion under gravity;
v. interpret distance-time graph and velocity-time
graph;
vi. compute instantaneous velocity and acceleration
vii. establish expressions for the range, maximum
height and time of flight of projectiles;
viii. solve problems involving projectile motion;
ix. interpret Newton’s laws of motion;
x. compare inertia, mass and force;
xi. deduce the relationship between mass and
acceleration;
xii. solve numerical problems involving impulse
and momentum;
xiii. interpret the law of conservation of linear
momentum;
xiv. establish expression for angular velocity,
angular acceleration and centripetal force;
xv. solve numerical problems involving motion in
 a circle;
xvi. establish the relationship between period and
frequency;
xvii. analyse the energy changes occurring during
S.H.M

Topics

4 Gravitational field
 (i) Newton’s law of universal
gravitation
 (ii) gravitational potential
 (iii) conservative and non-conservative
fields
 (iv) acceleration due to gravity, g = GM/R
(iv) variation of g on the earth’s
surface
(v) distinction between mass and
weight
(vi) escape velocity
(vii) parking orbit and weightlessness

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. identify the expression for gravitational force
 between two bodies;
ii. apply Newton’s law of universal gravitation;
iii. give examples of conservative and non-
 conservation fields;
iv. deduce the expression for gravitational field
 potentials;
v. identify the causes of variation of g on the
 earth’s surface;
vi. differentiate between mass and weight;
vii. determine escape velocity

Topics

5. Equilibrium of Forces
 (a) equilibrium of a particles:
 (i) equilibrium of coplanar forces
 (ii) triangles and polygon of forces
 (iii) Lami’s theorem
 (b) principles of moments
 (i) moment of a force
(ii) simple treatment and moment of a couple
(torgue)
 (iii) applications
(c) conditions for equilibrium of rigid
bodies under the action of parallel and
non-parallel forces
 (i) resolution and composition of forces in
two perpendicular directions,
 (ii) resultant and equilibrant
 (d) centre of gravity and stability
 (i) stable, unstable and neutral equilibra

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. apply the conditions for the equilibrium of
 coplanar force to solve problems;
ii. use triangle and polygon laws of forces to solve
 equilibrium problems;
iii. use Lami’s theorem to solve problems;
iv. analyse the principle of moment of a force;
v. determine moment of a force and couple;
vi. describe some applications of moment of a
 force and couple;
vii. apply the conditions for the equilibrium of rigid
 bodies to solve problems;
viii. resolve forces into two perpendicular
 directions;
ix. determine the resultant and equilibrant of
 forces;
x. differentiate between stable, unstable and
 neutral equilibrate.


Topics

6. Work Energy and Power
 (i) definition of work, energy and power
 (ii) forms of energy
(iii) conservation of energy
 (iv) qualitative treatment between different
forms of energy
 (v) interpretation of area under the force–distance curve

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. differentiate between work, energy and power;
ii. compare different forms of energy, giving
examples;
iii. apply the principle of conservation of energy;
iv. examine the transformation between different
 forms of energy;
v. interpret the area under the force–distance curve.

Topics

7. Friction
 (i) static and dynamic friction
 (ii) coefficient of limiting friction and its
determination.
 (iii) advantages and disadvantages of friction
 (iv) reduction of friction
 (v) qualitative treatment of viscosity and
terminal viscosity.
 (vi) stoke’s law.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. differentiate between static and dynamic friction
ii. determine the coefficient of limiting friction;
iii. compare the advantages and disadvantage of
 friction;
iv. suggest ways by which friction can be reduced;
v. analyse factors that affect viscosity and terminal
 velocity;
vi. apply stoke’s law.

Topics

8. Simple Machines
 (i) definition of machine
 (ii) types of machines
 (iii) mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and
efficiency of machines

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. identify different types of machines;
ii. solve problems involving simple machines.

Topics

9. Elasticity
 (i) elastic limit, yield point, breaking point,
Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus
 (ii) the spring balance as a device for measuring
force
 (iii) work done in springs and elastic strings

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. interpret force-extension curves;
ii. interpret Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus of a
 material;
iii use spring balance to measure force;
iv. determine the work done in spring and elastic
 strings


Topics

10. Pressure
 (a) Atmospheric Pressure
 (i) definition of atmospheric pressure
 (ii) units of pressure (S.I) units
 (iii) measurement of pressure
 (iv) simple mercury barometer,
 aneroid barometer and manometer.
 (v) variation of pressure with height
 (vi) the use of barometer as an altimeter.
 (b) Pressure in liquids
 (i) the relationship between pressure, depth and
density (P = ρgh)
 (ii) transmission of pressure in liquids (Pascal’s
Principle)
 (iii) application

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. interpret force-extension curves;
ii. interpret Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus of a
 material;
iii use spring balance to measure force;
iv. determine the work done in spring and elastic
 strings
Candidates should be able to:
i. recognize the S.I units of pressure;
ii. identify pressure measuring instruments;
iii. relate the variation of pressure to height;
iv. use a barometer as an altimeter.
v. determine the relationship between pressure,
 depth and density;
vi apply the principle of transmission of pressure
 in liquids to solve problems;
vii. determine the application of pressure in liquid;

Topics

11. Liquids At Rest
 (i) determination of density of solid and liquids
 (ii) definition of relative density
 (iii) upthrust on a body immersed in a liquid
 (iv) Archimede’s principle and law of floatation
and applications, e.g. ships and
hydrometers.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. distinguish between density and relative density
 of substances;
ii. determine the upthrust on a body immersed in a
 liquid;
iii. apply Archimedes’ principle and law of
 floatation to solve problems.


Topics

12. Temperature and Its Measurement
 (i) concept of temperature
 (ii) thermometric properties
 (iii) calibration of thermometers
 (iv) temperature scales –Celsius and Kelvin.
 (v) types of thermometers
 (vi) conversion from one scale of temperature to
another

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. identify thermometric properties of materials that
 are used for different thermometers;
ii. calibrate thermometers;
iii. differentiate between temperature scales e.g
 Clesius and Kelvin.
iv. compare the types of thermometers;
vi. convert from one scale of temperature to
 another.

Topics

13. Thermal Expansion
 (a) Solids
 (i) definition and determination of linear,
volume and area expansivities
 (ii) effects and applications, e.g. expansion in
building strips and railway lines
(iv) relationship between different
expansivities
 (b) Liquids
 (i) volume expansivity
 (ii) real and apparent expansivities
 (iii) determination of volume expansivity
 (iv) anomalous expansion of water

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. determine linear and volume expansivities;
ii. assess the effects and applications of thermal
 expansivities;
iii. determine the relationship between different
 expansivities;
iv. determine volume, apparent, and real
 expansivities of liquids;
v. analyse the anomalous expansion of water.

Topics

14. Gas Laws
 (i) Boyle’s law (PV = constant)
 (ii) Charle’s law ( V/P = constant)
 (iii) Pressure law ( P/T = constant )
 (iv) absolute zero of temperature
 (v) general gas  equation ( PV/T= constant )
 (vi) ideal gas equation (Pv = nRT)

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. interpret the gas laws;
ii. use expression of these laws to solve numerical
 problems.

Topics

15. Quantity of Heat
 (i) heat as a form of energy
 (ii) definition of heat capacity and specific
heat capacity of solids and liquids
 (iii) determination of heat capacity and
specific heat capacity of substances by
simple methods e.g method of mixtures
and electrical method

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. differentiate between heat capacity and specific
 heat capacity;
ii. determine heat capacity and specific heat
 capacity using simple methods;
iii. examine some numerical problems.

Topics

16. Change of State
 (i) latent heat
 (ii) specific latent heats of fusion and
vaporization;
 (iii) melting, evaporation and boiling
 (iv) the influence of pressure and of dissolved
substances on boiling and melting points.
 (v) application in appliances

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. differentiate between latent heat and specific
 latent heat of fusion and vaporization;
ii. differentiate between melting, evaporation and
 boiling;
iii. examine the effects of pressure and of dissolved
 substance on boiling and melting points.

Topics

17. Vapours
 (i) unsaturated and saturated vapours
 (ii) relationship between saturated vapour
pressure (S.V.P) and boiling
 (iii) determination of S.V.P by barometer tube
method
 (iv) formation of dew, mist, fog, and rain
 (v) study of dew point, humidity and relative
humidity
 (vi) hygrometry; estimation of the humidity of
the atmosphere using wet and dry bulb
hygrometers.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. distinguish between saturated and unsaturated
 vapours;
ii. relate saturated vapour pressure to boiling point;
iii. determine S.V.P by barometer tube method;
iv. differentiate between dew point, humidity and
 relative humidity;
vi. estimate the humidity of the atmosphere using
wet and dry bulb hydrometers.

Topics

18. Structure of Matter and Kinetic Theory
 (a) Molecular nature of matter
 (i) atoms and molecules
 (ii) molecular theory: explanation of Brownian
motion, diffusion, surface tension,
capillarity, adhesion, cohesion and angles
of contact
 (iii) examples and applications.
 (b) Kinetic Theory
 (i) assumptions of the kinetic theory
 (ii) using the theory to explain the pressure
exerted by gas, Boyle’s law, Charles’ law,
melting, boiling, vapourization, change in
temperature evaporation, etc.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. differentiate between atoms and molecules;
ii. use molecular theory to explain Brownian
 motion , diffusion, surface, tension, capillarity,
 adhesion, cohesion and angle of contact;
iii. examine the assumptions of kinetic theory;
iv. interpret kinetic theory, the pressure exerted by
 gases Boyle’s law, Charle’s law melting,
 boiling vaporization, change in temperature,
 evaporation, etc.

Topics

19. Heat Transfer
 (i) conduction, convention and radiation as
modes of heat transfer
 (ii) temperature gradient, thermal conductivity
and heat flux
 (iii) effect of the nature of the surface on the energy radiated and absorbed by it.
 (iv) the conductivities of common materials.
 (v) the thermos flask
 (vii) land and sea breeze

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. differentiate between conduction, convention and
 radiation as modes of heat transfer;
ii. determine temperature gradient, thermal conductivity and heat flux;
iii. assess the effect of the nature of the surface on
 the energy radiated and absorbed by it;
iv. compare the conductivities of common
 materials;
v. relate the component part of the working of the
 thermos flask;
vi. differentiate between land and sea breeze.

Topics

20. Waves
 (a) Production and Propagation
 (i) wave motion,
 (ii) vibrating systems as source of waves
 (iii) waves as mode of energy transfer
(iv) distinction between particle motion and
wave motion
 (v) relationship between frequency, wavelength
and wave velocity (V=f λ)
 (vi) phase difference
 (vii) progressive wave equation e.g
 y = A sin 2π (vt + x)/λ
 (b) Classification
 (i) types of waves; mechanical and
electromagnetic waves
 (ii) longitudinal and transverse waves
 (iii) stationary and progressive waves
 (iv) examples of waves from springs, ropes,
stretched strings and the ripple tank.
 (c) Characteristics/Properties
 (i) reflection, refraction, diffraction and
plane Polarization
 (ii) superposition of waves e.g interference

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. interpret wave motion;
ii. identify vibrating systems as sources of waves;
iii use waves as a mode of energy transfer;
iv distinguish between particle motion and wave
 motion;
v. relate frequency and wave length to wave
 velocity;
vi. determine phase difference;
vii. use the progressive wave equation to compute
 basic wave parameters;
viii. differentiate between mechanical and
 electronmagnetic waves;
ix. differentiate between longitudinal and
 transverse waves
x. distinguish between stationary and progressive
 waves;
xi. indicate the example of waves generated from
 springs, ropes, stretched strings and the ripple
 tank;
xii. differentiate between reflection, refraction,
 diffraction and plane polarization of waves;
xiii. analyse the principle of superposition of
 waves.

Topics

21. Propagation of Sound Waves
 (i) the necessity for a material medium
 (ii) speed of sound in solids, liquids and air;
 (iii) reflection of sound; echoes, reverberation
and their applications
 (iv) disadvantages of echoes and reverberations

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. determine the need for a material medium in the
 propagation of sound waves;
ii. compare the speed of sound in solids, liquids
 and air;
iii. relate the effects of temperature and pressure to
 the speed of sound in air;
iv. solve problem on echoes, reverberation;
v. compare the disadvantages and echoes.

Topics

22. Characteristics of Sound Waves
 (i) noise and musical notes
 (ii) quality, pitch, intensity and loudness and
their application to musical instruments;
 (iii) simple treatment of overtones produced by vibrating strings and their columns
 Fo= 1/2Lx√T/M
 (iv) acoustic examples of resonance
 (v) frequency of a note emitted by air columns
in closed and open pipes in relation to
their lengths.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. differentiate between noise and musical notes;
ii. analyse quality, pitch, intensity and loudness of
 sound notes;
iii. evaluate the application of (ii) above in the construction of musical instruments;
iv. identify overtones by vibrating stings and air
 columns;
v. itemize acoustical examples of resonance;
vi. determine the frequencies of notes emitted by
 air columns in open and closed pipes in relation
 to their lengths.

Topics

 23. Light Energy
 (a) Source of Light:
 (i) natural and artificial source of light
 (ii) luminous and non-luminous objects
 (b) Propagation of light
 (i) speed, frequency and wavelength of light
 (ii) formation of shadows and eclipse
 (iii) the pin-hole camera.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. compare the natural and artificial sources of
 light;
ii. differentiate between luminous and non
 luminous objects;
iii. relate the speed, frequency and wavelength of
 light;
iv. interpret the formation of shadows and eclipses;
v. solve problems using the principle of operation
 of a pin-hole camera.

Topics

 24. Reflection of Light at Plane and Curved
Surfaces
 (i) laws of reflection.
 (ii) application of reflection of light
 (iii) formation of images by plane, concave
and convex mirrors and ray diagrams
 (iv) use of the mirror formula
 1/f= 1/u+1/v
 (v) linear magnification

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. interpret the laws of reflection;
ii. illustrate the formation of images by plane,
 concave and convex mirrors;
iii. apply the mirror formula to solve optical
 problems;
iv. determine the linear magnification;
v. apply the laws of reflection of light to the
 working of periscope, kaleidoscope and the
 sextant.

Topics

 25. Refraction of Light Through
 (a) Plane and Curved Surface
 (i) explanation of refraction in terms of
velocity of light in the media.
 (ii) laws of refraction
 (iii) definition of refractive index of a medium
(iv) determination of refractive index of glass
and liquid using Snell’s law
(v) real and apparent depth and lateral
displacement
(vi) critical angle and total internal reflection
 (b) Glass Prism
 (i) use of the minimum deviation formula u = sin[A+D/2]/sin[A/2]
 (ii) type of lenses
 (iii) use of lens formula 1/f=1/u+1/v
 (iv) magnification

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. interpret the laws of reflection;
ii. determine the refractive index of glass and liquid
 using Snell’s law;
iii. determine the refractive index using the
 principle of real and apparent depth;
iv. determine the conditions necessary for total
 internal reflection;
v. examine the use of periscope, prism, binoculars,
 optical fibre;
vi. apply the principles of total internal reflection to
 the formation of mirage;
vii. use of lens formula and ray diagrams to solve
 optical numerical problems;
viii. determine the magnification of an image;
ix. calculate the refractive index of a glass prism
 using minimum deviation formula.


Topics

26. Optical Instruments
 (i) the principles of microscopes, telescopes,
 projectors, cameras and the human eye
 (physiological details of the eye are not
 required)
 (ii) power of a lens
 (iii) angular magnification
 (iv) near and far points
 (v) sight defects and their corrections

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. apply the principles of operation of optical
 instruments to solve problems;
ii. distinguish between the human eye and the
 cameras;
iii. calculate the power of a lens;
iv. determine the angular magnification of optical
 instruments;
v. determine the near and far points;
vi. detect sight defects and their corrections.

Topics

27. (a) dispersion of light and colours
 (i) dispersion of white light by a triangular
prism
 (ii) production of pure spectrum
 (iii) colour mixing by addition and subtraction
 (iv) colour of objects and colour filters
(b) electgromagnetic spectrum
 (i) description of sources and uses of various
types of radiation.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. relate the expression for gravitational force
 between two bodies;
ii. apply Newton’s law of universal gravitation;
iii. identify primary colours and obtain secondary
 colours by mixing;
iv. deduces why objects have colours;
v. analyse colours using colour filters
vi. analyse the electromagnetic spectrum in relation
 to their wavelengths, sources, detection and uses

Topics

28. Electrostatics
 (i) existence of positive and negative charges
in matter
 (ii) charging a body by friction, contact and
induction
 (iii) electroscope
 (iv) coulomb’s inverse square law electric field
and potential
 (v) electric field and potential
 (vi) electric discharge and lightning

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. identify charges;
ii. examine uses of an electronscope;
iii. apply coulomb’s square law of electrostatic to
 solve problems;
iv. deduce expressions for electric field and
 potential;
v. identify electric field flux patterns of isolated
 and iteracting charges;
vi. analyse the distribution of charges on a
 conductor and how it is used in lightening
 conductors.

Topics

29. Capacitors
 (i) functions of capacitors
 (ii) parallel plate capacitors
 (iii) capacitance of a capacitors
 (iv) the relationship between capacitance, area
separation of plates and medium between the plates.
 C = 3A/d
 (v) capacitors in series and parallel
 (vi) energy stored in a capacitor

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. determine uses of capacitors;
ii. analyse parallel plate capacitors;
iii. determine the capacitance of a capacitors;
iv. analyse the factors that affect the capacitance of a capacitor
v. solve problems involving the arrangement of
 capacitor;
vi. determine the energy stored in capacitors

Topics

30. Electric Cells
 (i) simple voltaic cell and its defects;
 (ii) Daniel cell, Leclanche cell (wet and dry)
 (iii) lead –acid accumulator and Nickel-Iron
(Nife) Lithium lon and Mercury cadmium
 (iv) maintenance of cells and batteries (detail
 treatment of the chemistry of a cell is not
 required
 (v) arrangement of cells

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. identify the defects of the simple voltaic cell and
 their corrected;
ii. compare different types of cells including solar
 cell;
iii. compare the advantages of lead-acid and Nikel
 iron accumulator;
iv. solve problems involving series and parallel
 combination of cells.

Topics

31. Current Electricity
 (i) electromagnetic force (emf), potential
difference (p.d.), current, internal
resistance of a cell and lost Volt
 (ii) Ohm’s law
 (iii) measurement of resistance
 (iv) meter bridge
 (v) resistance in series and in parallel and
their combination
 (vi) the potentiometer method of measuring
emf, current and internal resistance of a
cell.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. differentiate between emf, p.d., current and
 internal resistant of a cell;
ii. apply Ohm’s law to solve problems;
iii. use metre bridge to calculate resistance;
iv. compute effective total resistance of both
 parallel and series arrangement of resistors;
v. determine the resistivity and the conductivity of
 a conductor;
vi. measure emf. current and internal resistance of
 a cell using the potentiometer.

Topics

32. Electrical Energy and Power
 (i) concepts of electrical energy and power
 (ii) commercial unit of electric energy and
power
 (iii) electric power transmission
 (iv) heating effects of electric current.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. apply the expressions of electrical energy and
 power to solve problems;
ii. analyse how power is transmitted from the
 power station to the consumer;
iii. identify the heating effects of current and its
 uses.


Topics

33. Magnets and Magnetic Fields
 (i) natural and artificial magnets
 (ii) magnetic properties of soft iron and steel
 (iii) methods of making magnets and
demagnetization
 (iv) concept of magnetic field
 (v) magnetic field of a permanent magnet
 (vi) magnetic field round a straight current
carrying conductor, circular wire and
solenoid
 (vii) properties of the earth’s magnetic field;
north and south poles, magnetic meridian
and angle of dip and declination
 (viii) flux and flux density
 (ix) variation of magnetic field intensity over
the earth’s surface
(x) applications: earth’s magnetic field in
navigation and mineral exploration.

 Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. give examples of natural and artificial magnets
ii. differentiate between the magnetic properties of
 soft iron and steel;
iii. identify the various methods of making magnets
 and demagnetizing magnets;
iv. describe how to keep a magnet from losing its
 magnetism;
v. determine the flux pattern exhibited when two
 magnets are placed together pole to pole;
vi. determine the flux of a current carrying
 conductor, circular wire and solenoid including
 the polarity of the solenoid;
vii. determine the flux pattern of magnetic placed
 in the earth’s magnetic fields;
viii. identify the magnetic elements of the earth’s
flux;
ix. determine the variation of earth’s magnetic
 field on the earth’s surface;
x. examine the applications of the earth’s magnetic
 field.

Topics

34. Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor in a Magnetic Field
 (i) quantitative treatment of force between
two parallel current-carrying conductors
 (ii) force on a charge moving in a magnetic
field;
 (iii) the d. c. motor
 (iv) electromagnets
 (v) carbon microphone
 (vi) moving coil and moving iron instruments
 (vii) conversion of galvanometers to
ammeters and voltmeter using shunts
and multipliers

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. determine the direction of force on a current
 carrying conductor using Fleming’s left-hand
 rule;
ii. interpret the attractive and repulsive forces
 between two parallel current-carrying
 conductors using diagrams;
iii. determine the relationship between the force,
 magnetic field strength, velocity and the angle
 through which the charge enters the field;
iv. interpret the working of the d. c. motor;
v. analyse the principle of electromagnets give
 examples of its application;
vi. compare moving iron and moving coil
 instruments;
vii. convert a galvanometer into an ammeter or a
 voltmeter.

Topics

35. (a) Electromagnetic Induction
 (i) Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic
induction
 (ii) factors affecting induced emf
 (iii) Lenz’s law as an illustration of the
principle of conservation of energy
 (iv) a.c. and d.c generators
 (v) transformers
 (vi) the induction coil
 (b) Inductance
 (i) explanation of inductance
 (ii) unit of inductance
 (iii) energy stored in an inductor E=1/2xI²L
 (iv) application/uses of inductors
(c) Eddy Current
(i) reduction of eddy current
 (ii) applications of eddy current


Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. interpret the laws of electromagnetic induction;
ii. identify factors affecting induced emf;
iii. recognize how Lenz’s law illustrates the
 principle of conservation of energy;
iv. interpret the diagrammatic set up of A. C.
 generators;
v. identify the types of transformer;
vi. examine principles of operation of transformers;
vii. assess the functions of an induction coil;
viii. draw some conclusions from the principles of
 operation of an induction coil;
ix. interpret the inductance of an inductor;
x. recognize units of inductance;
xi. calculate the effective total inductance in series
 and parallel arrangement;
xii. deduce the expression for the energy stored in
 an inductor;
xiii. examine the applications of inductors;
xiv. describe the method by which eddy current
 losses can be reduced.
xv. determine ways by which eddy currents can be
 used.

Topics

36. Simple A. C. Circuits
 (i) explanation of a.c. current and voltage
 (ii) peak and r.m.s. values
 (iii) a.c. source connected to a resistor;
 (iv) a.c source connected to a capacitor￾capacitive reactance
 (v) a.c source connected to an inductor￾inductive
 reactance
 (vi) series R-L-C circuits
 (vii) vector diagram
 (viii) reactance and impedance of alternative
quantities
 (ix) effective voltage in an R-L-C circuits
 (x) resonance and resonance frequency
 F0 = 1/2π√LC

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. identify a.c. current of and d. d. voltage;
ii. differentiate between the peak and r.m.s. values
 of a.c.;
iii. determine the phase difference between current
 and voltage;
iv. interpret series R-L-C circuits;
v. analyse vector diagrams;
vi. calculate the effective voltage reactance and
 impedance;
vii. recognize the condition by which the circuit is
 at resonance;
viii. determine the resonant frequency of R-L-C
 arrangement;
 ix. determine the instantaneous power, average
 power and the power factor in a. c. circuits

Topics

37. Conduction of Electricity Through
 (a) liquids
 (i) electrolytes and non-electrolyte
 (ii) concept of electrolysis
 (iii) Faraday’s law of electrolysis
 (iv) application of electrolysis, e.g
electroplating, calibration of ammeter etc.
 (b) gases
 (i) discharge through gases (quantitative
treatment only)
 (ii) application of conduction of electricity
through gases

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. distinguish between electrolytes and non-
 electrolytes;
ii. analyse the processes of electrolytes;
iii. apply Faraday’s laws of electrolysis to solve
 problems;
iv. analyse discharge through gases;
v. determine some applications/uses of conduction
 of electricity through gases.

Topics

38. Elementary Modern Physics
 (i) models of the atom and their limitations
 (ii) elementary structure of the atom;
 (iii) energy levels and spectra
 (iv) thermionic and photoelectric emissions;
 (v) Einstein’s equation and stopping potential
 (vi) applications of thermionic emissions and
 photoelectric effects
 (vii) simple method of production of x-rays
 (viii) properties and applications of alpha, beta
and gamma rays
 (xiii) half-life and decay constant
 (xiv) simple ideas of production of energy by
fusion and fission
 (xv) binding energy, mass defect and
Einstein’s Energy equation [∆E = ∆Mc2]
 (xvi) wave-particle paradox (duality of matter)
 (xvii) electron diffraction
 (xviii) the uncertainty principle

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. identify the models of the atom and write their
 limitation;
ii. describe elementary structure of the atom;
iii. differentiate between the energy levels and
 spectra of atoms;
iv. compare thermionic emission and photoelectric
 emissions;
v. apply Einstein’s equation to solve problems of
 photoelectric effect;
vi. calculate the stopping potential;
vii. relate some application of thermionic emission
 and photoelectric effects;
viii. interpret the process involved in the
 production of x-rays;p
ix identify some properties and application of
 x-rays
x. analyse elementary radioactivity;
xi. distinguish between stable and unstable
 nuclei;
xii. identify isotopes of an element;
xiii. compare the properties of alpha, beta and
 gamma rays;
xiv. relate half-life and decay constant of a
 radioactive element;
xv. determine the binding energy, mass defect and
 Einstein's energy equation;
xvi. analyse wave particle duality;
xvii. solve some numerical problems based on the
uncertainty principle.

Topics

39. Introductory Electronics
 (i) distinction between metals, semiconductors
and insulators (elementary knowledge of
band gap is required)
 (ii) intrinsic and extrinsic semi-conductors;
 (iii) uses of semiconductors and diodes in
rectification and transistors in amplification
 (iv) n-type and p-type semi-conductors
 (v) elementary knowledge of diodes and
transistors
 (vi) use of semiconductors and diodes in
rectification and transistors in amplification.

Objectives

Candidates should be able to:
i. differentiate between conductors, semi-
 conductors and insulators;
ii. distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic
 semiconductors;
iii. distinguish between electron and hole carriers;
iv. distinguish between n-type and p-type
 semiconductor;
v. analyse diodes and transistor (detailed
 characteristics of transistor not required);
vi. relate diodes to rectification and transistor to
 amplification.


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