Original WAEC Physics Past Questions and Answers (Updated to 2024)

Preparing for the WAEC Physics exam requires not only a sound grasp of the concepts but also familiarity with the types of questions frequently asked. To help you master this, accessing original WAEC Physics past questions and answers—especially updated to 2024—is one of the best ways to boost your confidence and readiness for the exam.

Why Use Original WAEC Physics Past Questions?

Original past questions give you an authentic feel of what to expect in the actual exam. They reveal the examination style, the focus in each year’s paper, and the common trends in topics. Practicing with these questions:

• Helps you understand the pattern of objective and theory questions.

• Enables you to pinpoint key topics that consistently appear.

• Builds your problem-solving speed and accuracy.

• Helps manage time during the exam by simulating real exam conditions.

Overview of the WAEC Physics Exam Structure

The WAEC Physics examination is typically divided into three papers:

• Paper 1: Multiple Choice Questions (50 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes)

• Paper 2: Theory questions covering short and long essay types (60 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes)

• Paper 3: Practical or alternative to practical paper testing laboratory skills (40 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes)

You must prepare for all three papers to perform excellently.

What Topics Do You Expect From WAEC Physics Past Questions?

Physics covers broad topics, but the past questions highlight certain focal areas. Some high-yield topics include:

• Motion and Kinematics

• Work, Energy and Power

• Heat and Thermodynamics

• Current Electricity and Circuits

• Waves and Optical Phenomena

• Simple Harmonic Motion

• Magnetic Effects of Current

• Atomic Physics and Nuclear Radiation

• Experimental Physics (Practical skills)

The 2024 updated past questions reflect these areas thoroughly, with questions crafted to test your understanding and applications

1. From the principle of flotation, a body sinks in a fluid until it displaces a quantity of fluid equal to its own:
   (a) density
   (b) mass
   (c) weight
   (d) volume
   Answer: (c) weight

2. 1. Which of the following affects the period of oscillation of a simple pendulum?
      (a) mass of the bob only
      (b) length of the string only
      (c) amplitude of oscillation only
      (d) gravitational acceleration and length of the string
      Answer: (d) gravitational acceleration and length of the string

   2. A magnet loses its magnetism when it is:
      (a) heated strongly
      (b) cooled strongly
      (c) placed in a magnetic field
      (d) dropped from a height
      Answer: (a) heated strongly

   3. The SI unit of force is:
      (a) Joule
      (b) Newton
      (c) Watt
      (d) Pascal
      Answer: (b) Newton

   4. The work done in moving a mass m through a height h is given by:
      (a) mgh
      (b) m/gh
      (c) gh/m
      (d) mgh²
      Answer: (a) mgh

   5. A car moves at uniform velocity. The acceleration is:
      (a) zero
      (b) constant
      (c) increasing
      (d) decreasing
      Answer: (a) zero

   6. The frequency of a wave is the number of:
      (a) waves produced per second
      (b) crests per wave
      (c) nodes per wave
      (d) waves produced in one minute
      Answer: (a) waves produced per second

   7. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
      (a) Force
      (b) Displacement
      (c) Speed
      (d) Velocity
      Answer: (c) Speed

   8. The law of conservation of energy states:
      (a) Energy can neither be created nor destroyed
      (b) Energy can be created and destroyed
      (c) Energy can be destroyed but not created
      (d) Energy can be created but not destroyed
      Answer: (a) Energy can neither be created nor destroyed

   9. The velocity of sound in air at room temperature is approximately:
      (a) 340 m/s
      (b) 300 m/s
      (c) 1500 m/s
      (d) 500 m/s
      Answer: (a) 340 m/s

   10. The acceleration produced in a body is directly proportional to the force applied, and inversely proportional to the mass of the body. This is:
       (a) Newton’s first law
       (b) Newton’s second law
       (c) Newton’s third law
       (d) Law of conservation of momentum
       Answer: (b) Newton’s second law

   11. In a uniform circular motion, the acceleration is:
       (a) zero
       (b) directed tangentially
       (c) directed towards the center
       (d) directed outward
       Answer: (c) directed towards the center

   12. The voltage across a resistor when current passes through it is proportional to the:
       (a) resistance
       (b) resistivity
       (c) current
       (d) power
       Answer: (c) current

   13. The principle that the pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to all parts of the fluid is:
       (a) Pascal’s principle
       (b) Archimedes’ principle
       (c) Bernoulli’s principle
       (d) Boyle’s law
       Answer: (a) Pascal’s principle

   14. Which of the following states of matter requires a medium to travel?
       (a) Light waves
       (b) Sound waves
       (c) Ultraviolet rays
       (d) X-rays
       Answer: (b) Sound waves

   15. The energy stored in a stretched spring is an example of:
       (a) kinetic energy
       (b) potential energy
       (c) thermal energy
       (d) sound energy
       Answer: (b) potential energy

   16. The force of friction between two surfaces:
       (a) always opposes motion
       (b) always aids motion
       (c) slows down the object only
       (d) speeds up the object
       Answer: (a) always opposes motion

   17. The measure of the gravitational force acting on a body is called:
       (a) mass
       (b) weight
       (c) density
       (d) volume
       Answer: (b) weight

   18. A ray of light passes from air into glass and bends:
       (a) towards the normal
       (b) away from the normal
       (c) along the normal
       (d) is reflected back
       Answer: (a) towards the normal

   19. The frequency and period of a wave are related by:
       (a) Frequency = Period
       (b) Frequency = 1/Period
       (c) Period = Frequency²
       (d) Period = 2 × Frequency
       Answer: (b) Frequency = 1/Period

   20. Which instrument is used to measure electric current?
       (a) Ammeter
       (b) Voltmeter
       (c) Ohmmeter
       (d) Thermometer
       Answer: (a) Ammeter

   21. The rate of change of velocity with time is:
       (a) Speed
       (b) Acceleration
       (c) Displacement
       (d) Force
       Answer: (b) Acceleration

   22. The unit of frequency is:
       (a) Hertz
       (b) Joule
       (c) Newton
       (d) Volt
       Answer: (a) Hertz

   23. Which physical quantity is a vector?
       (a) Speed
       (b) Distance
       (c) Velocity
       (d) Mass
       Answer: (c) Velocity

   24. The pressure exerted by a fluid at a point is given by:
       (a) Force per unit area
       (b) Force times area
       (c) Area per unit force
       (d) Volume per unit area
       Answer: (a) Force per unit area

   25. According to Newton’s third law, every action has:
       (a) No reaction
       (b) Equal and opposite reaction
       (c) Reaction more than action
       (d) Reaction less than action
       Answer: (b) Equal and opposite reaction

   26. The work done in moving a body through a distance of 5 m by a force of 10 N is:
       (a) 50 J
       (b) 15 J
       (c) 5 J
       (d) 20 J
       Answer: (a) 50 J

   27. A man jumps from a height and lands on the ground. The force that stops his fall is:
       (a) tension
       (b) gravity
       (c) friction
       (d) air resistance
       Answer: (d) air resistance

   28. The SI unit of power is:
       (a) Watt
       (b) Joule
       (c) Newton
       (d) Volt
       Answer: (a) Watt

   29. The color of light with the shortest wavelength is:
       (a) Red
       (b) Violet
       (c) Blue
       (d) Yellow
       Answer: (b) Violet

   30. When light passes from air into water, it bends:
       (a) Away from the normal
       (b) Towards the normal
       (c) At right angle
       (d) Does not bend
       Answer: (b) Towards the normal

   31. The energy stored in a body due to its motion is called:
       (a) Heat energy
       (b) Potential energy
       (c) Kinetic energy
       (d) Nuclear energy
       Answer: (c) Kinetic energy

   32. A magnetic field is produced around a wire when:
       (a) Current flows through it
       (b) There is no current
       (c) Temperature changes
       (d) Voltage is zero
       Answer: (a) Current flows through it

   33. The turning effect of a force about a pivot is called:
       (a) Work
       (b) Torque
       (c) Momentum
       (d) Power
       Answer: (b) Torque

   34. The unit of electrical resistance is:
       (a) Ampere
       (b) Ohm
       (c) Volt
       (d) Watt
       Answer: (b) Ohm

   35. The energy of the sun is primarily:
       (a) Chemical energy
       (b) Nuclear energy
       (c) Mechanical energy
       (d) Electrical energy
       Answer: (b) Nuclear energy

   36. Speed is:
       (a) A vector quantity
       (b) A scalar quantity
       (c) Acceleration
       (d) Displacement
       Answer: (b) A scalar quantity

   37. The force of gravitational attraction between two bodies is:
       (a) Repulsive force
       (b) Proportional to the distance
       (c) Inversely proportional to the square of the distance
       (d) Independent of the distance
       Answer: (c) Inversely proportional to the square of the distance

   38. The density of water is:
       (a) 1 g/cm31 g/cm3
       (b) 10 g/cm310 g/cm3
       (c) 0.1 g/cm30.1 g/cm3
       (d) 0.5 g/cm30.5 g/cm3
       Answer: (a) 1 g/cm³

   39. The law that relates current, voltage and resistance is:
       (a) Faraday’s law
       (b) Ohm’s law
       (c) Newton’s law
       (d) Coulomb’s law
       Answer: (b) Ohm’s law

   40. The angle of reflection is equal to the:
       (a) Angle of incidence
       (b) Angle of refraction
       (c) Critical angle
       (d) Deviation angle
       Answer: (a) Angle of incidence

   41. The frequency of sound waves determines the:
       (a) Loudness
       (b) Pitch
       (c) Velocity
       (d) Intensity
       Answer: (b) Pitch

   42. SI unit of potential difference is:
       (a) Coulomb
       (b) Ampere
       (c) Volt
       (d) Ohm
       Answer: (c) Volt

   43. The value of acceleration due to gravity $g$ is approximately:
       (a) 9.8 m/s29.8 m/s2
       (b) 10 m/s210 m/s2
       (c) 8.9 m/s28.9 m/s2
       (d) 9.2 m/s29.2 m/s2
       Answer: (a) 9.8 m/s²

   44. The SI base unit of length is:
       (a) Meter
       (b) Kilogram
       (c) Second
       (d) Newton
       Answer: (a) Meter

   45. The region around a magnet where magnetic effects are experienced is the:
       (a) Magnetic field
       (b) Magnetic line
       (c) Magnetic force
       (d) Magnetic power
       Answer: (a) Magnetic field

   46. The power of a machine is the rate at which it does:
       (a) Force
       (b) Work
       (c) Energy
       (d) Displacement
       Answer: (b) Work

   47. A wave with a wavelength of 2 m and frequency 5 Hz has a speed of:
       (a) 2.5 m/s
       (b) 5 m/s
       (c) 10 m/s
       (d) 7 m/s
       Answer: (c) 10 m/s

   48. The energy stored due to position is:
       (a) Kinetic energy
       (b) Gravitational potential energy
       (c) Thermal energy
       (d) Mechanical energy
       Answer: (b) Gravitational potential energy

   49. The time taken for one complete oscillation of a pendulum is its:
       (a) Frequency
       (b) Amplitude
       (c) Time period
       (d) Wave length
       Answer: (c) Time period

   50. Newton’s first law of motion is also called the law of:
       (a) energy conservation
       (b) inertia
       (c) acceleration
       (d) force
       Answer: (b) inertia

   51. What is the momentum of an object of mass 3 kg moving at 4 m/s?
       (a) 7 kg m/s
       (b) 12 kg m/s
       (c) 1.33 kg m/s
       (d) 0.75 kg m/s
       Answer: (b) 12 kg m/s

   52. In a projectile motion, the horizontal component of velocity is:
       (a) constant
       (b) zero
       (c) increasing
       (d) decreasing
       Answer: (a) constant

   53. Which device is used to measure electric potential difference?
       (a) Ammeter
       (b) Voltmeter
       (c) Galvanometer
       (d) Rheostat
       Answer: (b) Voltmeter

   54. The unit of pressure is:
       (a) Newton
       (b) Pascal
       (c) Joule
       (d) Watt
       Answer: (b) Pascal

   55. The electric resistance of a wire depends on:
       (a) Length and cross-sectional area
       (b) Voltage and current
       (c) Temperature only
       (d) Mass and volume
       Answer: (a) Length and cross-sectional area

   56. The inbuilt potential difference a cell can provide is called:
       (a) Electromotive force
       (b) Current
       (c) Resistance
       (d) Voltage
       Answer: (a) Electromotive force

   57. Which of the following is a transverse wave?
       (a) Light wave
       (b) Sound wave
       (c) Ultrasound wave
       (d) Shock wave
       Answer: (a) Light wave

   58. An object is said to be in equilibrium if:
       (a) Force and acceleration are zero
       (b) Force acting on it is zero
       (c) Its velocity is zero
       (d) Velocity and acceleration are non-zero
       Answer: (b) Force acting on it is zero

   59. During wave motion, the maximum displacement from the mean position is called:
       (a) Wavelength
       (b) Frequency
       (c) Amplitude
       (d) Period
       Answer: (c) Amplitude

   60. Which force is responsible for the weight of an object?
       (a) Electromagnetic force
       (b) Gravitational force
       (c) Nuclear force
       (d) Friction
       Answer: (b) Gravitational force

   61. Which statement is true about the law of conservation of momentum?
       (a) Momentum can be created or destroyed
       (b) Total momentum remains constant if no external force acts
       (c) Momentum always increases
       (d) Momentum is inversely proportional to velocity
       Answer: (b) Total momentum remains constant if no external force acts

   62. The SI unit of energy is:
       (a) Newton
       (b) Watt
       (c) Joule
       (d) Volt
       Answer: (c) Joule

   63. The force of friction acts:
       (a) In the direction of motion
       (b) Opposite to the direction of motion
       (c) Perpendicular to motion
       (d) No force
       Answer: (b) Opposite to the direction of motion

   64. The rate of doing work is called:
       (a) Power
       (b) Energy
       (c) Force
       (d) Velocity
       Answer: (a) Power

   65. The weight of a body on the Moon is less than on Earth because:
       (a) The Moon has less mass than Earth
       (b) The Moon is closer to the Sun
       (c) The Moon has less volume than Earth
       (d) The Moon has more gravitational pull
       Answer: (a) The Moon has less mass than Earth

   66. The resultant of two forces acting at right angles is found using:
       (a) Triangle law
       (b) Polygon law
       (c) Parallelogram law
       (d) Newton’s law
       Answer: (c) Parallelogram law

   67. The SI unit of frequency is:
       (a) Hz
       (b) s
       (c) m/s
       (d) N
       Answer: (a) Hz

   68. One watt equals:
       (a) one joule per second
       (b) one newton
       (c) one joule
       (d) one volt
       Answer: (a) one joule per second

   69. An object projected vertically upwards will:
       (a) Keep going up indefinitely
       (b) Reach a maximum height then fall down
       (c) Fall straight down immediately
       (d) Move horizontally
       Answer: (b) Reach a maximum height then fall down

   70. The pressure at the bottom of a fluid column depends on the:
       (a) density of the fluid and height of the column
       (b) density only
       (c) height only
       (d) volume only
       Answer: (a) density of the fluid and height of the column

   71. The temperature at which a solid changes to liquid is called:
       (a) melting point
       (b) boiling point
       (c) freezing point
       (d) condensation point
       Answer: (a) melting point

   72. SI unit of electric charge is:
       (a) Ampere
       (b) Coulomb
       (c) Volt
       (d) Ohm
       Answer: (b) Coulomb

   73. The force required to stop a moving object in a given time is called:
       (a) Momentum
       (b) Inertia
       (c) Impulse
       (d) Force
       Answer: (c) Impulse

   74. The formula for calculating kinetic energy is:
       (a) 12mv221mv2
       (b) mv2mv2
       (c) $mg$
       (d) $mgh$
       Answer: (a) 12mv221mv2

   75. Which wave property measures the distance between two crests?
       (a) Amplitude
       (b) Wavelength
       (c) Frequency
       (d) Period
       Answer: (b) Wavelength

   76. The electric current is the rate of flow of:
       (a) Neutrons
       (b) Protons
       (c) Electrons
       (d) Photons
       Answer: (c) Electrons

   77. A body falling freely near earth accelerates at about:
       (a) 9.8 m/s²
       (b) 10 m/s²
       (c) 9 m/s²
       (d) Zero
       Answer: (a) 9.8 m/s²

   78. The energy possessed by a body due to its position is:
       (a) Kinetic energy
       (b) Potential energy
       (c) Thermal energy
       (d) Light energy
       Answer: (b) Potential energy

   79. Which device converts chemical energy to electrical energy?
       (a) Dynamo
       (b) Solar cell
       (c) Battery
       (d) Electric motor
       Answer: (c) Battery

   80. The principle of moments helps determine:
       (a) Force
       (b) Turn effect
       (c) Inertia
       (d) Weight
       Answer: (b) Turn effect

   81. Sound travels fastest in:
       (a) Solid
       (b) Liquid
       (c) Gas
       (d) Vacuum
       Answer: (a) Solid

   82. The density of a substance is:
       (a) Mass per unit volume
       (b) Weight per unit volume
       (c) Mass
       (d) Weight
       Answer: (a) Mass per unit volume

   83. Which unit is used to measure electric resistance?
       (a) Volt
       (b) Ohm
       (c) Ampere
       (d) Watt
       Answer: (b) Ohm

   84. The force pulling objects toward the center of the Earth is called:
       (a) Magnetic force
       (b) Weight
       (c) Friction
       (d) Gravity
       Answer: (d) Gravity

   85. The work done when a force moves an object through distance is:
       (a) Force × distance
       (b) Mass × velocity
       (c) Force × acceleration
       (d) Velocity × time
       Answer: (a) Force × distance

   86. Which of the following is heat transfer by direct contact?
       (a) Conduction
       (b) Convection
       (c) Radiation
       (d) Reflection
       Answer: (a) Conduction

   87. Which principle explains why ships float?
       (a) Bernoulli’s principle
       (b) Archimedes’ principle
       (c) Pascal’s principle
       (d) Newton’s first law
       Answer: (b) Archimedes’ principle

   88. The frequency of a wave is:
       (a) The number of waves per second
       (b) The wavelength
       (c) The amplitude
       (d) The period
       Answer: (a) The number of waves per second

   89. The force that always opposes motion is:
       (a) Weight
       (b) Friction
       (c) Magnetic force
       (d) Electric force
       Answer: (b) Friction

   90. The potential difference across a conductor is given by:
       (a) $V=IR$
       (b) $V=I/R$
       (c) V=IR2V=IR2
       (d) V=I2RV=I2R
       Answer: (a) $V=IR$

   91. The energy possessed by a body due to its motion is:
       (a) Kinetic energy
       (b) Potential energy
       (c) Thermal energy
       (d) Electrical energy
       Answer: (a) Kinetic energy

   92. The unit of power is:
       (a) Joule
       (b) Watt
       (c) Watt-hour
       (d) Newton
       Answer: (b) Watt

   93. The speed of light in vacuum is approximately:
       (a) 3×1083×108 m/s
       (b) 3×1063×106 m/s
       (c) 3×1043×104 m/s
       (d) 3×1033×103 m/s
       Answer: (a) 3×1083×108 m/s

   94. The charge on an electron is:
       (a) Approximately 1.6×10−191.6×10−19 C
       (b) Approximately 1.6×10191.6×1019 C
       (c) Zero
       (d) Negative but unknown
       Answer: (a) Approximately 1.6×10−191.6×10−19 C

   95. The resistance of a wire is directly proportional to:
       (a) Its length
       (b) Its cross-sectional area
       (c) Temperature only
       (d) Current
       Answer: (a) Its length

   96. The velocity of an object is:
       (a) Rate of change of acceleration
       (b) Rate of change of displacement
       (c) Distance covered per time
       (d) Speed in a given direction
       Answer: (d) Speed in a given direction

   97. The acceleration of an object moving at constant velocity is:
       (a) Zero
       (b) Constant
       (c) Increasing
       (d) Decreasing
       Answer: (a) Zero

   98. The elastic potential energy stored in a stretched spring is proportional to:
       (a) The length of the spring
       (b) The square of the extension
       (c) The cube of the extension
       (d) The extension only
       Answer: (b) The square of the extension

   99. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed. This is the:
       (a) Law of motion
       (b) Law of conservation of energy
       (c) Law of thermodynamics
       (d) Law of relativity
       Answer: (b) Law of conservation of energy

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