WAEC 2025/2026 Physics Likely Questions and Answers (Hot Topics)

 

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WAEC 2025/2026 Physics Likely Questions and Answers (Hot Topics)

The WAEC 2025/2026 Physics exam is fast approaching, and as a student, you need to be well-prepared for it. Physics can be challenging, but with the right approach, understanding key topics, and practicing likely questions, you can achieve excellent results. This article will provide a detailed overview of likely WAEC Physics questions for 2025/2026, hot topics to focus on, and expert tips on how to solve common problems. Whether you’re a science student or just trying to improve your Physics knowledge, this guide is for you!

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Table of Contents

1. Overview of WAEC Physics Exam
2. Key Topics in WAEC Physics
   • 2.1 Mechanics
   • 2.2 Electricity and Magnetism
   • 2.3 Optics
   • 2.4 Heat and Temperature
   • 2.5 Waves and Sound
   • 2.6 Atomic Physics
3. Likely WAEC Physics Questions with Solutions
4. How to Tackle WAEC Physics Exam Questions
5. Effective Study Tips for WAEC Physics
6. Sample WAEC 2025/2026 Physics Questions and Answers
7. Summary Table
8. FAQs
9. Conclusion

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Overview of WAEC Physics Exam

The WAEC Physics exam is designed to test your understanding of the fundamental principles of physics and your ability to apply these concepts to solve real-world problems. The exam is typically divided into two parts:

• Paper 1: Objective questions (Multiple Choice)
• Paper 2: Theory questions (short-answer, word problems, and long-answer questions)

The objective section (Paper 1) consists of 50 multiple-choice questions, each focusing on a variety of topics such as mechanics, electricity, and thermodynamics. The theory section (Paper 2) involves questions that require deeper understanding, problem-solving skills, and the ability to explain complex ideas.

The total time for the exam is 3 hours, with 40% of the marks from Paper 1 and 60% from Paper 2. To succeed, you’ll need to focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical application of physics principles.

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Key Topics in WAEC Physics

2.1 Mechanics

Mechanics is one of the most important topics in Physics. It involves the study of motion, forces, and energy. Understanding mechanics is crucial for solving problems related to objects in motion, such as calculating speed, acceleration, and forces acting on bodies.

Likely Mechanics Questions:

1. Define velocity and differentiate it from speed.
   • Solution: Velocity is the rate at which an object changes its position in a specific direction, while speed is the rate at which an object moves, irrespective of direction.
2. A car accelerates from 0 m/s to 20 m/s in 10 seconds. Calculate its acceleration.
   • Solution:
     Acceleration=Change in velocityTime taken=20 m/s−0 m/s10 s=2 m/s2\text{Acceleration} = \frac{\text{Change in velocity}}{\text{Time taken}} = \frac{20 \, \text{m/s} – 0 \, \text{m/s}}{10 \, \text{s}} = 2 \, \text{m/s}^2
3. A ball is dropped from a height of 50 meters. Calculate the time it will take to reach the ground (neglect air resistance).
   • Solution:
     Using the equation of motion:
     s=ut+12gt2s = ut + \frac{1}{2}gt^2
     where s=50 ms = 50 \, \text{m}, u=0u = 0, and g=9.8 m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2,
     50=0+12(9.8)t250 = 0 + \frac{1}{2}(9.8)t^2
     t2=50×29.8=10.2t^2 = \frac{50 \times 2}{9.8} = 10.2
     t=10.2=3.19 secondst = \sqrt{10.2} = 3.19 \, \text{seconds}

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2.2 Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity and magnetism are fundamental concepts in Physics that deal with electric charges, currents, magnetic fields, and their interactions. These topics form a large portion of the WAEC Physics syllabus.

Likely Electricity and Magnetism Questions:

1. Define Ohm’s Law and write its mathematical expression.
   • Solution: Ohm’s Law states that the current flowing through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points and inversely proportional to the resistance.
     V=IRV = IR
     where VV is voltage, II is current, and RR is resistance.
2. Calculate the resistance of a wire that has a voltage of 10 V and a current of 2 A.
   • Solution: Using Ohm’s law,
     R=VI=10 V2 A=5 ΩR = \frac{V}{I} = \frac{10 \, \text{V}}{2 \, \text{A}} = 5 \, \Omega
3. What is the relationship between the magnetic field and the current in a wire?
   • Solution: The magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor is directly related to the amount of current flowing through the wire. The stronger the current, the stronger the magnetic field.

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2.3 Optics

Optics is the study of light and its behavior. Key concepts in optics include reflection, refraction, lenses, and the formation of images.

Likely Optics Questions:

1. State the laws of reflection.
   • Solution:
     • The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
     • The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal all lie in the same plane.
2. A concave lens forms a virtual image of an object. Explain how this occurs.
   • Solution: In a concave lens, parallel light rays diverge after passing through the lens. These diverging rays appear to originate from a point on the same side of the object, creating a virtual image.
3. Find the focal length of a convex lens if the object distance is 10 cm and the image distance is 20 cm.
   • Solution:
     Using the lens formula:
     1f=1v−1u\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{v} – \frac{1}{u}
     where v=20 cmv = 20 \, \text{cm} (image distance) and u=−10 cmu = -10 \, \text{cm} (object distance),
     1f=120−1−10=120+110=320\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{20} – \frac{1}{-10} = \frac{1}{20} + \frac{1}{10} = \frac{3}{20}
     Hence, f=203=6.67 cmf = \frac{20}{3} = 6.67 \, \text{cm}.

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2.4 Heat and Temperature

The study of heat and temperature involves concepts such as thermal expansion, specific heat capacity, and the laws of thermodynamics.

Likely Heat and Temperature Questions:

1. What is the difference between temperature and heat?
   • Solution: Temperature is the measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance, while heat is the energy transferred due to a difference in temperature.
2. A body absorbs 500 J of heat and its temperature rises by 5°C. Calculate its specific heat capacity.
   • Solution: Using the formula Q=mcΔTQ = mc\Delta T, where Q=500 JQ = 500 \, \text{J}, m=1 kgm = 1 \, \text{kg}, and ΔT=5 °C\Delta T = 5 \, \text{°C},
     c=QmΔT=5001×5=100 J/kg°Cc = \frac{Q}{m\Delta T} = \frac{500}{1 \times 5} = 100 \, \text{J/kg°C}

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2.5 Waves and Sound

Waves and sound are phenomena that involve the transmission of energy through a medium. This topic includes the study of wave properties such as frequency, amplitude, and speed.

Likely Waves and Sound Questions:

1. Define wavelength and frequency.
   • Solution: Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs of a wave, while frequency is the number of waves passing a point in one second.

A sound wave has a frequency of 400 Hz and a wavelength of 2 m. Find the speed of sound.

• Solution: Using the formula v=fλv = f \lambda,
  v=400 Hz×2 m=800 m/sv = 400 \, \text{Hz} \times 2 \, \text{m} = 800 \, \text{m/s}

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2.6 Atomic Physics

Atomic Physics explores the behavior and properties of atoms, including nuclear reactions and radioactivity.

Likely Atomic Physics Questions:

1. Explain the concept of half-life in radioactivity.
   • Solution: Half-life is the time taken for half of the atoms in a sample of radioactive substance to decay.
2. What is the difference between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation?
   • Solution:
     • Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei and is the least penetrating.
     • Beta radiation consists of electrons or positrons and is moderately penetrating.
     • Gamma radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation and is highly penetrating.

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How to Tackle WAEC Physics Exam Questions

1. Read the Question Carefully: Understand what is being asked before attempting to solve it.
2. Identify Relevant Formulas: Knowing the key formulas for different topics is essential for solving Physics problems.
3. Show All Working: Always demonstrate how you arrive at your answer. Partial marks are often awarded for correct methods.
4. Be Precise with Units: Ensure all your answers include appropriate units, such as meters (m), seconds (s), or kilograms (kg).
5. Time Management: Allocate enough time for each section and don’t spend too much time on any one question.

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Effective Study Tips for WAEC Physics

1. Understand the Basics: Build a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts before moving to advanced topics.
2. Practice Past Papers: Solve past WAEC Physics papers to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions.
3. Use Study Guides and Textbooks: Refer to recommended textbooks and study guides for detailed explanations and examples.
4. Group Study: Discussing topics with fellow students can help reinforce difficult concepts.
5. Use Online Resources: Leverage online platforms and apps that offer interactive Physics lessons and practice tests.

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Sample WAEC 2025/2026 Physics Questions and Answers

Refer to the earlier sections for specific sample questions and solutions for Mechanics, Electricity, Optics, Heat, Waves, and Atomic Physics. Make sure you practice these questions to improve your problem-solving skills.

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Summary Table

Topic	Key Concepts	Likely Questions
Mechanics	Motion, Forces, Energy, Work, Power	Velocity vs. Speed, Acceleration, Newton’s Laws
Electricity & Magnetism	Ohm’s Law, Magnetic Fields, Electric Current	Ohm’s Law, Resistance, Magnetic Effects
Optics	Reflection, Refraction, Lenses, Mirrors	Laws of Reflection, Lens Formula, Concave/Convex Lenses
Heat & Temperature	Heat Transfer, Thermal Expansion, Specific Heat	Temperature vs. Heat, Specific Heat Capacity
Waves & Sound	Wave Properties, Speed of Sound, Frequency, Wavelength	Sound Waves, Wave Speed, Frequency
Atomic Physics	Radioactivity, Nuclear Physics, Half-life	Alpha, Beta, Gamma Radiation, Nuclear Reactions

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FAQs

1. What are the best ways to prepare for WAEC Physics?
   • Practice past questions, focus on key topics, and understand the formulas.
2. How can I improve my problem-solving skills in Physics?
   • Regular practice, understanding concepts deeply, and using study guides will help.
3. How important is time management during the WAEC Physics exam?
   • Time management is crucial for completing the exam within the allotted time.
4. What should I do if I can’t solve a question during the exam?
   • Skip it and return to it later. Don’t waste too much time on any single question.
5. Is it better to focus more on theory or practical problems in Physics?
   • Balance both; understanding theory is key to solving practical problems.

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Conclusion

Preparing for the WAEC 2025/2026 Physics exam can be a challenging but rewarding process. By focusing on the hot topics, practicing likely questions, and understanding key concepts, you’ll be well-equipped to perform excellently in the exam. Stay consistent with your studies, manage your time effectively, and practice problem-solving regularly. Best of luck with your preparation!