WAEC Physics past questions and answers

Checked by the Skolra question team · Last updated 23 October 2026

WAEC Physics: 1,662 objective past questions from 36 papers between 1988 and 2023, each with the answer and an explanation. Here are ten.

How the WAEC Physics paper is set. On WAEC's 2026 timetable for private candidates, Paper 1 (objective) takes 1 hour 15 minutes, Paper 2 (essay) 1 hour 30 minutes and Paper 3 (alternative to practical work) 2 hours 45 minutes. If the question paper on the day gives another time, follow the question paper. The questions here are from Paper 1.

1. 1.Which of the following defects of vision is as a result of the eye ball being too long?
   1. A
      Hypermetropia
   2. B
      Myopia
      Correct
   3. C
      Astigmatism
   4. D
      Presbyopia
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   Myopia (short-sightedness) is caused by the eyeball being too long (or the lens being too curved).

   In this condition, parallel rays of light from a distant object are focused in front of the retina instead of on it, causing blurred distant vision.

   It is corrected using a concave (diverging) lens.

   Hypermetropia (long-sightedness) results from an eyeball that is too short; presbyopia is age-related loss of near-focusing ability; astigmatism is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea.

2. 2.Which of the following particles of ray has the highest penetrating power?
   1. A
      X-rays
   2. B
      Beta particles
   3. C
      Alpha particles
   4. D
      Gamma rays
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   Penetrating power order: γ-rays > X-rays > β-particles > α-particles.

   Alpha particles are stopped by a sheet of paper; beta particles by a few mm of aluminium; gamma rays require several cm of lead or metres of concrete to be significantly attenuated — they have the highest penetrating power.

3. 3.Which of the following have the longest wavelengths?
   1. A
      ultraviolet rays
   2. B
      X-rays
   3. C
      radio waves
      Correct
   4. D
      gamma rays
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   Answer: C

   In the electromagnetic spectrum, wavelength decreases in the order:

   Radio waves → Microwaves → Infrared → Visible → Ultraviolet → X-rays → Gamma rays

   Radio waves have the longest wavelengths (from about 1 mm to over 100 km), while gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths (less than 10⁻¹¹ m).

4. 4.A diverging lens of focal length 30cm produces an image 20cm from the lens. Determine the object distance
   1. A
      48 cm
   2. B
      60 cm
      Correct
   3. C
      12 cm
   4. D
      120 cm
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   For a diverging lens: f = −30 cm (negative). The image is virtual: v = −20 cm.

   Using the lens formula 1/f = 1/v − 1/u (real-is-positive convention, real object: u is negative):

   1/(−30) = 1/(−20) − 1/u

   − 1/30 = − 1/20 − 1/u  ⇒  1/u = − 1/20 + 1/30 = − 1/60

   u = −60 cm, so the object distance is 60 cm.

5. 5.

   When two cells of negligible internal resistances and equal e.m.f. denoted by E$_1$and E$_2$ are connected in parallel, combined e.m.f. E is given by

   1. A
      E = (E₁ − E₂)/2
   2. B
      1/E = 1/E₁ + 1/E₂
   3. C
      E = E₁ + E₂
   4. D
      E = E₁ = E₂
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   When two cells with equal EMF (E₁ = E₂) and negligible internal resistance are connected in parallel, both maintain the same terminal potential. Using the general formula for cells in parallel: E = (E₁/r₁ + E₂/r₂)/(1/r₁ + 1/r₂). With equal r → 0, the combined EMF equals the EMF of each individual cell: E = E₁ = E₂. The parallel connection increases current capacity, not voltage.

6. 6.The following devices use plane mirrors in their operations, except
   1. A
      Dental mirror
   2. B
      Projector
      Correct
   3. C
      Periscope
   4. D
      Kaleidoscope
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   A projector uses a convex (projection) lens and a concave reflector — not a plane mirror. Periscopes and kaleidoscopes use flat plane mirrors, and a dental mirror is itself a plane mirror.

7. 7.Which of the following is used for controlling the amount of light entering the eye?
   1. A
      Iris
      Correct
   2. B
      Lens
   3. C
      Cornea
   4. D
      Retina
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   The iris is the coloured part of the eye that contains circular and radial muscles. It controls the size of the pupil — the opening through which light enters the eye.

   In bright light, the circular muscles contract to make the pupil smaller, reducing light entry. In dim light, the radial muscles contract to enlarge the pupil, admitting more light.

8. 8.All the heat generated by a current of 2A passing through a resistor of 6Ω for 2.5s is used to evaporate 5 g of a liquid at its boiling point. What is the specific latent heat of the liquid?
   1. A
      6 Jg⁻¹
   2. B
      60 Jg⁻¹
   3. C
      24 Jg⁻¹
   4. D
      12 Jg⁻¹
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   Heat generated by the current (all used to evaporate the liquid):

   Q = I²Rt = (2)² × 6 × 2.5 = 4 × 6 × 2.5 = 60 J

   This heat evaporates 5 g of liquid, so specific latent heat:

   L = Q/m = 60/5 = 12 Jg⁻¹

9. 9.

   A bullet is fired from a gun at 30$^o$ to the horizontal. The bullet remains in flight for 25s before touching the ground. Calculating the velocity of projection. [g = 10ms$^{-2}$]

   1. A
      250 ms⁻¹
      Correct
   2. B
      300 ms⁻¹
   3. C
      200 ms⁻¹
   4. D
      150 ms⁻¹
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   For projectile motion, the time of flight is: T = 2u sinθ / g
   25 = 2u × sin 30° / 10
   25 = 2u × 0.5 / 10
   25 = u / 10
   u = 250 ms⁻¹
   The bullet was projected at 250 ms⁻¹ at 30° to the horizontal.

10. 10.The maximum power dissipated by a 100$\Omega$ resistor in a circuit is 4W. Calculate the voltage across the resistor
    1. A
       4 V
    2. B
       20 V
       Correct
    3. C
       10 V
    4. D
       400 V
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer: B

    Using the power formula: P = V² / R

    V² = P × R = 4 × 100 = 400

    V = √400 = 20 V.

The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check

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