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JAMB Syllabus for Physics

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The official Jamb Syllabus for Physics has been released for Jambites taking the subject in the upcoming JAMB 2020 examination. Here is why you need the Jamb Syllabus and Hot topics for Physics. 

The truth is 300+ is achievable! But you must prepare, most importantly prepare with the adequate materials/books. Consequently, JAMB has released its syllabus to enable students to prepare and excel

You are expected as an aspirant seeking admission to meticulously exhaust your JAMB Syllabus For Geography topic by topic, solve all the questions that have ever come out under each of those topics and build your confidence towards the main exam.

SEE ALSO: Recent JAMB Repeated Past Questions and Answers for all Subjects 2020

Original JAMB Syllabus and Hot Topics for all Subjects 2019/2020

Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and Post UTME Cut-Off Marks for 2020/2021 Admission Exercise

Here is the Jamb syllabus for Physics;

OFFICIAL JAMB SYLLABUS FOR PHYSICS

1. MEASUREMENTS AND UNITS

UTME candidates should focus their attention on;

  1. Length area and volume: Metre rule, Venier calipers Micrometer Screw-guage
  2. Mass
    • unit of mass
    • use of simple beam balance
  3. Time
    • unit of time
    • time-measuring devices
  4. Fundamental physical quantities
  5. Derived physical quantities and their units
    • Combinations of fundamental quantities and determination of their units
  6. Dimensions
    • definition of dimensions
  7. Limitations of experimental measurements
    • accuracy of measuring instruments
    • simple estimation of
    • significant figures.

After reading the topic: Measurement and Units, candidates should be able to;

  1. identify the units of length area and  volume;
  2. use different measuring instruments;
  3. determine the lengths, surface areas and volume of regular and irregular bodies;
  4. identify the unit of mass;
  5. use simple beam balance, e.g Buchart’s balance and chemical balance;
  6. identify the unit of time;
  7. use different time-measuring devices;
  8. relate the fundamental  physical  quantities to their units
  9. deduce the units of derived physical quantities
  10. Determine the dimensions of physical quantities;
  11. use the dimensions to determine the units of physical quantities
  12. test the homogeneity of an equation
  13. determine the accuracy of measuring instruments;
  14. estimate simple errors;

2. SCALARS AND VECTORS

Focus your attention on;

  1. definition of scalar and vector quantities
  2. examples of scalar and vector quantities
  3. relative velocity
  4. resolution of vectors into two perpendicular directions including graphical methods of solution.

After reading the topic “Scalars and Vectors” candidates should be able to;

  1. distinguish between scalar and vector quantities;
  2. give examples of scalar and vector quantities;
  3. determine the resultant of two or more vectors;
  4. determine relative velocity;
  5. resolve vectors into two perpendicular components;
  6. use graphical methods to solve vector problems

3. MOTION

Under this topic, candidates should focus their attention on;

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

To know if you’re ready for any questions from the topic Motion, you should be able to;

  1. identify different types of motion
  2. differentiate between speed, velocity, and acceleration;
  3. deduce equations of uniformly accelerated motion;
  4. solve problems of motion under gravity;
  5. interpret the distance-time graph and velocity-time graph;
  6. compute instantaneous velocity and acceleration
  7. establish expressions for the range, maximum height and time of flight of projectiles;
  8. solve problems involving projectile motion;
  9. interpret Newton’s laws of motion;
  10. compare inertia, mass and force;
  11. deduce the relationship between mass and acceleration;
  12. solve numerical problems involving impulse and momentum
  13. interpret the law of conservation of linear momentum;
  14. establish expression for angular velocity, angular acceleration and centripetal force;
  15. solve numerical problems involving motion in a circle;
  16. establish the relationship between period and frequency;
  17. analyse the energy changes occurring during S.H.M

4. GRAVITATIONAL FIELD

For this topic, just concentrate on;

  1. Newton’s law of universal gravitation
  2. gravitational potential
  3. conservative and non-conservative fields
  4. acceleration due to gravity (g= GM/R)
  5. variation of g on the earth’s surface
  6. distinction between    mass    and weight
  7. escape velocity
  8. parking orbit and weightlessness

After reading the topic Gravitational field, candidates are expected to;

  1. identify the expression for gravitational force between two bodies;
  2. apply Newton’s law of universal gravitation;
  3. give examples of conservative and non- conservation fields;
  4. deduce the expression for gravitational field potentials;
  5. identify the causes of variation of g on the earth’s surface;
  6. differentiate between mass and weight;
  7. determine escape velocity

5. EQUILIBRIUM OF FORCES | JAMB SYLLABUS FOR PHYSICS

use your time effectively. Under this topic, focus your attention on;

  1. equilibrium of a particles
    • equilibrium of coplanar forces
    • triangles and polygon of forces
    • Lami’s theorem
  2. principles of moments
    • moment of a force
    • simple treatment and moment of a couple (torgue)
    • applications
  3. conditions for equilibrium of  rigid  bodies under the action of parallel and non-parallel forces
    1. resolution and composition of forces in two perpendicular directions,
    2. resultant and equilibrant
  4. centre of gravity and stability
    1. stable, unstable and neutral equilibra

Please note that after reading the topic Equilibrium of Forces, you should be able to;

  1. apply the conditions for the equilibrium of coplanar force to solve problems;
  2. use triangle and polygon laws of forces to solve equilibrium problems;
  3. use Lami’s theorem to solve problems;
  4. analyse the principle of moment of a force;
  5. determine moment of a force and couple;
  6. describe some applications of moment of a force and couple;
  7. apply the conditions for the equilibrium of rigid bodies to solve problems;
  8. resolve forces into two perpendicular directions;
  9. determine the resultant and equilibrant of forces;
  10. differentiate between stable, unstable and neutral equilibrate

6. WORK, ENERGY AND POWER

Concentrate on;

  • definition of work, energy and power
  • forms of energy
  • conservation of energy
  • qualitative treatment between different forms of energy
  • interpretation of area under the force- distance curve

For you to be able to tackle any question that will come out from Work, Energy and Power, the you should be able to;

  1. differentiate between work, energy and power;
  2. compare different forms of energy, giving examples;
  3. apply the principle of conservation of energy;
  4. examine the transformation between different forms of energy;
  5. interpret the area under the force –distance curve

7. FRICTION

On this topic, concentrate more on;

  1. static and dynamic friction
  2. coefficient of limiting friction and its determination.
  3. advantages and disadvantages of friction
  4. reduction of friction
  5. qualitative treatment of viscosity and terminal stoke’s law
  6. stoke’s law

After reading the Friction, make sure you are able to;

  1. differentiate between static and dynamic friction
  2. determine the coefficient of limiting friction;
  3. compare the advantages and disadvantage of friction;
  4. suggest ways by which friction can be reduced;
  5. analyse factors that affect viscosity and terminal velocity;
  6. apply stoke’s law

8. SIMPLE MACHINES | JAMB SYLLABUS FOR PHYSICS

Focus on;

  1. definition of machine
  2. types of machines
  3. mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency of machines

After reading “Simple Machines” make sure you are able to

  1. identify different types of machines;
  2. solve problems involving simple machines.

9. ELASTICITY

Under this topic, read relevant things like;

  • elastic limit, yield point, breaking point, Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus
  • the spring balance as a device for measuring force
  • work done in springs and elastic strings

After reading Elasticity, make sure you can;

  1. interpret force-extension curves;
  2. interpret Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus of a material;
  3. use spring balance to measure force;
  4. determine the work done in spring and elastic strings

10. PRESSURE

Candidates should focus their attention on;

  1. Atmospheric Pressure
    1. definition of atmospheric pressure
    2. units of pressure (S.I) units
    3. measurement of pressure
    4. simple mercury barometer, aneroid barometer and manometer.
    5. variation of pressure with height
    6. the use of barometer as an altimeter.
  2. Pressure in liquids
    1. the relationship between pressure, depth and density (P = rgh)
    2. transmission of pressure in liquids (Pascal’s Principle)
    3. Application

After reading Pressure, you should be able to;

  1. recognize the S.I units of pressure;
  2. identify pressure measuring instruments;
  3. relate the variation of pressure to height;
  4. use a barometer as an altimeter.
  5. determine the relationship between pressure, depth and density
  6. apply the principle of transmission of pressure in liquids to solve problems;
  7. determine the application of pressure in liquid

11. LIQUIDS AT REST

While reading the  topic “Liquids at Rest” concentrate on;

  1. determination of density of solid and liquids
  2. definition of relative density
  3. upthrust on a body immersed in a liquid
  4. Archimede’s principle and law of floatation and applications, e.g. ships  and  hydrometers

To smash any question JAMB will set from the topic Liquidat Rest, make sure you are able to;

  1. distinguish between density and relative density of substances;
  2. determine the upthrust on a body immersed in a liquid;
  3. apply Archimedes’ principle and law of floatation to solve problems

12. TEMPERATURE AND ITS MEASUREMENT

Use your time wisely! Under this topic, focus your attention on;

  1. concept of temperature
  2. thermometric properties
  3. calibration of thermometers
  4. temperature scales –Celsius and
  5. types of thermometers
  6. conversion from one scale of temperature to another

For you be ready for any question that will come out from the topic Temperature and Its Measurement, you should be able to;

  1. identify thermometric properties of materials that are used for different thermometers;
  2. calibrate thermometers;
  3. differentiate between temperature scales e.g Clesius and Kelvin.
  4. compare the types of thermometers;
  5. convert from one scale of temperature to another.

13. THERMAL EXPANSION

Under this topic, just focus on;

  1. Solids
    1. definition and determination of linear, volume and area expansivities
    2. effects and applications, e.g. expansion in building strips and railway lines
    3. (iv) relationship between different expansivities.
  2. Liquids
    1. volume expansivity
    2. real and apparent expansivities
    3. determination of volume expansivity
    4. anomalous expansion of water

After Reading the topic Thermal Expansion, make sure you are able to;

  1. determine linear and volume expansivities;
  2.  assess the effects and applications of thermal expansivities;
  3. determine the relationship between different expansivities;
  4.  determine volume, apparent, and real expansivities of liquids;
  5. analyse the anomalous expansion of water

14. GAS LAWS | JAMB SYLLABUS FOR PHYSICS

On this topic Gas Laws focus your attention on;

  1. Boyle’s law
  2. Charle’s law
  3. Pressure law
  4. absolute zero of temperature
  5. general gas quation
  6. ideal gas equation

When you you are done reading the topic Gas Laws make sure you are able to;

  1. interpret the gas laws;
  2. use expression of these laws to solve numerical problems

15. QUANTITY OF HEAT

While reading the topic: Quantity of Heat, make sure you  concentrate more on;

  • heat as a form of energy
  • definition of heat capacity and specific heat capacity of solids and liquids
  • determination of heat capacity and specific heat capacity of substances by simple methods e.g method of mixtures and electrical method

After reading make sure you are able to;

  1. differentiate between heat capacity and specific heat capacity;
  2. determine heat capacity and specific heat capacity using simple methods;
  3. examine some numerical problems

16. CHANGE OF STATE

Under this topic, concentrate on;

  1. latent heat
  2. specific latent heats of fusion and vaporization;
  3. melting, evaporation and boiling
  4. the influence of pressure and of dissolved substances on boiling and melting
  5. application in appliances

Once you’re done reading the topic Change of State you should be able to;

  1. differentiate between latent heat and specific latent heat of fusion and vaporization;
  2. differentiate between melting, evaporation and boiling;
  3. examine the effects of pressure and of dissolved substance on boiling and melting points

17. VAPOURS

Concentrate more on;

  1. unsaturated and saturated vapours
  2. relationship between saturated vapour pressure (S.V.P) and boiling
  3. determination of S.V.P by barometer tube method
  4. formation of dew, mist, fog, and rain
  5. study of dew point, humidity and relative humidity
  6. hygrometry; estimation of the humidity of the atmosphere using wet and dry bulb hygrometers

After reading the topic Vapour, you should be able to;

  1. distinguish between saturated and unsaturated vapours;
  2. relate saturated vapour pressure to boiling point;
  3. determine S.V.P by barometer tube method;
  4. differentiate between dew point, humidity and relative humidity;
  5. estimate the humidity of the atmosphere  using  wet and dry bulb hydrometers

18. STRUCTURE OF MATTER AND KINETIC THEORY

While reading the above topic focus more on;

  1. Molecular nature of matter
    1. atoms and molecules
    2. molecular theory: explanation of Brownian motion, diffusion, surface tension, capillarity, adhesion, cohesion and angles of contact
    3. examples and applications
  2. Kinetic Theory
    1. assumptions of the kinetic theory
    2. using the theory to explain the pressure exerted by gas, Boyle’s law, Charles’ law, melting, boiling, vapourization, change in temperature evaporation, etc

After reading the Structure of Matter and Kineric Theory, make sure you are able to;

  1. differentiate between atoms and molecules;
  2. use molecular theory to explain Brownian motion , diffusion, surface, tension, capillarity, adhesion, cohesion and angle of contact
  3. examine the assumptions of kinetic theory;
  4. interpret kinetic theory, the pressure exerted by gases Boyle’s law, Charle’s law melting, boiling vaporization, change in temperature, evaporation, etc.

19. HEAT TRANSFER

  1. conduction, convention and radiation as modes of heat transfer
  2. temperature gradient, thermal conductivity and heat flux
  3. effect of the nature of the surface on the energy radiated and absorbed by it.
  4. the conductivities of common materials
  5. the thermos flask
  6.  land and sea breeze

After reading heat transfer, you are expected to be able to;

  1. differentiate between conduction, convention and radiation as modes of heat transfer;
  2. determine temperature gradient, thermal conductivity and heat flux;
  3. assess the effect of the nature of the surface on the energy radiated and absorbed by it;
  4. compare the conductivities of common materials;
  5. relate the component part of the working of the thermos flask;
  6. differentiate between land and sea breeze.

20. Waves

  1. Production and Propagation
    1. wave motion,
    2. vibrating systems as source of waves
    3. waves as mode of energy transfer
    4. distinction between particle motion and wave motion
    5. relationship between frequency, wavelength and wave velocity (V=f λ)
    6. phase difference
    7. Progressive wavelength
  2. Classification
    1. types of waves; mechanical and electromagnetic waves
    2. longitudinal and transverse waves
    3. stationary and progressive waves
    4. examples of waves from springs, ropes, stretched strings and the ripple tank
  3. Characteristics/Properties
    1. reflection, refraction, diffraction and plane Polarization
    2. superposition of waves e.g interference

Please note that after reading Waves, you are expected to;

  1. interpret wave motion;
  2. identify vibrating systems as sources of waves;
  3. use waves as a mode of energy transfer;
  4. distinguish between particle motion and wave motion;
  5. relate frequency and wave length to wave velocity;
  6. determine phase difference;
  7.  use the progressive wave equation to compute basic wave parameters
  8. differentiate between mechanical and electronmagnetic waves;
  9. differentiate between longitudinal and transverse waves
  10. distinguish between stationary and progressive waves;
  11. indicate the example of waves generated from springs, ropes, stretched strings and the ripple tank;
  12. differentiate between reflection, refraction, diffraction and plane polarization of waves;
  13. analyse the principle of superposition of waves

21. PROPAGATION OF SOUND WAVES

While reading this topic, just focus on;

  1. the necessity for a material medium
  2. speed of sound in solids, liquids and air;
  3. reflection of sound; echoes, reverberation and their applications
  4. disadvantages of echoes and reverberations

After reading Propagation of Sound Waves,  you should be able to;

  1. determine the need for a material medium in the propagation of sound waves;
  2. compare the speed of sound in solids, liquids and air;
  3. relate the effects of temperature and pressure to the speed of sound in air;
  4. solve problem on echoes, reverberation;
  5. compare the disadvantages and echoes

22. CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND WAVES

While reading Characteristics of Sound Waves, concentrate on;

  1. noise and musical notes
  2. quality, pitch, intensity and loudness and their application to musical instruments;
  3. simple treatment  of  overtones  produced by vibrating strings and their columns
  4. acoustic examples of resonance
  5. frequency of a note emitted by air columns in closed and open pipes in relation to  their lengths

When you are done reading the  Characteristics of Sound Waves, you are expected to;

  1. differentiate between noise and musical notes;
  2. analyse quality, pitch, intensity and loudness of sound notes;
  3. evaluate the application of (ii) above in the  construction of musical instruments;
  4. identify overtones by vibrating stings and air columns;
  5. itemize acoustical examples of resonance;
  6. determine the frequencies of notes  emitted by air columns in open and closed pipes in relation to their lengths

23. LIGHT ENERGY | JAMB SYLLABUS FOR PHYSICS

While reading the topic light energy, concetrate on;

  1. Source of Light
    1. natural and artificial source of light
    2. luminous and non-luminous objects
  2. Propagation of light
    1. speed, frequency and wavelength of light
    2. formation of shadows and eclipse
    3. the pin-hole camera

After reading Light Energy, you should be able to;

  1. compare the natural and artificial sources of light;
  2. differentiate between luminous and non luminous objects;
  3. relate the speed, frequency and wavelength of light;
  4. interpret the formation of shadows and eclipses;
  5. solve problems using the principle of operation of a pin-hole camera.

24. REFLECTION OF LIGHT AT PLANE AND CURVED FACES

While reading the above topic, concentrate more on;

  1. laws of reflection
  2. application of reflection of light
  3. formation of images by plane, concave and convex mirrors and ray diagrams
  4. use of the mirror formula
  5. linear magnification

After reading Reflection of Light at Plane and Curved faces, make sure you are able to;

  1. interpret the laws of reflection;
  2. illustrate the formation of images by plane, concave and convex mirrors;
  3. apply the mirror formula to solve optical problems;
  4. determine the linear magnification;
  5. apply the laws of reflection of light to the working of periscope, kaleidoscope and the sextant.

25. REFRACTION OF LIGHT

When reading  Refraction of Light, focus on;

  1. Refraction of Light through Plane and Curved Surface
    1. explanation of refraction in terms of velocity of light in the
    2. laws of refraction
    3. definition of refractive index of a medium
    4. determination of refractive index of glass and liquid using Snell’s law
    5. real and apparent depth and lateral displacement
    6. critical angle and total internal reflection
  2. Refraction of Light through Glass Prism
    1. of the minimum deviation formula
    2. type of lenses
    3. use of lens formula
    4. magnification

After reading Refraction of light, you should be able to;

  1. interpret the laws of reflection;
  2. determine the refractive index of glass and liquid using Snell’s law;
  3. determine the refractive index using the principle of real and apparent depth;
  4. determine the conditions necessary for total internal reflection;
  5. examine the use of periscope, prism, binoculars, optical fibre;
  6. apply the principles of total internal reflection to the formation of mirage;
  7. use of lens formula and ray diagrams to solve optical numerical problems;
  8. determine the magnification of an image;
  9. calculate the refractive index of a glass prism using minimum deviation formula

26. OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS

Your area of concentration on the above topic should be;

  1. the principles of microscopes, telescopes, projectors, cameras and the human eye (physiological details of the eye are not required)
  2. power of a lens
  3. angular magnification
  4. near and far points
  5. sight defects and their corrections

After reading the Optical Instruments, make sure you are able to;

  1. apply the principles of operation of optical instruments to solve problems;
  2. distinguish between the human eye and the cameras;
  3. calculate the power of a lens;
  4. determine the angular magnification of optical instruments;
  5. determine the near and far points;
  6. detect sight defects and their corrections

CANDIDATES SHOULD ALSO READ UP THE FOLLOWING TOPICS FOR JAMB SYLLABUS FOR PHYSICS

  1. dispersion of light and colours
  2. Electgromagnetic spectrum
  3. Electrostatics
  4. Capacitors
  5. Electric Cells
  6. Current Electricity
  7. Electrical Energy and Power
  8. Magnets and Magnetic Fields
  9. Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor
  10. Electromagnetic Induction
  11. Simple A. C. Circuit
  12. Conduction of Electricity Through liquids
  13. Elementary Modern Physics
  14. Introductory Electronics

JAMB SYLLABUS FOR PHYSICS TEXTBOOKS

  1. Fundamentals of Physics
  2. Advanced Level Physics (Sixth Edition)
  3. Secondary School Physic
  4. Comprehensive Certificate Physics
  5. Essential Principles of Physics
  6. Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, F = Ma

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