WAEC 2025 Physics | Essay

Prepare for your exams with WAEC questions? Reviewing past/model questions is one of the most effective ways to guarantee a high score. This practice hub features authentic 2025 Physics (Essay) questions designed to simulate the real exam environment.

Practice these randomly selected questions to test your readiness.

Question 1 View Details
A missile is launched vertically upward with an initial velocity \( u \) at an angle \( \theta \) to the horizontal. It travels a horizontal distance, \( R \) often referred to as the range which is represented by the expression \( R=\frac{u^{2} \sin 2 \theta}{g} \). Determine the dimension of \( R \).
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 2 View Details
State one use of a:
Question Parts
(i)
gas laser
(ii)
chemical laser
(iii)
dye laser
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 3 View Details
An object was projected in space with an initial velocity, \( u \) at an angle \( \theta \) to the horizontal. It attained a maximum height, \( H \) before falling at a spot on the same plane as the point of projection. With the aid of a suitable diagram, draw a graph of the object's motion indicating the initial velocity, \( u \), maximum height, \( H \), angle, \( \theta \), and the range, \( R \).
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 4 View Details
A satellite orbits the earth with a velocity of \( 5.8 \mathrm{~km} / \mathrm{s} \). The period of the satellite in the orbit is 20.2 hours. How high above the earth is the satellite? [Radius of the earth, \( R=6400 \) km , Mass of the earth, \( M=5.97 \times 10^{24} kg, \pi=3.14, \) Universal Gravitational Constant, \( G=6.67 \times 10^{-11} \mathrm{~m}^{3} \mathrm{~s}^{-2} \mathrm{~kg}^{-1} \) ].
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 5 View Details
A cord of natural length \( 5 m \) was extended by \( 0.04 m \) when a force of 6. \( N \) was applied. What will be the new length when a force of \( 8 N \) is applied?
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 6 View Details
State three differences between Laser light and white light.
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 7 View Details
(i) Define retentivity of a magnetic material. (ii) State one material with high susceptibility.
Question Parts
(i)
Define retentivity of a magnetic material.
(ii)
State one material with high susceptibility.
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 8 View Details
(a)(i) State the one condition under which a semiconductor is said to be doped. (ii) Define the terms: I. intrinsic semi-conductor; II. extrinsic semi-conductor. (b) The current, \( I \), through a \( P-N \) junction diode is plotted against the applied voltage, \( V \) for both forward reverse biases on a graph. With the aid of a suitable diagram, illustrate the current - voltage characteristics of the junction diode showing the current, \( I \), voltage, \( V \), forward bias and the reverse bias. (c) An aluminium metal is illuminated with light of wavelength \( 3.0 \times 10^{-7} m \). If the kinetic energy of the electron emitted is \( 1.5 \times 10^{-19} J \), calculate the: (i) maximum velocity of the photoelectron; (ii) workfunction of the metal. \[ \begin{array}{l} {\left[c=3.0 \times 10^{8} \mathrm{~ms}^{-1}, m_{c}=9.1 \times 10^{-31} \mathrm{~kg}, h\right.} \left.=6.6 \times 10^{-34} \mathrm{Js}\right] \end{array} \]
Question Parts
(a)
(i) State the one condition under which a semiconductor is said to be doped.
(b)
(ii) Define the terms: I. intrinsic semi-conductor; II. extrinsic semi-conductor.
(c)
The current, \( I \), through a \( P-N \) junction diode is plotted against the applied voltage, \( V \) for both forward reverse biases on a graph. With the aid of a suitable diagram, illustrate the current - voltage characteristics of the junction diode showing the current, \( I \), voltage, \( V \), forward bias and the reverse bias.
(d)
An aluminium metal is illuminated with light of wavelength \( 3.0 \times 10^{-7} m \). If the kinetic energy of the electron emitted is \( 1.5 \times 10^{-19} J \), calculate the: (i) maximum velocity of the photoelectron; (ii) workfunction of the metal.
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 9 View Details
(a) State one difference between deformation and elasticity. (b) The following results were obtained from an experiment performed on a spiral spring: \begin{tabular}[t]{|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|} \hline Stretching force/N & 0.0 & 1.0 & 2.0 & 3.0 & 4.0 & 5.0 & 6.0 \ \hline Extension/ cm & 0.0 & 5.0 & 10.0 & 15.0 & 20.0 & 25.0 & 30.0 \ \hline \end{tabular} (i) Plot a graph of stretching force on the vertical axis and extension on the horizontal axis (ii) Determine the slope, \( s \), of the graph (iii) What does the slope of the graph represent? (c) A rubber gun is used to project a stone of mass 40 g. If the rubber of the gun has an elastic constant \( 350 \mathrm{Nm}^{-1} \) and was stretched 4 cm, calculate the stone's speed of projection. (d)(i) Define bulk modulus. (ii) A vertical wire is suspended from a support with a mass of 2.5 g attached to the free end to stretch the wire. If the load on the wire extends it by 2 \( cm \), determine the energy gained by the wire. \( \left[g=10 m s^{-2}\right] \)
Question Parts
(a)
State one difference between deformation and elasticity.
(b)
The following results were obtained from an experiment performed on a spiral spring: \begin{tabular}[t]{|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|l|} \hline Stretching force/N & 0.0 & 1.0 & 2.0 & 3.0 & 4.0 & 5.0 & 6.0 \ \hline Extension/ cm & 0.0 & 5.0 & 10.0 & 15.0 & 20.0 & 25.0 & 30.0 \ \hline \end{tabular} (i) Plot a graph of stretching force on the vertical axis and extension on the horizontal axis (ii) Determine the slope, \( s \), of the graph (iii) What does the slope of the graph represent?
(c)
A rubber gun is used to project a stone of mass 40 g. If the rubber of the gun has an elastic constant \( 350 \mathrm{Nm}^{-1} \) and was stretched 4 cm, calculate the stone's speed of projection.
(d)
(i) Define bulk modulus. (ii) A vertical wire is suspended from a support with a mass of 2.5 g attached to the free end to stretch the wire. If the load on the wire extends it by 2 \( cm \), determine the energy gained by the wire. \( \left[g=10 m s^{-2}\right] \)
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 10 View Details
(a) Define the following wave terms: (i) First overtone; (ii) end correction. (b) A 40 cm tube closed at one end resonates at its fundamental frequency with a tuning fork of unknown frequency. If the end correction of the tube is 3.2 cm, determine the frequency of the fork. [Velocity of sound in air is \( 330 m \mathrm{~s}^{-1} \)]. (c)(i) Two plane mirrors are inclined at an angle \( \beta \) to each other. An object placed between them formed 8 images. At what angle are the mirrors inclined? (ii) State two differences between mirage and total internal reflection of light. (iii) A compound microscope consists of an objective lens of focal length 3.0 cm and eyepiece lens of focal length 6.0 cm placed 20.0 cm apart. The final image formed is at infinity. How far is the object from the objective lens?
Question Parts
(a)
(i) Define the following wave terms: First overtone.
(b)
(ii) Define the following wave terms: end correction.
(c)
A 40 cm tube closed at one end resonates at its fundamental frequency with a tuning fork of unknown frequency. If the end correction of the tube is 3.2 cm, determine the frequency of the fork. [Velocity of sound in air is \( 330 m \mathrm{~s}^{-1} \)].
(d)
(i) Two plane mirrors are inclined at an angle \( \beta \) to each other. An object placed between them formed 8 images. At what angle are the mirrors inclined? (ii) State two differences between mirage and total internal reflection of light. (iii) A compound microscope consists of an objective lens of focal length 3.0 cm and eyepiece lens of focal length 6.0 cm placed 20.0 cm apart. The final image formed is at infinity. How far is the object from the objective lens?
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 11 View Details
(a)(i) Give two similarities between photoelectric emission and evaporation. (ii) Mention two differences between photoelectron and photon. (b) A \( 4.0 \mu F \) capacitor is connected in series with a \( 400 \Omega \) resistor in a circuit. The connection is placed across a source of emf of root-mean-square value of 60 V alternating frequency \( \left(\frac{1500}{\pi} \mathrm{~Hz}\right) \). Calculate the: (i) impedance of the circuit; (ii) potential difference across the capacitor. \( [x=3.14] \). (c)(i) State three characteristics of magnetic lines of force. (ii) What is a solenoid?
Question Parts
(a)
(i) Give two similarities between photoelectric emission and evaporation.
(b)
(ii) Mention two differences between photoelectron and photon.
(c)
A \( 4.0 \mu F \) capacitor is connected in series with a \( 400 \Omega \) resistor in a circuit. The connection is placed across a source of emf of root-mean-square value of 60 V alternating frequency \( \left(\frac{1500}{\pi} \mathrm{~Hz}\right) \). Calculate the: (i) impedance of the circuit; (ii) potential difference across the capacitor. \( [x=3.14] \).
(d)
(i) State three characteristics of magnetic lines of force. (ii) What is a solenoid?
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer
Question 12 View Details
(a)(i) State two similarities associated with alpha (\( \alpha \)), beta (\( \beta \)) particle and gamma (γ) ray. (ii) Define natural radioactivity. (iii) Write a general equation for alpha decay, beta decay where \( X \) is the parent nucleus, and \( Y \) represents the daughter nuclide respectively. (iv) Mention one example of natural radioactivity. (b)(i) A kinetic energy of \( 1.80 \times 10^{-16} \mathrm{~J} \) is possessed by an electron ejected from the surface of a metal when the surface is illuminated with light. If the work function of the metal is \( 1.20 \times 10^{-16} \mathrm{~J} \), calculate the frequency of the incident photon. \( \left[c=3.0 \times 10^{8} m s^{-1}, h=6.6 \times 10^{-34} \right] \). (ii) State two characteristics of a cathode ray tube. (c)(i) Given that \( { }_{5}^{13} G \) undergoes an alpha decay I. Write an equation representing the process. II. Identify the daughter nuclide.
Question Parts
(a)
(i) State two similarities associated with alpha (\( \alpha \)), beta (\( \beta \)) particle and gamma (γ) ray.
(b)
(ii) Define natural radioactivity.
(c)
(iii) Write a general equation for alpha decay, beta decay where \( X \) is the parent nucleus, and \( Y \) represents the daughter nuclide respectively.
(d)
(iv) Mention one example of natural radioactivity.
(e)
(i) A kinetic energy of \( 1.80 \times 10^{-16} \mathrm{~J} \) is possessed by an electron ejected from the surface of a metal when the surface is illuminated with light. If the work function of the metal is \( 1.20 \times 10^{-16} \mathrm{~J} \), calculate the frequency of the incident photon. \( \left[c=3.0 \times 10^{8} m s^{-1}, h=6.6 \times 10^{-34} \right] \).
(f)
(ii) State two characteristics of a cathode ray tube.
(g)
(i) Given that \( { }_{5}^{13} G \) undergoes an alpha decay I. Write an equation representing the process. II. Identify the daughter nuclide.
Detailed Essay Solution & Marking Scheme Available

Get the step-by-step mathematical proofs, key points required by examiners, and a comprehensive breakdown from our AI Tutor.

Reveal Answer

Master the Exam!

You've seen a preview, but there are thousands more questions plus AI tutor to break down complex solutions.

Unlock Full Access Available for Android & Windows
Help others prepare! Share this practice hub:
Chat with Support