Physics Exam Questions for SS2 First Term with Answers

You’re welcome to our school exams series where we provide you with termly examination questions in different subjects. In today’s post, we will focus on Physics exam questions. We will cover Physics exam questions for SS2 First term with answers. This means that we’ll be providing you with answers to the questions at the end. Also, you will get a few success tips on how to pass Physics examinations with flying colors. Remember to use the comments sections if you have questions, and don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)

Introduction to Physics as a School Subject

Before we venture into Past Physics Exam Questions for SS2 First term, here’s a brief introduction to the subject:

Physics is one of the fundamental sciences that helps students understand the world around them. It deals with the study of matter, energy, and the interactions between them. In simple terms, Physics explains how and why things move, how forces act, and how natural phenomena occur — from falling objects to electricity, sound, light, and heat.

As a school subject, Physics trains students to think logically, observe carefully, and solve problems using scientific principles. It builds a solid foundation for careers in engineering, medicine, technology, and other science-related fields. Through both theory and practical experiments, students learn to apply scientific methods to real-life situations, making Physics not just a subject to study, but a way to understand and improve the world.

Physics Exam Questions for SS2 First Term

Physics Exam Questions for SS2 First Term are divided into two sections:

• Section A
• Section B

The first section, namely, Section A is the objective test, and students are expected to attempt all questions in the section. Section B is the theory part, and students are expected to follow specific instruction and answer the required number of questions.

Note that what you have below are SS2 Physics First Term Exam Past Questions made available to assist students in their revision for 1st term examinations and also teachers in structuring standard examinations.

SECTION A: Objective Test

Instruction: Answer all questions in this section by choosing from the options lettered A—D. Each question carries equal marks.

1. Which of the following is a vector quantity?
A. Speed
B. Distance
C. Displacement
D. Time

2. The SI unit of force is the
A. Joule       B. Newton
C. Pascal      D. Watt

3. A body moves from x = 2 m to x = −3 m. Its displacement is
A. 5 m        B. −5 m
C. 1 m        D. −1 m

4. The slope of a displacement–time graph gives the
A. Acceleration
B. Velocity
C. Speed
D. Distance

5. Which equation represents uniformly accelerated motion (SUVAT) with constant acceleration a?
A. v = u + at
B. s = ut − ½at²
C. v² = u² − 2as
D. s = (u − v) t

6. A projectile is fired horizontally from a cliff. Neglecting air resistance, the horizontal component of its velocity is
A. Constant throughout the flight
B. Increasing with time
C. Decreasing with time
D. Zero

7. Two forces 5 N and 12 N act at right angles on a particle. The resultant force is
A. 17 N
B. 13 N
C. √(5² + 12²) N
D. 7 N

8. When two equal and opposite forces act on a body along the same line of action, the body is said to be in
A. Translational motion
B. Equilibrium
C. Acceleration
D. Rotation

9. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
A. Momentum
B. Displacement
C. Energy
D. Force

10. The centre of gravity of a uniform thin rod is located at
A. One end of the rod
B. Midpoint of the rod
C. Quarter length from one end
D. Outside the rod

11. Pressure in a fluid at a given depth depends on
A. Shape of the container only
B. Depth and density of the fluid
C. Volume of the fluid only
D. Mass of the container

12. The SI unit of pressure is the
A. Newton (N)
B. Pascal (Pa)
C. Joule (J)
D. Pascal metre (Pm)

13. Archimedes’ principle relates to
A. Viscosity of liquids
B. Buoyancy and upthrust
C. Surface tension
D. Capillarity

14. A body floats when its average density is
A. Greater than the fluid density
B. Less than the fluid density
C. Equal to mass of fluid displaced
D. Equal to volume of body

15. Thermal energy transferred due to temperature difference is called
A. Work
B. Heat
C. Power
D. Internal force

16. The Celsius temperature equivalent of 273 K is
A. 0 °C          B. −273 °C
C. 100 °C      D. 273 °C

17. The specific heat capacity of a substance is the energy required to raise the temperature of
A. 1 kg of the substance by 1 °C
B. 1 g of the substance by 1 °C
C. 1 mol of the substance by 1 °C
D. 1 kg of substance by 10 °C

18. Latent heat of fusion refers to heat required to
A. Raise temperature in solid state
B. Vaporize a liquid to gas
C. Melt a solid to liquid without temperature change
D. Cool a gas to liquid

19. Which thermometer uses the property of resistance changing with temperature?
A. Mercury-in-glass thermometer
B. Thermocouple
C. Resistance thermometer (RTD)
D. Alcohol thermometer

20. Boyle’s law states that at constant temperature, the pressure (P) of a gas varies with volume (V) such that
A. P ∝ V
B. P ∝ 1/V
C. PV² = constant
D. P²V = constant

21. Charles’ law is the relation between volume and temperature at constant pressure; it states that volume is proportional to
A. Temperature in kelvin
B. Temperature in Celsius
C. Pressure
D. Number of moles only

22. The gas constant R in the ideal gas equation PV = nRT has units of
A. J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹     B. N m
C. Pa m³             D. J K

23. A stationary wave on a string has nodes at certain points. At a node the amplitude is
A. Maximum
B. Minimum (zero)
C. Half the maximum
D. Undefined

24. The frequency of a note is determined by the
A. Amplitude of the wave only
B. Wavelength only
C. Frequency of vibration of the source
D. Speed of sound only

25. The speed of sound in air increases with
A. Decrease in temperature
B. Increase in humidity and temperature
C. Decrease in humidity
D. None of the above

26. Which device is used to produce a nearly parallel beam of light in optics experiments?
A. Concave mirror only
B. Convex lens only
C. Collimating lens or slit with lens
D. Prism

27. For a concave mirror, a real image is produced when the object is placed
A. Between focus and mirror
B. At infinity only
C. Beyond the centre of curvature
D. At the focus

28. The magnification of an image by a lens is defined as the ratio of
A. Image height to object height
B. Object height to image height
C. Focal length to object distance
D. Object distance to image distance

29. The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of
A. Refraction     B. Reflection
C. Diffraction     D. Scattering

30. When light passes from air into water it bends because of change in the light’s
A. Frequency
B. Wavelength and speed
C. Colour
D. Amplitude

31. In simple harmonic motion (SHM), acceleration is proportional to
A. Displacement and directed towards equilibrium
B. Velocity and directed away from equilibrium
C. Displacement and directed away from equilibrium
D. Square of displacement

32. Which of the following motions is an example of SHM?
A. Motion of a pendulum for small angles
B. Motion of a car on a straight road
C. Free fall of a stone in vacuum
D. Uniform circular motion

33. A spring with spring constant k is stretched by x. The elastic potential energy stored is
A. ½ k x²        B. k x
C. k x²             D. 2 k x²

34. Work done is defined as the product of force and
A. Velocity
B. Displacement in the direction of force
C. Acceleration
D. Time

35. Power is the rate at which work is done. Its SI unit is
A. Watt (W)      B. Newton (N)
C. Joule (J)        D. Pascal (Pa)

36. Efficiency of a machine is the ratio of
A. Useful energy output to total energy input
B. Total energy input to useful energy output
C. Work done to force applied
D. Force applied to work done

37. Which instrument measures current in a circuit?
A. Voltmeter
B. Ammeter
C. Ohmmeter
D. Galvanometer only

38. In a closed circuit, the sum of potential differences around the loop equals zero. This is stated by
A. Faraday’s law
B. Newton’s first law
C. Kirchhoff’s voltage law (KVL)
D. Boyle’s law

39. Ohm’s law relates voltage (V), current (I) and resistance (R) as
A. V = IR        B. I = VR
C. R = VI        D. V = I/R

40. Two resistors of 4 Ω and 6 Ω are connected in series. The total resistance is
A. 2.4 Ω         B. 10 Ω
C. 12 Ω          D. 0.67 Ω

41. In parallel connection, the potential difference across each resistor is
A. Different
B. Same across each resistor
C. Zero across each resistor
D. Increasing with resistance

42. The heating effect of electric current is used in which of the following?
A. Electric bulb filament only
B. Electric heater and fuse wire only
C. Electric heater, bulb filament, and fuse wire
D. None of the above

43. A capacitor stores energy in the form of
A. Kinetic energy
B. Chemical energy
C. Electric field energy
D. Magnetic field energy

44. The unit of capacitance is the
A. Farad        B. Henry
C. Tesla         D. Weber

45. Which phenomenon explains the bending of waves around obstacles?
A. Reflection       B. Refraction
C. Diffraction      D. Interference

46. Constructive interference occurs when the path difference between two waves is an integer multiple of
A. Half a wavelength
B. One quarter wavelength
C. A full wavelength
D. √2 wavelengths

47. In electron diffraction experiments, the observed pattern demonstrates the
A. Particle nature of light only
B. Wave nature of matter (electrons)
C. Chemical properties of electrons
D. Gravitational effect on electrons

48. The resolving power of a microscope improves mainly with
A. Increase in wavelength of illumination
B. Decrease in numerical aperture
C. Decrease in wavelength and increase in numerical aperture
D. Increase in magnification only

49. Surface tension arises because of
A. Cohesive forces between liquid molecules
B. Gravitational forces only
C. Viscous forces only
D. Chemical reaction at surface

50. Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s
A. Elasticity
B. Resistance to flow
C. Density only
D. Surface tension

51. In an adiabatic process for an ideal gas, there is no
A. Work done
B. Heat exchange with surroundings
C. Change in pressure
D. Change in temperature

52. The mean free path in a gas refers to the average distance travelled by a molecule between
A. Collisions with the container wall only
B. Two successive collisions with other molecules
C. Collisions with photons
D. None of the above

53. The Doppler effect is the change in frequency of a wave observed when there is relative motion between the
A. Source and the observer
B. Source and the medium only
C. Observer and the medium only
D. Source and a stationary mirror

54. Magnitude of gravitational acceleration g on earth varies slightly with altitude because of change in
A. Mass of the object
B. Mass of the Earth only
C. Distance from the centre of the Earth
D. Temperature

55. A body moving in circular motion at constant speed has acceleration directed
A. Tangent to the circle
B. Outward from centre
C. Toward the centre (centripetal)
D. Zero

56. If a metal rod is heated, its length generally
A. Decreases
B. Remains constant
C. Increases due to thermal expansion
D. Changes unpredictably

57. Thermal conductivity of a material measures its ability to
A. Conduct electricity
B. Store heat
C. Transfer heat through conduction
D. Reflect heat

58. When monochromatic light of wavelength λ passes through a single narrow slit, the central diffraction maximum width is inversely proportional to
A. Wavelength λ
B. Slit width
C. Square of slit width
D. Refractive index of medium only

59. An ideal gas performing an isothermal expansion does work equal to the area under the
A. Pressure–volume (P–V) curve for the process
B. Temperature–volume curve only
C. Pressure–time curve
D. Volume–time curve

60. When two lenses are placed close together and their principal axes coincide, the combined focal length F is given by (for thin lenses):
A. 1/F = 1/f₁ − 1/f₂
B. 1/F = 1/f₁ + 1/f₂
C. F = f₁ + f₂ only
D. F = f₁ f₂

Read Also: Physics Exam Questions for SS1 First Term

SECTION B: Essay / Theory

INSTRUCTION – Answer only five (5) questions in this section. Write your answers clearly and show working where necessary.

1. Define displacement and velocity. A particle moves along a straight line with equation of motion x = 5t − 2t² (x in metres, t in seconds). Determine the velocity and acceleration as functions of time. State the time(s) when the particle is momentarily at rest.

2. State Archimedes’ principle. A solid cube of side 0.10 m and mass 0.8 kg is gently lowered into water. Calculate the upthrust on the cube and determine whether it will float or sink. (Take density of water = 1000 kg m⁻³; g = 9.8 m s⁻².)

3. Explain the difference between heat and temperature. Describe an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal block using the method of mixtures. Include the main equation used.

4. State Boyle’s law and Charles’ law. A cylinder contains 0.020 m³ of gas at 1.2 × 10⁵ Pa and 300 K. If the pressure is increased isothermally to 2.4 × 10⁵ Pa, calculate the new volume.

5. (a) Define simple harmonic motion (SHM) and write the equation for displacement x(t) = A cos(ωt + φ). Explain the physical meaning of A, ω, and φ.
(b) Show that acceleration is proportional to displacement and is directed towards the equilibrium position.

6. (a) State Snell’s law of refraction.
(b) A ray of light in air strikes a glass surface (n = 1.5) at an angle of incidence of 30°. Calculate the angle of refraction in the glass.

7. A student sets up a circuit consisting of a 12 V battery and three resistors: 4 Ω and 6 Ω in series, and a 3 Ω resistor in parallel with the series pair. (a) Draw a clear circuit diagram. (b) Calculate the equivalent resistance of the whole circuit and the current drawn from the battery.

Remember to use the comments sections if you have questions, and don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)

Answers to Physics Exam Questions for SS2 First Term

Answers to Section A (Objective Test)

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of Physics exam questions for SS2 First term. If you are using a mobile device, hold the table and scroll to the right or left for a complete view.

So here you have the answers to the objective section of Physics Exam Questions for SS2 First term. Use the comments section to let me know if you have any questions you would want me to clarify or discuss further.

Answers to Section B (Theory)

1. Define displacement and velocity. A particle moves along a straight line with equation of motion x = 5t − 2t² (x in metres, t in seconds). Determine the velocity and acceleration as functions of time. State the time(s) when the particle is momentarily at rest.

Displacement is the vector quantity that gives the change in position of a body and has both magnitude and direction.
Velocity is the rate of change of displacement with respect to time; it is a vector and can be positive or negative depending on direction.

Given x(t) = 5t − 2t² (m).

Velocity v(t) = dx/dt = 5 − 4t (m s⁻¹).
Acceleration a(t) = dv/dt = −4 (m s⁻²) — constant.

Momentarily at rest when v(t) = 0 ⇒ 5 − 4t = 0 ⇒ t = 5/4 = 1.25 s.

2. State Archimedes’ principle. A solid cube of side 0.10 m and mass 0.8 kg is gently lowered into water. Calculate the upthrust on the cube and determine whether it will float or sink. (Take density of water = 1000 kg m⁻³; g = 9.8 m s⁻².)

Archimedes’ principle: A body wholly or partially immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force (upthrust) equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the body.

Cube side = 0.10 m ⇒ volume V = (0.10)³ = 0.001 m³.
Density of water ρ = 1000 kg m⁻³, g = 9.8 m s⁻².

Upthrust U = ρ g V = 1000 × 9.8 × 0.001 = 9.8 N.

Weight of cube W = m g = 0.8 × 9.8 = 7.84 N.

Since U (9.8 N) > W (7.84 N), the cube will float (partly submerged) — it will displace a volume of water whose weight equals 7.84 N when floating.

3. Explain the difference between heat and temperature. Describe an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of a metal block using the method of mixtures. Include the main equation used.

Difference:
• Heat is energy transferred between bodies due to temperature difference; it is measured in joules (J).
• Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance; it indicates how hot or cold a body is and is measured in °C or K.

Experiment (method of mixtures) — determine specific heat capacity c_m of a metal block:
Apparatus: metal block (mass m_m), heater or boiling source, insulated calorimeter containing known mass m_w of water, thermometer, stirrer. Calorimeter heat capacity may be included as C_cal (or calorimeter mass × specific heat).

Procedure (steps):

1. Heat the metal block to a known high temperature θ_m (near boiling).
2. Measure initial temperature of water θ_w and calorimeter.
3. Quickly transfer the hot block into the water in the calorimeter, stir, and record final equilibrium temperature θ_f.
4. Apply heat balance: heat lost by metal = heat gained by water + heat gained by calorimeter.

Main equation (including calorimeter heat capacity C_cal):
m_m c_m (θ_m − θ_f) = m_w c_w (θ_f − θ_w) + C_cal (θ_f − θ_w)

If calorimeter heat capacity is neglected or included via equivalent mass, c_w is specific heat of water (≈ 4180 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹). Solve for c_m:
c_m = [m_w c_w (θ_f − θ_w) + C_cal (θ_f − θ_w)] / [m_m (θ_m − θ_f)]

Notes: ensure minimal heat loss, good insulation, and fast transfer for accuracy.

4. State Boyle’s law and Charles’ law. A cylinder contains 0.020 m³ of gas at 1.2 × 10⁵ Pa and 300 K. If the pressure is increased isothermally to 2.4 × 10⁵ Pa, calculate the new volume.

Boyle’s law: For a fixed mass of gas at constant temperature, pressure P is inversely proportional to volume V (P₁V₁ = P₂V₂).

Charles’ law: For a fixed mass of gas at constant pressure, volume V is directly proportional to absolute temperature T (V ∝ T, or V₁/T₁ = V₂/T₂).

Given isothermal process: P₁ = 1.2 × 10⁵ Pa, V₁ = 0.020 m³, P₂ = 2.4 × 10⁵ Pa.
Use P₁V₁ = P₂V₂ ⇒ V₂ = (P₁ V₁) / P₂.

Compute: P₁ V₁ = (1.2 × 10⁵)(0.020) = 2400 (Pa·m³).
V₂ = 2400 / (2.4 × 10⁵) = 2400 / 240000 = 0.010 m³.

So the new volume is 0.010 m³.

5. (a) Define simple harmonic motion (SHM) and write the equation for displacement x(t) = A cos(ωt + φ). Explain the physical meaning of A, ω, and φ.
(b) Show that acceleration is proportional to displacement and is directed towards the equilibrium position.

(a) Simple harmonic motion (SHM) is periodic motion in which the restoring force (or acceleration) is directly proportional to the displacement from the equilibrium position and directed towards that equilibrium.

Displacement equation: x(t) = A cos(ωt + φ).
Meanings:
• A — amplitude: maximum displacement from equilibrium (m).
• ω — angular frequency (rad s⁻¹): relates to frequency f by ω = 2πf and to period T by ω = 2π/T.
• φ — phase constant (rad): determines the initial phase (initial position/time offset) at t = 0.

(b) Differentiate x(t) to find acceleration:

v(t) = dx/dt = −A ω sin(ωt + φ).
a(t) = dv/dt = d²x/dt² = −A ω² cos(ωt + φ).

But x(t) = A cos(ωt + φ), so a(t) = −ω² x(t).

Thus a ∝ −x (acceleration is proportional to displacement and directed opposite to x, i.e., towards equilibrium). The constant of proportionality is ω².

6. (a) State Snell’s law of refraction.
(b) A ray of light in air strikes a glass surface (n = 1.5) at an angle of incidence of 30°. Calculate the angle of refraction in the glass.

(a) Snell’s law: n₁ sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂, where n₁ and n₂ are refractive indices of the two media, and θ₁ and θ₂ are the angles of incidence and refraction measured from the normal.

(b) For air, n₁ ≈ 1.0; glass n₂ = 1.5; θ₁ = 30°.

Using Snell’s law: sin θ₂ = (n₁ / n₂) sin θ₁ = (1.0 / 1.5) × sin 30° = (1/1.5) × 0.5 = 0.5 / 1.5 = 1/3 ≈ 0.3333.

θ₂ = arcsin(0.3333) ≈ 19.47° ≈ 19.5° (to three significant figures).

7. A student sets up a circuit consisting of a 12 V battery and three resistors: 4 Ω and 6 Ω in series, and a 3 Ω resistor in parallel with the series pair. (a) Draw a clear circuit diagram. (b) Calculate the equivalent resistance of the whole circuit and the current drawn from the battery.

(a) Simple ASCII diagram:

* ──(12 V)───+
|
[3 Ω] |
+───────+
| |
[4 Ω] [6 Ω] (4 Ω and 6 Ω in series shown vertically)
| |
+───────+
|
─────────────+───────────

(Alternate description: 4 Ω and 6 Ω are connected end-to-end (series). That series branch is connected in parallel with the 3 Ω resistor. The parallel combination is across the 12 V battery.)

(b) Calculations:

Series resistance R_series = 4 Ω + 6 Ω = 10 Ω.

Equivalent resistance of R_series (10 Ω) in parallel with R₃ = 3 Ω:

1/R_eq = 1/10 + 1/3 = (3/30) + (10/30) = 13/30 ⇒ R_eq = 30/13 Ω ≈ 2.3077 Ω.

Total current from battery I = V / R_eq = 12 / (30/13) = 12 × (13/30) = 156/30 = 5.2 A.

So equivalent resistance ≈ 2.31 Ω and battery current ≈ 5.20 A.

How to Pass Physics Exam Questions for SS2 First Term

Passing your Physics exam questions for SS2 First term requires a combination of preparation, understanding, and strategy. Here are actionable tips to help you excel:

1. Know the topics

List the topics your teacher set for the first term.

2. Make a study plan

1. Set short daily goals. Example: one topic per day or two focused chapters in a week.
2. Mix study and practice. Spend 50% time learning and 50% time solving questions.
3. Use a simple timetable. Study 45–60 minutes, rest 10–15 minutes, repeat.

3. Build strong basics

Physics is simple when your basics are clear. Do this:

• Understand definitions. Write them in your own words.
• Learn core formulas. Know when and why they work.
• Work units. Always check and convert units.
• Draw diagrams. A clear diagram solves half the problem.

4. Practice smart

1. Tackle past questions and class tests. Start easy, then increase difficulty.
2. Time yourself for exam-style practice.
3. When you get a question wrong, mark it and redo it later until you get it right.
4. Group similar questions and solve them back-to-back to spot patterns.

5. Exam technique

• Read all questions quickly first. Pick the ones you can answer fast.
• Show working clearly. Marks are often for method and steps.
• Answer numericals step by step: write formula, substitute values, show unit.
• If stuck, move on and come back. Use spare time to attempt the harder ones.
• Check units and final answers before submitting.

6. Quick tips for common question types

• Kinematics: Always define origin and direction. Use s = ut + ½at² where needed.
• Forces: Draw free-body diagram first. Resolve forces where required.
• Energy: Apply work-energy principle. Watch for conservative vs non-conservative forces.
• Waves: Know relationship v = fλ and what changes with medium.
• Heat: Use ΔL = αLΔT for expansion and Q = mcΔT for heat problems.

7. Revision checklist (use before exam)

8. Day-before and exam-day routine

1. Day before: light revision only. Rest early. Pack everything you need (calculator, ruler, pens).
2. Exam day: eat a good breakfast. Reach exam hall early. Read instructions carefully.

It’s a wrap!

If you need more clarification on SS2 First Term Questions on Physics, you can use the comments box below. We’ll be there to answer you asap. Don’t forget to join our Free Online Tutorial Classes on YouTube. (Subscribe to the Channel)

Best wishes..