Physics EXAM Questions for SS1 Third Term

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 SS1 Third 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 Facebook. (Like and Follow Page)

Introduction to Physics as a School Subject

Physics is a branch of science that deals with the study of matter, energy, and their interactions. It helps students understand the natural laws that govern the universe and how things around us work. As a school subject, Physics teaches concepts such as motion, forces, energy, light, electricity, and magnetism.

Through theory and practical activities, students learn how to observe, measure, and explain physical phenomena. Physics also forms the foundation for careers in engineering, astronomy, electronics, and other science-related fields. It encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed for real-life situations.

The subject is offered by students in Senior Secondary School as Physics.

Physics Exam Questions for SS1 Third Term

Physics Exam Questions for SS1 Third 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 SS1 Physics Third Term Exam Past Questions made available to assist students in their revision for 3rd term examinations and also teachers in structuring standard examinations.

Read Also: Chemistry Exam Questions for SS1 Third Term

SECTION A: Objectives

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

1. The diagram below represents a portion of a pair of vernier calipers. What is the reading on the instrument?
(Image of a vernier caliper scale)
A. 3.85cm          B. 3.87cm
C. 2.87cm          D. 2.87cm
E. 2.92cm

2. A good liquid-in-glass thermometer has a
A. large and thick-walled bulb
B. Large bulb with a liquid of high density
C. Wide bore tube with a liquid of high thermal conductivity
D. Small and thick walled bulb
E. Thin-walled bulb with a liquid of high thermal conductivity

3. Which of the following will radiate heat energy best?
A. white surface
B. black surface
C. blue surface
D. green surface
E. red surface

4. A lightning conductor (i) has a pointed end (ii) protects buildings from being damaged by lightning (iii) works on the principle of action at a point. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
A. i only
B. ii only
C. i and ii only
D. i and iii
E. ii and iii

5. The unit of stress is
A. N           B. kg           C. J/s
D. NM        E. Nm¯¹

6. A wire of length 5m extends by 0.03m by a force of 12N. Calculate the work done in stretching the wire.
A. 60.00J               B. 2.50J
C. 0.36J                 D. 0.18J
E. 0.15J

7. Which of the following thermometer records temperature?
A. mercury-in-glass thermometer
B. bimetallic strip thermometer
C. alcohol-in-glass thermometer
D. clinical thermometer
E. maximum and minimum thermometer

8. A place where resistance thermometer records a resistance of 10.52Ω at 0°C and 11.52Ω at 100°C. Calculate the temperature when it records a resistance of 13.0Ω.
A. 100°C           B. 150°C
C. 50°C             D. 175°C
E. 125°C

9. The ice and steam points of a constant volume gas thermometer are 180mmhg and 690mmhg respectively. Calculate the temperature in °C when the gas pressure is 350mmhg.
A. 23.53             B. 40.60
C. 76.47             D. 82.10
E. 100

10. Re-arrange the following steps to give the correct sequence of charging an insulated sphere by induction (i) bring a charged body near the sphere (ii) connecting the sphere to earth (iii) removing the earth connection (iv) removing the charged body.
A. i, ii, iii, iv
B. i, iii, ii, iv
C. iv, iii, ii, i
D. iv, ii, iii, i
E. i, ii, iv, iii

11. Which of the following is a disadvantage of a liquid-in-glass thermometer?
A. it is fragile
B. its range is limited
C. it is bulky
D. it is not accurate
E. it is slow to respond

12. The following are advantages of a liquid-in-glass thermometer except
A. it is relatively cheap
B. it is portable
C. it has a wide range
D. it is accurate
E. it is easy to read

13. In a constant volume gas thermometer, the gas pressure at 0°C and 100°C are 200mmhg and 273mmhg respectively. Calculate the temperature when the pressure is 273mmhg.
A. 273°C          B. 100°C
C. 0°C              D. 373°C
E. 546°C

14. A short response time is obtained in a liquid-in-glass thermometer when the
A. bulb is large and thick-walled
B. bulb is small and thin-walled
C. stem is long and the bore is wide
D. liquid is of high viscosity
E. liquid is of low thermal conductivity

15. Water is considered unsuitable as a thermometric liquid because it (i) expands non-uniformly (ii) has a limited range of temperature (iii) wets glass. Which of the statements above is/are correct?
A. i and ii only
B. i and iii only
C. ii and iii only
D. i, ii and iii
E. i only

16. Which of the following CANNOT be explained by the kinetic theory of matter?
A. Adhesion        B. capillary action
C. Diffusion         D. gas pressure
E. states of matter

17. Which of the following is a characteristic of a solid?
A. its particles are widely separated
B. it takes the shape of its container
C. it is easily compressible
D. it flows easily
E. its particles vibrate about a fixed point

18. The weight of an object is given by
A. mass x acceleration due to gravity
B. mass x velocity
C. mass x density
D. mass x volume
E. mass x area

19. A stone of mass 0.5kg dropped from a height of 1.8m. Calculate its maximum kinetic energy (g=10ms⁻²).
A. 9.0J            B. 90J
C. 0.9J            D. 900J
E. 9000J

20. If the reading on the instrument is 12.5 ± 0.01cm, and the thermometer has an error of 0.5cm, what is the true reading?
A. 12.51cm          B. 12.49cm
C. 12.6cm            D. 12.0cm
E. 13.0cm

21. When a conductor is earthed it
A. is insulated
B. loses charge by conduction
C. is charged
D. gains charge by conduction
E. becomes neutral

22. Insulators can be charged by
A. friction              B. induction
C. conduction       D. all of the above

23. When a positively charged rod is brought near the cap of a gold leaf electroscope, the leaves diverge. This is because
A. positive charges are repelled to the leaves
B. negative charges are repelled to the leaves
C. positive charges are attracted to the leaves
D. negative charges are attracted to the cap
E. positive charges are attracted to the cap.

24. Charging a conductor by bringing a charged body near it is called
A. charging by induction
B. charging by conduction
C. charging by friction
D. charging by contact

25. Which of the following fundamental quantities can be used in calorimetry?
A. mass, height, time
B. mass, volume, time
C. mass, heat capacity, temperature
D. mass, specific heat capacity, temperature
E. mass, length, temperature

26. The speedometer of a moving car gives the reading of the car’s
A. average speed
B. constant speed
C. instantaneous speed
D. terminal speed
E. uniform speed

27. A body starting from rest covers 1000m in 10s. The acceleration of the body is
A. 100m/s²          B. 20m/s²
C. 30m/s²            D. 40m/s²
E. 50m/s²

28. The distance covered by a body in a freefall is proportional to the square of the
A. weight of the body
B. velocity of the body
C. mass of the body
D. acceleration of the body
E. time of fall

29. A boy of mass 50kg is standing on a scale in a lift. If the lift moves downwards with an acceleration of 2m/s², what is the reading on the scale? (g=10m/s²)
A. 500N           B. 400N
C. 600N           D. 300N
E. 700N

30. An object of mass 10kg is dropped from a height of 20m. Calculate the velocity with which it hits the ground. (g=10m/s²).
A. 10m/s           B. 20m/s
C. 30m/s           D. 40m/s
E. 50m/s

31. A boy raised a load of 150N through a vertical height of 120m in 30s. Calculate the average power developed by the boy.
A. 24.0W            B. 37.5W
C. 300.0W          D. 600.0W
E. 150.0W

32. A boy of mass 50kg exerts a force of 150N on a load of 25kg. Calculate the acceleration of the load.
A. 2m/s²           B. 3m/s²
C. 6m/s²           D. 8m/s²
E. 10m/s²

33. The distance between two places is 50km. A car takes 2 hours to travel from the first place to the second place and 3 hours to return. Calculate the average speed of the car.
A. 10km/hr           B. 20km/hr
C. 30km/hr           D. 40km/hr
E. 50km/hr

34. A body starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 2m/s². Calculate the distance covered in 5 seconds.
A. 10m            B. 20m
C. 25m            D. 50m
E. 100m

35. A body moves with a constant velocity of 10m/s. Calculate the distance covered in 5 seconds.
A. 10m            B. 20m
C. 25m            D. 50m
E. 100m

36. A car accelerates uniformly from rest at 4m/s². Calculate the velocity after 5 seconds.
A. 10m/s            B. 20m/s
C. 30m/s            D. 40m/s
E. 50m/s

37. A stone is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of 20m/s. Calculate the maximum height reached. (g=10m/s²).
A. 10m           B. 20m
C. 30m           D. 40m
E. 50m

38. The time taken for a body to fall from a height of 20m is (g=10m/s²).
A. 1s            B. 2s
C. 3s            D. 4s
E. 5s

39. A body is projected horizontally from a height of 20m with a velocity of 10m/s. Calculate the horizontal distance covered before it hits the ground. (g=10m/s²).
A. 10m         B. 20m         C. 30m
D. 40m         E. 50m

40. The range of a projectile is given by
A. v²sin2θ/g           B. v²sinθ/g
C. v²cos2θ/g          D. v²cosθ/g
E. v²tanθ/g

41. The maximum range of a projectile is obtained when the angle of projection is
A. 30°         B. 45°        C. 60°
D. 90°         E. 0°

42. The time of flight of a projectile is given by
A. 2vsinθ/g             B. vsinθ/g
C. vcosθ/g              D. 2vcosθ/g
E. vtanθ/g

43. The maximum height of a projectile is given by
A. v²sin²θ/2g           B. v²sinθ/2g
C. v²cos²θ/2g          D. v²cosθ/2g
E. v²tan²θ/2g

44. The horizontal velocity of a projectile is
A. constant           B. increases
C. decreases         D. zero
E. maximum at the highest point

45. The vertical velocity of a projectile is
A. constant
B. increases
C. decreases
D. zero at the highest point
E. maximum at the highest point

46. The acceleration of a projectile is
A. constant horizontally
B. constant vertically
C. constant horizontally and vertically
D. zero horizontally
E. zero vertically

47. Which of the following is NOT a vector quantity?
A. velocity         B. acceleration
C. speed            D. displacement
E. force

48. The unit of force is
A. N         B. kg       C. m/s²
D. J           E. W

49. The unit of energy is
A. N        B. kg       C. m/s²
D. J          E. W

50. The unit of power is
A. N        B. kg       C. m/s²
D. J          E. W

51. The unit of work is
A. N         B. kg        C. m/s²
D. J           E. W

52. Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
A. velocity        B. acceleration
C. speed           D. displacement
E. force

53. The product of force and distance is
A. work            B. energy
C. power          D. momentum
E. impulse

54. The rate of doing work is
A. work          B. energy
C. power        D. momentum
E. impulse

55. The energy possessed by a body due to its motion is called
A. potential energy
B. kinetic energy
C. mechanical energy
D. heat energy
E. light energy

56. The energy possessed by a body due to its position is called
A. potential energy
B. kinetic energy
C. mechanical energy
D. heat energy
E. light energy

57. The sum of potential energy and kinetic energy is called
A. mechanical energy
B. heat energy
C. light energy
D. sound energy
E. electrical energy

58. The principle of conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be
A. converted from one form to another
B. increased
C. decreased
D. lost
E. gained

59. A machine is a device that
A. multiplies force
B. multiplies distance
C. multiplies speed
D. multiplies energy
E. multiplies power

60. The ratio of load to effort is called
A. efficiency
B. mechanical advantage
C. velocity ratio
D. work done
E. power

61. The ratio of distance moved by effort to distance moved by load is called
A. efficiency
B. mechanical advantage
C. velocity ratio
D. work done
E. power

62. The ratio of work done by the machine to work done by the effort is called
A. efficiency
B. mechanical advantage
C. velocity ratio
D. work done
E. power

63. The efficiency of a machine is always less than 100% because
A. of friction
B. of air resistance
C. of the weight of the machine
D. of the effort applied
E. of the load lifted

64. Which of the following is NOT a simple machine?
A. lever
B. pulley
C. inclined plane
D. screw jack
E. wheelbarrow

65. The effort applied to a machine is 10N and the load lifted is 50N. Calculate the mechanical advantage.
A. 0.2         B. 5          C. 10
D. 50          E. 100

66. The velocity ratio of a machine is 5 and the efficiency is 80%. Calculate the mechanical advantage.
A. 4         B. 5        C. 6
D. 7         E. 8

67. Two cars X and Y travelling in opposite directions along the same highway at uniform velocity 100km and 90kmh respectively pass each other at a certain point. The velocity of X relative to Y at the time they pass each other is
A. 200kmh         B. 100kmh
C. 40kmh           D. 10kmh

68. The average speed of an object is determined by dividing the sum of its distances and speeds by two only when the object moves
A. uniformly         B. non-uniformly
C. increasing        D. decreasing

69. A body of mass 25.0kg undergoes a uniform retardation of 20.0ms². Calculate the magnitude of the retarding force.
A. 1.25N           B. 8.00N
C. 45.00N         D. 500.00N

70. Which of the following sources of energy is not renewable? I. solar II. fossil fuels III. tidal power IV. biomass.
A. II and III only
B. I & III only
C. I and II only
D. I, III & IV E. II only

SECTION B: Essay

INSTRUCTION – Answer all four (4) questions in this section.

1. (i) State the dimensions of
a. Velocity
b. Density
c. Pressure
d. Power

(ii) A force of 40N is applied at the free end of a wire fixed at one end to produce an extension of 0.24mm. If the original length and diameter of the wire are 3m and 2.0mm respectively, calculate the
a. stress on the wire
b. strain on the wire

2. a. Define centripetal force.
b. Calculate the magnitude of the centripetal force on a particle of mass 5.0 x 10⁻⁶kg revolving round the earth with a radial acceleration of 6.0 x 10^-7m/s².
c. What is evaporation?
d. State four factors which affect the rate of evaporation.
e. List two examples each of substances with: (i) low viscosity (ii) high viscosity
(f) When is a liquid said to be viscostatic?

3. a. Explain (i) uniform retardation (ii) average speed
b. State
(i) two laws of friction
(ii) two methods of reducing friction
c. A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly for 5s until it attains a velocity of 30m/s. It then travels with uniform velocity for 15s before decelerating uniformly to rest in 10s.
(i) sketch a graph of the motion
(ii) using the graph, calculate the
(*) acceleration during the first 5s
(**) deceleration during the last 10s
(***) total distance covered throughout the motion

4. a. What is meant by the statement “linear expansivity of copper is 1.7 x 10⁻⁵K⁻¹”?
b. (i) Describe, with the aid of a labeled diagram, an experiment to determine the linear expansivity of a copper rod.
(ii) State one precaution necessary for accurate results in the experiment described in 4.b.(i).
c. An iron rod is 2.58m long at 0°C. Calculate the length of a brass rod at 0°C if the difference between the lengths of the two rods must remain the same at all temperatures. (Linear expansivity of iron = 1.2 x 10⁻⁵K⁻¹, linear expansivity of brass = 1.9 x 10⁻⁵K⁻¹).
d. Explain why it is not advisable to sterilize a clinical thermometer in boiling water at normal atmospheric pressure.

5. A wire is gradually stretched by loading it until it snaps.
a. Sketch a load-extension graph for the wire.
b. Indicate on the graph the
(i) elastic limit (E)
(ii) Yield point (Y)
(iii) Breaking point (B)
c. State the dimensions of
(i) Acceleration
(ii) Energy
(iii) Pressure
(iv) Volume

6. a. (i) Distinguish between heat and temperature.
(ii) Mention four desirable properties of a thermometric liquid.
(iii) Describe, with the aid of a labeled diagram, an experiment to determine the upper fixed point of a liquid-in-glass thermometer.
(iv) State ONE precaution taken to ensure accurate results.
b. Define capillarity.
(c) Why does water wet a clean glass surface whereas mercury does not?

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Answers to Physics Exam Questions for SS1 Third Term

Answers to Section A (Objective Test)

The following table gives the correct answers to the objective section of Physics exam questions for SS1 Third 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 SS1 Third 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)

Answers to Question 1.

(i) Dimensions:

• Velocity: [L T^-1]
• Density: [M L^-3]
• Pressure: [M L^-1 T^-2]
• Power: [M L² T^-3]

(ii) Given: Force = 40 N, Extension = 0.24 mm = 0.00024 m, Original length = 3 m, Diameter = 2.0 mm = 0.002 m, Radius = 0.001 m

a. Stress = Force / Area = 40 / (π × (0.001)²) = 40 / (3.142 × 10^-6) ≈ 1.27 × 10⁷ N/m²
b. Strain = Extension / Original length = 0.00024 / 3 = 8.0 × 10^-5

Answers to Question 2.

a. Centripetal force is the force that keeps a body moving in a circular path, directed toward the center of the circle.

b. F = m × a = 5.0 × 10^-6 kg × 6.0 × 10^-7 m/s² = 3.0 × 10^-12 N

c. Evaporation is the process by which liquid changes to gas at the surface without boiling.

d. Factors affecting rate of evaporation:

• Temperature
• Surface area
• Air movement
• Humidity

e. (i) Low viscosity: Water, Alcohol
(ii) High viscosity: Honey, Engine oil

f. A liquid is said to be viscostatic when its viscosity remains constant over time and temperature.

Answers to Question 3.

a. (i) Uniform retardation is a constant decrease in velocity with time.
(ii) Average speed = Total distance / Total time

b. (i) Laws of friction:

• Frictional force is proportional to the normal reaction.
• It is independent of the area of contact.

(ii) Methods of reducing friction:

• Lubrication
• Streamlining

c. Motion segments: 0-5s (acceleration), 5-20s (constant speed), 20-30s (deceleration)

(*) Acceleration = Δv / t = 30 / 5 = 6 m/s²
(**) Deceleration = 30 / 10 = 3 m/s²
(***) Total distance = (1/2 × 30 × 5) + (30 × 15) + (1/2 × 30 × 10) = 75 + 450 + 150 = 675 m

Answers to Question 4.

a. It means for every 1 K rise in temperature, a unit length of copper increases by 1.7 × 10^-5 of its original length.

b. (i) Description of experiment:

• Use a copper rod and fix it between two rigid supports.
• Attach a pointer to one end and place a scale to measure expansion.
• Heat the rod and observe the pointer’s movement on the scale.

(ii) Precaution: Avoid parallax error while reading the pointer.

c. Let L be the length of brass rod at 0°C.
(L – 2.58) × 1.9 × 10^-5 = 2.58 × 1.2 × 10^-5
Solving gives: L ≈ 4.13 m

d. It may damage the thermometer because the mercury can expand and burst the capillary tube.

Answers to Question 5.

a. The load-extension graph is a curve that starts linear, then curves upward before breaking point.

b. On the graph:

• (i) E — Elastic limit
• (ii) Y — Yield point
• (iii) B — Breaking point

c. Dimensions:

• Acceleration: [L T^-2]
• Energy: [M L² T^-2]
• Pressure: [M L^-1 T^-2]
• Volume: [L³]

Answers to Question 6.

a. (i) Heat is energy in transit due to temperature difference; Temperature is the degree of hotness or coldness.

(ii) Desirable properties of thermometric liquid:

• Visible
• Good conductor of heat
• Expands uniformly
• Has a wide temperature range

(iii) Experiment for upper fixed point:

• Place the thermometer in steam from boiling water.
• Wait until the liquid column stabilizes and record the level.

(iv) Precaution: Ensure the bulb is fully surrounded by steam.

b. Capillarity is the rise or fall of liquid in a narrow tube due to surface tension.

c. Water wets glass due to strong adhesive forces; Mercury does not because cohesive forces within mercury are stronger than adhesion to glass.

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How to Pass Physics Exam Questions for SS1 Third Term

Passing your Physics exam questions for SS1 Third term requires a combination of preparation, understanding, and strategy. Here are actionable tips to help you excel:

1. Understand the Basic Concepts
Start by understanding the basic definitions and laws in topics like motion, heat, energy, pressure, and waves. Avoid cramming. Focus on the “why” and “how” behind each concept.

2. Master the Formulas
Memorize key Physics formulas and understand when and how to use them. Practice breaking down word problems and applying the right formula step by step.

3. Solve Past Questions
Go through SS1 third term Physics past questions. Solving them will help you identify common questions and improve your speed and accuracy.

4. Practice Calculations Regularly
Physics involves a lot of calculations. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become in solving numerical problems, even under exam pressure.

5. Draw and Interpret Diagrams
Learn how to draw labeled diagrams, especially for experiments and motion graphs. Diagrams can help you explain your answers clearly.

6. Revise Your Notes
Don’t wait till exam week. Revise your class notes regularly. Create a summary for each topic using bullet points or flashcards.

7. Ask Questions in Class
If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask your teacher or classmates. Don’t keep quiet over confusing topics.

8. Pay Attention to Units
Always write correct units in calculations. Marks are often lost due to missing or wrong units.

9. Study With Friends
Group study can help you learn faster. You can teach each other and solve problems together.

10. Stay Calm and Confident
On the day of the exam, stay calm. Read each question carefully before answering. Believe in your preparation.

It’s a wrap!

If you need more clarification on SS1 Third Term Questions on Physics, you can use the comments box below. We’ll be there to answer you asap.

Best wishes.