Theoretical Physics

We have designed this Ordinary level physics to thoroughly help students preparing for O’Level Physics exams like WAEC and JAMB. This particular online Physics subject is designed to replace or augment  secondary school secondary school Physics theory lessons and prepare the student to comfortably pass exams especially WAEC. This is a work in progress.

We have partnered with Rice University’s Open Syntax College Physics text book where we got the texts of this lesson. ( “Download for free at https://openstax.org/details/books/College-Physics.” ).

A lot was drawn from WAEC syllabus. According to WAEC:

PREAMBLE

The syllabus is evolved from the Senior Secondary School teaching syllabus and is intended to indicate the scope of the course for Physics examination.

It is structured with the conceptual approach. The broad concepts of matter, position, motion and time; energy; waves; fields; Atomic and Nuclear Physics, electronics are considered and each concept forms a part on which other sub-concepts are further based.

AIMS

The aims of the syllabus are to enable candidates

• acquire proper understanding of the basic principles and applications of Physics;

• develop scientific skills and attitudes as pre-requisites for further scientific activities;

• recognize the usefulness, and limitations of scientific method to appreciate its applicability ion other disciplines and in every life;

• develop abilities, attitudes and skills that encourage efficient and safe practice;

• develop scientific attitudes such as accuracy, precision, objectivity, integrity, initiative and inventiveness.

ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES

The following activities appropriate to Physics will be tested:

• Acquisition of knowledge and understanding:

Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of

• Scientific phenomena, facts laws, definitions, concepts and theories;

• Scientific vocabulary, terminology and conventions (including symbols, quantities and units);

• The use of scientific apparatus, including techniques of operation and aspects of safety;
• Scientific quantities and their determinations;

• Scientific and technological applications with their social economic and environmental implications.

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• Information Handling and Problem-solving

Candidates should be able, using visual, oral, aural and written (including symbolic, diagrammatic, graphical and numerical) information to

• locate select, organize and present information from a variety of sources including everyday experience;

• analyse and evaluate information and other data;

• use information to identify patterns, report trends and draw inferences;

• present reasonable explanations for natural occurrences, patterns and relationships;

• make predictions from data.

• Experimental and Problem-Solving Techniques Candidates should be able to

• follow instructions;

• carry out experimental procedures using apparatus;

• make and record observations, measurements and estimates with due regard to precision, accuracy and units;

• interpret, evaluate and report on observations and experimental data;

• identify problems, plan and carry out investigations, including the selection of techniques, apparatus, measuring devices and materials;

• evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements;

• state and explain the necessary precautions taken in experiments to obtain accurate results.

SCHEME OF EXAMINATION

There will be THREE papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3, all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 will be a composite paper to be taken at one sitting.

PAPER 1: Will consist of fifty multiple choice questions lasting 1¼ hours and carrying 50 marks.

PAPER 2: Will consist of two sections, Sections A and B lasting1½ hours and carrying 60 marks.

Section A – Will comprise seven short-structured questions. Candidates will be required to answer any five questions for a total of 15 marks. Section B – Will comprise five essay questions out of which candidates will be required to answer any three for 45 marks.

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PAPER 3: Will be a practical test for school candidates or an alternative to practical work paper for private candidates. Each version of the paper will comprise three questions out of which candidates will be required to answer any two in 2¾ hours for 50 marks.

DETAILED SYLLABUS

It is important that candidates are involved in practical activities in covering this syllabus. Candidates will be expected to answer questions on the topics set in the column headed ‘ TOPIC’. The ‘NOTES’ are intended to indicate the scope of the questions which will be set but they are not to be considered as an exhaustive list of limitations and illustrations.

NOTE: Questions will be set in S.I. units. However, multiples or sub-multiples of the units may be used.

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