JAMB Physics practice: free CBT questions with explanations
UTME Physics moves from measurement and motion (vectors, equations of motion, projectiles, Newton's laws) through energy, heat and gas laws, waves, sound and light, to electricity, magnetism and modern physics (radioactivity, half-life, photoelectric effect). Most questions need one formula used correctly with the right units.
In the UTME CBT, Physics is one of your three subjects besides Use of English: 40 questions, inside a 2-hour paper of 180 questions scored out of 400.
CrackIt has 491 original Physics questions across 29 syllabus topics (176 easy, 211 medium, 104 hard), each with an explanation in English and Pidgin.
5 free JAMB Physics practice questions
Original questions from our bank, written to the syllabus. Tap “Show answer” to check yourself.
Q1. Measurements, units and dimensions
The dimensions of pressure in terms of mass [M], length [L], and time [T] are:
- A[M][L]⁻²[T]⁻¹
- B[M][L]²[T]⁻²
- C[M][L][T]⁻²
- D[M][L]⁻¹[T]⁻²
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Answer: D. [M][L]⁻¹[T]⁻²
Pressure is defined as force per unit area. Force has dimensions [M][L][T]⁻² and area has dimensions [L]², giving pressure the dimensional formula [M][L]⁻¹[T]⁻².
Pidgin: Pressure na force divided by area. When you divide force dimension [M][L][T]⁻² by area dimension [L]², you go get [M][L]⁻¹[T]⁻².
Q2. Projectiles and circular motion
A particle is projected with a speed of 50 m/s at an angle of 30° to the horizontal. What is the total time of flight? (Take g = 10 m/s²)
- A5.0 s
- B10.0 s
- C2.5 s
- D7.5 s
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Answer: A. 5.0 s
The total time of flight for a projectile is T = (2u × sin(theta)) / g. Substituting u = 50, theta = 30°, and g = 10 gives T = (2 × 50 × 0.5) / 10 = 50 / 10 = 5.0 s.
Pidgin: Time of flight formula na T = (2 u sin theta) / g. When you calculate am, 2 times 50 times 0.5 divide by 10 give you 5 seconds.
Q3. Elasticity and Hooke's law
Two identical light springs A and B, each of force constant k, are connected in series. What is the effective force constant of the combination?
- Ak
- B0.25k
- C0.5k
- D2k
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Answer: C. 0.5k
For springs in series, the reciprocal of the effective force constant is the sum of reciprocals: 1/k_eff = 1/k + 1/k = 2/k. Therefore, k_eff = k/2 = 0.5k.
Pidgin: If springs dey join for series, you go use reciprocal formula just like resistors for parallel. 1 over k_eff equal to 1/k plus 1/k, wey give you 2/k, so k_eff na half of k (0.5k).
Q4. Gas laws
A given mass of an ideal gas occupies 400 cm³ at a temperature of 27 °C. Calculate its volume at 127 °C, assuming the pressure remains constant.
- A188 cm³
- B300 cm³
- C400 cm³
- D533 cm³
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Answer: D. 533 cm³
Using Charles's law, V1/T1 = V2/T2. Temperatures must be converted to Kelvin: T1 = 300 K and T2 = 400 K, giving V2 = (400 cm³ × 400 K) / 300 K = 533.3 cm³.
Pidgin: Na Charles law we go use, V1 over T1 equal V2 over T2, but make you first change temperature to Kelvin. When you calculate am well, volume 2 go come be 533 cm³.
Q5. Heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation
Two identical metal spheres, one painted dull black and the other highly polished, are heated to the same high temperature of 400° C and left to cool in a vacuum chamber at room temperature. Which sphere cools down faster and why?
- AThe polished sphere, because it is a better reflector of heat.
- BThe black sphere, because a dull black surface is a good emitter of radiation.
- CThe polished sphere, because smooth surfaces conduct heat better.
- DBoth spheres cool at the exact same rate in a vacuum.
Show answer
Answer: B. The black sphere, because a dull black surface is a good emitter of radiation.
A dull black surface is a very good absorber and emitter of radiant heat compared to a shiny polished surface, causing it to lose heat by radiation much faster.
Pidgin: Black surface be good emitter of heat, so the black sphere go cool down quick quick pass the shining polished one.
Topics covered
- Measurements, units and dimensions (20)
- Scalars and vectors, resolution of forces (16)
- Motion: speed, velocity, acceleration and equations of motion (17)
- Projectiles and circular motion (19)
- Newton's laws, momentum and impulse (16)
- Work, energy and power (17)
- Friction and simple machines (18)
- Elasticity and Hooke's law (17)
- Pressure in solids, liquids and gases; Archimedes' principle and flotation (19)
- Temperature, thermometers and thermal expansion (22)
- Gas laws (19)
- Quantity of heat: specific heat capacity and latent heat (17)
- Heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation (17)
- Waves: properties and types (20)
- Sound waves, resonance and echoes (18)
- Light: reflection at plane and curved mirrors (16)
- Refraction, total internal reflection and lenses (19)
- Electrostatics and capacitors (20)
- Current electricity: Ohm's law, resistors in series and parallel, e.m.f. (19)
- Electrical energy and power, cost of electricity (20)
- Magnetism and electromagnetic induction (20)
- Simple harmonic motion and pendulums (16)
- Atomic and nuclear physics: radioactivity and half-life (19)
- Photoelectric effect and energy quantisation (16)
- Gravitational field and satellites (13)
- Alternating current (12)
- Semiconductors and basic electronics (16)
- Fluids: surface tension and viscosity (9)
- Energy and society (4)
How to score higher in Physics
- Write the formula and the units before you calculate. Many wrong options are what you get from a units slip (cm instead of m, minutes instead of seconds).
- Resistors in series and parallel, lenses and half-life come up again and again. Practise them until they are automatic.
- For theory questions on waves, light and modern physics, read all four options: two are often nearly right.
Done with practice? See the cut-off marks for 25 universities or check your chances with the admission chance checker.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in JAMB UTME Physics?
In the UTME CBT, Physics is one of your three subjects besides Use of English: 40 questions, inside a 2-hour paper of 180 questions scored out of 400.
Are these real past questions?
No. CrackIt's 491 Physics questions are original, written to the official JAMB syllabus, and each has a worked explanation. CrackIt is not affiliated with JAMB, WAEC or NECO.
Is CrackIt free and does it work offline?
Yes. Practice by topic, timed tests and the Daily 10 are free, and once the app has loaded it works without data.
Can I read the explanations in Pidgin?
Yes. Every Physics explanations have a Pidgin version: tap “Pidgin” under the answer.