WAEC Syllabus For Physics 2025/2026

Aim & Objectives

The WAEC Physics syllabus aims to help students gain a solid understanding of fundamental Physics principles and their applications. It emphasizes the development of scientific skills, attitudes, and the ability to appreciate the limitations and usefulness of the scientific method. Students are also encouraged to cultivate attitudes like accuracy, precision, objectivity, integrity, initiative, and inventiveness to ensure efficient and safe practices in their scientific activities.

Students will be assessed on their acquisition of knowledge and understanding in various areas, including scientific phenomena, laws, concepts, and terminology. They must demonstrate proficiency in using scientific apparatus safely and accurately, understanding scientific quantities, and recognizing the social, economic, and environmental implications of scientific and technological applications. This will require knowledge of fundamental concepts such as symbols, units, and scientific theories.

Additionally, students will be tested on their ability to handle and analyze information, solve problems, and conduct experiments. They should be able to present, organize, and evaluate data from multiple sources, draw conclusions, and make predictions based on their findings. Experimental skills are crucial, and students must be able to follow instructions, conduct experiments with accuracy and precision, interpret results, and suggest improvements while ensuring safety and accuracy in their work.

Scheme Of Examination

The WAEC Physics exam consists of three papers:

• Paper 1: 50 multiple-choice questions, lasting 1¼ hours and worth 50 marks.
• Paper 2: Two sections (A and B), lasting 1½ hours and worth 60 marks. Section A has 7 short-structured questions (answer 5, 15 marks), and Section B has 5 essay questions (answer 3, 45 marks).
• Paper 3: A practical test for school candidates or an alternative for private candidates, with 3 questions (answer 2) in 2¾ hours for 50 marks.

WAEC Physics Syllabus 2025/2026

Syllabus Details

The WAEC Physics syllabus covers a wide range of topics. Part 1 explores the interaction of matter, space, and time, including concepts of matter, position, motion, forces, and energy. It introduces the distinctions between mass and weight, velocity and speed, and covers various types of motion, including oscillatory, circular, and rectilinear. Key concepts such as Newton’s laws, simple harmonic motion, and equilibrium are also discussed.

Part 2 focuses on energy, mechanical work, and heat. It covers energy resources, conservation, mechanical energy types (potential and kinetic), power, and the application of machines.

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Heat energy, temperature, expansion, and the laws of thermodynamics are key areas, along with the gas laws and concepts like latent heat, humidity, and heat transfer. This section also touches on energy in the context of thermal processes and material properties.

Part 3 and 4 address waves, fields, and electromagnetic phenomena. Part 3 explores wave properties, including types (transverse and longitudinal), reflection, refraction, and diffraction. It discusses sound and light waves, resonance, and the electromagnetic spectrum.

Part 4 focuses on field properties, including gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and current electricity, with applications in power transmission, simple circuits, and resonance. Part 5 covers atomic and nuclear physics, including atomic models, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, and wave-particle duality.

1. MEASUREMENTS AND UNITS

Topics:

(a) Length, area and volume: Metre rule, Venier calipers MicrometerScrew-guage, measuring cylinder

(b) Mass

(i) unit of mass

(ii) use of simple beam balance

(iii) concept of beam balance

(c) Time

(i) unit of time

(ii) time-measuring devices

(d) Fundamental physical quantities

(e) Derived physical quantities and their units

(i) Combinations of fundamental quantities and determination of their units

(f) Dimensions

(i) definition of dimensions

(ii) simple examples

(g) Limitations of experimental measurements

(i) accuracy of measuring instruments

(ii) simple estimation of errors.

(iii) significant figures.

(iv) standard form.

(h) Measurement, position, distance and displacement

(i) concept of displacement

(ii) distinction between distance and displacement

(iii) concept of position and coordinates

(iv) frame of reference

Objectives:

Candidates should be able to:

i. identify the units of length, area and volume;

ii. use different measuring instruments;

iii. determine the lengths, surface areas and volume of regular and irregular bodies;

iv. identify the unit of mass;

v. use simple beam balance, e.g Buchart’s balance and chemical balance;

vi. identify the unit of time;

vii. use different time-measuring devices;

viii. relate the fundamental physical quantities to their units;

ix. deduce the units of derived physical quantities;