Complete JAMB Physics Syllabus 2026: All Topics & What to Focus On
Preparing for JAMB Physics? This is the complete official JAMB syllabus with all 40 topics you need to cover for the 2026 UTME.
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How to Use This Syllabus
- Go through each topic below and honestly rate yourself: strong, okay, or weak
- Focus your study time on weak topics first — that's where the marks are
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- Review AI explanations for questions you get wrong — don't just memorize answers
JAMB Physics Syllabus — All 40 Topics
1. Measurements and Units
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify the units of length, area and volume
- Use different measuring instruments
- Determine the lengths, surface areas and volume of regular and irregular bodies
- Identify the unit of mass
- Use simple beam balance, e.g. Buchart's balance and chemical balance
- Identify the unit of time
- Use different time-measuring devices
- Relate the fundamental physical quantities to their units
Key areas: Fundamental units (length, mass, time, electric charge, temperature, luminous intensity, amount of substance), derived units (weight, area, volume, force, speed), measuring instruments (vernier caliper, metre rule, micrometer screw gauge, measuring cylinder, stop watch, beam balance), fundamental physical quantities
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
2. Scalars and Vectors
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities
- Give examples of scalar and vector quantities
- Determine the resultant of two or more vectors
- Determine relative velocity
- Resolve vectors into two perpendicular components
- Use graphical methods to solve vector problems
Key areas: Definition of scalar and vector quantities, examples of scalar and vector quantities, relative velocity, resolution of vectors into two perpendicular directions including graphical methods of solution
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
3. Motion
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify different types of motion
- Solve numerical problem on collinear motion
- Identify force as cause of motion
- Identify push and pull as forms of force
- Identify electric and magnetic attractions, gravitational pull as forms of field forces
- Differentiate between speed, velocity and acceleration
- Deduce equations of uniformly accelerated motion
- Solve problems of motion under gravity
- Interpret distance-time graph and velocity-time graph
- Compute instantaneous velocity and acceleration
Key areas: Newton's laws of motion, types of motion (translational, oscillatory, rotational, spin and random), relative motion, causes of motion, types of force (contact and force field), linear motion (speed, velocity and acceleration, equations of uniformly accelerated motion, motion under gravity, distance-time graph and velocity time graph, instantaneous velocity and acceleration)
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
4. Gravitational field
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify the expression for gravitational force between two bodies
- Apply Newton's law of universal gravitation
- Give examples of conservative and non-conservative fields
- Deduce the expression for gravitational field potentials
- Identify the causes of variation of g on the earth's surface
- Differentiate between mass and weight
- Determine escape velocity
Key areas: Newton's law of universal gravitation, gravitational potential, conservative and non-conservative fields, acceleration due to gravity, variation of g on the earth's surface, distinction between mass and weight, escape velocity, parking orbit and weightlessness
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
5. Equilibrium of Forces
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Apply the conditions for the equilibrium of coplanar forces to solve problems
- Use triangle and polygon laws of forces to solve equilibrium problems
- Use Lami's theorem to solve problems
- Analyse the principle of moment of a force
- Determine moment of a force and couple
- Describe some applications of moment of a force and couple
- Apply the conditions for the equilibrium of rigid bodies to solve problems
- Resolve forces into two perpendicular directions
- Determine the resultant and equilibrant of forces
- Differentiate between stable, unstable and neutral equilibra
Key areas: Equilibrium of particles (equilibrium of coplanar forces, triangles and polygon of forces, Lami's theorem), principles of moments (moment of a force, simple treatment and moment of a couple), conditions for equilibrium of rigid bodies under the action of parallel and non-parallel forces, centre of gravity and stability (stable, unstable and neutral equilibra)
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
6. Friction
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Differentiate between static and dynamic friction
- Determine the coefficient of limiting friction
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of friction
- Suggest ways by which friction can be reduced
- Analyse factors that affect viscosity and terminal velocity
- Apply Stoke's law
Key areas: Static and dynamic friction, coefficient of limiting friction and its determination, advantages and disadvantages of friction, reduction of friction, qualitative treatment of viscosity and terminal velocity, Stoke's law
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
7. Work, Energy and Power
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Differentiate between work, energy and power
- Compare different forms of energy, giving examples
- Apply the principle of conservation of energy
- Examine the transformation between different forms of energy
- Interpret the area under the force-distance curve
- Solve numerical problems in work, energy and power
Key areas: Definition of work, energy and power, forms of energy, conservation of energy, qualitative treatment between different forms of energy, interpretation of area under the force-distance curve
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
8. Simple Machines
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify different types of simple machines
- Solve problems involving simple machines
Key areas: Definition of simple machines, types of machines, mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency of machines
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
9. Elasticity
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Interpret force-extension curves
- Interpret Hooke's law and Young's modulus of a material
- Use spring balance to measure force
- Determine the work done in spring and elastic strings
Key areas: Hooke's law and Young's modulus, elastic limit, yield point, breaking point, the spring balance as a device for measuring force, work done per unit volume in springs and elastic strings
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
10. Pressure
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Recognize the S.I units of pressure (Pa)
- Identify pressure measuring instruments
- Relate the variation of pressure to height
- Use a barometer as an altimeter
- Determine the relationship between pressure depth and density
- Apply the principle of transmission of pressure in liquids to solve problems
- Determine and apply the principle of pressure in liquid
Key areas: Atmospheric Pressure (definition of atmospheric pressure, units of pressure, measurement of pressure, simple mercury barometer, aneroid barometer and manometer, variation of pressure with height, the use of barometer as an altimeter), Pressure in liquids (the relationship between pressure, depth and density, transmission of pressure in liquids, application)
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
11. Liquids At Rest
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Distinguish between density and relative density of substances
- Determine the upthrust on a body immersed in a liquid
- Apply Archimedes' principle and law of floatation to solve problems
Key areas: Determination of density of solids and liquids, definition of relative density, upthrust on a body immersed in a liquid, Archimedes' principle and law of floatation and applications
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
12. Temperature and Its Measurement
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify thermometric properties of materials that are used for different thermometers
- Calibrate thermometers
- Differentiate between temperature scales e.g. Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin
- Compare the types of thermometers
- Convert from one scale of temperature to another
Key areas: Concept of temperature, thermometric properties, calibration of thermometers, temperature scales -Celsius and Kelvin, types of thermometers
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
13. Quantity of Heat
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Differentiate between heat capacity and specific heat capacity
- Determine heat capacity and specific heat capacity using simple methods
- Solve numerical problems
Key areas: Heat as a form of energy, definition of heat capacity and specific heat capacity of solids and liquids, determination of heat capacity and specific heat capacity of substances by simple methods
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
14. Change of State
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Differentiate between latent heat and specific latent heats of fusion and vaporization
- Differentiate between melting, evaporation and boiling
- Examine the effects of pressure and of dissolved substance on boiling and melting points
- Solve numerical problems
Key areas: Latent heat, specific latent heats of fusion and vaporization, melting, evaporation and boiling, the influence of pressure and of dissolved substances on boiling and melting points, application in appliances
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
15. Thermal Expansion
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Determine linear and volume expansivities
- Assess the effects and applications of thermal expansivities
- Determine the relationship between different expansivities
- Determine volume, apparent, and real expansivities of liquids
- Analyse the anomalous expansion of water
Key areas: Solids (definition and determination of linear, volume and area expansivities, effects and applications), Liquids (volume expansivity, real and apparent expansivities, determination of volume expansivity, anomalous expansion of water)
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
16. Gas Laws
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Interpret the gas laws
- Use expression of these laws to solve numerical problems
- Interpret Van der waal equation for one mole of a real gas
Key areas: Boyle's law (isothermal process), Charle's law (isobaric process), Pressure law (volumetric process), absolute zero of temperature, general gas equation, ideal gas equation
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
17. Vapours
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Distinguish between saturated and unsaturated vapours
- Relate saturated vapour pressure to boiling point
- Determine S.V.P by barometer tube method
- Differentiate between dew point, humidity and relative humidity
- Estimate the humidity of the atmosphere using wet and dry bulb hygrometers
- Solve numerical problems
Key areas: Unsaturated and saturated vapours, relationship between saturated vapour pressure (S.V.P) and boiling, determination of S.V.P by barometer tube method, formation of dew, mist, fog, cloud and rain, study of dew point, humidity and relative humidity, hygrometry
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
18. Structure of Matter and Kinetic Theory
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Differentiate between atoms and molecules
- Use molecular theory to explain Brownian motion, diffusion, surface, tension, capillarity, adhesion, cohesion and angle of contact
- Examine the assumptions of kinetic theory
- Interpret kinetic theory, the pressure exerted by gases, Boyle's law, Charles's law, melting, boiling, vaporization, change in temperature, evaporation
Key areas: Molecular nature of matter (atoms and molecules, molecular theory, explanation of Brownian motion, diffusion, surface tension, capillarity, adhesion, cohesion and angles of contact), kinetic theory (assumptions of the kinetic theory, using the theory to explain the pressure exerted by gas, Boyle's law, Charles' law, melting, boiling, vapourization, change in temperature, evaporation)
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
19. Heat Transfer
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Differentiate between conduction, convection and radiation as modes of heat transfer
- Solve problems on temperature gradient, thermal conductivity and heat flux
- Assess the effect of the nature of the surface on the energy radiated and absorbed by it
- Compare the conductivities of common materials
- Relate the component part of the working of the thermos flask
- Differentiate between land and sea breeze
- Analyse the principles of operating internal combustion jet engines, rockets
- Understand the advantages and disadvantages of electric engine over combustion engine
Key areas: Conduction, convection and radiation as modes of heat transfer, temperature gradient, thermal conductivity and heat flux, effect of the nature of the surface on the energy radiated and absorbed by it, the conductivities of common materials, the thermos flask/vacuum flask, land and sea breeze, combustion engines
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
20. Waves
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Interpret wave motion
- Identify vibrating systems as sources of waves
- Use waves as a mode of energy transfer
- Distinguish between particle motion and wave motion
- Relate frequency and wave length to wave velocity
- Determine phase difference, wave number and wave vector
- Use the progressive wave equation to compute basic wave parameters
- Differentiate between mechanical and electromagnetic waves
- Differentiate between longitudinal and transverse waves
- Distinguish between stationary and progressive waves
Key areas: Production and Propagation (wave motion, vibrating systems as source of waves, waves as mode of energy transfer, distinction between particle motion and wave motion), Classification (types of waves, mechanical and electromagnetic waves, longitudinal and transverse waves, stationary and progressive waves)
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
21. Propagation of Sound Waves
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Determine the need for a material medium in the propagation of sound waves
- Compare the speed of sound in solids, liquids and air
- Relate the effects of temperature and pressure to the speed of sound in air
- Solve problem on echoes, reverberation and speed
- Compare the disadvantages and advantages of echoes
Key areas: The necessity for a material medium, speed of sound in solids, liquids and air, reflection of sound, echoes, reverberation and their applications, advantages and disadvantages of echoes and reverberations
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
22. Characteristics of Sound Waves
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Differentiate between noise and musical notes
- Analyse quality, pitch, intensity and loudness of sound notes
- Evaluate the application of (ii) above in the construction of musical instruments
- Identify overtones by vibrating stings and air columns
- Itemize acoustical examples of resonance
- Determine the frequencies of notes emitted by air columns in open and closed pipes in relation to their lengths
Key areas: Noise and musical notes, quality, pitch, intensity and loudness and their application to musical instruments, simple treatment of harmonics and overtones produced by vibrating strings and their columns
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
23. Light Energy
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Compare the natural and artificial sources of light
- Differentiate between luminous and non-luminous objects
- Relate the speed, frequency and wavelength of light
- Interpret the formation of shadows and eclipses
- Solve problems using the principle of operation of a pin-hole camera
Key areas: Sources of Light (natural and artificial sources of light, luminous and non-luminous objects), Propagation of light (speed, frequency and wavelength of light, formation of shadows and eclipse, the pin-hole camera)
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
24. Reflection of Light at Plane and Curved Surfaces
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Interpret the laws of reflection
- Illustrate the formation of images by plane, concave and convex mirrors
- Apply the mirror formula to solve optical problems
- Determine the linear magnification
- Apply the laws of reflection of light to the working of periscope, kaleidoscope and the sextant
Key areas: Laws of reflection, application of reflection of light, formation of images by plane, concave and convex mirrors and ray diagrams, use of the mirror formula
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
25. Refraction of Light Through at Plane and Curved Surfaces
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Interpret the laws of refraction
- Determine the refractive index of glass and liquid using Snell's law
- Determination of focal length of curved surfaces
- Determine the refractive index using the principle of real and apparent depth
- Determine the conditions necessary for total internal reflection
- Examine the use of periscope, prism, binoculars, optical fibre
- Apply the principles of total internal reflection to the formation of mirage
- Use of lens formula and ray diagrams to solve optical numerical problems
- Determine the magnification of an image
- Calculate the refractive index of a glass prism using minimum deviation formula
- Ray tracing through optical prism
Key areas: Laws of refraction, explanation of refraction in terms of velocity of light in the media, definition of refractive index of a medium, determination of refractive index of glass and liquid using Snell's law, real and apparent depth and lateral displacement, critical angle and total internal reflection
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
26. Optical Instruments
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Apply the principles of operation of optical instruments to solve problems
- Distinguish between the human eye and the cameras
- Calculate the power of a lens
- Evaluate the angular magnification of optical instruments
Key areas: General principles of microscopes, telescopes, projectors, cameras and the human eye, power of a lens, angular magnification
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
27. Dispersion of Light and Colours
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify primary colours and obtain secondary colours by mixing
- Understand the formation of rainbow
- Deduce why objects have colours
- Analyse colours using colour filters
- Analyse the electromagnetic spectrum in relation to their wavelengths, sources, detection and uses
- Define monochromatic light
Key areas: Dispersion of white light by a triangular Prism, production of pure spectrum, colour mixing by addition and subtraction, colour of objects and colour filters, rainbow and formation, electromagnetic spectrum
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
28. Electrostatics
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify charges
- Examine uses of an electroscope
- Apply Coulomb's square law of electrostatics to solve problems
- Deduce expressions for electric field intensity and potential difference
- Identify electric field flux patterns of isolated and interacting charges
- Analyse the distribution of charges on a conductor and how it is used in lightening conductors
- Charge a body by friction, induction and contact
Key areas: Existence of positive and negative charges in matter, charging a body by friction, contact and induction, electroscope, Coulomb's inverse square law, electric field and potential, electric field intensity, potential and potential difference, electric discharge and lightning
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
29. Capacitors
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Determine uses of capacitors
- Analyse parallel plate capacitors
- Determine the capacitance of a capacitor
- Analyse the factors that affect the capacitance of a capacitor
- Solve problems involving the arrangement of a capacitor
- Determine the energy stored in capacitors
Key areas: Types and functions of capacitors, parallel plate capacitors, capacitance of a capacitor, the relationship between capacitance, area separation of plates and medium between the plates
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
30. Electric Cells
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify the defects of the simple voltaic cell and their correction
- Compare different types of cells including solar cell
- Compare the advantages of lead-acid and Nikel iron accumulator
- Solve problems involving series and parallel combination of cells
Key areas: Simple voltaic cell and its defects, Daniel cell, Leclanche cell (wet and dry), lead-acid accumulator and Nickel-Iron (Nife) Lithium ion and Mercury cadmium, maintenance of cells and batteries, arrangement of cells, efficiency of a cell
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
31. Current Electricity
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Differentiate between emf, p.d., current and internal resistant of a cell
- Apply Ohm's law to solve problems
- Use metre bridge to calculate resistance
- Compute effective total resistance of both parallel and series arrangement of resistors
- Determine the resistivity and the conductivity of a conductor
- Measure emf. current and internal resistance of a cell using the potentiometer
- Identify the advantages of the potentiometer
- Apply Kirchoff's law in electrical networks
Key areas: Electromotive force (emf), potential difference (p.d.), current, internal resistance of a cell and lost Volt, Ohm's law, resistivity and conductivity, measurement of resistance, meter bridge, resistance in series and in parallel and their combination, the potentiometer method of measuring emf, current and internal resistance of a cell, electrical networks
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
32. Electrical Energy and Power
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Apply the expressions of electrical energy and power to solve problems
- Analyse how power is transmitted from the power station to the consumer
- Identify the heating effects of current and its uses
- Identify the advantages of parallel arrangement over series
- Determine the fuse rating
Key areas: Concepts of electrical energy and power, commercial unit of electric energy and power, electric power transmission, heating effects of electric current, electrical wiring of houses, use of fuses
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
33. Magnets and Magnetic Fields
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Give examples of natural and artificial magnets
- Differentiate between the magnetic properties of soft iron and steel
- Identify the various methods of making magnets and demagnetizing magnets
- Describe how to keep a magnet from losing its magnetism
- Determine the flux pattern of an isolated magnet
- Determine the flux pattern exhibited when two magnets are placed together pole to pole
- Determine the flux of a current carrying conductor, circular wire and solenoid including the polarity of the solenoid
- Determine the flux pattern of a magnet placed in the earth's magnetic fields
- Identify the magnetic elements of the earth's flux
- Determine the variation of earth's magnetic field on the earth's surface
- Examine the applications of the earth's magnetic field
Key areas: Natural and artificial magnets, magnetic properties of soft iron and steel, methods of making magnets and demagnetization, concept of magnetic field, magnetic field of a permanent magnet, magnetic field round a straight current carrying conductor, circular wire and solenoid, properties of the earth's magnetic field
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
34. Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor in a Magnetic Field
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Determine the direction of force on a current carrying conductor using Fleming's left-hand rule
- Interpret the attractive and repulsive forces between two parallel current-carrying conductors using diagrams
- Determine the relationship between the force, magnetic field strength, velocity and the angle through which the charge enters the field
- Interpret the working of the d. c. motor
- Analyse the principle of electromagnets and give examples of its application
- Compare moving iron and moving coil instruments
- Convert a galvanometer into an ammeter or a voltmeter
- Identify the factors affecting the sensitivity of a galvanometer
Key areas: Quantitative treatment of force between two parallel current-carrying conductors, force on a charge moving in a magnetic field, the d. c. motor, electromagnets, carbon microphone, moving coil and moving iron instruments, conversion of galvanometers to ammeters and voltmeters using shunts and multipliers, sensitivity of a galvanometer
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
35. Electromagnetic Induction
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Interpret the laws of electromagnetic induction
- Identify factors affecting induced emf
- Recognize how Lenz's law illustrates the principle of conservation of energy
- Interpret the diagrammatic set up of A. C. generators
- Identify the types of transformer
- Examine principles of operation of transformers
- Assess the functions of an induction coil
- Draw some conclusions from the principles of operation of an induction coil
- Interpret the inductance of an inductor
- Recognize units of inductance
- Calculate the effective total inductance in series and parallel arrangement
- Deduce the expression for the energy stored in an inductor
- Examine the applications of inductors
- Describe the method by which eddy current losses can be reduced
- Determine ways by which eddy currents can be used
Key areas: Faraday's laws of electromagnetic induction, Lenz's law as an illustration of the principle of conservation of energy, factors affecting induced emf, a.c. and d.c generators, transformers, the induction coil, inductance, energy stored in an inductor, eddy current
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
36. Simple A. C. Circuits
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify a.c. current and d.c. voltage
- Differentiate between the peak and r.m.s. values of a.c.
- Determine the phase difference between current and voltage
- Interpret R-L-C circuits
- Analyse vector diagrams
- Calculate the effective voltage, reactance and impedance
- Recognize the condition by which the circuit is at resonance
- Determine the resonant frequency of R-L-C arrangement
- Determine the instantaneous power, average power and the power factor in a. c. circuits
Key areas: Explanation of a.c. current and voltage, peak and r.m.s. values, a.c. source connected to a resistor, a.c source connected to a capacitor-capacitive reactance, a.c source connected to an inductor-inductive reactance, R-L-C circuits, vector diagram, phase angle and power factor, resistance and impedance, effective voltage in an R-L-C circuits, resonance and resonance frequency
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
37. Conduction of Electricity Through
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Distinguish between electrolytes and non-electrolytes
- Analyse the processes of electrolysis
- Apply Faraday's laws of electrolysis to solve problems
- Analyse discharge through gases
- Determine some applications/uses of conduction of electricity through gases
Key areas: Liquids (electrolytes and non-electrolyte, concept of electrolysis, Faraday's laws of electrolysis, application of electrolysis), Gases (discharge through gases, application of conduction of electricity through gases)
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
38. Elementary Modern Physics
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Identify the models of the atom and write their limitations
- Describe elementary structure of the atom
- Differentiate between the energy levels and spectra of atoms
- Compare thermionic emission and photoelectric emission
- Apply Einstein's equation to solve problems of photoelectric effect
- Calculate the stopping potential
- Relate some application of thermionic emission and photoelectric effects
- Interpret the process involved in the production of x-rays
- Identify some properties and applications of x-rays
- Analyse elementary radioactivity
- Distinguish between stable and unstable nuclei
- Identify isotopes of an element
- Compare the properties of alpha, beta and gamma rays
- Relate half-life and decay constant of a radioactive element
- Determine the binding energy, mass defect and Einstein's energy equation
- Analyse wave particle duality
- Solve some numerical problems based on the uncertainty principle and wave-particle duality
Key areas: Bohr's theory, Rutherford's theory and radioactivity, models of the atom and their limitations, elementary structure of the atom, energy levels and spectra, thermionic and photoelectric emissions, Einstein's equation and stopping potential, applications of thermionic emissions and photoelectric effects, simple method of production of x-rays
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
39. Introductory Electronics
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Differentiate between conductors, semi-conductors and insulators
- Distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors
- Distinguish between electron and hole carriers
- Analyse diodes and transistor
- Relate diodes to rectification and transistor to amplification
Key areas: Distinction between metals, semiconductors and insulators, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors (n-type and p-type semiconductors), uses of semiconductors and diodes in rectification and transistors in amplification
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
40. Introduction to Fibre Optics and Lasers
What JAMB expects you to know:
- Explain the concept of fibre optics
- Understand the principle of transmission of light through an optical fibre
- Apply the knowledge of lasers in scientific research, communication, medicine, military technology, holograms etc.
- Identify the dangers involved in using lasers
Key areas: Fibre optics (concept of fibre optics, principle of transmission of light through an optical fibre, application of fibre optics in Local Area Network (LAN), medicine, laser beam etc.), Lasers (meaning of laser, types of lasers, application of lasers in scientific research, communication, medicine, military technology, holograms etc., dangers involved in using lasers)
Recommended reading:
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics, Jos ENIC Publishers.
- Ike, E.E. (2014). Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos: ENIC Publishers.
- Nelkon, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics, Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
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Last updated: March 15, 2026. This syllabus is based on the official JAMB/IBASS syllabus for Physics.