JAMB Physics syllabus

Contents

• Fundamental Units: Length, mass, time, electric charge, temperature, luminous intensity, amount of substance
• Derived Units: Weight, area, volume, force, speed etc.
• Measuring Instruments: vernier caliper, metre rule, micrometer screw gauge, measuring cylinder, stop watch and beam balance
• Fundamental physical quantities
• Derived physical quantities and their units
  • Combinations of fundamental quantities and determination of their units
• Dimensions
  • definition of dimensions
  • simple examples
• Limitations of experimental measurements
  • accuracy of measuring instruments
  • simple estimation of errors
  • significant figures
  • standard form

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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
• deduce the units of derived physical quantities
• determine the dimensions of physical quantities
• use the dimensions to determine the units of physical quantities
• test the homogeneity of an equation
• determine the accuracy of measuring instruments
• estimate simple errors
• express measurements in standard form

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• concept of displacement
• distinction between distance and displacement
• concept of position and coordinates
• frame of reference

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• use strings, meter rule and engineering calipers, vernier calipers and micrometer, screw gauge
• note the degree of accuracy
• identify distance travel in a specified direction
• use compass and protractor to locate points/directions
• use Cartesians systems to locate positions in x-y plane
• plot graph and draw inference from the graph

Contents

• Newton’s laws of motion:
  • inertia, mass and force
  • relationship between mass and acceleration
  • impulse and momentum
  • force – time graph
  • conservation of linear momentum (Coefficient of restitution not necessary)
• Types of motion: translational, oscillatory, rotational, spin and random
• Relative motion
• Causes of motion
• Types of force
  • contact
  • 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
• Projectiles:
  • calculation of range, maximum height and time of flight from the ground and a height
  • applications of projectile motion
• Motion in a circle:
  • angular velocity and angular acceleration
  • centripetal and centrifugal forces
  • applications
• Simple Harmonic Motion (S.H.M):
  • definition and explanation of simple harmonic motion
  • examples of systems that execute S.H.M
  • period, frequency and amplitude of S.H.M
  • velocity and acceleration of S.H.M
  • simple treatment of energy change in S.H.M
  • force vibration and resonance (simple treatment)

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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
• establish expressions for the range, maximum height and time of flight of projectiles, rockets, missiles
• solve problems involving projectile motion
• solve numerical problems involving impulse and momentum
• interpretation of area under force – time graph
• interpret Newton’s laws of motion
• compare inertia, mass and force
• deduce the relationship between mass and acceleration
• interpret the law of conservation of linear momentum and application
• establish expression for angular velocity, angular acceleration and centripetal force
• solve numerical problems involving motion in a circle
• establish the relationship between period and frequency
• analyse the energy changes occurring during S.H.M
• identify different types of forced vibration
• enumerate applications of resonance

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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
• Relate the expression for gravitational force between two bodies
• Apply Newton’s law of Universal gravitation

Contents

• 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 (torque)
  • applications
• conditions for equilibrium of rigid bodies under the action of parallel and non-parallel forces
  • resolution and composition of forces in two perpendicular directions
  • resultant and equilibrant
• centre of gravity and stability
  • stable, unstable and neutral equilibria

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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 equilibria

Contents

• 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
• Stokes’ law

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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 Stokes’ law

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• sources of energy
• renewable and non-renewable energy e.g., coal, crude oil, sun, wind etc.
• uses of energy
• energy and development
• energy diversification
• environmental impact of energy e.g., global warming, greenhouse effect and spillage
• energy crises
• conversion of energy
• devices used in energy production

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• itemize the sources of energy
• distinguish between renewable and non- renewable energy, examples should be given
• identify methods of energy transition
• explain the importance of energy in the development of the society
• analyze the effect of energy use to the environment
• identify the impact of energy on the environment
• identify energy sources that are friendly or hazardous to the environment
• identify energy uses in their immediate environment
• suggests ways of safe energy use
• state different forms of energy conversion

Contents

• location of dams
• energy production

Contents

• nuclear energy

Contents

• photoelectric effect
• solar collector
• solar panel for energy supply

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• Photovoltaic cells
• Work function (φ = hf)
• Planck’s constant

Contents

• definition of simple machines
• types of machines
• mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency of machines

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• identify different types of simple machines
• solve problems involving simple machines

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• Atmospheric Pressure
  • definition of atmospheric pressure
  • units of pressure (S.I) units (Pa)
  • 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 (P = ρgh)
  • transmission of pressure in liquids (Pascal’s Principle)
  • application

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• 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, e.g., ships and hydrometers

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• concept of temperature
• thermometric properties
• calibration of thermometers
• temperature scales –Celsius and Kelvin
• types of thermometers
• conversion from one scale of temperature to another

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• 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 e.g. method of mixtures and electrical method and Newton’s law of cooling

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• differentiate between heat capacity and specific heat capacity
• determine heat capacity and specific heat capacity using simple methods
• solve numerical problems

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• Solids
  • definition and determination of linear, volume and area expansivities
  • effects and applications, e.g., expansion in building strips and railway lines
  • relationship between different expansivities
• Liquids
  • volume expansivity
  • real and apparent expansivities
  • determination of volume expansivity
  • anomalous expansion of water

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• Boyle’s law (isothermal process)
• Charles’ law (isobaric process)
• Pressure law (volumetric process)
• absolute zero of temperature
• general gas equation: (PV/T = constant)
• ideal gas equation e.g., PV = nRT
• Van der Waals gas

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• interpret the gas laws
• use expression of these laws to solve numerical problems
• interpret Van der Waals equation for one mole of a real gas

Contents

• 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; estimation of the humidity of the atmosphere using wet and dry bulb hygrometers

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• Molecular nature of matter
  • atoms and molecules
  • molecular theory: explanation of Brownian motion, diffusion, surface tension, capillarity, adhesion, cohesion and angles of contact etc.; law of definite proportion
  • examples and applications
• 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, etc.

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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, etc.

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• Production and Propagation
  • wave motion
  • vibrating systems as source of waves
  • waves as mode of energy transfer
  • distinction between particle motion and wave motion
  • relationship between frequency, wavelength and wave velocity (V = fλ)
  • phase difference, wave number and wave vector
  • progressive wave equation e.g. Y = A sin (2π/λ)(vt ± x)
• Classification
  • types of waves; mechanical and electromagnetic waves
  • longitudinal and transverse waves
  • stationary and progressive waves
  • examples of waves from springs, ropes, stretched strings and the ripple tank
• Characteristics/Properties
  • reflection, refraction, diffraction and plane polarization
  • superposition of waves e.g., interference
  • Beats
  • Doppler effects (qualitative treatment only)

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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
• examples in wave equations
• differentiate between mechanical and electromagnetic waves
• differentiate between longitudinal and transverse waves
• distinguish between stationary and progressive waves
• indicate the example of waves generated from springs, ropes, stretched strings and the ripple tank
• differentiate between reflection, refraction, diffraction and plane polarization of waves
• analyse the principle of superposition of waves
• solve numerical problems on waves explain the phenomenon of beat, beat frequency and uses
• explain Doppler effect of sound and application

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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
• solve problems on echo, reverberation and speed of sound

Contents

• 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 F₀ = (1/2L)√(T/μ) (μ = m/ℓ)
• acoustic examples of resonance
• frequency of a note emitted by air columns in closed and open pipes in relation to their lengths

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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 strings 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

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• 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: 1/f = 1/u + 1/v
• linear and angular magnification

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• 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
• Glass Prism
  • use of the minimum deviation formula: μ = sin((A + D)/2) / sin(A/2)
  • type of lenses; triangular, rectangular etc.
  • use of lens formula: 1/f = 1/u + 1/v and Newton’s formula (F² = ab)
  • magnification

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• general principles of microscopes, telescopes, projectors, cameras and the human eye (physiological details of the eye are not required)
• power of a lens
• angular magnification
• near and far points
• sight defects and their corrections

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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
• determine the near and far points
• detect sight defects and their corrections

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• identify primary colours and obtain secondary colours by mixing
• understand the formation of rainbow
• deduce why objects have colours
• analyse colours using colour filters

Contents

• description of sources and uses of various types of radiation

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• analyse the electromagnetic spectrum in relation to their wavelengths, sources, detection and uses
• define monochromatic light

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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 lightning conductors
• charge a body by friction, induction and contact

Contents

• 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 C = εA/d
• capacitors in series and parallel
• energy stored in a capacitor

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• simple voltaic cell and its defects
• Daniell cell, Leclanche cell (wet and dry)
• lead –acid accumulator and Nickel-Iron (Nife) Lithium Ion and Mercury cadmium
• maintenance of cells and batteries (detail treatment of the chemistry of a cell is not required)
• arrangement of cells
• efficiency of a cell

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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 Nickel iron accumulator
• solve problems involving series and parallel combination of cells

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• differentiate between emf, p.d., current and internal resistance 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 Kirchhoff’s law in electrical networks

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• 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; north and south poles, magnetic meridian and angle of dip and declination
• flux and flux density
• variation of magnetic field intensity over the earth’s surface
• applications: earth’s magnetic field in navigation and mineral exploration

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• 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 voltmeter using shunts and multipliers
• sensitivity of a galvanometer

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• 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

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• explanation of inductance
• unit of inductance
• energy stored in an inductor: E = ½I²L
• application/uses of inductors

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• reduction of eddy current
• applications of eddy current
• effects of eddy current

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• describe the method by which eddy current losses can be reduced
• determine ways by which eddy currents can be used

Contents

• 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: F₀ = 1/(2π√LC)

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• electrolytes and non-electrolyte
• concept of electrolysis
• Faraday’s laws of electrolysis
• application of electrolysis, e.g., electroplating, calibration of ammeter etc.

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• distinguish between electrolytes and non-electrolytes
• analyse the processes of electrolysis
• apply Faraday’s laws of electrolysis to solve problems

Contents

• discharge through gases (qualitative treatment only)
• application of conduction of electricity through gases

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• analyse discharge through gases
• determine some applications/uses of conduction of electricity through gases

Contents

• 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
• properties and applications of alpha, beta and gamma rays
• half-life and decay constant
• simple ideas of production of energy by fusion and fission
• binding energy, mass defect and Einstein’s Energy equation [ΔE = ΔMc²]
• wave-particle (duality of matter)
• electron diffraction
• the uncertainty principle

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

• distinction between metals, semiconductors and insulators (elementary knowledge of band gap is required)
• intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors (n-type and p-type semiconductors)
• uses of semiconductors and diodes in rectification and transistors in amplification
• elementary knowledge of diodes and transistors

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• 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

Contents

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• explain the concept of fibre optics
• understand the principle of transmission of light through an optical fibre
• apply the principle of fibre optics in Local Area Network (LAN), medicine, laser beam etc

Contents

Objectives: candidates should be able to

• understand the meaning of laser
• understand the various types of lasers (solid state, gas, liquid and semiconductor lasers)
• apply the knowledge of lasers in scientific research, communication, medicine, military technology, holograms etc
• identify the dangers involved in using lasers