JAMB Syllabus for Physics & Recommended Textbooks 2024/2025

If you’re a student preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination in Physics, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of the topics covered in the syllabus.

List of Topics in JAMB Syllabus for Physics

This comprehensive guide provides you with the complete list of topics you need to study for the Physics section of the JAMB examination.

By familiarizing yourself with these topics, you can better prepare for the exam and increase your chances of success.

1. Capacitors

• Types and functions of capacitors.
• Analysis of parallel plate capacitors.
• Determination of capacitance.
• Factors affecting the capacitance of a capacitor.
• Arrangement of capacitors in series and parallel.
• Calculation of energy stored in capacitors.

2. Change of State

• Latent heat and specific latent heat of fusion and vaporization.
• Differences between melting, evaporation, and boiling.
• Effects of pressure and dissolved substances on boiling and melting points.
• Applications of change of state in appliances.

3. Characteristics of Sound Waves

• Differentiation between noise and musical notes.
• Analysis of quality, pitch, intensity, and loudness of sound notes.
• Application of these characteristics in the construction of musical instruments.
• Identification and explanation of overtones produced by vibrating strings and air columns.
• Examples of acoustical resonance.
• Determination of frequencies of notes emitted by air columns in open and closed pipes.

4. Conduction of Electricity: 4.1 Conduction of Electricity Through Gases:

• Analysis of discharge through gases.
• Applications and uses of conduction of electricity through gases.

4.2 Conduction of Electricity Through Liquids:

• Differentiation between electrolytes and non-electrolytes.
• Processes of electrolysis.
• Application of Faraday’s laws of electrolysis.

5. Current Electricity

• Differentiation between electromotive force (emf), potential difference (p.d.), current, and internal resistance of a cell.
• Application of Ohm’s law.
• Use of the meter bridge to measure resistance.
• Calculation of effective total resistance in series and parallel arrangements.
• Determination of resistivity and conductivity of a conductor.
• Measurement of emf, current, and internal resistance of a cell using the potentiometer.
• Application of Kirchhoff’s laws in electrical networks.

6. Dams and Energy Production

• Location of dams.
• Energy production from dams.

7. Dispersion of Light and Colors

• Dispersion of white light by a triangular prism.
• Production of a pure spectrum.
• Color mixing by addition and subtraction.
• Relationship between the color of objects and color filters.
• Formation of a rainbow.

8. Eddy Current

• Reduction of eddy current.
• Applications of eddy current.

9. Elasticity

• Interpretation of force-extension curves.
• Explanation of Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus.
• Measurement of force using a spring balance.
• Calculation of work done in springs and elastic strings.

10. Electric Cells

• Identification of defects in simple voltaic cells and their correction.
• Comparison of different types of cells, including solar cells.
• Advantages of lead-acid and Nickel-Iron accumulators.
• Calculation of series and parallel combination of cells.
• Efficiency of a cell.

11. Electrical Energy and Power

• Concepts of electrical energy and power.
• Calculation of commercial unit of electric energy and power.
• Transmission of electric power from power stations to consumers.
• Heating effects of electric current and its uses.
• Wiring of houses and use of fuses.

12. Electromagnetic Induction

• Interpretation of Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic induction.
• Factors affecting induced emf.
• Explanation of Lenz’s law and its connection to the conservation of energy.
• Analysis of A.C. and D.C. generators.
• Examination of transformers.
• Functions and principles of operation of an induction coil.

13. Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Description of sources and uses of various types of radiation.

14. Electrostatics

• Identification of charges.
• Use of an electroscope.
• Application of Coulomb’s square law of electrostatics.
• Expression for electric field intensity and potential difference.
• Analysis of electric field flux patterns.
• Distribution of charges on a conductor and its use in lightning conductors.

15. Elementary Modern Physics

• Models of the atom and their limitations.
• Elementary structure of the atom.
• Energy levels and spectra.
• Comparison of thermionic emission and photoelectric emission.
• Application of Einstein’s equation to solve problems of the photoelectric effect.
• Calculation of stopping potential.
• Production of x-rays and properties and applications of x-rays.
• Introduction to elementary radioactivity.

16. Energy and Society

• Sources of energy.
• Differentiation between renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
• Methods of energy transition.
• Importance of energy in society’s development.
• Impact of energy use on the environment.
• Energy sources that are friendly or hazardous to the environment.
• Energy uses in the immediate environment.
• Suggestions for safe energy use.

17. Equilibrium of Forces

• Centre of gravity and stability.
• Conditions for equilibrium of rigid bodies under the action of parallel and non-parallel forces.
• Equilibrium of particles.
• Principles of moments.
• Force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.

18. Friction

• Differentiation between static and dynamic friction.
• Determination of the coefficient of limiting friction.
• Advantages and disadvantages of friction.
• Methods to reduce friction.
• Factors affecting viscosity and terminal velocity.
• Application of Stoke’s law.

19. Gas Laws

• Boyle’s law (isothermal process).
• Charles’s law (isobaric process).
• Pressure law (volumetric process).
• Explanation of absolute zero of temperature.
• General gas equation and ideal gas equation.
• Van der Waals gas.

20. Gravitational Field

• Expression for gravitational force between two bodies.
• Application of Newton’s law of universal gravitation.
• Differentiation between conservative and non-conservative fields.
• Explanation of gravitational field potentials.
• Causes of variation in the earth’s gravitational field.
• Distinction between mass and weight.
• Determination of escape velocity.

FAQs

What is the JAMB Syllabus for Physics for the 2024/2025 academic year?

The JAMB Syllabus for Physics outlines the topics and areas of study that candidates need to focus on to prepare for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The syllabus typically covers fundamental concepts in Mechanics, Waves, Thermodynamics, Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics. It serves as a guide for students to ensure they study relevant materials and topics that will be tested in the examination.

Where can I find the recommended textbooks for Physics according to the JAMB syllabus?

The recommended textbooks for Physics as per the JAMB syllabus can usually be found on the official JAMB website or through their official publications. Commonly recommended textbooks include:

• “Physics” by M. J. McMahon – a comprehensive text covering fundamental concepts.
• “Understanding Physics” by D. C. Pandey – a well-structured book with clear explanations and examples.
• “Physics for Senior Secondary Schools” by M. K. V. S. T. Subramaniam – suitable for both WAEC and JAMB preparation. These books cover the essential topics outlined in the syllabus and are valuable resources for effective study.

How can I effectively use the JAMB syllabus and recommended textbooks for my preparation?

To effectively use the JAMB syllabus and recommended textbooks for your preparation, follow these steps:

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Syllabus: Start by reviewing the syllabus to understand the topics you need to cover. Create a study plan that allocates time for each subject area based on your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Use Recommended Textbooks: Choose textbooks that are aligned with the syllabus. Read through the chapters, take notes, and highlight important concepts. Practice solving problems and exercises provided in the textbooks.
3. Practice Past Questions: Incorporate past JAMB questions into your study routine to familiarize yourself with the exam format and question styles. This will help you identify the areas where you need more practice.
4. Review Regularly: Set aside time for regular reviews of previously studied topics to reinforce your understanding and retention of the material.

Conclusion

The above-listed topics cover the entire JAMB Physics syllabus.

By studying these topics thoroughly and understanding their concepts, you will be well-prepared for the Physics section of the JAMB examination.

Remember to consult the recommended textbooks for further reading and practice solving numerical problems related to each topic.