WASSCE syllabus · Main subject in Science and Technical
Physics
Every topic in the WASSCE Physics syllabus, grouped the way you will study it, with lessons written for Sierra Leone students.
- syllabus topics
- 52
- lessons
- 104
- of study
- 11 h 47 min
- practice questions
- 416
The first lesson of every topic is free. No card needed.
Course outline
Physics syllabus, section by section
Lessons published for 52 of 52 topics
01Foundations of Physics3 topics · 6 lessons · 54 min
- 01Physical Quantities and UnitsFundamental and derived quantities, SI units, dimensions, and converting between units.1Physical quantities, SI units and prefixesFree2Dimensions, dimensional analysis and significant figures7 min 2 lessons 16 min
- 02Scalars and VectorsThe difference between scalars and vectors, vector addition, resolution of vectors, and resultant forces.1Scalars and vectors: adding and resolving vectorsFree2Resultant of several forces, equilibrant and relative velocity7 min 2 lessons 15 min
- 03Measurement and ErrorsInstruments for measuring length, mass, time, and temperature, with accuracy, precision, and types of error.1Measuring length: metre rule, vernier calipers and micrometer screw gaugeFree2Errors, accuracy, significant figures and density practicals11 min 2 lessons 23 min
02Mechanics — Motion & Forces12 topics · 24 lessons · 2 h 58 min
- 01Motion in a Straight LineDistance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration, with distance-time and velocity-time graphs.1Distance, displacement, speed, velocity and accelerationFree2Motion graphs and the ticker-tape timer10 min 2 lessons 19 min
- 02Equations of MotionThe four kinematic equations for uniform acceleration and how to apply them to WAEC problems.1The equations of uniformly accelerated motionFree2Multi-stage journeys and chase problems7 min 2 lessons 15 min
- 03Motion under GravityFree fall, acceleration due to gravity, and motion of objects thrown straight up or dropped.1Free fall: bodies dropped and thrown upwardsFree2Harder vertical motion problems and measuring g7 min 2 lessons 15 min
- 04Projectile MotionRange, maximum height, and time of flight for objects launched at an angle.1Projectiles: horizontal launch, time of flight, height and rangeFree2Projectile velocity, the trajectory equation and air resistance7 min 2 lessons 14 min
- 05Newton's Laws of MotionThe three laws of motion, with examples drawn from everyday Sierra Leonean life.1Newton's three laws of motion, inertia and momentumFree2Impulse, conservation of momentum, collisions and lifts8 min 2 lessons 15 min
- 06Equilibrium of ForcesConditions for equilibrium, parallel and non-parallel forces, and using the triangle and parallelogram laws.1Equilibrium of forces: triangle of forces and Lami's theoremFree2Equilibrium on inclined planes7 min 2 lessons 14 min
- 07Moments and Turning EffectsMoment of a force, principle of moments, couples, centre of gravity, and stability.1Moments, the principle of moments and couplesFree2Centre of gravity and stability7 min 2 lessons 14 min
- 08FrictionStatic and kinetic friction, coefficient of friction, and the advantages and disadvantages of friction.1Friction: static, limiting and kinetic frictionFree2Friction on slopes, viscosity and reducing friction7 min 2 lessons 15 min
- 09Circular MotionUniform circular motion, centripetal force, centripetal acceleration, and applications.1Uniform circular motion and centripetal forceFree2Vertical circles, banked roads, gravitation and satellites7 min 2 lessons 14 min
- 10Simple Harmonic MotionSimple pendulum and spring-mass systems, period, frequency, and energy in SHM.1Simple harmonic motion: the pendulum and the springFree2SHM equations, energy, damping and resonance7 min 2 lessons 14 min
- 11Work, Energy, and PowerDefinitions, formulas, energy conversions, and the principle of conservation of energy.1Work, energy, power and conservation of energyFree2Efficiency, vehicle power and energy sources7 min 2 lessons 14 min
- 12Simple MachinesLevers, pulleys, wheel and axle, inclined planes, and gears — with mechanical advantage and efficiency.1Machines: mechanical advantage, velocity ratio, levers and pulleysFree2Inclined plane, screw jack, gears and the hydraulic press7 min 2 lessons 15 min
03Matter & Fluids4 topics · 8 lessons · 53 min
- 01States of Matter and Kinetic TheoryThe three states of matter and the kinetic molecular theory that explains their behaviour.1States of matter and the kinetic theoryFree2Evaporation, boiling, molecular forces and crystals6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 02Elasticity and Hooke's LawStress, strain, Young's modulus, Hooke's law, and elastic limit.1Elasticity and Hooke's lawFree2Stress, strain, Young's modulus and springs6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 03Surface Tension, Capillarity, and ViscosityMolecular forces that cause surface tension, capillary rise, and the resistance of fluids to flow.1Surface tension and capillarityFree2Viscosity and terminal velocity6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 04Density and Pressure in FluidsDensity, relative density, pressure in liquids, Pascal's principle, Archimedes' principle, and flotation.1Density, pressure in liquids and atmospheric pressureFree2Archimedes' principle, flotation and the hydrometer7 min 2 lessons 15 min
04Heat & Thermal Physics6 topics · 12 lessons · 1 h 17 min
- 01Temperature and ThermometersConcept of temperature, different thermometer types, and temperature scales (Celsius, Kelvin, Fahrenheit).1Temperature, temperature scales and thermometersFree2Calibrating thermometers; thermocouples and Six's thermometer6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 02Thermal ExpansionLinear, area, and volume expansion of solids, liquids, and gases — with everyday applications.1Expansion of solids: linear expansivity and its applicationsFree2Expansion of liquids and the anomalous expansion of water6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 03Quantity of Heat and CalorimetrySpecific heat capacity, heat capacity, and calorimetry problems WAEC tests.1Heat capacity and specific heat capacityFree2Calorimetry: method of mixtures and the electrical method7 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 04Change of StateLatent heat of fusion and vaporisation, melting, boiling, evaporation, and condensation.1Latent heat: melting, boiling and the heating curveFree2Vapour pressure, boiling point, refrigerators and humidity6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 05Heat TransferConduction, convection, and radiation — with practical examples and applications.1Conduction, convection and radiationFree2Land and sea breezes, the vacuum flask and the greenhouse effect6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 06Gas LawsBoyle's law, Charles' law, the pressure law, and the general gas equation.1Boyle's law, Charles's law and the pressure lawFree2The general gas law and the kinetic theory of gases6 min 2 lessons 12 min
05Waves & Sound4 topics · 8 lessons · 52 min
- 01Wave Motion and PropertiesTransverse and longitudinal waves, amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, and the wave equation.1Waves: types, terms and the wave equationFree2The progressive wave equation, phase and the ripple tank7 min 2 lessons 14 min
- 02Wave PhenomenaReflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, polarization, and superposition of waves.1Reflection, refraction and diffraction of wavesFree2Superposition, interference, stationary waves and polarisation6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 03Sound WavesProduction and propagation of sound, speed of sound, echoes, and characteristics of musical notes.1Sound: production, transmission, speed and echoesFree2Pitch, loudness, quality, ultrasound and the Doppler effect6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 04Resonance and Musical AcousticsResonance, vibration in strings and air columns, beats, and how musical instruments work.1Vibrating strings: harmonics, laws of strings and the sonometerFree2Resonance in pipes and measuring the speed of sound7 min 2 lessons 13 min
06Light & Optics6 topics · 12 lessons · 1 h 19 min
- 01Light as a WaveRectilinear propagation of light, shadows, eclipses, and light as part of the electromagnetic spectrum.1Light: straight-line travel, shadows, eclipses and the pinhole cameraFree2The nature of light: speed, theories, interference and polarisation6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 02Reflection of LightLaws of reflection, plane mirrors, concave and convex mirrors, and ray diagrams.1Reflection at plane mirrorsFree2Concave and convex mirrors and the mirror formula7 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 03Refraction and Total Internal ReflectionRefraction through glass, refractive index, critical angle, total internal reflection, and fibre optics.1Refraction, Snell's law and real and apparent depthFree2Critical angle, total internal reflection and optical fibres7 min 2 lessons 14 min
- 04Lenses and Image FormationConvex and concave lenses, image formation, magnification, and the lens formula.1Converging and diverging lenses: ray diagrams and imagesFree2The lens formula, magnification and power of a lens7 min 2 lessons 14 min
- 05Optical InstrumentsThe human eye, camera, microscope, telescope, and projector — with ray diagrams.1The human eye, defects of vision and the cameraFree2Magnifying glass, microscope, telescope and projector6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 06Dispersion and the Electromagnetic SpectrumDispersion of white light through a prism, the visible spectrum, and the full electromagnetic spectrum.1Dispersion, the visible spectrum and colourFree2The electromagnetic spectrum: properties, uses and dangers6 min 2 lessons 12 min
07Electricity & Magnetism11 topics · 22 lessons · 2 h 18 min
- 01ElectrostaticsElectric charges, Coulomb's law, electric fields, electric potential, and charging by friction or induction.1Static electricity: charging, induction and the electroscopeFree2Coulomb's law, electric fields, potential and lightning7 min 2 lessons 14 min
- 02CapacitorsCapacitance, capacitors in series and parallel, energy stored, and the role of dielectrics.1Capacitors and capacitanceFree2Capacitors in series and parallel; energy stored6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 03Current Electricity and Ohm's LawElectric current, EMF, potential difference, internal resistance, and Ohm's law.1Electric current, potential difference and Ohm's lawFree2Resistivity, internal resistance and e.m.f.6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 04Resistors and Circuit AnalysisResistors in series and parallel, Kirchhoff's laws, and solving DC circuit problems.1Resistors in series and parallel; solving circuitsFree2Kirchhoff's rules, the metre bridge, the potentiometer and meters7 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 05Electric Energy and PowerElectrical energy, electrical power, the kilowatt-hour, and the cost of running appliances.1Electrical energy, power and the cost of electricityFree2Joule heating, fuses, heating elements and power transmission6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 06ElectrolysisElectrolytes, voltameters, electroplating, and Faraday's laws of electrolysis.1Electrolysis: electrolytes, ions and electroplatingFree2Faraday's laws of electrolysis and cells7 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 07Magnets and Magnetic FieldsProperties of magnets, magnetic field lines, the Earth's magnetic field, and magnetic materials.1Magnets: properties, magnetisation and the domain theoryFree2Magnetic fields and the Earth's magnetism6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 08Magnetic Effects of CurrentMagnetic field around a current-carrying conductor, force on a conductor in a magnetic field, and the DC motor.1Magnetic effect of a current: wires, solenoids and electromagnetsFree2The motor effect, Fleming's left-hand rule and the d.c. motor6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 09Electromagnetic InductionFaraday's law, Lenz's law, induced EMF, generators, and the dynamo.1Electromagnetic induction: Faraday's and Lenz's lawsFree2Generators, mutual and self-induction, and eddy currents6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 10Alternating Current and TransformersAC waveforms, RMS values, transformers, and electrical power transmission.1Alternating current: peak and r.m.s. valuesFree2Transformers and a.c. circuits6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 11Domestic Electricity and SafetyHouse wiring, fuses, circuit breakers, earthing, and electrical safety in Sierra Leonean homes.1House wiring, the three-pin plug, fuses and earthingFree2Electrical safety, first aid, two-way switching and saving energy6 min 2 lessons 13 min
08Modern Physics & Electronics6 topics · 12 lessons · 1 h 16 min
- 01Atomic Structure and SpectraRutherford and Bohr models of the atom, energy levels, and emission and absorption spectra.1Models of the atom and Rutherford's experimentFree2Energy levels and line spectra6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 02Photoelectric Effect and Wave-Particle DualityThe photoelectric effect, Einstein's photon theory, and the dual nature of light.1The photoelectric effect and Einstein's equationFree2Wave-particle duality, de Broglie waves and photocells6 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 03X-rays and Cathode RaysProduction and properties of cathode rays, the cathode ray oscilloscope, and X-rays.1Thermionic emission, cathode rays and the oscilloscopeFree2Production, properties, uses and dangers of X-rays6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 04Radioactivity and Nuclear PhysicsAlpha, beta, and gamma radiation, half-life, nuclear fission, fusion, and applications.1Radioactivity: alpha, beta, gamma and half-lifeFree2Detectors, fission, fusion and uses of radioisotopes7 min 2 lessons 13 min
- 05Semiconductors and ElectronicsIntrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, p-n junction diodes, rectification, and transistors.1Semiconductors, the p-n diode and rectificationFree2Transistors, sensor circuits and logic gates6 min 2 lessons 12 min
- 06Practical Physics SkillsDrawing graphs, recording data, calculating errors, and the common WAEC practical experiments.1Practical skills: tables, graphs, gradients and precautionsFree2The standard WASSCE experiments and handling errors7 min 2 lessons 14 min
416 Physics practice questions, marked instantly
4 sets of original WASSCE-style questions, each with the full working. They are not WAEC past papers.
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