The WAEC Syllabus for Physics 2027 has three papers: Paper 1 (50 objective questions, 1¼ hours, 50 marks), Paper 2 (theory, 1½ hours, 60 marks) and Paper 3 (practical, or Alternative to Practical for private candidates, 2¾ hours, 50 marks). The topics are grouped into five parts (31 numbered topics) plus 10 harmonised topics. Questions are set in S.I. units.
The WAEC Syllabus for Physics 2027 tells you exactly what WAEC can ask you in the exam. This guide explains the exam format, every topic in plain English, what you do not need to derive, the formulas the syllabus names, and the apparatus you should know. It follows the official WAEC Physics syllabus, and you can download the PDF below.
WAEC Physics Exam Format 2027
| Paper | Type | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 50 multiple-choice questions | 1¼ hours | 50 |
| Paper 2 | Section A: 7 short-structured questions (answer any 5) Section B: 5 essay questions (answer any 3) |
1½ hours | 60 (15 + 45) |
| Paper 3 | Practical test, or Alternative to Practical for private candidates (3 questions, answer any 2) | 2¾ hours | 50 |
All three papers must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 are a composite paper taken at one sitting.
Paper 2 and Paper 3 Explained
- Paper 2 Section A (15 marks): seven short-structured questions, and you answer five. The syllabus lists a special set of 10 harmonised topics for short-structured questions, so study those carefully.
- Paper 2 Section B (45 marks): five essay questions, and you answer three.
- Paper 3 (50 marks): school candidates take a practical test. Private candidates take an alternative to practical work paper. Each version has three questions, and you answer two.
- Units: questions are set in S.I. units, but multiples or sub-multiples may be used.
- Same syllabus for everyone: school and private candidates use the same Physics syllabus. The difference is Paper 3.
Aims and What the Exam Tests
The syllabus aims to help candidates understand the basic principles and applications of Physics, develop scientific skills and attitudes (accuracy, precision, objectivity, integrity, initiative), and practise safe, efficient laboratory work. The exam tests three things:
- Knowledge and understanding: laws, definitions, concepts, terminology, symbols, units, apparatus and safety, and real-life applications.
- Information handling and problem-solving: reading graphs and data, spotting patterns, making predictions and explaining natural events.
- Experimental techniques: following instructions, using apparatus, recording measurements with correct units, interpreting results, stating precautions and suggesting improvements.
Full WAEC Syllabus for 2027
The topics below follow the official numbering. The notes are condensed from the syllabus and written in simple language.
Part I: Interaction of Matter, Space and Time (Topics 1–13)
| No. | Topic | What to cover |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concepts of matter | Solid, liquid and gas; evidence for particles (Brownian motion, kinetic theory); using the theory to explain gas pressure, evaporation, boiling, cohesion, adhesion and capillarity; crystalline vs amorphous substances (face-centred and body-centred arrangements) |
| 2 | Fundamental and derived quantities and units | Length, mass, time, electric current, luminous intensity, thermodynamic temperature, amount of substance (m, kg, s, A, cd, K, mol); derived units such as m³, kg m⁻³ and m s⁻¹ |
| 3 | Position, distance and displacement | Rectangular coordinates (X, Y, Z axes); measuring with string, metre rule, vernier calipers and micrometer screw gauge; bearing using compass and protractor; distance vs displacement |
| 4 | Mass and weight | Difference between them; lever, beam and digital balances; spring balance; kg and newton (N) |
| 5 | Time | Time as interval between events; heartbeat, sand-clock, ticker-timer, pendulum, stopwatch; the second |
| 6 | Fluids at rest | Density and relative density; pressure in fluids; Pascal’s principle (hydraulic press, car brakes); atmospheric pressure, barometer, manometer, siphon, syringe, pump; U-tube and Hare’s apparatus; Archimedes’ principle and law of flotation (hydrometers, balloons, ships, submarines) |
| 7 | Motion | Types of motion (qualitative only); relative motion and co-linear problems; contact and field forces; solid friction and coefficient of limiting friction; viscosity and terminal velocity; circular motion, centripetal force and banking of roads |
| 8 | Speed and velocity | Speed and velocity (m s⁻¹); uniform and non-uniform motion; distance/displacement-time graphs; instantaneous speed |
| 9 | Rectilinear acceleration | Acceleration and deceleration (m s⁻²); velocity-time graphs; equations of motion; motion under gravity |
| 10 | Scalars and vectors | Definitions and examples; vector representation, addition and resolution; resultant velocity analytically and graphically |
| 11 | Equilibrium of forces | Principle of moments, torque and couples; conditions for equilibrium; parallelogram and triangle of forces; centre of gravity; stable, unstable and neutral equilibrium |
| 12 | Simple harmonic motion (S.H.M) | Definition; speed and acceleration; period, frequency, amplitude; energy of S.H.M; forced vibration and resonance; finding g with a simple pendulum and helical spring |
| 13 | Newton’s laws of motion | Inertia; force, acceleration, momentum and impulse; conservation of linear momentum; elastic collisions in a straight line; action and reaction (gun recoil, jet and rocket propulsion) |
Part II: Energy, Mechanical and Heat (Topics 14–16)
| No. | Topic | What to cover |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Energy | Forms of energy; renewable and non-renewable world energy resources; conservation of energy |
| 15 | Work, energy and power | Work and energy (joule, kWh); work in a gravitational field; potential and kinetic energy (you are expected to know their derivations); conservation of mechanical energy; power (watt); simple machines (levers, pulleys, inclined plane, wedge, screw, wheel and axle, gears) with force ratio, mechanical advantage, velocity ratio and efficiency |
| 16 | Heat energy | Temperature and thermometers (constant-volume gas, resistance, thermocouple, liquid-in-glass, clinical); Celsius and Kelvin; effects of heat; linear, area and volume expansion, including anomalous expansion of water; conduction, convection and radiation (land and sea breezes, vacuum flask); gas laws (Boyle, Charles, pressure law, general gas law); heat capacity and specific heat capacity; latent heat, melting and boiling points; evaporation and boiling; vapour and vapour pressure; humidity, relative humidity, dew point and hygrometers; humidity and weather |
Part III: Waves (Topics 17–22)
| No. | Topic | What to cover |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Production and propagation of waves | Mechanical waves using ropes, springs and the ripple tank; frequency (Hz), wavelength, amplitude, period; v = fλ and T = 1/f |
| 18 | Types of waves | Transverse and longitudinal waves; the wave equation y = A sin(ωt ± phase), explained (phase-difference questions will not be set) |
| 19 | Properties of waves | Reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, and superposition producing standing waves |
| 20 | Light waves | Sources of light; shadows, eclipses and pinhole camera; reflection at plane and curved mirrors (mirror formula and magnification); refraction (real and apparent depth, critical angle, total internal reflection, minimum deviation, optical fibres, mirage); lenses (lens formula, power in dioptres); optical instruments (camera, eye, microscopes, telescopes, eye defects); dispersion of white light and colours |
| 21 | Electromagnetic waves | Radio, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays, with uses |
| 22 | Sound waves | Sources and transmission (needs a medium); speed in solids, liquids and air; echoes and reverberation; noise and music; pitch, loudness and quality; vibration in strings (sonometer); forced vibration and resonance; harmonics and overtones; vibration of air in open and closed pipes (resonance tube, end correction) |
Part IV: Fields (Topics 23–28)
| No. | Topic | What to cover |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Description and properties of fields | Gravitational, electric and magnetic fields; showing field lines with a compass needle and iron filings |
| 24 | Gravitational field | Acceleration due to gravity (g = F/m); Newton’s law of gravitation; relationship between G and g; gravitational potential and escape velocity |
| 25 | Electric field | Electrostatics: charging by friction, induction and contact; electroscope; lines of force; Coulomb’s law; field intensity and potential; capacitance (factors, farad, series and parallel, energy stored, uses). Current electricity: cells (simple, Daniell, Leclanché, lead-acid, alkaline-cadmium); e.m.f.; Ohm’s law; series and parallel circuits; lost volt and internal resistance; ohmic and non-ohmic conductors; electrical energy and power; shunt and multiplier; resistivity and conductivity; measurement using ammeter, voltmeter, potentiometer, Wheatstone bridge and metre bridge |
| 26 | Magnetic field | Magnets and magnetic materials (soft iron, steel); magnetisation and demagnetisation; flux and flux density (Wb, T); fields around a magnet, a straight conductor and a solenoid; neutral points; force on a current-carrying conductor (qualitative); electromagnets; Earth’s magnetic field (dip, declination); force on a moving charge, F = qvB sin θ |
| 27 | Electromagnetic field | Fleming’s left-hand rule; Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws; generators (d.c. and a.c.), induction coil, transformer; self and mutual inductance (henry); eddy currents; power transmission and household wiring |
| 28 | Simple a.c. circuits | Graphs of e.m.f. and current; peak and r.m.s. values; phase relationships for resistor, inductor and capacitor; series R-L-C circuit; reactance and impedance; vector diagrams; resonance (radio and TV tuning); power in a.c. circuits |
Part V: Atomic and Nuclear Physics (Topics 29–31)
| No. | Topic | What to cover |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Structure of the atom | Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr and electron-cloud models and their limitations; energy levels and line spectra; photoelectric effect (work function, threshold frequency, Einstein’s equation); thermionic emission; X-rays (production, properties, uses, hazards and safety) |
| 30 | Structure of the nucleus | Protons and neutrons; A = Z + N; nuclides and isotopes; radioactivity (alpha, beta, gamma, detection, decay, half-life, decay constant, uses); fusion and fission; binding energy, mass defect and E = Δmc²; nuclear reactors, radiation hazards and safety |
| 31 | Wave-particle paradox | Electron diffraction; duality of matter; dual nature of light |
The 10 Harmonised Topics (Short-Structured Questions)
The syllabus lists these ten topics specifically for short-structured questions, which is the format of Paper 2 Section A. They are the same for all WAEC member countries.
| No. | Topic | What to cover |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derived quantities and dimensional analysis | Dimensions of quantities; using dimensions to check an equation, derive relationships and obtain derived units |
| 2 | Projectile motion | Applications in sports and warfare; simple problems on range, maximum height and time of flight |
| 3 | Satellites and rockets | Natural and artificial satellites, parking orbits, geostationary satellites, period and speed of a satellite, uses |
| 4 | Elastic properties of solids; thermal conductivity | Hooke’s law, Young’s modulus, load-extension graphs, work done in springs and strings; solar energy collector and black-body radiation |
| 5 | Fibre optics | Principle of light transmission in an optical fibre; applications (LAN, medicine, sensing, carrying laser beams) |
| 6 | Introduction to LASER | Meaning; types (solid-state, gas, liquid, semiconductor); applications; dangers |
| 7 | Magnetic materials | Uses of magnets and ferromagnetic materials |
| 8 | Electrical conduction through materials (electronics) | Conductors, semiconductors and insulators (band theory); silicon and germanium; doping, p-type and n-type; junction diode (forward and reverse bias); half-wave and full-wave rectification |
| 9 | Structure of matter | Using the kinetic theory to explain diffusion |
| 10 | Wave-particle paradox | Electron diffraction; duality of matter; dual nature of light |
What WAEC Says You Do Not Need
The notes in the syllabus set limits on what questions can ask. Save your time on these:
- No derivation needed for the mirror and lens formulae, the minimum deviation formula, the capacitance formulae, the inductance formula, the a.c. circuit formulae, or the formula for g.
- No mathematical proof that a spiral spring, bifilar suspension or loaded test-tube moves with S.H.M.
- No phase-difference questions will be set under the wave equation.
- Qualitative treatment only for types of motion, viscosity and fluid friction, force on current-carrying conductors, and self and mutual inductance.
- Do know the derivations of potential energy and kinetic energy. The syllabus expects them.
Formulas the Syllabus Names
| Topic | Formula |
|---|---|
| Wave speed and period | v = fλ and T = 1/f |
| Mirror and lens formula | 1/f = 1/u + 1/v, with magnification m = v/u |
| Prism (minimum deviation) | n = sin[(A + Dm)/2] ÷ sin(A/2) |
| Vibrating string | f₀ = (1/2l) √(T/μ), where μ is mass per unit length |
| Gravitational field | g = F/m |
| Force on a moving charge | F = qvB sin θ |
| Energy stored in an inductor | E = ½LI² |
| A.C. e.m.f. and current | E = E₀ sin ωt and I = I₀ sin ωt |
| Photoelectric effect | Einstein’s photoelectric equation (K.E. max = hf − work function) |
| Mass-energy | E = Δmc² |
Apparatus You Should Know (Paper 3 and Alternative to Practical)
The syllabus names these instruments. Know what each measures, how to read it and the precautions to take:
- Measurement: metre rule, vernier calipers, micrometer screw gauge, string, compass, protractor
- Mass, force and time: lever balance, chemical or beam balance, spring balance, ticker-timer, simple pendulum, stopwatch, sand-clock
- Fluids and heat: U-tube, Hare’s apparatus, barometer, manometer, thermometers, wet and dry-bulb hygrometer
- Forces and vibration: force board, helical spring, bifilar suspension, loaded test-tube
- Waves and sound: ripple tank, ropes and slinky, sonometer, resonance tube, resonance boxes
- Electricity and magnetism: electroscope, ammeter, voltmeter, galvanometer, potentiometer, metre bridge, Wheatstone bridge, iron filings and compass needle
- Atomic physics: G-M counter, photographic plates, X-ray tube (theory)
How to Study the WAEC Physics Syllabus
- Print or save the syllabus and tick each topic as you finish it.
- Start with the 10 harmonised topics because they feed Paper 2 Section A.
- Learn Part I first. Motion, vectors, equilibrium and Newton’s laws support almost every later topic.
- Practise numericals daily using S.I. units, and write units in every answer.
- Do not memorise derivations the syllabus says are not required. Spend that time on problems.
- Prepare for Paper 3 early. Practise reading vernier calipers, plotting graphs and listing precautions.
- Use past questions by topic. See our WAEC Physics past questions and answers.
- Time yourself: 50 objective questions in 1¼ hours, then essays under exam conditions.
Download the WAEC Physics Syllabus PDF
Download the full syllabus for offline study: WAEC Physics Syllabus PDF.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the JAMB Physics syllabus for WAEC. The two syllabuses are different.
- Trusting “expo”, “runz” or “early answers” pages. They are scams and exam malpractice. Study the syllabus and practise past questions instead.
- Ignoring the harmonised topics. They are the base for Section A short questions.
- Skipping Paper 3 preparation. Paper 3 carries 50 marks and must be taken.
- Memorising derivations the syllabus does not require.
- Forgetting units. Questions are set in S.I. units.
Final Advice
Treat the syllabus as your checklist. Start with the harmonised topics, build a strong base in Part I, practise numericals in S.I. units, and prepare for Paper 3 early. Pair this guide with regular past-question practice and you will cover everything WAEC can ask.
