Official SyllabusJAMB 2026

PhysicsTopics, Objectives & Mark Breakdown

Total Questions

40

Core Sections

5

Areas of Concentration

Mechanics & Properties of Matter
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Topics to Cover:
  • Measurements, Units, and Dimensions (Scalars & Vectors)
  • Motion (Kinematics, Projectiles, Circular Motion, S.H.M)
  • Newton's Laws of Motion, Impulse, and Momentum
  • Gravitational Field and Escape Velocity
  • Equilibrium of Forces, Friction, and Simple Machines
  • Work, Energy, Power, and Elasticity (Hooke's Law)
  • Fluids at Rest (Pressure, Archimedes' Principle, Density)
What JAMB will test you on:
  • Resolve vectors and use graphical methods to solve problems
  • Deduce equations of uniformly accelerated motion and solve projectile problems
  • Apply Newton's law of universal gravitation and distinguish mass from weight
  • Determine coefficient of limiting friction and mechanical advantage of simple machines
  • Interpret Hooke's law, Young's modulus, and Archimedes' principle of floatation
Thermal Physics
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Topics to Cover:
  • Temperature and Its Measurement (Thermometers, Scales)
  • Quantity of Heat and Change of State (Latent Heat, Boiling, Evaporation)
  • Thermal Expansion (Linear, Area, Volume Expansivities)
  • Gas Laws (Boyle's, Charles', Pressure Law, General Gas Equation)
  • Vapours and Humidity (S.V.P, Dew Point, Hygrometry)
  • Kinetic Theory of Matter and Heat Transfer (Conduction, Convection, Radiation)
What JAMB will test you on:
  • Calibrate thermometers and convert between temperature scales
  • Determine specific heat capacity and specific latent heat using the method of mixtures
  • Apply gas laws to solve numerical problems
  • Relate saturated vapour pressure (S.V.P) to boiling point and humidity
  • Differentiate between modes of heat transfer and explain the kinetic theory of matter
Waves and Optics
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Topics to Cover:
  • Production, Propagation, and Characteristics of Waves
  • Sound Waves (Echoes, Resonance, Beats, Doppler Effect)
  • Light Energy (Propagation, Shadows, Eclipses)
  • Reflection of Light (Plane and Curved Mirrors)
  • Refraction of Light (Snell's Law, Total Internal Reflection, Lenses, Prisms)
  • Optical Instruments (Microscopes, Telescopes, Cameras, Human Eye)
  • Dispersion of Light, Colours, and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
What JAMB will test you on:
  • Relate frequency, wavelength, and velocity using the progressive wave equation
  • Determine the speed of sound and explain the phenomena of echoes and resonance
  • Apply mirror and lens formulas to determine magnification and focal length
  • Determine the critical angle, refractive index, and minimum deviation of a glass prism
  • Identify sight defects, corrections, and applications of the electromagnetic spectrum
Electricity and Magnetism
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Topics to Cover:
  • Electrostatics (Coulomb's Law, Electric Field Intensity, Capacitors)
  • Current Electricity (Ohm's Law, Resistors, Electric Cells)
  • Electrical Energy and Power
  • Magnets, Magnetic Fields, and Earth's Magnetism
  • Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor & Galvanometer Conversion
  • Electromagnetic Induction (Faraday's & Lenz's Laws, Transformers)
  • Simple A.C. Circuits (R-L-C circuits, Resonance, Reactance)
What JAMB will test you on:
  • Apply Coulomb's inverse square law and determine the capacitance of capacitors
  • Apply Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws, and compute effective resistance in circuits
  • Identify the magnetic elements of the Earth's flux and applications in navigation
  • Convert a galvanometer into an ammeter or voltmeter using shunts and multipliers
  • Calculate RMS values, impedance, and resonant frequency in simple A.C. circuits
Modern Physics & Electronics
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Topics to Cover:
  • Conduction of Electricity Through Liquids and Gases
  • Elementary Modern Physics (Bohr's Theory, Photoelectric Effect, X-Rays)
  • Nuclear Energy (Radioactivity, Half-life, Fission, Fusion, Mass Defect)
  • Wave-Particle Duality and Uncertainty Principle
  • Introductory Electronics (Semiconductors, Diodes, Transistors)
  • Fibre Optics and Lasers
What JAMB will test you on:
  • Apply Einstein's photoelectric equation to calculate work function and stopping potential
  • Compare alpha, beta, and gamma rays, and compute half-life and decay constants
  • Differentiate between intrinsic/extrinsic semiconductors and p-type/n-type materials
  • Relate diodes to rectification and transistors to amplification
  • Apply the principles of fibre optics and lasers in communication and medicine

Recommended Textbooks

  • Ike, E.E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics. ENIC Publishers
  • Nelkon, M. and Parker (1989). Advanced Level Physics (Sixth Edition). Heinemann
  • Okeke, P.N. and Anyakoha, M.W. (2000). Senior Secondary School Physics. Pacific Printers
  • Olumuyiwa, A. and Ogunkoya, O. O. (1992). Comprehensive Certificate Physics. University Press Plc
  • Orokpo, J.A. (2025). Ultimate UTME Preparatory Series Physics. Peridot Publishers

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