SS2 Physics
The course opens with the particulate structure of matter and the kinetic theory, then develops the gas laws (Boyle's, Charles', the Pressure Law and the general gas equation) and quantitative heat energy — heat capacity, specific heat capacity, latent heat of fusion and vaporisation, and the behaviour of vapours, humidity and dew point. Fluids at rest and in motion are treated through pressure, upthrust, Archimedes' principle and flotation.
The middle of the year is given to wave motion: the production and propagation of waves, wave parameters and the wave equation, and the four characteristic properties — reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference. These are then applied to light (reflection at plane and curved mirrors, refraction through plane surfaces and lenses, dispersion, optical instruments and the electromagnetic spectrum) and to sound (production, propagation, pitch, loudness, quality, resonance and vibrations in strings and air columns).
The final phase covers electrostatics — charging processes, Coulomb's law, electric field intensity, potential and capacitors — followed by current electricity: Ohm's law, resistivity, resistor combinations, cells and internal resistance, and electrical energy and power. Industrial and environmental applications, including solar energy and Nigeria's generation and distribution systems, close the year. Each topic carries worked examples, past-question drill from WAEC, NECO and JAMB, and a matching practical or demonstration.
Meet Your Instructors
What you'll learn
- Physics
- Explain the structure of matter using the kinetic molecular model and account for the properties of solids, liquids and gases.
- State, derive and apply the gas laws, and solve numerical problems using the general gas equation.
- Distinguish between heat and temperature, and calculate quantities of heat involving heat capacity, specific heat capacity and latent heat.
- Describe wave production and propagation, use the wave equation correctly, and explain reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference with real examples.
- Apply Coulomb's law and the concepts of electric field intensity, potential and capacitance to solve problems.
- Apply Ohm's law and resistivity to analyse simple d.c. circuits, including series and parallel combinations and cells with internal resistance.
- Calculate electrical energy and power and relate the results to domestic and industrial consumption.
- Carry out prescribed practicals, take accurate readings, tabulate results, plot graphs and draw valid conclusions.
What's Included
- Completes the theory base required for the WAEC, NECO and JAMB Physics syllabi in heat, waves, optics and electricity — the sections that carry the heaviest weighting in the objective and essay papers.
- Builds the practical and graph-work competence assessed in the WAEC Physics Practical
- Strengthens the quantitative reasoning and formula-handling skills needed for SS3 and for tertiary science, engineering and medical programmes.
- Explains everyday Nigerian technology — refrigeration, pressure cookers, mobile networks, inverters and solar installations, household wiring and energy bills — in physical terms the learner can use.