Electrostatics: JAMB Physics Questions, Answers & Notes

What Electrostatics covers in the JAMB Physics syllabus

Electrostatics deals with charges at rest. Like charges repel, unlike attract; charge is measured in coulombs. A body loses electrons to become positive, gains them to become negative. Bodies can be charged by friction, induction (no contact) or conduction, and discharged by earthing. Coulomb's law: the force between point charges F ∝ q₁q₂/r², so doubling the separation quarters the force. Field lines run from positive to negative. Charge concentrates at sharp points, which is how a lightning conductor safely carries charge to earth. A gold-leaf electroscope detects charge — its leaves diverge because like charges repel.

For Electrostatics, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• State the laws of electric charges and methods of charging
• Apply Coulomb's law qualitatively and describe electric fields
• Explain the electroscope, induction, earthing and the lightning conductor

Key facts & revision notes: Electrostatics

These are the recurring points our Electrostatics questions test — revise them until each feels automatic, then practise the questions above to lock them in.

• Like charges (both positive or both negative) repel; unlike charges attract.
• Unlike charges (one positive, one negative) attract each other.
• Electric charge is measured in coulombs (C).
• Losing electrons leaves a body with a net positive charge.
• Charging by friction transfers electrons between the two rubbed materials.
• A gold-leaf electroscope detects charge; its leaves diverge when charged.
• Coulomb's law: F ∝ (q₁q₂)/r² — the force varies inversely with the square of the separation.
• By convention, electric field lines run from positive to negative charge.
• Charging by induction redistributes charge in a conductor using a nearby charge, without touching it.
• Earthing lets charge flow to or from the ground, neutralising the conductor.
• Charge accumulates most at sharp points, giving a strong field there (the basis of the lightning conductor).
• A lightning conductor provides a safe, low-resistance path for lightning charge to reach the ground.
• Like charges on the leaf and metal stem repel, so the leaf diverges.
• Since F ∝ 1/r², doubling r reduces the force to (1/2)² = 1/4 of its value.
• metals) allow charge to move freely; insulators do not.
• The electron carries the fundamental unit of negative charge.
• Being opposite in sign, they attract each other.
• F ∝ 1/r²; halving r multiplies the force by (1/(1/2))² = 4.
• The rod induces an opposite charge on the near side of the paper, so the pieces are attracted.
• An electric field is the region around a charge where another charge experiences a force.
• Induced positive charge on the wall attracts the balloon.
• Electrons carry the basic negative charge.
• Friction transfers electrons between the two materials.
• Losing electrons leaves the rod positive.

Worked examples

Three Electrostatics questions with the answer and a short explanation, so you can see how the topic is set before you practise the full set.

How Electrostatics is tested in JAMB Physics

Our Electrostatics bank holds 40 questions (11 easy, 21 medium, 8 hard). JAMB Physics typically returns to Electrostatics year after year, so steady practice on this topic is high-value revision. Questions are multiple-choice with four options, and at UTME pace you get roughly 40 seconds each — which is why timed practice matters.

How to answer Electrostatics questions

Work the stem first and predict the answer before you look at the options; then eliminate the ones that contradict the key facts above. Watch for “which is not…”, “all of the above” and “except” style stems, which are where rushed candidates lose easy marks on Electrostatics. If a calculation or a precise definition is involved, work it from first principles rather than guessing from a half-remembered rule. When two options look right, re-read the stem for the qualifier that separates them — JAMB rarely repeats an option by accident. If you are still unsure, eliminate the two weakest choices to lift your odds, flag the question, and move on; never burn a full minute on one Physics item when the exam gives you about forty seconds each. Then come back to flagged questions with whatever time remains. The single most reliable way to get faster at Electrostatics is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Electrostatics

The errors that cost marks on Electrostatics are usually careless rather than conceptual: misreading a negative stem, confusing two similar terms, or rushing a definition you actually know. Candidates also over-rely on “expo” and last-minute cramming instead of understanding the topic — which fails the moment JAMB rephrases a familiar idea. Treat every option as a claim to be checked against the facts above, keep your working tidy for any calculation, and don’t change a considered answer on a hunch. Above all, revise Electrostatics actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Electrostatics part of the JAMB Physics syllabus?

Yes. Electrostatics is a recognised topic in the JAMB Physics syllabus, covering state the laws of electric charges and methods of charging. You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Electrostatics questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 40 original, JAMB-standard Electrostatics questions in our free bank, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. You can practise them untimed or as a timed test.

What are the most important points to know about Electrostatics?

Electrostatics deals with charges at rest. Like charges repel, unlike attract; charge is measured in coulombs. A body loses electrons to become positive, gains them to become negative. Bodies can be charged by friction, induction (no contact) or conduction, and discharged by earthing. Coulomb's law:…

How do I answer Electrostatics questions quickly in JAMB?

Read the stem carefully, eliminate clearly wrong options, and match the remaining choices to the key facts for Electrostatics. Practising timed Electrostatics questions builds the speed you need for UTME's pace of about 40 seconds per question.

Are these JAMB Physics Electrostatics questions past questions or original?

They are original questions written to JAMB (UTME) standard and mapped to the official syllabus — not reproduced past papers. This keeps them legal to use freely while closely mirroring how the real exam tests the topic.

Where can I practise Electrostatics questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Electrostatics practice” on this page to begin instantly. Belmadeng's CBT practice is completely free and needs no sign-up, download or subscription.

About these questions: original, JAMB-standard items written from the official UTME Physics syllabus (last reviewed 2026-09-18). Belmadeng is an independent study platform and is not affiliated with JAMB. Spotted an error? Use the report link.