Temperature and Its Measurement: JAMB Physics Questions, Answers & Notes

What Temperature and Its Measurement covers in the JAMB Physics syllabus

Temperature measures how hot or cold a body is (heat flows from hot to cold); its SI unit is the kelvin. Convert with K = °C + 273. A temperature scale needs two fixed points — the ice point (0 °C, melting pure ice) and steam point (100 °C, boiling pure water at standard pressure) — plus a thermometric property that varies regularly with temperature. Liquid-in-glass thermometers use mercury (or alcohol for very low temperatures, since alcohol freezes lower); a clinical thermometer has a constriction to hold the reading. Other types include resistance thermometers, thermocouples and pyrometers (for very high temperatures). Absolute zero is 0 K.

For Temperature and Its Measurement, JAMB expects you to be able to:

• Distinguish temperature from heat and use the Celsius and Kelvin scales
• Convert between °C and K and state the fixed points
• Identify thermometers and thermometric properties for different ranges

Key facts & revision notes: Temperature and Its Measurement

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

• Temperature measures the degree of hotness or coldness of a body.
• The kelvin (K) is the SI base unit of temperature.
• The lower fixed point (0 °C) is the melting point of pure ice at standard pressure.
• The upper fixed point (100 °C) is the boiling point of pure water at standard atmospheric pressure.
• K = °C + 273 = 27 + 273 = 300 K.
• °C = K − 273 = 373 − 273 = 100 °C.
• Mercury or coloured alcohol is used because it expands uniformly and is easily seen.
• The constriction stops the mercury thread returning to the bulb, so the reading is held for viewing.
• A resistance thermometer uses the change in a wire's electrical resistance with temperature.
• A pyrometer measures very high temperatures without contact.
• Normal body temperature is about 37 °C.
• Alcohol has a much lower freezing point than mercury, so it works at very low temperatures.
• 0 K is absolute zero, the lowest possible temperature.
• A thermometric property changes measurably and regularly with temperature (e.g.
• The Celsius scale divides the interval between ice and steam points into 100 equal degrees.
• A thermocouple uses the e.m.f.
• generated between two different metals whose junctions are at different temperatures.
• Heat always flows from a region of higher temperature to one of lower temperature.
• A one-degree change on the Celsius scale equals a one-kelvin change (the divisions are the same size).
• A temperature scale needs two fixed reference points and a thermometric property that varies between them.
• K = °C + 273 = 50 + 273 = 323 K.
• °C = K − 273 = 300 − 273 = 27 °C.
• 0 K corresponds to about −273 °C.
• The kelvin is written K (no degree symbol).

Worked examples

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

How Temperature and Its Measurement is tested in JAMB Physics

Our Temperature and Its Measurement bank holds 40 questions (11 easy, 22 medium, 7 hard). JAMB Physics typically returns to Temperature and Its Measurement 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 Temperature and Its Measurement 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 Temperature and Its Measurement. 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 Temperature and Its Measurement is repeated timed practice, so use the button above until the recurring patterns feel automatic.

Common mistakes to avoid in Temperature and Its Measurement

The errors that cost marks on Temperature and Its Measurement 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 Temperature and Its Measurement actively by answering questions, not just by re-reading notes — recall under time is what the exam rewards.

Frequently asked questions

Is Temperature and Its Measurement part of the JAMB Physics syllabus?

Yes. Temperature and Its Measurement is a recognised topic in the JAMB Physics syllabus, covering distinguish temperature from heat and use the Celsius and Kelvin scales. You should be able to recall its key facts and apply them to multiple-choice questions.

How many Temperature and Its Measurement questions can I practise on Belmadeng?

There are 40 original, JAMB-standard Temperature and Its Measurement 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 Temperature and Its Measurement?

Temperature measures how hot or cold a body is (heat flows from hot to cold); its SI unit is the kelvin. Convert with K = °C + 273. A temperature scale needs two fixed points — the ice point (0 °C, melting pure ice) and steam point (100 °C, boiling pure water at standard pressure) — plus a thermomet…

How do I answer Temperature and Its Measurement questions quickly in JAMB?

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

Are these JAMB Physics Temperature and Its Measurement 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 Temperature and Its Measurement questions free without signing up?

Right here — tap “Start Temperature and Its Measurement 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.