MEASUREMENTS AND UNITS

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under MEASUREMENTS AND UNITS, the JAMB Physics syllabus expects you to study:

1. MEASUREMENTS AND UNITS (ai) Fundamental Units: Length, mass, time, electric charge, temperature, luminous intensity, amount of substance.
(aii) Derived Units: Weight, area, volume, force, speed etc.
(b) Measuring Instruments: venier caliper, metre rule, micrometer screw gauge, measuring cylinder, stop watch and beam balance.
(c) Fundamental physical quantities
(d) Derived physical quantities and their
(i) Combinations of fundamental quantities and determination of their units;
(e) Dimensions
(i) definition of dimensions
(ii) simple examples xi
(f) Limitations of experimental
(i) accuracy of measuring instruments;
(ii) simple estimation of errors;
(iii) significant figures;
(iv) standard form.
(2a) Scalars and Vectors Ca
(i) definition of scalar and vector quantities;
(ii) examples of scalar and vector quantities;
(iii) relative velocity;
(iv) resolution of vectors into two perpendicular directions including ii graphical methods of solution. iv v.
vi Ca (2b) Measurement, position, distance and displacement
(a) concept of displacement;
(ii) distinction between distance and displacement;
(iii) concept of position and coordinates;
(iv) frame of reference.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
(3.) Motion Candid
(a) Newton’s laws of motion: i. ide
(i) inertia, mass and force;
(ii) relationship between mass and
acceleration;
(iii) impulse and momentum;
(iv) force – time graph;
(v) conservation of linear momentum (Coefficient of restitution not v.
necessary).
(b)Types of motion: translational, oscillatory, rotational, spin vi. dif and random a vii. de
(c) Relative motion a viii. s
(d) Causes of motion g
(e) Types of force ix.
(i) contact
(ii) force field
(f) linear motion
(i) speed, velocity and acceleration; xi. es
(ii) equations of uniformly accelerated ma motion; pr
(iii) motion under gravity; xii. s
(iv) distance-time graph and velocity time m graph;
(v) instantaneous velocity and
acceleration.
(g) Projectiles:
(i) calculation of range, maximum height and time of flight from the ground and a height;
(ii) applications of projectile motion.
(h) Motion in a circle:
(i) angular velocity and angular acceleration;
(ii) centripetal and centrifugal forces;
(iii) applications.
(i) Simple Harmonic Motion (S.H.M):
(i) definition and explanation of simple harmonic motion;
(ii) examples of systems that execute S.H.M;
(iii) period, frequency and amplitude of S.H.M;
(iv) velocity and acceleration of S.H.M;
(i) simple treatment of energy change in S.H.M;
(ii) force vibration and resonance (simple treatment).
4 Gravitational field Candid
(i) Newton’s law of universal gravitation; i. iden
(ii) gravitational potential; fo
(iii) conservative and non-conservative ii. app fields; gr
(iv) acceleration due to gravity; iii. g
(v) variation of g on the earth’s surface; c
(vi) distinction between mass and weight iv. deduc escape velocity;
(vii) parking orbit and weightlessness. v. ide vi. di

Study notes & guidance

Study MEASUREMENTS AND UNITS using a recommended Physics textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Physics, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying MEASUREMENTS AND UNITS, you should be able to:

Identify the units of length, area and volume;
Use different measuring instruments;
Determine the lengths, surface areas and volume of regular and irregular bodies;
Identify the unit of mass;
Use simple beam balance, e.g. Buchart’s balance and chemical balance;
Identify the unit of time;
Use different time-measuring devices;
Relate the fundamental physical quantities to their units;
Deduce the units of derived physical quantities; determine the dimensions of physical quantities;
Use the dimensions to determine the units of physical quantities;
Test the homogeneity of an equation;
Determine the accuracy of measuring instruments;
Estimate simple errors;
Express measurements in standard form. ndidates should be able to: distinguish between scalar and vector quantities;
Give examples of scalar and vector quantities;
Determine the resultant of two or more vectors;
Determine relative velocity; resolve vectors into two perpendicular components;
Use graphical methods to solve vector problems. ndidates should be able to: use strings, meter rule and engineering calipers, vernier calipers and micrometer, screw guage; note the degree of accuracy; identify distance travel in a specified direction; use compass and protractor to locate points/directions; use Cartesians systems to locate positions in x-y plane; plot graph and draw inference from the graph. ates should be able to; ntify different types of motion; solve numerical problem on collinear motion; identify force as cause of motion; identify push and pull as forms of force; identify electric and magnetic attractions, gravitational pull as forms of field forces; ferentiate between speed, velocity nd acceleration; duce equations of uniformly ccelerated motion; olve problems of motion under ravity; interpret distance-time graph and velocity-time graph; compute instantaneous velocity and acceleration; tablish expressions for the range, ximum height and time of flight of ojectiles, rockets, missles; olve problems involving projectile otion; solve numerical problems involving impulse and momentum;
Interpretation of area under force – time graph;
Interpret Newton’s laws of motion;
Compare inertia, mass and force;
Deduce the relationship between mass and acceleration;
Interpret the law of conservation of linear momentum and application;
Xix. establish expression for angular velocity, angular acceleration and centripetal force;
Xx. solve numerical problems involving motion in a circle;
Xxi. establish the relationship between period and frequency;
Xxii. analyse the energy changes occurring during S.H.M; xxiii. identify different types of forced vibration;
Xxiv. enumerate applications of resonance. ates should be able to: tify the expression for gravitational rce between two bodies; ly Newton’s law of universal avitation; ive examples of conservative and non- onservative fields; e the expression for gravitational field potentials; ntify the causes of variation of g on the earth’s surface; fferentiate between mass and weight;
Determine escape velocity.
Relate the expression for gravitational force between two bodies
Apply Newton’s law of Universal gravitation.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Then practise: the fastest way to lock in a topic is to test yourself under time. Go to CBT practice →

Source: official JAMB UTME Physics syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.

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Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Study notes & guidance

Objectives — candidates should be able to