NECO Physics Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

By Syllabus2026 February 18, 2026 NECO Syllabus 2026 0 Comments

The NECO Physics Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks covers core concepts from SS1-SS3, focusing on mechanics, heat, waves, light, electromagnetism, and modern physics. The exam structure (expectedly CBT-based) tests theoretical knowledge and practical skills, including measurement, motion, fluid dynamics, energy conservation, and atomic structure.

Aims & Objectives

The NECO Physics syllabus for 2026/2027 aims to equip students with a robust understanding of fundamental physical concepts, principles, and applications, fostering critical thinking, analytical skills, and a positive attitude towards scientific inquiry. It focuses on enabling students to interpret natural phenomena, apply knowledge to everyday life, and demonstrate practical competence in laboratory investigations.

Key objectives include understanding physical principles, interpreting phenomena, and applying mathematical concepts to topics like mechanics, heat, light, and modern physics

Marking Guide & Sections

PAPER 1

Paper 1 is where you kick off the exam, it consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that will earn you 1 mark for each question and the total mark for the 50 questions will earn you 50 marks.

PAPER 2

Paper 2 consists of two sections, Sections A and B lasting for 1 ½ hours and it’s worth 60 marks.

Section A

In section A, you’ll face seven short-structured questions, and you will need to answer any five of them. It’s all about showing off your knowledge and skills in bite-sized chunks, with a total of 15 marks up for grabs.

Section B

Then, in section B, you will face five essay questions, but here’s the catch: you only need to answer three of them. That gives you a bit of flexibility to showcase your writing prowess and earn yourself a whopping 45 marks. So get ready to put pen to paper and let those ideas flow!

PAPER 3

Paper 3 is the practical section of the NECO Physics exam; for school candidates, it’s all about putting your practical skills to the test. Private candidates, don’t worry, the examiners have something for you too, as an alternative to the practical work paper. You will have three questions to choose from, and you will need to answer any two of them in 2 ¼ hours. It’s your chance to roll up your sleeves and have some fun, all while earning yourself a cool 50 marks.

NECO Physics Syllabus 2026/2027

NECO PHYSICS SYLLABUS
SN	TOPICS	OBJECTIVES
1	Concepts of matter
2	Fundamental and derived quantities and units	2.1 Fundamental quantities and units 2.2 Derived quantities and units
3	Position, distance and displacement	3.1 Concept of position as a location of point-rectangular coordinates 3.2 Measurement of distance 3.3 Concept of direction as a way of locating a point –bearing 3.4 Distinction between distance and displacement
4	Mass and weight	4.1 Distinction between mass and weight
5	Time	5.1 Concept of time as interval between physical events 5.2 Measurement of time
6	Fluid at rest	6.1 Volume, density and relative density 6.2 Pressure in fluids 6.3 Equilibrium of bodies
7	Motion	7.1 Types of motion: Random, rectilinear, translational, Rotational, circular, orbital, spin, Oscillatory 7.2 Relative motion 7.3 Cause of motion 7.4 Types of force 7.5 Solid friction 7.6 Viscosity (friction in fluids) 7.7 Simple ideas of circular motion
8	Speed and velocity	8.1 Concept of speed as change of distance with time 8.2 Concept of velocity as change of displacement with time 8.3 Uniform/non-uniform speed/velocity 8.4 Distance/displacement-time graph
9	Rectilinear acceleration	9.1 Concept of Acceleration/deceleration as increase/decrease in velocity with time 9.2 Uniform/non-uniform acceleration 9.3 Velocity-time graph 9.4 Equations of motion with constant acceleration 9.5 Motion under gravity as a special case
10	Scalars and vectors	10.1 Concept of scalars as physical quantities with magnitude and no direction 10.2 Concept of vectors as physical quantities with both magnitude and direction 10.3 Vector representation 10.4 Addition of vectors 10.5 Resolution of vectors 10.6 Resultant velocity using vector representation
11	Equilibrium of forces	11.1 Principle of moments 11.2 Conditions for equilibrium of rigid bodies under the action of parallel and non-parallel forces 11.3 Centre of gravity and stability
12	Simple harmonic motion	12.1 Illustration, explanation and definition of simple harmonic motion (S.H.M) 12.2 Speed and acceleration of S.H.M 12.3 Energy of S.H.M 12.5 Forced vibration and resonance
13	Newton’s laws of motion	13.1 First Law: Inertia of rest and inertia of motion 13.2 Second Law: Force, acceleration, momentum and impulse 13.3 Third Law: Action and reaction
14	Energy	14.1 Forms of energy 14.2 World energy resources 14.3 Conservation of energy
15	Work, Energy and Power	15.1 Concept of work as a measure of energy transfer 15.2 Concept of energy as capability to do work 15.3 Work done in a gravitational field 15.4 Types of mechanical energy 15.5 Conservation of mechanical energy 15.6 Concept of power as time rate of doing work 15.7 Application of mechanical energy machines
16	Heat Energy	16.1 Temperature and its measurement 16.2 Effects of heat on matter 16.3 Thermal expansion – Linear, area and volume expansivity 16.4 Heat transfer – Condition, convection and radiation 16.5 The gas laws-Boyle’s law Charles’ law, pressure law and general gas law 16.6 Measurement of heat energy 16.7 Latent heat 16.8 Evaporation and boiling 16.9 Vapour and vapour pressure 16.10 Humidity, relative humidity and dew point 16.11 Humidity and the weather
17	Production and propagation of waves	17.1 Production and propagation of mechanical waves 17.2 Pulsating system: Energy transmitted with definite speed, frequency and wavelength 17.3 Waveform 17.4 Mathematical relationship connecting frequency (f), wavelength(), period (T) and velocity (v)
18	Types of waves	18.1 Transverse and longitudinal 18.2 Mathematical representation of wave motion
19	Properties of waves	Reflection, refraction, diffraction,Interference, superposition of progressive waves producing standing stationary waves
20	Light waves	20.1 Sources of light 20.2 Rectilinear propagation of light 20.3 Reflection of light at plane surface: plane mirror 20.4 Reflection of light at curved surfaces: concave and convex mirrors 20.5 Refraction of light at plane surfaces: rectangular glass prism (block) and triangular prism 20.6 Refraction of light at curved surfaces: Converging and diverging lenses 20.7 Application of lenses in optical instruments 20.8 Dispersion of white light by a triangular glass prism
21	Electromagnetic waves: Types of radiation in electromagnetic Spectrum
22	Sound Wave	22.1 Sources of sound 22.2 Transmission of sound waves 22.3 Speed of sound in solid, liquid and air 22.4 Echoes and reverberation 22.5 Noise and music 22.6 Characteristics of sound 22.7 Vibration in strings 22.8 Forced vibration 22.9 Vibration of air in pipe – open and closed pipes
23	Description property of fields	23.1 Concept of fields: Gravitational, electric and Magnetic 23.2 Properties of a force field
24	Gravitational field	24.1 Acceleration due to gravity, (g) 24.2 Gravitational force between two masses 24.3 Gravitational potential and escape velocity
25	Electric Field	25.1 Electrostatics 25.2 Current electricity
26	Magnetic field	26.1 Properties of magnets and magnetic materials 26.2 Magnetization and demagnetization 26.3 Concept of magnetic field 26.4 Magnetic force 26.5 Use of electromagnets 26.6 The earth’s magnetic field 26.7 Magnetic force on a moving charged particle
27	Electromagnetic field	27.1 Concept of electromagnetic field 27.2 Electromagnetic induction 27.3 Inductance 27.4 Eddy currents 27.5 Power transmission and distribution
28	Simple a.c. circuits	28.1 Graphical representation of e.m.f and current in an a.c. circuit 28.2 Peak and rms values 28.3 Series circuit containing resistor, inductor and capacitor 28.4 Reactance and impedance 28.5 Vector diagrams 28.6 Resonance in an a.c, circuit 28.7 Power in an a.c. circuit
29	Structure of the atom	29.1 Models of the atom 29.2 Energy quantization 29.3 Photoelectric effect 29.4 Thermionic emission 29.5 X-rays
30	Structure of the nucleus	30.1 Composition of the nucleus
31	Wave-particle paradox	31.1 Electron diffraction 31.2 Duality of matter

NECO Physics Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

1. Ike, E. E. (2014). Essential Principles of Physics. Jos: ENIC Publishers.
2. Ike, E. E (2014) Numerical Problems and Solutions in Physics, Jos, ENIC Publishers.
3. Nelson, M. (1977). Fundamentals of Physics. Great Britain: Hart Davis Education.
4. Nelson, M and Parker … (1989) Advanced Level Physics (Sixth Edition), Heinemann.
5. Okeke, P. N., and Anyakoha, M. W. (2000). Senior Secondary School Physics, Lagos, Pacific Printers.
6. Olumuyionwa A. and Ogunkoya O. O. (1992) Comprehensive Certificate Physics, Ibadan: University Press Plc.

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