In junior secondary school, Basic Science gives students a broad understanding of the natural world, including the basics of physics, chemistry, and biology. When students move to Senior Secondary School 1 (SSS1), the focus shifts to Physics which is one of the specializations in the science class.
At this level, students learn core Physics concepts like mechanics, heat, light, electricity, and magnetism. Through theoretical teachings, practical demonstrations, and hands-on experiments, they gain insights into the functioning of the physical world.
The Lagos state unified scheme of work for Physics aims to nurture critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and scientific inquiry. By applying mathematical principles to real-life situations, learners develop a comprehensive understanding of how theory connects with observation. The study of Physics in SS1 extends beyond classroom boundaries to practical applications in daily life, technology, and industry.
In essence, Physics study in SS1 acts as a stepping stone for further academic and professional pursuits in the sciences by providing students with essential foundational knowledge for their future endeavors.
In senior secondary school 1, students are assessed in Physics based on the school’s prerogative. However, typically, they are evaluated through tests or quizzes (Continuous Assessment Tests), practical exercises, and end-of-term exams.
Grading follows a scale from A to F, with A representing excellent performance, typically scoring around 70% or 80%, and F indicating failure, usually below 50% or 45%.
| LAGOS STATE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION: UNIFIED SCHEMES OF WORK FOR SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS | ||
| Physics Scheme of Work for Senior Secondary Schools 1(SSS1) | ||
| Class | S.S.S 1 | |
| Subject | Physics | |
| Term | First Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| SUB-THEME 1: INTERACTION OF MATTER, SPACE AND TIME | ||
| 1 | Fundamentals and derived quantities and units | (1) Fundamental quantities mass, length, time, current, temperature, energy, etc. (2) Fundamental units: Kg. M, S, K, A, etc. (3) Derived quantities: force, speed, volume, area, etc. (4) Derived units: Ms-1, M3, M2 etc. |
| 2 | Position distance and displacement | (1) Concept of position, distance, and time. (2) Concept of displacement. (3) Measurement of distance and displacement. (4) Distinction between distance and displacement. |
| 3 | Time | 1) Concept of time. (2) Ways of measuring time. (3) Units of time and conversion. |
| 4 | Motion I | 1)Types of motion -Random motion -Translational motion -Rotational motion -Oscillatory motion -Relative motion |
| 5 | Motion II | (2) Cause and effects of motion (3) Types of force: Contact force field (4) Reducing friction |
| 6 | Motion III | (5) Simple idea of circular motion. |
| 7 | Speed and Velocity | (1) Concept of speed (2) Concept of velocity (3) Distance-time graph or displacement-time graph. |
| 8 | Rectilinear Acceleration I | (1) Concept of acceleration (2) Uniform/non-uniform acceleration |
| 9 | Rectilinear Acceleration II | (3) Velocity-time graph (4) Analysis of rectilinear motion |
| 10 | Scalars and Vectors | (1) Concept of scalars (2) Concept of vectors (3) Distinction between scalars and vectors. |
| 11 | Revision | |
| 12 | Examination | |
| Term | Second Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| SUB-THEME 2: CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES | ||
| 1 | Work, Energy and Power I | (1) Concept of work, energy and power (2) Interchangeability of work and energy. (3) Determination of work, energy and power. |
| 2 | Work, Energy and Power II | (4) Work done in a force field (5) Types of energy: P. e and K. e. (6) Conservation of mechanical energy |
| 3 | Work, Energy and Power III | |
| 4 | Heat Energy I | 1) Concept of temperature (2) Effects of heat on change of state expansion |
| 5 | Heat Energy II | (3) Concept of vaporization (4) Expansivity |
| 6 | Heat Energy III | (5) Transfer heat by conduction convection and radiation |
| 7 | Electric Charges I | (1) Production of charges. (2) Types of charges. |
| 8 | Electric Charges II | (3) Distribution of charges. (4) Storage of charges. |
| 9 | Electric Charges III | (5) Identification of charged points in materials e.g. Knife end, screw driver etc. |
| 10 | Overview of the terms work | |
| 11 | Revision | |
| 12 | Examination | |
| Term | Third Term | |
| Week | Topic | Breakdown |
| SUB-THEME 3: FIELDS AT REST AND IN MOTION | ||
| 1 | Description and property of fields | (1) Concept of field (2) Types of fields-Gravitational-Magnetic and-Electric fields (3) Properties of a force field. |
| 2 | Gravitational field. | (1) Acceleration due to gravity. (2) Shape and dimension of the earth. |
| 3 | Electric Field I | (1) Electric lines of force (2) Potential difference and electric current (3) Production of electric current (4) Electric circuit |
| 4 | Electric Field II | (5) Electric conduction through materials (6) Ohm’s law |
| 5 | Electric Field III | |
| 6 | Particulate nature of matter | (1) Structure of matter: Evidence of particle nature of matter. (2) Simple atomic structure. (3) Molecules: Their size and nature 4) Crystal structure of matter. (5) State of matter: Solid, liquid and gas. |
| SUB-THEME: ENERGY QUANTIZATION AND DUALITY OF MATTER | ||
| 7 | Particulate nature of matter | (5) Photon: Particle nature of photons |
| SUB-THEME 3: FIELDS AT REST AND IN MOTION | ||
| 8 | Fluids at rest and in motion | (1) Surface tension definition and effects (2) Viscosity (3) Applications |
| 9 | Units of Measurement and electrical continuity testing | Units in industry |
| 10 | Solar collector | (1) Solar energy (2) Solar panel for energy supply. |
| 11 | Revision | |
| 12 | Examination | |
The recommended Physics textbooks for SSS1 include but are not limited to the following:
Cambridge University Press SS 1-3
Learn Africa Plc SS 1-3
Mid-Field Publishers SS 1-3
Africana First Publishers Plc SS 1-3
P.N Okeke Publishing Company SS 1-3
Extension Publication SS 1-3
Our Saviour Press SS 1-3
