HSC Physics Papers by Topic and Worked Solutions

Maximise your HSC physics exam preparation by taking advantage of our free HSC physics questions by topic and worked solutions. These targeted tests allow you to focus on specific areas of the syllabus, helping to identify strengths and weaknesses efficiently. Complementing these with HSC physics past papers will provide a comprehensive understanding of exam formats and question styles, enhancing your confidence and readiness. For any questions or concerns about these papers, feel free to contact me and I’ll reply as soon as possible.

Each test comes equiped with:

  • 5 multiple choice questions

  • 45 marks of short answer questions

  • At least one 9 mark question

  • Step by step worked solutions

The HSC physics syllabus includes four year 12 modules, below is a skills checklist based on the syllabus with everything you should need going into the final exam. Checking off the skills on this list before attempting HSC physics papers is a sure way to know you’re ready for the final exam.

Module 5:

  • Recognise the assumptions made in projectile motion questions

  • Understand the relationship between initial and final velocity, launch angle, maximum height, range, time of flight

  • Understand the concept of a centripetal force and uniform circular motion

  • Make both qualitative and quantitative predictions in a variety of situations including horizontal circular bends, masses on a string and objects on banked tracks

  • Understand the relationship between energy and work done in uniform circular motion

  • Understand torque

  • Understand Newton’s law of gravity and relate it to circular motion

  • Understand Kepler’s laws and how variables such as orbital period and orbital speed change with distance

  • Understand the concept of gravitational potential and kinetic energy and how this leads to the idea of an escape velocity

Module 6:

  • Understand the acceleration and work done on a charged particle between two parallel charged plates

  • Understand how charged particles move in uniform magnetic fields

  • Relate the movement of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields to projectile and circular motion respectively

  • Understand the interaction between a current carrying conductor and a uniform magnetic field

  • Understand the interaction between two parallel current carrying wires

  • Understand the definition of the ampere and how it relates to current carrying wires

  • Define magnetic flux and understand how it can change

  • Understand Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law which describe what happens when there is a change in magnetic flux

  • Understand how energy is transferred in ideal transformers, why they are used and explain why transformers in the real world are not ideal

  • Understand the operation of a simple DC motor, including the function of its components, the production of torque and the effects of back emf

  • Understand the operation of simple AC and DC generators as well as AC induction motors

  • Explain magnetic breaking

Module 7:

  • Understand Maxwell’s contribution to physics

  • Understand historical and contemporary experiments to determine the speed of light

  • Understand the spectra produced by discharge tubes, reflected sunlight and incandescent filaments

  • Recognise that each element has its own unique spectra

  • Understand what can be determined about a star from its spectra

  • Understand double slit diffraction both qualitatively and quantitatively

  • Compare the models of light proposed by Newton and Huygens

  • Understand Polarisation and Malus’ law

  • Understand the consequences of the ultraviolet catastrophe

  • Understand the photoelectric effect and how it advanced the model of light

  • Know the two postulates of relativity

  • Understand the effects relativity has on time, length and momentum

  • Know experiments which proved the existence of time dilation

  • Calculate the energy released by processes when mass is turned into energy

Module 8:

  • Understand the concept of the Big Bang and Hubble’s discovery of an expanding universe

  • Relate Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence to reactions occurring in stars

  • Understand the Hertzprung-Russell diagram and what it can say about stars

  • Understand the proton-proton chain, CNO cycle and one other nuclear reaction occurring in stars

  • Describe the early experiments involving cathode rays which led to the discovery of the electron

  • Describe historical experiments which advanced the atomic model

  • Understand the limitations of the Rutherford and Bohr atomic models

  • Understand the Balmer series in hydrogen and the quantised energy levels

  • Know the contribution of de Broglie and Schrödinger to the current atomic model

  • Understand alpha, beta and gamme radiation

  • Calculate half life

  • Understand nuclear fission and fusion, including controlled and uncontrolled chain reactions

  • Understand the concepts of mass defect and binding energy

  • Understand the standard model, including categories of particles

  • Understand the concept of a particle acceleors