Physics
What the exam tests
Core topics: kinematics (uniform and accelerated motion), Newton's laws, work and energy, simple machines, pressure and density, heat and temperature, basic electricity (Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits) and waves/sound. Know the SI units and their symbols.
Traps to expect
- Speed vs velocity: velocity has direction.
- Mass vs weight: weight = m·g and is measured in newtons.
- Confusing g = 9.8 m/s² with 10 m/s² in problems that specify a value.
- Series vs parallel: in series, current is the same; in parallel, voltage is the same.
- Unit conversion: km/h to m/s by dividing by 3.6.
Rule of thumb
List knowns and the unknown, choose the equation that contains only those, substitute with units, and check dimensional consistency.
Worked example
A car accelerates uniformly from rest to 20 m/s in 8 s. Acceleration a = (v − u)/t = 20/8 = 2.5 m/s². Distance s = ut + ½at² = 0 + ½(2.5)(64) = 80 m. Alternatively s = (u+v)t/2 = (0+20)(8)/2 = 80 m. ✓