Estonian Basic-School Physics Exam study guide
Estonian Basic-School Physics Exam · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Estonian basic-school physics final examination (põhikooli füüsika lõppeksam) is the school-leaving assessment taken at the end of compulsory basic education, normally in grade 9. It is intended for students who have completed the basic-school physics course and want a graded exit result, and it also serves candidates who need a physics grade for admission to upper secondary school (gümnaasium) or to a vocational programme. The Estonian Basic-School Physics Exam study guide has 7 sections and about 3,414 words.
01Kinematics and mechanics: motion, forces, pressure, work and energy
Kinematics describes motion with speed, acceleration and graphs; mechanics explains it with forces, pressure, work and energy. The Estonian basic-school exam asks you to calculate in SI units, read motion graphs, draw and use force arrows, apply Archimedes' principle and the lever rule, and decide whether mechanical energy is conserved or dissipates through friction.
473 words, about 2 min02Thermal physics: temperature, heat transfer, states of matter, thermal energy
Thermal physics covers temperature and internal energy, the three ways heat moves, specific heat capacity, changes of state and energy balance in heating and cooling. The exam asks you to compute heat quantities in joules and kilojoules, explain everyday insulation and cooking situations, and interpret heating graphs with plateaus at melting and boiling points.
463 words, about 2 min03Electricity and magnetism: current, voltage, resistance, circuits and magnetic effects
Electricity questions ask you to use current, voltage and resistance in circuits, apply Ohm's law, combine series and parallel resistors, calculate power and energy consumption, and explain household safety. Magnetism covers poles and fields, electromagnets, the motor effect and electromagnetic induction.
507 words, about 3 min04Optics and waves: light, reflection, refraction, lenses and sound
Waves and optics covers wave quantities, sound as a mechanical wave, light as rays and as a wave, reflection, refraction, lenses and image formation. The exam asks for calculations with v = λf, ray diagrams, the mirror and refraction rules, and practical reasoning about eyes, spectacles, echoes and optical instruments.
500 words, about 3 min05Atomic and nuclear physics: structure of matter, radioactivity, ionising radiation
Atomic and nuclear physics covers the structure of the atom, isotopes, the three main types of radioactivity, decay equations, half-life, the uses and hazards of ionising radiation, and the difference between fission and fusion. The exam wants balanced nuclear equations and clear safety reasoning.
472 words, about 2 min06Scientific method, measurement, units and data handling
This domain covers the scientific method, variables, measurement, SI units, unit conversion, uncertainties, tables and graphs. Questions ask you to design a fair test, choose a sensible instrument, convert between prefixes, plot and read graphs, and judge whether a conclusion really follows from the data.
492 words, about 2 min07Physics in everyday life, technology and the environment
This domain asks you to apply mechanics, electricity and heat to appliances, homes, transport, energy production and pollution. Typical tasks are electricity-bill calculations, efficiency comparisons, and reasoned arguments about energy sources and their environmental effects.
507 words, about 3 min