LC Physics and Chemistry study guide
LC Physics and Chemistry · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Leaving Certificate Physics and Chemistry is a combined senior-cycle subject examined by the State Examinations Commission for students in Ireland, typically taken over two years and assessed by a written paper. It suits candidates who want a single subject covering both the physical laws of motion, heat, waves, electricity and the atom alongside chemical bonding, stoichiometry, equilibrium, organic chemistry, kinetics, redox and laboratory work. The LC Physics and Chemistry study guide has 12 sections and about 3,751 words.
01Mechanics and Motion
Mechanics and Motion covers kinematics in one and two dimensions, Newton's three laws, friction, moments, work, energy, power, momentum and circular motion. Questions typically ask you to choose the correct equation of motion, resolve vectors, draw free-body diagrams and account for energy losses.
365 words, about 2 min02Heat, Temperature and Thermal Physics
Heat, Temperature and Thermal Physics examines the difference between heat and temperature, thermometric properties, specific heat capacity, latent heat, the three modes of heat transfer and the gas laws. Numerical questions on mixing hot and cold water, melting ice and the ideal gas equation are common.
341 words, about 2 min03Waves, Sound and Light
Waves, Sound and Light tests wave properties, the wave equation, reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, sound intensity and harmonics, and the behaviour of light through lenses, prisms and diffraction gratings. Expect calculations plus descriptions of experiments.
305 words, about 2 min04Electricity and Magnetism
Electricity and Magnetism covers charge, electric fields, potential difference, resistance, series and parallel circuits, electrical power, capacitance, magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction. Circuit calculations and graph interpretation dominate.
305 words, about 2 min05Modern Physics and Atomic Structure
Modern Physics and Atomic Structure covers the photoelectric effect, line spectra, the Bohr model, de Broglie wavelength, radioactivity and nuclear energy. Questions mix calculation with explanation of evidence for quantised energy levels.
302 words, about 2 min06Chemical Bonding
Chemical Bonding tests ionic, covalent and polar covalent bonding, electronegativity, VSEPR shapes, bond angles and intermolecular forces, and links these to physical properties such as melting point, solubility and conductivity. Ionic bonding: electron transfer, a lattice of ions, high melting points, conducts when molten or dissolved.
299 words, about 1 min07Stoichiometry and the Mole
Stoichiometry and the Mole covers the mole concept, molar mass, percentage composition, empirical and molecular formulae, limiting reagents, solution concentration and titration calculations. One mole contains 6.022 × 10²³ particles (Avogadro's number).
284 words, about 1 min08Acids, Bases and Equilibrium
Acids, Bases and Equilibrium covers Brønsted–Lowry definitions, strong and weak acids, pH and pOH, Kw, Ka, titration curves, indicators, buffers and Le Chatelier's principle. Brønsted–Lowry: an acid is a proton donor, a base a proton acceptor; they differ by H⁺ to form a conjugate pair.
309 words, about 2 min09Organic Chemistry and Reaction Mechanisms
Organic Chemistry and Reaction Mechanisms covers nomenclature, homologous series, functional groups, isomerism, characteristic reactions, mechanisms and qualitative tests for organic compounds. Name by the longest carbon chain, then number to give the principal functional group the lowest locant.
292 words, about 1 min10Thermochemistry
Thermochemistry covers enthalpy change, exothermic and endothermic reactions, calorimetry, Hess's law, bond energies and standard heats of combustion, formation and neutralisation. Enthalpy change ΔH is negative for exothermic and positive for endothermic reactions.
298 words, about 1 min11Kinetics and Redox/Electrochemistry
Kinetics and Redox/Electrochemistry covers reaction rates and collision theory, factors affecting rate, oxidation numbers, redox balancing, electrochemical cells, standard electrode potentials and electrolysis. Rate increases with concentration, surface area and temperature, and with a catalyst.
302 words, about 2 min12Mandatory Laboratory Experiments and Practical Skills
Mandatory Laboratory Experiments and Practical Skills examines the prescribed experiments and the skills behind them: measuring, controlling variables, plotting graphs, interpreting slopes and evaluating accuracy. Titration: rinse the burette with the solution it will contain, use a white tile, read the bottom of the meniscus at eye level, and take concordant results within 0.1 cm³.
349 words, about 2 min