STPM Physics 960 study guide
STPM Physics 960 · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
STPM Physics (subject code 960) is the Physics paper of the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, the pre-university qualification examined by Majlis Peperiksaan Malaysia (MPM) and widely accepted for university admission in Malaysia and abroad. It suits candidates who have completed SPM-level science and want a rigorous, mathematically demanding grounding in physics before an undergraduate degree in engineering, the physical sciences, or related fields. The STPM Physics 960 study guide has 9 sections and about 2,906 words.
01Physical Quantities, Units and Measurements
This domain checks whether you can express measurements in SI base units, test dimensional consistency, combine uncertainties, and resolve vectors. Practical questions often use vernier calipers or a micrometer screw gauge, so the reading method and zero error matter.
324 words, about 2 min02Kinematics and Dynamics
This domain tests motion graphs, uniformly accelerated motion, Newton's three laws, momentum and impulse, work-energy transfers, power, and collisions. Questions often combine a force analysis with an energy or momentum calculation.
338 words, about 2 min03Circular Motion, Gravitation and Oscillations
This domain covers angular motion, centripetal force, gravitational fields and orbits, simple harmonic motion (SHM), damping and resonance. Expect questions linking force diagrams to circular motion and energy or timing calculations to oscillations.
319 words, about 2 min04Thermal Physics
This domain covers thermal equilibrium, ideal gases, kinetic theory, internal energy and the first law of thermodynamics. Questions often require the ideal gas equation, kinetic theory relationships and energy accounting during a thermodynamic process.
346 words, about 2 min05Waves and Wave Phenomena
This domain covers superposition, interference, diffraction, stationary waves and sound. Questions often require path-difference conditions, Young's double-slit or diffraction-grating calculations, and node/antinode positions in stationary waves.
301 words, about 2 min06Electricity and Magnetism
This domain covers electrostatics, capacitance, DC circuits, magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction. Expect calculations with Coulomb's law, capacitors, Kirchhoff's rules, internal resistance, magnetic force and Faraday's law.
313 words, about 2 min07Electronics
This domain covers semiconductor devices, diodes, transistors, operational amplifiers and logic gates. Questions test device behaviour, circuit calculations and truth tables, including the ideal op-amp model and digital logic combinations.
317 words, about 2 min08Modern Physics
This domain covers the photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, atomic energy levels and nuclear physics. Questions test photon calculations, stopping potential, de Broglie wavelength, spectral transitions, radioactive decay and nuclear equations.
309 words, about 2 min09Practical and Experimental Skills
This domain is assessed through school-based coursework and tests planning, measurement, uncertainty analysis, graph work and evaluation. You must identify variables, choose apparatus, record readings to the correct precision, plot an appropriate graph and use its gradient or intercept to find a physical quantity.
339 words, about 2 min