Question 1
Which statement gives the conditions for a rigid body to be in static equilibrium?
WACE Physics: the course and the exam
Unit 3 covers gravity and relativity; Unit 4 covers electromagnetism and modern physics. The ATAR examination is one paper of ten minutes reading and three hours working, in three written sections, with no multiple-choice questions.
26 weeks, 104 hours in all
Start with Topic 1
Static equilibrium: 16 of your hours. It is 3 of the 18 questions on our timed checks, 17%.
| Topic | Your hours | Share of the checks |
|---|---|---|
| Topic 1: Static equilibrium | 16 | 17% |
| Topic 2: Circular motion and gravity | 16 | 17% |
| Topic 3: Relativity | 16 | 17% |
| Topic 4: Electric and magnetic fields | 16 | 17% |
| Topic 5: Electromagnetic induction | 16 | 17% |
| Topic 6: Quantum theory and cosmology | 16 | 17% |
Week by week
- Week 1Topic 1: Static equilibrium
- Week 2Topic 1: Static equilibrium
- Week 3Topic 1: Static equilibrium
- Week 4Topic 1: Static equilibrium
- Week 5Topic 2: Circular motion and gravity
- Week 6Topic 2: Circular motion and gravity
- Week 7Topic 2: Circular motion and gravity
- Week 8Topic 2: Circular motion and gravity
- Week 9Topic 3: Relativity
- Week 10Topic 3: Relativity
- Week 11Topic 3: Relativity
- Week 12Topic 3: Relativity
- Week 13Topic 4: Electric and magnetic fields
- Week 14Topic 4: Electric and magnetic fields
- Week 15Topic 4: Electric and magnetic fields
- Week 16Topic 4: Electric and magnetic fields
- Week 17Topic 5: Electromagnetic induction
- Week 18Topic 5: Electromagnetic induction
- Week 19Topic 5: Electromagnetic induction
- Week 20Topic 5: Electromagnetic induction
- Week 21Topic 6: Quantum theory and cosmology
- Week 22Topic 6: Quantum theory and cosmology
- Week 23Topic 6: Quantum theory and cosmology
- Week 24Topic 6: Quantum theory and cosmology
- Week 25A timed check and a set of problem-solving questions, then review every lost mark
- Week 26A timed check and a set of problem-solving questions, then review every lost mark
| The examination | One paper on Units 3 and 4: ten minutes reading, three hours working |
|---|---|
| Section One | Short response: 10 to 15 questions, 30%, about 50 minutes |
| Section Two | Problem-solving: six to eight questions, 50%, about 90 minutes |
| Section Three | Comprehension and data analysis: two questions, 20%, about 40 minutes |
| Provided | A Formulae and Data booklet; up to three non-programmable calculators allowed |
The six topics
Unit 3: static equilibrium and centre of mass, circular motion in horizontal and vertical planes, gravity, and relativity. Unit 4: electromagnetism, particle accelerators, wave particle duality and the quantum theory, and cosmology. The course groups these into six topics, and Units 1 and 2 are recommended prior study.
The ATAR examination
- Section One, short response: 10 to 15 questions, worth 30% of the examination, with about 50 minutes suggested. Most are short calculations.
- Section Two, problem-solving: six to eight questions, worth 50%, with about 90 minutes suggested. They are often scaffolded and built on a scenario or data.
- Section Three, comprehension and data analysis: two questions, worth 20%, with about 40 minutes suggested. One asks you to apply physics to an unfamiliar context; the other asks you to analyse experimental data.
Try 2 questions
Question 2
A roller coaster car passes the top of a vertical loop at the minimum speed that keeps it on the track. Which force or forces provide the centripetal force on the car at that point?
Next step
Questions people ask
What is in the ATAR examination?
A representative sample of Unit 3 (gravity and relativity) and Unit 4 (electromagnetism and modern physics).
Is there multiple choice in the WACE Physics exam?
No. The three sections are short response, problem-solving, and comprehension and data analysis. The course's four-option questions are quick practice of the same physics.
Can I use a calculator?
Yes, up to three calculators that cannot store programmes or text, and a Formulae and Data booklet is provided.