30 HSC Physics practice questions for 2026 (Modules 5-8)

How to use this question bank

HSC Physics is a 3-hour exam covering four Year 12 modules. These 30 practice questions span the modules and are modelled on past NESA paper patterns.

Three rules:

1. Show every step. Write the equation, substitute values, calculate, state the answer with units.
2. Use the correct sign conventions. Especially for projectile motion and Lenz's law.
3. Draw diagrams. Free-body diagrams, ray diagrams, field-line diagrams. Many marks are reserved for clear labelled diagrams.

Module 5: Advanced Mechanics (1-7)

1. A ball is projected horizontally at 15 m/s from a cliff 25 m high. Calculate (a) the time of flight, (b) the horizontal range, (c) the velocity at impact. ($g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2$) (6 marks)

2. A car of mass 1200 kg rounds a flat (unbanked) curve of radius 50 m at 15 m/s. Calculate the centripetal force required and explain what provides it. (4 marks)

3. A satellite orbits Earth at altitude 600 km. Calculate its orbital period. ($M_\text{Earth} = 5.97 \times 10^{24}$ kg, $R_\text{Earth} = 6.37 \times 10^6$ m, $G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11}$ N m²/kg²) (5 marks)

4. State Kepler's three laws of planetary motion. Use a diagram to illustrate the second law. (5 marks)

5. A 2.0 kg object on a string of length 1.5 m is whirled in a horizontal circle at 4.0 m/s. Calculate the tension in the string. (4 marks)

6. Derive an expression for the escape velocity from a planet of mass $M$ and radius $R$. (5 marks)

7. A projectile is fired from ground level at 25 m/s at 60° above horizontal. Calculate the maximum height reached and the time to reach it. (5 marks)

Module 6: Electromagnetism (8-15)

8. An electron is fired horizontally at $2.0 \times 10^6$ m/s into a magnetic field of 0.10 T directed vertically. Calculate the magnitude of the force on the electron and describe its motion. ($e = 1.6 \times 10^{-19}$ C) (5 marks)

9. A 0.50 m wire carrying 3.0 A current is placed at right angles to a magnetic field of 0.40 T. Calculate the force on the wire. State the direction (using the right-hand rule). (4 marks)

10. Sketch the magnetic field around a current-carrying solenoid. Compare it to a bar magnet's field. (4 marks)

11. A coil of 200 turns and area 0.040 m² is in a magnetic field perpendicular to the coil. The field changes from 0.20 T to 0.80 T in 1.5 seconds. Calculate the average induced EMF. (4 marks)

12. State Lenz's law. Explain how it relates to the conservation of energy. (5 marks)

13. A transformer has 1200 primary turns and 60 secondary turns. The primary voltage is 240 V. Calculate the secondary voltage. If the primary current is 0.50 A, find the secondary current (assume ideal). (5 marks)

14. Explain why DC current does not produce an induced EMF in a transformer's secondary coil. (3 marks)

15. A copper ring is dropped through the field of a strong horseshoe magnet. Describe and explain the motion of the ring as it passes through the field. (5 marks)

Module 7: The Nature of Light (16-22)

16. State the wave equation $c = f\lambda$ and use it to calculate the wavelength of light with frequency $5.0 \times 10^{14}$ Hz. ($c = 3.0 \times 10^8$ m/s) (3 marks)

17. Describe Young's double-slit experiment. Explain how the result supports the wave model of light. (5 marks)

18. The photoelectric effect cannot be explained by classical wave theory. State three experimental observations that classical theory failed to explain, and outline Einstein's photon explanation. (6 marks)

19. The work function of caesium is 2.0 eV. Calculate the threshold frequency. Photons of frequency $7.0 \times 10^{14}$ Hz strike a caesium surface. Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of emitted electrons. ($h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34}$ J·s, $1 \text{ eV} = 1.6 \times 10^{-19}$ J) (6 marks)

20. State the postulates of special relativity. (3 marks)

21. A spaceship travels at $0.80c$ relative to Earth. The trip duration in the ship's frame is 5.0 years. Calculate the duration in Earth's frame. (4 marks)

22. Use $E = mc^2$ to calculate the energy equivalent of 1.0 gram of matter completely converted to energy. ($c = 3.0 \times 10^8$ m/s) (3 marks)

Module 8: From the Universe to the Atom (23-30)

23. Describe the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Identify the main sequence and explain what determines a star's position on it. (5 marks)

24. Outline the evolutionary path of a low-mass star (like the Sun) from formation to its end state. (6 marks)

25. Distinguish between the Rutherford model and the Bohr model of the atom. (5 marks)

26. The energy levels of hydrogen are given by $E_n = -13.6/n^2$ eV. Calculate the wavelength of light emitted when an electron transitions from $n = 4$ to $n = 2$. ($h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34}$ J·s, $c = 3.0 \times 10^8$ m/s) (5 marks)

27. State the de Broglie hypothesis. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of an electron travelling at $1.0 \times 10^6$ m/s. ($m_e = 9.11 \times 10^{-31}$ kg, $h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34}$ J·s) (4 marks)

28. Classify quarks, leptons, and gauge bosons in the Standard Model. Give one named example of each. (5 marks)

29. Compare the four fundamental forces of nature in terms of relative strength and the particles that mediate them. (6 marks)

30. With reference to your school's chosen depth of study (e.g. medical imaging, semiconductors, particle accelerators), describe one application that uses quantum or relativistic physics. Evaluate its societal impact. (8 marks)

Marking your own work

For each question:

• 2-3 marks: short answer. Equation, substitution, answer with units.
• 4-6 marks: medium response. Show equation, derive or substitute, answer. Diagram if relevant.
• 7-9 marks: extended response. Multi-paragraph or multi-part. Include explanation, calculation, and evaluation.

Past papers

These practice questions complement past NESA exam papers; they do not replace them. NESA publishes papers at educationstandards.nsw.edu.au. Aim for 6-8 full past papers in Term 4.

Related guides

• HSC Physics Modules 5 & 6 (mechanics and electromagnetism)
• HSC Physics Modules 7 & 8 (light and quantum)
• HSC Physics hub