QCE Physics: complete 2026 guide to Units 3 and 4 (General subject)
A complete 2026 guide to QCE General Physics Units 3 and 4. The IA1 data test, IA2 student experiment, IA3 research investigation and External Assessment structure, what each instrument assesses, how marks combine into your subject result, and links to every dot-point answer we have for QCE Physics Unit 3 (Gravity and electromagnetism).
QCE General Physics Units 3 and 4 is the Year 12 sequence assessed across three internal assessments (IAs) and one External Assessment (EA). Unit 3 (Gravity and electromagnetism) is the priority for IA1 and IA2, both sat during the unit. The EA tests Units 3 and 4 cumulatively at the end of the year.
This page is the index. Below you will find the structure of the course, what each instrument assesses, and links to every dot-point answer we have written for QCE Physics Unit 3.
The four instruments in 2026
IA1: Data test. A school-based 60 to 90-minute response to previously unseen Unit 3 data sets (trajectory plots, orbital tables, electric and magnetic field measurements, transformer characteristics). Tests claim-evidence-reasoning under time pressure. 10 percent of the subject result. Sat in Term 1 or early Term 2 of Year 12.
IA2: Student experiment. A student-designed and conducted experimental investigation drawn from Unit 3 subject matter (commonly projectile range vs angle, centripetal force on a conical pendulum, gravitational pendulum, induced EMF in a moving magnet, or transformer turns ratio). Reported as a scientific report of up to 2000 words. 20 percent of the subject result.
IA3: Research investigation. A research-only investigation in Unit 4 context (typically special relativity, quantum or nuclear), examining a claim by reviewing secondary data. Reported as a scientific article of up to 2000 words. 20 percent of the subject result.
EA: External Assessment. Two centrally-set exam papers at the end of Unit 4. Paper 1 is multiple choice plus short response (60 marks). Paper 2 is short response, extended response and data analysis (60 marks). 50 percent of the subject result.
Unit 3: Gravity and electromagnetism
Unit 3 splits into two topics. Both are examinable in IA1 and the EA; most IA2 experiments are designed around one of them.
Topic 1: Gravity and motion. Projectile motion (resolution into horizontal and vertical components, range and time of flight). Uniform circular motion (centripetal acceleration and force, period and frequency, banked curves and conical pendulums). Newton's law of universal gravitation and gravitational field strength. Orbital motion of satellites and planets (Kepler's third law, orbital energy).
Topic 2: Electromagnetism. Electric fields and the force on a point charge (uniform fields between parallel plates, work and potential difference). Magnetic forces on moving charges and current-carrying conductors. Electromagnetic induction via Faraday's and Lenz's laws. Transformers and their role in AC transmission.
Our 2026 QCE Physics dot-point answers
Every link below is a focused answer to one QCAA subject-matter dot point. Each page identifies the dot point, gives the worked answer, cites past QCAA-style questions where available, and cross-links to related dot points and our physics calculators.
Unit 3, Topic 1: Gravity and motion
- Projectile motion and the independence of horizontal and vertical components
- Uniform circular motion, centripetal force and banked curves
- Newton's law of universal gravitation and gravitational fields
- Orbital motion, Kepler's third law and satellite energy
Unit 3, Topic 2: Electromagnetism
- Electric fields, point charges and parallel plates
- Magnetic force on moving charges and current-carrying conductors
- Electromagnetic induction, Faraday's law and Lenz's law
- Transformers and AC power transmission
Unit 4, Topic 1: Special relativity
- Special relativity: postulates and time dilation
- Length contraction and relativistic momentum
- Mass-energy equivalence
Unit 4, Topic 2: Quantum theory
- Quantum theory: photons, the photoelectric effect and atomic spectra
- Wave-particle duality and matter waves
Unit 4, Topic 3: The standard model
How Unit 3 maps to the IAs
IA1 data test (10 percent). Expect a mixture of Topic 1 and Topic 2 stimulus. Topic 1 stimulus is often a trajectory diagram, a banked-curve scenario, a gravitational field table, or orbital data requiring Kepler's third law. Topic 2 stimulus is often a parallel-plate diagram, a velocity-selector or mass-spectrometer geometry, an induction setup with flux changes, or transformer characteristics. Mark accuracy on units, significant figures, and direction (vector questions are dominant in physics).
IA2 student experiment (20 percent). The most common IA2 designs are: projectile range as a function of launch angle, centripetal force on a conical pendulum or rotating-mass setup, the period of a simple pendulum used to determine local g, the EMF induced by a magnet moving through a coil at varying speed, or a transformer turns-ratio investigation. Strong reports identify a researchable question, justify the experimental design against Unit 3 theory, present clean processed data with linearised graphs where appropriate, evaluate uncertainty against the IA2 criteria, and extend the conclusion with a refined question.
EA Paper 1 and Paper 2. Around half the EA marks draw on Unit 3. Topic 1 questions cluster around projectile and orbital calculations and centripetal force on banked curves. Topic 2 questions cluster around induced-EMF calculations, Lenz's law direction problems, and transformer turns-ratio plus transmission-loss reasoning. Paper 2's data-analysis style reuses the IA1 stimulus pattern.
How to use this hub
If you are starting Unit 3 this term: read the projectile-motion and uniform-circular-motion dot points first. They are the foundation for the rest of Topic 1 and reappear in every IA1 stimulus.
If you are 2 weeks from IA1: focus on Kepler's third law, electromagnetic induction, and the transformer turns ratio. Drill calculation accuracy under timed conditions. Practise interpreting unseen data tables and graphs.
If you are designing your IA2: read the dot point most relevant to your chosen experimental system, then read our QCE internal vs external assessments explainer for what QCAA's IA2 criteria reward. Plan your independent variable, dependent variable, and the controlled variables before you touch any equipment.
If you are 6 weeks from the EA: revise the full Unit 3 set above, then complete Unit 4 revision. Past EA papers (released by QCAA after each year) are the best practice resource.
Calculators for Unit 3
Every Unit 3 dot point links to a free calculator on this site that you can use to check homework or generate IA2 expected values.
Topic 1.
- Projectile motion calculator
- Centripetal force calculator
- Banking angle calculator
- Universal gravitation calculator
- Kepler's third law calculator
- Escape velocity calculator
- Orbital energy calculator
Topic 2.
ATAR planning
Our QCE ATAR calculator lets you enter your projected Physics result alongside your other General subjects to estimate your ATAR. Physics is a strong-scaling General subject in most years, so it disproportionately affects high-end aggregates.
The system around QCE Physics
QCE Physics sits inside the wider QCE system. Related explainers:
- How the QCE ATAR is calculated covers QTAC's top-5-General aggregate and scaling.
- Internal vs External Assessments breaks down the 50/50 IA/EA weighting for sciences.
- AARA special arrangements covers QCAA's Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments.
- QCE exam day: what to actually expect covers EA logistics.
Every guide on this hub was written by ExamExplained (an initiative of Better Tuition Academy and XLev). For the official QCAA syllabus, IA syllabus specifications and past EA papers, refer to qcaa.qld.edu.au.
Physics guides
In-depth written guides with paired practice quizzes.
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10 min readRead β - QCE Physics IA2 student experiment: the 2026 guide
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Common questions about Physics
- QCE General Physics Year 12 (Units 3 and 4) is assessed across three internal assessments (IAs) and one External Assessment (EA). IA1 is a data test on Unit 3 stimulus (10 percent). IA2 is a student-designed experimental investigation (20 percent). IA3 is a research investigation (20 percent). The EA is a centrally-set 2-paper exam (50 percent). Unit 3 covers Gravity and electromagnetism; Unit 4 covers Revolutions in modern physics (special relativity, quantum and nuclear).
- Unit 3 is "Gravity and electromagnetism". Topic 1 (Gravity and motion) covers projectile motion, uniform circular motion (including banked curves), Newton's law of universal gravitation, gravitational fields, and orbital motion (Kepler's third law, satellite energy). Topic 2 (Electromagnetism) covers electric fields and parallel plates, the force on moving charges and current-carrying conductors in magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction (Faraday and Lenz), and transformers in AC transmission. Unit 3 subject matter dominates IA1 and IA2.
- Physics sits in the top-5 General subjects aggregate for ATAR. QCAA does not pre-scale subjects; QTAC scales the cohort distribution at the end of the year. Physics has historically scaled strongly in QLD because the cohort is academically rigorous (most students also take Specialist or Methods Mathematics).
- Physics is required or strongly recommended for most engineering pathways (mechanical, civil, electrical, aerospace, mechatronic) at UQ, QUT and Griffith, and for physics and astronomy majors. It is recommended for architecture and some IT degrees. Always check current QTAC prerequisite lists for your target courses.
- The EA is two papers, both sat in the assessment block at the end of Unit 4. Paper 1 is multiple choice and short response (60 marks). Paper 2 is short and extended response with data analysis (60 marks). Combined, the EA contributes 50 percent of the final subject result. The EA is cumulative across Units 3 and 4, so Unit 3 content remains examinable months after IA1 and IA2.
- IA1 is a 60 to 90-minute response to a previously unseen Unit 3 data set. You will see graphs, tables and apparatus diagrams (trajectories, orbital data, electric or magnetic field measurements, transformer characteristics), and answer short and extended questions requiring claims, evidence and reasoning. Calculation accuracy and interpretive reasoning both matter. It is worth 10 percent of your subject result and usually sat in Term 1 or early Term 2.
- Split the motion into horizontal (constant velocity) and vertical (constant acceleration due to gravity). Use t as the shared variable across both axes.
- Work (J) is energy transferred by a force over a distance. Power (W) is the rate of doing work β work divided by time.
- In any collision (elastic or inelastic) where no external net force acts on the system. Kinetic energy is only conserved in elastic collisions.
- Light shone on a metal can eject electrons, but only if the photon energy (hf) exceeds the work function. The kinetic energy of the ejected electron is hf - W. Evidence that light behaves as discrete quanta (photons).
- F = BIL sin ΞΈ for a wire in a uniform field B with current I and length L. Direction comes from the right-hand rule. Underpins motors, generators, and ammeters.