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SACE Stage 2 Physics: complete 2026 guide to the three topics

A complete 2026 guide to SACE Stage 2 Physics. The three topics (Motion and Relativity, Electricity and Magnetism, Light and Atoms), the school-based and external assessment structure, how marks combine, and links to every dot-point answer we have written.

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SACE Stage 2 Physics is the Year 12 South Australian physics subject, a 20-credit course organised into three topics and assessed both internally (by your school) and externally (by a single examination). This page is the index: it sets out the course structure, the assessment breakdown, and links to every dot-point answer we have written.

The three topics in 2026

Topic 1: Motion and Relativity
Builds from projectile motion and Newton's laws through momentum, energy and circular motion to gravitation and satellite orbits, then to special relativity and mass-energy equivalence. This topic carries most of the quantitative mechanics in the course.
Topic 2: Electricity and Magnetism
Electric fields and Coulomb's law, charged particles in uniform fields, the magnetic force on moving charges and current-carrying conductors, circular motion of charges in magnetic fields, and electromagnetic induction (Faraday's law, Lenz's law) leading to generators and transformers.
Topic 3: Light and Atoms
The wave model of light and interference, the double-slit experiment, the photoelectric effect and the photon model, atomic spectra and the Bohr model, nuclear radioactivity, and the Standard Model of particles. This topic carries the modern-physics ideas of the course.

Assessment in SACE Stage 2 Physics

SACE Stage 2 Physics is 70 percent school-assessed and 30 percent externally assessed.

School assessment (70%):

  • Investigations Folio (30%). A collection of science inquiry work - practical investigations (designing or deconstructing experiments, collecting and analysing data, evaluating results) and a Science as a Human Endeavour investigation exploring physics in a social or technological context.
  • Skills and Applications Tasks (40%). School-set tasks (typically tests and problem-solving assignments) where you apply physics concepts and relationships, perform calculations, and analyse data across the three topics.

External assessment (30%):

  • Examination (30%). A single 130-minute written examination covering all three topics, testing conceptual understanding, application of relationships, and analysis of experiments and data. A formula and data sheet is provided.

The school-assessed components are graded against SACE performance standards and undergo moderation; the external examination is marked externally.

Our 2026 SACE Stage 2 Physics dot-point answers

Each link below is a focused study answer to one dot point: it states the concept, gives the worked answer with examples, and flags common mistakes.

Topic 1: Motion and Relativity

Topic 2: Electricity and Magnetism

Topic 3: Light and Atoms

The SACE system, explained

See all →

Common questions about Physics

How is SACE Stage 2 Physics structured in 2026?
SACE Stage 2 Physics is a 20-credit subject organised into three topics - Topic 1 Motion and Relativity, Topic 2 Electricity and Magnetism, and Topic 3 Light and Atoms. Assessment is 70 percent school-based and 30 percent external. The school component is made up of a Science Inquiry Skills folio (the Investigations Folio, 30 percent) and Skills and Applications Tasks (40 percent). The external component is a single examination (30 percent).
How are the marks weighted in SACE Stage 2 Physics?
The school-assessed component is worth 70 percent of the grade and is split into the Investigations Folio (30 percent) and Skills and Applications Tasks (40 percent). The external examination is worth the remaining 30 percent. Schools assess and grade the internal components against SACE performance standards, which are then subject to moderation.
What is in the SACE Stage 2 Physics examination?
The external examination is a 130-minute written exam covering all three topics. It tests conceptual understanding, application of relationships and analysis of data and experiments. A formula sheet and data sheet are provided, so you are not expected to memorise constants and equations, but you must know how and when to apply them.
What are the three topics in SACE Stage 2 Physics?
Topic 1 (Motion and Relativity) covers projectile motion, forces and Newton's laws, momentum and impulse, conservation of momentum, work-energy-power, circular motion, gravitation, satellite orbits, special relativity and mass-energy equivalence. Topic 2 (Electricity and Magnetism) covers electric fields and Coulomb's law, charged particles in fields, magnetic forces, electromagnetic induction, Lenz's law, generators and transformers. Topic 3 (Light and Atoms) covers the wave model and interference, the double-slit experiment, the photoelectric effect, the photon model, atomic spectra and the Bohr model, radioactivity, and the Standard Model.
What is the Investigations Folio in SACE Stage 2 Physics?
The Investigations Folio is a school-based collection of science inquiry work worth 30 percent of the subject. It typically includes at least one practical investigation (a deconstructed or designed experiment with data analysis and evaluation) and a science as a human endeavour investigation, where you explore how physics interacts with society and technology. It assesses the Investigation, Analysis and Evaluation, and Knowledge and Application standards.
Is SACE Stage 2 Physics needed for university courses?
Physics is a prerequisite or strongly recommended for engineering (mechanical, civil, electrical, aerospace, mechatronic), physics and astronomy, and many other physical-science and technology degrees at Adelaide universities. It is recommended for some architecture and computing pathways. Always check current SATAC prerequisite information for your target courses.
How do I approach projectile motion problems?
Split the motion into horizontal (constant velocity) and vertical (constant acceleration due to gravity). Use t as the shared variable across both axes.
What's the difference between work and power?
Work (J) is energy transferred by a force over a distance. Power (W) is the rate of doing work — work divided by time.
When is momentum conserved?
In any collision (elastic or inelastic) where no external net force acts on the system. Kinetic energy is only conserved in elastic collisions.
What's the photoelectric effect?
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).
How do magnetic forces on current-carrying wires work?
F = BIL sin θ 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.