Tasmanian Certificate of Education · TASC · 2026
TCE Physics (Tasmania): complete 2026 guide to Year 12 pre-tertiary Units 3 and 4
A complete 2026 guide to TASC Level 3/4 pre-tertiary Physics in Tasmania. Units 3 (gravity and electromagnetism) and 4 (revolutions in modern physics), how the course is assessed (school-based internal assessment plus a TASC external examination, counting towards your ATAR), and links to every dot-point study note.
TCE Physics is the TASC Level 3/4 pre-tertiary Physics course studied by Year 12 students in Tasmania, following the Australian Curriculum senior Physics structure. It develops your understanding of gravity, electromagnetism and the revolutions of modern physics. As a pre-tertiary course it counts towards your ATAR.
How the course is assessed
The course is assessed through school-based internal assessment across the year (including practical and investigative work), moderated by TASC, plus a TASC external examination at the end of the year. Both components contribute to your final award and your Tertiary Entrance score.
What you study
- Unit 3: Gravity and Electromagnetism - projectile and circular motion, gravitation and orbital motion, electromagnetism and motors, and electromagnetic induction.
- Unit 4: Revolutions in Modern Physics - special relativity, the photoelectric effect and photons, atomic and nuclear physics, and the Standard Model.
Dot-point study notes
Unit 3: Gravity and Electromagnetism
- Projectile and circular motion
- Gravitation and orbital motion
- Electromagnetism and motors
- Electromagnetic induction
Unit 4: Revolutions in Modern Physics
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Common questions
How is TCE Physics assessed in 2026?
TASC pre-tertiary Physics is assessed through school-based internal assessment across the year, including practical and investigative work, plus a TASC external examination. Both contribute to your final award, and because it is a pre-tertiary course it counts towards the ATAR that TASC calculates.
What do Units 3 and 4 cover?
Unit 3 (Gravity and Electromagnetism) covers projectile and circular motion, gravitation and orbital motion, electromagnetism and motors, and electromagnetic induction. Unit 4 (Revolutions in Modern Physics) covers special relativity, the photoelectric effect and photons, atomic and nuclear physics, and the Standard Model.
How much maths is in Physics?
You need to rearrange and apply formulae, work with vectors and units, and do multi-step calculations, but the focus is on understanding the physics. A formula sheet is provided in the exam, so you need to know which relationship applies and how to use it.
Does Physics count towards my ATAR?
Yes. Physics is a pre-tertiary course, so a satisfactory result contributes to your Tertiary Entrance score and the ATAR that TASC calculates for Tasmanian students. It is recommended for engineering and physical-science pathways.
How should I prepare for the external exam?
Practise calculation and explanation questions under time, learn the standard worked methods for each topic, and check your units every time. Our dot-point notes give the key formulae, worked examples and common mistakes for each topic.
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.
Sources & how we know this
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