Summary
Highlights
The Leaving Cert Physics course is divided into five main topics: Light and Sound (including Waves), Mechanics, Electricity, Modern Physics (including particle physics), and Heat. These topics correspond to different books in the study materials.
The physics exam is a three-hour paper worth 400 marks, typically held in mid-June. It consists of two sections: Section A (Experiments) and Section B (Theory). Section A is worth 120 marks and Section B is worth 280 marks.
Section A requires students to answer 3 out of 5 experimental questions, each worth 40 marks. It is recommended to spend a maximum of one hour on this section and to start with it due to its easier nature, which helps build confidence. Students should not read Section B before completing Section A.
There are 25 mandatory experiments across different topics: Mechanics (M1-M8), Heat (H1-H4), Sound (S1-S3), Light (L1-L5), and Electricity (E1-E5). Some experiments are less frequently asked, indicated by an asterisk, and it's generally safe to focus on about 18 experiments, potentially omitting ones from Sound or Heat.
A three-step study process for experiments involves: 1) Watching instructional videos, 2) Creating flashcards for each experiment, and 3) Reading the method multiple times and practicing past Leaving Cert questions. Flashcards should include a labeled diagram, a suitable graph (or formula), and 3-4 experimental details or sources of error.