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100+ Free QCAA Physics Practice Questions
QCAA Senior Secondary Physics (Queensland Units 3 & 4) practice questions are available now; exam metadata is being verified.
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2026 Statistics
Key Facts: QCAA Physics Exam
50% of subject mark
QCAA External Exam Weighting
QCAA Physics Senior Syllabus 2025/2026
4 Core Syllabus Topics
Units 3 & 4 Main Units
QCAA Curriculum Framework
c = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s
Speed of Light in Vacuum
QCAA Formula & Data Booklet
h = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s
Planck's Constant
QCAA Formula & Data Booklet
1 eV = 1.60 × 10⁻¹⁹ J
Electron-Volt Conversion
QCAA Data Sheet
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) Year 12 Physics curriculum requires students to master both classical field theories and 20th-century modern physics across Units 3 and 4. External assessment contributes 50% to the overall QCE grade. This 100-question practice exam features rigorous numerical calculations and conceptual items designed around official QCAA syllabus objectives, formulas, and fundamental physical constants.
Sample QCAA Physics Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your QCAA Physics exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1An object moves in a horizontal circle of radius 4.0 m at a constant speed of 8.0 m/s. What is the magnitude of its centripetal acceleration?
A.2.0 m/s²
B.32 m/s²
C.16 m/s²
D.64 m/s²
Explanation: Centripetal acceleration is calculated using a_c = v² / r. Substituting v = 8.0 m/s and r = 4.0 m gives a_c = 8.0² / 4.0 = 64 / 4.0 = 16 m/s².
2A ball is launched from ground level at an initial velocity of 20 m/s at an angle of 30° above the horizontal. Assuming g = 9.8 m/s² and ignoring air resistance, what is the initial vertical component of its velocity?
A.17.3 m/s
B.20 m/s
C.5.0 m/s
D.10 m/s
Explanation: The vertical component of initial velocity is given by v_y = v₀ sin(θ). Here, v_y = 20 sin(30°) = 20 × 0.5 = 10 m/s.
3According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, if the distance between two point masses is doubled, how does the gravitational attraction force between them change?
A.It decreases to one-quarter of its original value.
B.It decreases to one-half of its original value.
C.It doubles.
D.It quadruples.
Explanation: Newton's law of universal gravitation states F = G(m₁m₂)/r². Since gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of distance r, doubling r makes F' = F / 2² = F / 4.
4Kepler's third law of planetary motion states that the square of a planet's orbital period T is proportional to which quantity?
A.The square of its mean orbital radius (r²)
B.The cube of its mean orbital radius (r³)
C.The mean orbital radius (r)
D.The inverse of its orbital radius (1/r)
Explanation: Kepler's third law specifies T² ∝ r³, meaning the square of the orbital period T is directly proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis (or orbital radius) r.
5What is the direction of the gravitational field strength vector at any point in space surrounding a spherical mass like the Earth?
A.Radially outward away from the center of the mass
B.Tangential to the surface of the mass
C.Radially inward toward the center of the mass
D.Perpendicular to the line joining the observer and the mass
Explanation: Gravitational field strength g is defined as the force per unit mass exerted on a test mass. Because gravity is an attractive force, the field vector points radially inward toward the center of mass.
6Which of the following best describes a geostationary satellite orbit around Earth?
A.A polar orbit passing over both North and South poles every 12 hours
B.An elliptical orbit with a period of 90 minutes used for low Earth imaging
C.An inclined orbit at 45° latitude that rotates around Earth every 6 hours
D.An equatorial orbit with a period of 24 hours, remaining fixed over one spot on Earth
Explanation: A geostationary satellite must orbit in Earth's equatorial plane in the same direction as Earth's rotation with an orbital period equal to Earth's sidereal rotation period (~24 hours), causing it to appear stationary relative to Earth's surface.
7What is the net force acting on an object moving at a constant speed in a uniform circular path?
A.A non-zero net force directed toward the center of the circle
B.Zero net force because the speed is constant
C.A net force directed tangentially in the direction of motion
D.A net force directed radially outward away from the center
Explanation: Even though the speed is constant, the direction of velocity is continually changing, which means there is a centripetal acceleration. By Newton's second law (F_net = ma), a non-zero net force (centripetal force) directed toward the center is required.
8A 1.0 kg mass attached to a string is swung in a horizontal circle of radius 0.50 m at a constant linear speed of 4.0 m/s. What is the tension in the string?
A.8.0 N
B.32 N
C.16 N
D.64 N
Explanation: The tension in the string provides the centripetal force: F_c = m v² / r. Substituting m = 1.0 kg, v = 4.0 m/s, and r = 0.50 m gives F_c = 1.0 × (4.0)² / 0.50 = 16 / 0.50 = 32 N.
9A projectile is launched from ground level with an initial velocity of 50 m/s at an angle of 53.1° above the horizontal (cos 53.1° = 0.60, sin 53.1° = 0.80). Taking g = 9.8 m/s², what is the total time of flight until it hits the ground?
A.4.08 s
B.6.12 s
C.8.16 s
D.10.2 s
Explanation: Initial vertical velocity v_y = v₀ sin(θ) = 50 × 0.80 = 40 m/s. Total flight time t = 2 v_y / g = 2 × 40 / 9.8 ≈ 8.16 s.
10A satellite of mass m orbits Earth (mass M_E = 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg) in a stable circular orbit at a radius of r = 7.00 × 10⁶ m from the center of Earth. Using G = 6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ N·m²/kg², what is the orbital speed of the satellite?
A.5.69 × 10⁷ m/s
B.8.12 × 10⁴ m/s
C.3.98 × 10⁸ m/s
D.7.54 × 10³ m/s
Explanation: Orbital speed is calculated by equating gravitational force to centripetal force: G M_E m / r² = m v² / r => v = √(G M_E / r). Substituting: v = √((6.67 × 10⁻¹¹ × 5.97 × 10²⁴) / 7.00 × 10⁶) = √(3.982 × 10¹⁴ / 7.00 × 10⁶) = √(5.688 × 10⁷) ≈ 7542 m/s = 7.54 × 10³ m/s.
About the QCAA Physics Practice Questions
Verified exam format metadata for QCAA Senior Secondary Physics (Queensland Units 3 & 4) is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.