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Key Facts: VCE Physics Exam

Written examination duration: 15 minutes reading time + 2 hours 30 minutes writing time (2026 timetable session 9:00 am–11:45 am).

Section A multiple-choice and Section B short-answer/calculation tasks; official item totals are set each year by VCAA.

External written examination contributes 50% of the VCE Physics study score (Unit 3 SAC 30%, Unit 4 SAC 20%).

An approved scientific calculator is permitted; CAS/graphics calculators are not authorised for VCE Physics (VCE Exams Navigator 2026).

These local MCQs are an English-language study adaptation and do not replace the official written paper.

VCE Physics Units 3 & 4 practice question bank for senior secondary exam revision.

Sample VCE Physics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the VCE Physics exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following best describes how the magnitude of the gravitational field strength g varies with distance r from the center of a uniform spherical planet of mass M and radius R, for positions outside the planet (r >= R)?
A.g is directly proportional to r.
B.g is inversely proportional to r.
C.g is inversely proportional to r squared.
D.g is constant regardless of distance r.
Explanation: According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, the gravitational field strength outside a uniform sphere is g = GM / r^2. Therefore, g is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the center of mass. Options proposing direct proportionality, linear inverse proportionality, or constant field strength contradict the inverse-square law.
2An astronaut has a mass of 70 kg on Earth, where g = 9.8 N/kg. What are the astronaut's mass and weight on the Moon, where g_moon = 1.6 N/kg?
A.Mass = 70 kg, Weight = 112 N
B.Mass = 11.4 kg, Weight = 112 N
C.Mass = 70 kg, Weight = 686 N
D.Mass = 11.4 kg, Weight = 686 N
Explanation: Mass is an intrinsic property measuring the quantity of matter and remains 70 kg on the Moon. Weight is the gravitational force W = m * g_moon = 70 kg * 1.6 N/kg = 112 N. Options altering mass confuse mass with weight, while options giving 686 N calculate weight on Earth rather than the Moon.
3Two spherical masses m1 and m2 are separated by a distance r, exerting a gravitational force F on each other. If mass m1 is doubled and the separation distance r is tripled, what is the new gravitational force between them?
A.(2/3) F
B.(4/9) F
C.(2/9) F
D.(6/1) F
Explanation: Newton's gravitational force formula is F = G * m1 * m2 / r^2. Doubling m1 multiplies the numerator by 2, and tripling r multiplies the denominator by 3^2 = 9. The new force is F' = (2 * m1) * m2 / (3 r)^2 = (2/9) F. Incorrect options fail to square the distance factor or incorrectly handle the mass multiplier.
4A satellite orbits Earth in a stable circular orbit of radius r with speed v. If the orbital radius is increased to 4r, what will be the satellite's new orbital speed?
A.0.25 v
B.0.50 v
C.2.0 v
D.4.0 v
Explanation: Equating centripetal force to gravitational force gives m v^2 / r = G M m / r^2, which simplifies to v = sqrt(G M / r). Increasing the radius to 4r changes the speed to v' = sqrt(G M / (4r)) = 0.5 sqrt(G M / r) = 0.50 v. Options suggesting 0.25 v or higher speeds misapply the square root or inverse relationships.
5Satellite A orbits a planet at radius r with period T. Satellite B orbits the same planet at radius 4r. According to Kepler's Third Law, what is the orbital period of Satellite B in terms of T?
A.2 T
B.4 T
C.8 T
D.16 T
Explanation: Kepler's Third Law states that T^2 / r^3 is constant, so (T_B / T_A)^2 = (r_B / r_A)^3. Here r_B = 4r, so (T_B / T)^2 = 4^3 = 64. Taking the square root gives T_B = sqrt(64) T = 8 T. Options giving 2 T, 4 T, or 16 T reflect arithmetic errors when raising 4 to the 3/2 power.
6At what altitude h above Earth's surface (where Earth's radius is R_E = 6.37 x 10^6 m) is the gravitational field strength equal to 2.45 N/kg (one-quarter of its surface value g_0 = 9.80 N/kg)?
A.3.19 x 10^6 m
B.6.37 x 10^6 m
C.1.27 x 10^7 m
D.1.91 x 10^7 m
Explanation: Field strength g = G M / r^2. For g to be g_0 / 4, the distance from Earth's center must be r = sqrt(4) * R_E = 2 R_E. The altitude above the surface is h = r - R_E = 2 R_E - R_E = R_E = 6.37 x 10^6 m. Options giving 3.19 x 10^6 m or 1.27 x 10^7 m confuse distance from Earth's center with altitude above the surface.
7What physical quantity is represented by the area under a gravitational field strength versus distance graph (g vs r) between two radii r1 and r2?
A.Gravitational force per unit mass
B.Gravitational potential energy change per unit mass
C.Total gravitational force exerted on an object
D.Orbital velocity of a satellite
Explanation: Integrating gravitational field strength g over distance r gives work done per unit mass: integral(g dr) = delta(E_g) / m, which is the gravitational potential energy change per unit mass (joules per kilogram). The y-axis variable itself is field strength g, while the area omits mass.
8A geostationary satellite remains above the exact same point on Earth's equator. Given Earth's mass M_E = 5.98 x 10^24 kg and G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2, what is the orbital radius of a geostationary satellite?
A.6.37 x 10^6 m
B.2.63 x 10^7 m
C.4.23 x 10^7 m
D.3.84 x 10^8 m
Explanation: A geostationary satellite has an orbital period T = 24 hours = 86,400 s. Using Kepler's Law r^3 = G M T^2 / (4 pi^2), r^3 = (6.67x10^-11 * 5.98x10^24 * 86400^2) / (4 pi^2) = 7.54 x 10^22 m^3. Taking the cube root gives r = 4.23 x 10^7 m. 6.37 x 10^6 m is Earth's radius, and 3.84 x 10^8 m is the Moon's orbital radius.
9Which change increases the gravitational field strength at the surface of a spherical planet of fixed radius R?
A.Increasing the planet's mass M
B.Decreasing the planet's density while keeping radius R fixed
C.Increasing the distance from the planet's surface
D.Decreasing the universal gravitational constant G
Explanation: The surface gravitational field strength is g = G M / R^2. For a fixed radius R, g is directly proportional to planet mass M. Decreasing density reduces mass, increasing distance decreases field strength by 1/r^2, and G is a universal constant.
10How are gravitational field lines arranged in the space surrounding an isolated, stationary spherical mass?
A.Concentric circles directed clockwise
B.Parallel straight lines pointing toward the mass
C.Radial straight lines pointing inward toward the center of mass
D.Radial straight lines pointing outward away from the center of mass
Explanation: Gravitational forces are strictly attractive. Field lines represent the force direction on a test mass, so they point radially inward toward the mass's center of mass. Concentric circles describe magnetic fields around wires, and outward lines describe positive electric charges.

About the VCE Physics Exam

VCE Physics Units 3 & 4 practice questions aligned with VCAA Study Design requirements.

Exam sponsor: Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Official 2026 VCAA scored assessment: Unit 3 SAC 30%, Unit 4 SAC 20%, written examination 50%. This practice bank provides English-language multiple-choice study questions and is not an official-format simulation.

Time Limit

15 minutes reading time + 2 hours 30 minutes writing time (2026 VCAA written examination session).

Passing Score

Not pass/fail. Results contribute to a VCE study score out of 50 (scaled for ATAR).

Exam / Certification Fees

Included in standard Victorian secondary/VCE enrolment; fee-paying international students are invoiced VCAA administration fees through their school (see VCAA Fees and charges).

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

50%

Unit 3 - Area of Study 1 & 2

Core knowledge for Unit 3.

50%

Unit 4 - Area of Study 1 & 2

Advanced applications for Unit 4.

Preparing for the VCE Physics Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Not pass/fail. Results contribute to a VCE study score out of 50 (scaled for ATAR).
  • Assessment: Official 2026 VCAA scored assessment: Unit 3 SAC 30%, Unit 4 SAC 20%, written examination 50%. This practice bank provides English-language multiple-choice study questions and is not an official-format simulation.
  • Time limit: 15 minutes reading time + 2 hours 30 minutes writing time (2026 VCAA written examination session).
  • Exam / certification fees: Included in standard Victorian secondary/VCE enrolment; fee-paying international students are invoiced VCAA administration fees through their school (see VCAA Fees and charges). Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

VCE Physics: Suggested Study Strategy

1Always check unit conversions (e.g. converting km/h to m/s, km to m, electron-volts to Joules) before substituting into formulas.
2Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the VCAA Physics formula sheet so you can quickly locate constants such as g = 9.8 m/s^2, G, e, m_e, and h.
3Master right-hand rules for magnetic field direction around conductors, solenoids, and magnetic forces on moving charges/currents.
4Practice drawing clear force diagrams (free-body diagrams) for inclined planes, circular motion, and projectile trajectories.
5For modern physics questions, ensure you clearly distinguish between photon frequency/energy and beam intensity/brightness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the VCE Physics exam?

The official exam is a written paper with 15 minutes reading time and 2 hours 30 minutes writing time, including multiple-choice and short-answer/calculation sections. This practice bank is an MCQ study adaptation only.

Are calculators allowed in the VCE Physics exam?

Yes. An approved scientific calculator is permitted in VCE Physics. CAS/graphics calculators are not authorised for this examination according to the 2026 VCE Exams Navigator.

What is the weighting of the external exam?

The external written examination contributes 50% of the study score. Unit 3 school-assessed coursework contributes 30% and Unit 4 school-assessed coursework contributes 20% (VCAA 2026 assessment summary).