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Key Facts: PAU Physics (Andalusia) Exam

90 min

Time Limit

Distrito Único Andaluz

0–10

Grading Scale

Junta de Andalucía

4.0

Min. Access Phase Mark

PAU Regulations

EUR 58.70

Base Exam Fee

Junta de Andalucía 2026

100

Practice Questions

English Study Adaptation

The Andalusia PAU Physics (Física) exam is a 90-minute examination set by the Distrito Único Andaluz / Comisión Interuniversitaria de Andalucía with a registration fee of EUR 58.70 (Access Phase base fee). Grades are awarded on a 0–10 scale, with a minimum 4.0 required to average with high school GPA. This study portal provides an English-language MCQ study adaptation featuring 100 practice questions with real calculations covering all 5 official curriculum modules.

Sample PAU Physics (Andalusia) Practice Questions

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

1Two point masses of m1 = 500 kg and m2 = 800 kg are separated by a distance of r = 2.0 m in a vacuum. Using Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation with G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2, what is the magnitude of the gravitational force between them?
A.6.67 x 10^-6 N
B.1.33 x 10^-5 N
C.3.34 x 10^-6 N
D.2.67 x 10^-5 N
Explanation: Applying Newton's law of universal gravitation, F = G * m1 * m2 / r^2. Substituting the given values gives F = (6.67 x 10^-11) * (500) * (800) / (2.0)^2 = (6.67 x 10^-11) * 400,000 / 4 = 6.67 x 10^-6 N.
2If the acceleration due to gravity at Earth's surface is g0 = 9.80 m/s^2, what is the magnitude of the gravitational field strength g at an altitude h equal to Earth's radius R_E above the surface?
A.4.90 m/s^2
B.2.45 m/s^2
C.1.23 m/s^2
D.9.80 m/s^2
Explanation: Gravitational field intensity follows an inverse-square law with distance from Earth's center: g(r) = G * M_E / r^2. At altitude h = R_E, the radial distance from Earth's center is r = R_E + h = 2 R_E. Thus g = G * M_E / (2 R_E)^2 = g0 / 4 = 9.80 / 4 = 2.45 m/s^2.
3What is the escape velocity from Earth's surface, assuming Earth's mass M_E = 5.97 x 10^24 kg, radius R_E = 6.37 x 10^6 m, and G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2?
A.7.91 km/s
B.11.2 km/s
C.15.8 km/s
D.22.4 km/s
Explanation: Escape velocity is obtained by setting total mechanical energy to zero: 0.5 m v_esc^2 - G M_E m / R_E = 0, giving v_esc = sqrt(2 G M_E / R_E). Substituting values: v_esc = sqrt(2 * 6.67 x 10^-11 * 5.97 x 10^24 / 6.37 x 10^6) = sqrt(1.249 x 10^8) = 11,178 m/s = 11.2 km/s.
4A satellite orbits Earth in a circular orbit at an altitude h = 3,600 km above the surface. Given Earth's radius R_E = 6,400 km and mass M_E = 6.0 x 10^24 kg, what is the satellite's orbital speed?
A.6.33 km/s
B.7.91 km/s
C.5.21 km/s
D.9.68 km/s
Explanation: The orbital radius from Earth's center is r = R_E + h = 6,400 km + 3,600 km = 10,000 km = 1.0 x 10^7 m. Equating gravitational force to centripetal force yields v = sqrt(G M_E / r) = sqrt((6.67 x 10^-11 * 6.0 x 10^24) / 1.0 x 10^7) = sqrt(4.002 x 10^7) = 6,326 m/s = 6.33 km/s.
5What is the orbital period T of a satellite in a circular orbit of radius r = 1.0 x 10^7 m around Earth (M_E = 6.0 x 10^24 kg)?
A.1.41 hours
B.2.76 hours
C.5.52 hours
D.24.0 hours
Explanation: The period is T = 2 pi r / v. With v = sqrt(G M_E / r) = 6326 m/s, T = 2 * pi * 1.0 x 10^7 / 6326 = 9,933 seconds. Converting to hours: T = 9,933 / 3600 = 2.76 hours.
6If the gravitational potential at Earth's surface is V0 = -6.25 x 10^7 J/kg, what is the gravitational potential V at a distance r = 2 R_E from Earth's center?
A.-3.125 x 10^7 J/kg
B.-1.56 x 10^7 J/kg
C.-12.5 x 10^7 J/kg
D.0 J/kg
Explanation: Gravitational potential due to a point mass is V(r) = -G M_E / r. At r = 2 R_E, V = -G M_E / (2 R_E) = V0 / 2 = (-6.25 x 10^7 J/kg) / 2 = -3.125 x 10^7 J/kg.
7How much work is done by the gravitational field when a mass m = 100 kg is moved from r1 = R_E to r2 = 2 R_E above Earth? (Use g0 = 9.80 m/s^2, R_E = 6.37 x 10^6 m).
A.+3.12 x 10^9 J
B.-3.12 x 10^9 J
C.-6.24 x 10^9 J
D.+6.24 x 10^9 J
Explanation: Work done by conservative gravitational force is W_field = -delta U = -(U2 - U1) = G M_E m (1/r2 - 1/r1). Since G M_E = g0 R_E^2, W_field = g0 R_E^2 m (1/(2 R_E) - 1/R_E) = -0.5 m g0 R_E = -0.5 * 100 * 9.80 * 6.37 x 10^6 = -3.12 x 10^9 J. The negative sign indicates gravity opposes outward displacement.
8Calculate the altitude h above Earth's surface of a geostationary satellite with orbital period T = 24 hours (86,400 s). (Use M_E = 5.97 x 10^24 kg, R_E = 6,370 km, G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2).
A.35,830 km
B.42,200 km
C.20,200 km
D.6,370 km
Explanation: From Kepler's Third Law, r^3 = G M_E T^2 / (4 pi^2) = (6.67 x 10^-11 * 5.97 x 10^24 * 86400^2) / (4 pi^2) = 7.537 x 10^22 m^3, yielding r = 42,240 km. The altitude above Earth's surface is h = r - R_E = 42,240 km - 6,370 km = 35,870 km (approx. 35,830 km with exact values).
9According to Kepler's Third Law (T^2 / r^3 = constant), if a planet's mean orbital radius around a star is increased by a factor of 4, by what factor does its orbital period increase?
A.4
B.8
C.16
D.64
Explanation: Kepler's Third Law states T^2 proportional to r^3, so T proportional to r^(3/2). If r2 = 4 r1, then T2 / T1 = (4)^(3/2) = (sqrt(4))^3 = 2^3 = 8.
10What is the total mechanical energy E_tot of a satellite of mass m in a circular orbit of radius r around a planet of mass M?
A.-G M m / (2 r)
B.-G M m / r
C.+G M m / (2 r)
D.0
Explanation: The kinetic energy is K = 0.5 m v^2 = G M m / (2 r) and potential energy is U = -G M m / r. Total mechanical energy is E_tot = K + U = G M m / (2 r) - G M m / r = -G M m / (2 r). The negative energy indicates a bound orbital state.

About the PAU Physics (Andalusia) Exam

The Andalusia PAU Physics (Física) exam is the official standardized university entrance examination for 2nd Bachillerato students in Andalusia, Spain. Note: The questions provided in this practice bank are an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation designed to help students master core physical principles, calculations, and concepts for the Andalusia PAU 2026 Physics curriculum (Física 2º Bachillerato). The exam evaluates competence across gravitational fields, electrostatics, magnetostatics, electromagnetic induction, wave mechanics, geometrical and physical optics, special relativity, photoelectric effect, and nuclear physics.

Exam sponsor: Distrito Único Andaluz / Comisión Interuniversitaria de Andalucía. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Written examination consisting of open-ended problem solving and theoretical questions divided into optional blocks (adapted here into 100 multiple-choice practice questions).

Time Limit

90 minutes (1.5 hours)

Passing Score

Marked on a 0–10 scale. Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0 to pass).

Exam / Certification Fees

EUR 58.70 base registration fee for PAU Access Phase (or ~14.70 € per subject in voluntary admission phase) set by Junta de Andalucía.

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.

20%

Gravitational Field

Gravitational force, field intensity vector, gravitational potential energy, conservative fields, satellite speed, orbital period, escape velocity, and Kepler's third law.

18%

Electric Field

Coulomb's law, electric field intensity, electrostatic potential, electric potential energy, Gauss's law, work done by electric force, and charged particle motion in electric fields.

20%

Magnetic Field and Electromagnetic Induction

Magnetic force on moving charges (Lorentz force) and current conductors, Biot-Savart law, parallel currents, magnetic flux, Faraday-Lenz law of induction, and induced electromotive force.

24%

Wave Motion and Geometrical & Physical Optics

Harmonic wave parameters (amplitude, wavelength, frequency, wave number), wave energy, sound intensity levels in decibels, Snell's law of refraction, total internal reflection, thin lens equations, image formation, and eye defects.

18%

Special Relativity, Quantum & Nuclear Physics

Postulates of special relativity, time dilation, relativistic energy, photon energy, work function, photoelectric threshold, de Broglie wavelength, mass defect, binding energy per nucleon, and radioactive decay kinetics.

Preparing for the PAU Physics (Andalusia) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Marked on a 0–10 scale. Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0 to pass).
  • Assessment: Written examination consisting of open-ended problem solving and theoretical questions divided into optional blocks (adapted here into 100 multiple-choice practice questions).
  • Time limit: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: EUR 58.70 base registration fee for PAU Access Phase (or ~14.70 € per subject in voluntary admission phase) set by Junta de Andalucía. 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

PAU Physics (Andalusia): Suggested Study Strategy

1Master vector notation and signs for gravitational and electric fields, ensuring you correctly determine field direction and potential scalar values.
2Memorize key physical constants ($G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11} \text{ N m}^2/\text{kg}^2$, $c = 3 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}$, $e = 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \text{ C}$, $h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34} \text{ J s}$).
3Practice multi-step orbital calculations including escape velocity, satellite speed, energy conservation, and Kepler's third law ($T^2/r^3$).
4Understand the direction of induced current using Lenz's law ('nature opposes change in flux') and apply Faraday's law (\mathcal{E} = -d\Phi/dt).
5Become proficient in Snell's law ($n_1 \sin\theta_1 = n_2 \sin\theta_2$) and calculating critical angles for total internal reflection (\sin\theta_c = n_2/n_1).
6For optics, strictly follow sign conventions for focal length and distances when using the thin lens equation ($1/f = 1/s' - 1/s$ or $1/f = 1/d_o + 1/d_i$).
7Master photoelectric effect equations: $E_{photon} = hf = W_0 + E_{k,max}$, and understand stopping potential ($E_{k,max} = e V_s$).
8Calculate mass defect \Delta m = [Z m_p + (A-Z) m_n] - m_{nucleus} and binding energy $E_b = \Delta m \cdot c^2$ accurately, converting between atomic mass units (u) and MeV.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the Andalusia PAU Physics exam?

The official Andalusia PAU Physics exam is a 90-minute written examination consisting of problem-solving exercises and theoretical conceptual questions in Spanish. The question bank on this website is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation designed to build calculation fluency and conceptual mastery for the official curriculum.

Who sets the PAU Physics exam in Andalusia?

The exam is coordinated by the Comisión Interuniversitaria de Andalucía and administered through the Distrito Único Andaluz across public universities in Andalusia (e.g., UGR, UMA, US, UCO, UCA, UAL, UHU).

How is the PAU Physics score calculated?

The exam is graded on a scale from 0 to 10 points. In the Access Phase (Fase de Acceso), a minimum mark of 4.0 out of 10 is required. The overall admission mark combines 60% Bachillerato GPA and 40% PAU Access Phase mark (must be >= 5.0). In the Voluntary Phase (Fase de Admisión), students can gain up to 4 additional points depending on university degree weighting parameters (typically 0.2 per subject).

What calculators are allowed in the Andalusia PAU Physics exam?

Students may use scientific, non-programmable calculators that do not have graphic display capabilities, text storage, or networking functions, in accordance with the official rules published annually by the Andalusian examination commission.

Are these practice questions identical to the official exam?

These 100 questions are an English-language MCQ study adaptation based on the official 2026 2nd Bachillerato Physics curriculum in Andalusia. While the official exam features open-ended written problems in Spanish, these questions mirror the mathematical and physical concepts, constants, and problem types required for success.