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Key Facts: Galicia PAU Physics / Física 2º Bachillerato CIUG Exam

90 min

Exam duration (1.5 hours)

CIUG PAU Guidelines

0–10

Grading scale

CIUG Evaluation Criteria

4.0

Minimum Access Phase mark required

Spanish University Access Regulations

63.67 €

Ordinary registration fee

CIUG Official Fees

100

Practice questions in this OpenExamPrep bank

OpenExamPrep

Galicia PAU Physics (CIUG 2026) is a 90-minute examination assessing 2º Bachillerato physics competencies across 5 key domain areas under LOMLOE guidelines.

Sample Galicia PAU Physics / Física 2º Bachillerato CIUG Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Galicia PAU Physics / Física 2º Bachillerato CIUG exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Two point masses m1 and m2 are separated by a distance R, exerting a gravitational force F on each other. If m1 is doubled and the distance between them is doubled to 2R, what is the new gravitational force F' in terms of F?
A.0.25 F
B.0.5 F
C.1.0 F
D.2.0 F
Explanation: According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, F = G*m1*m2/R^2. Doubling m1 to 2*m1 and R to 2*R yields F' = G*(2*m1)*m2 / (2*R)^2 = (2/4) * G*m1*m2/R^2 = 0.5 F.
2The gravitational acceleration at Earth's surface is g0 = 9.80 m/s^2. What is the magnitude of the gravitational acceleration g at an altitude h equal to Earth's radius (h = R_E)?
A.4.90 m/s^2
B.2.45 m/s^2
C.3.27 m/s^2
D.1.23 m/s^2
Explanation: The gravitational field strength varies inversely with the square of the distance from Earth's center: g = G*M_E / r^2. At altitude h = R_E, the distance 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.
3A satellite of mass m = 500 kg orbits Earth in a circular orbit at an altitude h = R_E (where R_E = 6.37 x 10^6 m and Earth's mass M_E = 5.97 x 10^24 kg, G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2). What is the orbital speed of the satellite?
A.5.59 x 10^3 m/s
B.7.91 x 10^3 m/s
C.3.95 x 10^3 m/s
D.1.12 x 10^4 m/s
Explanation: Equating gravitational force to centripetal force yields G*M_E*m / r^2 = m*v^2 / r, so v = sqrt(G*M_E / r). At altitude h = R_E, r = 2*R_E = 1.274 x 10^7 m. Substituting values gives v = sqrt(6.67 x 10^-11 * 5.97 x 10^24 / 1.274 x 10^7) = sqrt(3.125 x 10^7) = 5.59 x 10^3 m/s.
4A planet orbits a star with an orbital period T1 = 8 years at a mean orbital radius r1. A second planet orbits the same star at a mean orbital radius r2 = 4 * r1. According to Kepler's Third Law, what is the orbital period T2 of the second planet?
A.16 years
B.32 years
C.64 years
D.128 years
Explanation: Kepler's Third Law states T^2 / r^3 = constant, so (T2/T1)^2 = (r2/r1)^3 = 4^3 = 64. Taking the square root gives T2/T1 = sqrt(64) = 8. Therefore T2 = 8 * T1 = 8 * 8 = 64 years.
5A space probe of mass m = 200 kg is moved from Earth's surface (r1 = R_E = 6.37 x 10^6 m) to an altitude h = 2*R_E (r2 = 3*R_E). Taking M_E = 5.97 x 10^24 kg and G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2, what is the change in gravitational potential energy delta U of the probe?
A.8.33 x 10^9 J
B.1.25 x 10^10 J
C.4.17 x 10^9 J
D.1.87 x 10^10 J
Explanation: The change in potential energy is delta U = U2 - U1 = -G*M_E*m/r2 - (-G*M_E*m/r1) = G*M_E*m * (1/R_E - 1/(3*R_E)) = G*M_E*m * (2 / (3*R_E)). Substituting values: delta U = (6.67 x 10^-11 * 5.97 x 10^24 * 200 * 2) / (3 * 6.37 x 10^6) = 8.33 x 10^9 J.
6The mass of Mars is 6.42 x 10^23 kg and its radius is 3.39 x 10^6 m. Using G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2, what is the escape velocity v_esc from the surface of Mars?
A.3.55 x 10^3 m/s
B.5.03 x 10^3 m/s
C.7.11 x 10^3 m/s
D.1.12 x 10^4 m/s
Explanation: Escape velocity is derived from energy conservation (1/2*m*v^2 - G*M*m/R = 0), yielding v_esc = sqrt(2*G*M / R). Substituting Mars parameters: v_esc = sqrt(2 * 6.67 x 10^-11 * 6.42 x 10^23 / 3.39 x 10^6) = sqrt(2.527 x 10^7) = 5.03 x 10^3 m/s.
7A 100 kg satellite moves along an equipotential surface of Earth's gravitational field from point A to point B separated by a arc distance of 5000 km. What is the work done W by the gravitational field during this displacement?
A.0 J
B.4.9 x 10^8 J
C.-4.9 x 10^8 J
D.9.8 x 10^8 J
Explanation: The work done by a conservative field is W = -m * delta V. Since points A and B lie on the same equipotential surface, V_A = V_B and delta V = 0, meaning the gravitational work done is 0 J.
8What is the ratio of the escape velocity v_esc from a given circular orbit to the circular orbital speed v_orb at that same orbital radius r?
A.0.50
B.0.71
C.1.41
D.2.00
Explanation: Orbital speed is v_orb = sqrt(G*M/r) and escape velocity is v_esc = sqrt(2*G*M/r). Taking the ratio v_esc / v_orb = sqrt(2*G*M/r) / sqrt(G*M/r) = sqrt(2) ≈ 1.41.
9A communications satellite of mass m = 1200 kg is in a stable circular orbit of radius r = 4.22 x 10^7 m around Earth (M_E = 5.97 x 10^24 kg, G = 6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2). What is the total mechanical energy E of the satellite?
A.-5.67 x 10^9 J
B.-1.13 x 10^10 J
C.5.67 x 10^9 J
D.-2.26 x 10^10 J
Explanation: For a circular orbit, kinetic energy is E_k = G*M*m / (2r) and potential energy is U = -G*M*m / r. Total mechanical energy is E = E_k + U = -G*M*m / (2r). Substituting: E = -(6.67 x 10^-11 * 5.97 x 10^24 * 1200) / (2 * 4.22 x 10^7) = -5.67 x 10^9 J.
10The distance between Earth (M_E = 5.97 x 10^24 kg) and the Moon (M_M = 7.35 x 10^22 kg) is d = 3.84 x 10^8 m. At what distance x from the center of Earth along the line connecting their centers is the net gravitational field intensity zero?
A.3.46 x 10^8 m
B.3.84 x 10^7 m
C.1.92 x 10^8 m
D.3.80 x 10^8 m
Explanation: Setting g_Earth = g_Moon gives G*M_E / x^2 = G*M_M / (d - x)^2. Taking the square root: sqrt(M_E) / x = sqrt(M_M) / (d - x). Solving for x: x = d / (1 + sqrt(M_M / M_E)) = 3.84 x 10^8 / (1 + sqrt(7.35 x 10^22 / 5.97 x 10^24)) = 3.84 x 10^8 / (1 + 0.111) = 3.46 x 10^8 m.

About the Galicia PAU Physics / Física 2º Bachillerato CIUG Exam

The Galicia PAU Physics examination (Física CIUG) evaluates university applicants on the 2º Bachillerato LOMLOE Physics syllabus. Main areas assessed include universal gravitation and orbital mechanics, electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, wave motion and acoustics, geometric and physical optics, special relativity, quantum phenomena, and nuclear physics.

Exam sponsor: Comisión Interuniversitaria de Galicia (CIUG). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The PAU Physics examination administered by the Comisión Interuniversitaria de Galicia (CIUG) consists of written physics calculations and theoretical questions lasting 90 minutes. Students complete mandatory and elective tasks covering the 2º Bachillerato Physics curriculum under LOMLOE. Practice items in this bank adapt CIUG open and numerical problem tasks into a standardized 100-question multiple-choice review.

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 63.67 ordinary registration fee for PAU (50% discount EUR 31.84 for general large family status; full exemption for special large family, disability, or terrorism victims).

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 & Orbital Dynamics

Newton's law of universal gravitation, gravitational field intensity g, conservative fields, potential energy, orbital velocity, Kepler's laws, energy of satellite orbits, and escape velocity.

25%

Electromagnetic Field

Coulomb's law, electric field and potential, Gauss's law applications, magnetic fields (Biot-Savart & Ampère's law), Lorentz force on charged particles and conductors, and Faraday-Lenz law of electromagnetic induction.

20%

Vibrations & Wave Motion

Simple harmonic motion (SHM kinematics and dynamics), mechanical wave propagation equation, energy and intensity of waves, wave phenomena (reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, standing waves), and acoustic sound level in decibels.

15%

Geometric & Wave Optics

Nature of light, Snell's law of refraction, total internal reflection, critical angle, thin lenses equation, spherical mirrors, optical instruments, wave optics, double-slit interference, and polarization.

20%

Modern Physics

Special relativity postulates (time dilation, length contraction, relativistic energy), quantum physics (photoelectric effect, photon energy, work function, de Broglie wave-particle duality), and nuclear physics (binding energy, mass defect, radioactive decay law, half-life).

Preparing for the Galicia PAU Physics / Física 2º Bachillerato CIUG 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: The PAU Physics examination administered by the Comisión Interuniversitaria de Galicia (CIUG) consists of written physics calculations and theoretical questions lasting 90 minutes. Students complete mandatory and elective tasks covering the 2º Bachillerato Physics curriculum under LOMLOE. Practice items in this bank adapt CIUG open and numerical problem tasks into a standardized 100-question multiple-choice review.
  • Time limit: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: EUR 63.67 ordinary registration fee for PAU (50% discount EUR 31.84 for general large family status; full exemption for special large family, disability, or terrorism victims). 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

Galicia PAU Physics / Física 2º Bachillerato CIUG: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master orbital energy conservation equations and escape velocity derivations using conservative gravitational field properties.
2Practice calculating electric and magnetic fields using vector addition, Ampère's law, and applying Faraday's law of induction (dΦ/dt).
3Be proficient in writing wave equations y(x,t) = A sin(ωt - kx + φ0) and calculating sound intensity levels in decibels.
4Solve ray-tracing and numerical lens/mirror problems accurately, paying close attention to Cartesian sign conventions.
5Understand energy-frequency relationships in photoelectric effect calculations (E = hf = W0 + Ek) and binding energy mass defect calculations (ΔE = Δm c²).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Galicia PAU Physics exam?

It is the official university entrance exam for Physics (Física) in Galicia, organized by the Comisión Interuniversitaria de Galicia (CIUG) for 2º Bachillerato Science track students.

What is the format and duration of the official CIUG Physics exam?

The official exam lasts 90 minutes and consists of written physics calculations, vector problem-solving, multi-part numerical exercises, and theoretical physics explanations.

How is the final PAU grade calculated for university admission?

The PAU exam is graded from 0 to 10 points. Students must achieve at least 4.0 in the Access Phase so that 40% of the PAU score combines with 60% of the Bachillerato GPA to reach a minimum passing total of 5.0.

In which languages can the CIUG exam be taken?

Students in Galicia can request the official exam paper in Galician (gl) or Spanish (es).