PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

Free Practice Questions for Valencian Community PAU Physics

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card
Exam pass rate: High (~92-96% PAU overall pass rate in Valencian Community)
100+ Questions
100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More Spain Valencian Community PAU (Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad)

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

Valencian Community PAU Applied Mathematics for Social Sciences II

Practice Questions

Valencian Community PAU Artistic Drawing II

Practice Questions

Valencian Community PAU Artistic Foundations

Practice Questions

Valencian Community PAU Biology

Practice Questions

Valencian Community PAU Business and Business Model Design

Practice Questions

Valencian Community PAU Chemistry

Practice Questions
Exam Review

Key Facts: Valencian Community PAU Physics Exam

Exam Name: PAU Physics / Física (Valencian Community 2026)

Exam Administrator: Valencian Community PAU Managing Commission / Generalitat Valenciana & Public Universities (UPV, UV, UA, UJI, UMH)

Duration: 90 minutes

Official Languages: Spanish (es), Valencian (ca)

Scoring System: 0 to 10 scale (Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase)

The Valencian Community PAU Physics exam is organized by the Generalitat Valenciana Managing Commission in collaboration with UPV, UV, UA, UJI, and UMH. The 90-minute exam is scored from 0 to 10. Local questions on this platform provide 100 multiple-choice practice items covering the complete 2nd Bachillerato Physics curriculum with worked calculations.

Sample Valencian Community PAU Physics Practice Questions

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

1According to Newton's law of universal gravitation, how does the gravitational force between two point masses change if the distance between their centers is doubled?
A.The force increases by a factor of 4.
B.The force decreases to one-half of its original value.
C.The force decreases to one-fourth of its original value.
D.The force remains unchanged because mass is constant.
Explanation: Newton's law of universal gravitation states that gravitational force is inversely proportional to the square of the distance (F = G*m1*m2/r^2). Doubling the distance r multiplies the denominator by 2^2 = 4, reducing the force to 1/4 of its initial magnitude.
2Calculate the gravitational field strength (g) at Earth's surface, assuming Earth is a homogeneous sphere of mass M = 5.97 x 10^24 kg and radius R = 6.37 x 10^6 m. (Use G = 6.674 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2).
A.9.81 m/s^2
B.8.54 m/s^2
C.11.20 m/s^2
D.6.67 m/s^2
Explanation: Gravitational field strength is calculated using g = G * M / R^2. Substituting the given values: g = (6.674 x 10^-11 * 5.97 x 10^24) / (6.37 x 10^6)^2 = 3.984 x 10^14 / 4.058 x 10^13 = 9.81 m/s^2.
3What is the gravitational potential V at a distance r from a point mass M, taking zero potential at infinity?
A.V = G * M / r
B.V = -G * M / r
C.V = -G * M / r^2
D.V = G * M^2 / r
Explanation: Gravitational potential is defined as the work done per unit mass by an external force bringing a mass from infinity to distance r. Since gravity is an attractive force, potential is negative relative to infinity: V = -G * M / r.
4A space probe orbits Earth at an altitude h equal to Earth's radius (h = R_E). What is the gravitational acceleration experienced by the probe at this altitude in terms of surface acceleration g_0 = 9.81 m/s^2?
A.4.91 m/s^2 (g_0 / 2)
B.2.45 m/s^2 (g_0 / 4)
C.1.23 m/s^2 (g_0 / 8)
D.9.81 m/s^2 (g_0)
Explanation: The radial distance from Earth's center is r = R_E + h = R_E + R_E = 2 R_E. The gravitational acceleration is g' = G * M / (2 R_E)^2 = (G * M / R_E^2) / 4 = g_0 / 4 = 9.81 / 4 = 2.45 m/s^2.
5Which expression gives the orbital speed v of a satellite in a stable circular orbit of radius r around a planet of mass M?
A.v = sqrt(G * M / r)
B.v = G * M / r^2
C.v = sqrt(2 * G * M / r)
D.v = G * M / r
Explanation: Equating centripetal force to gravitational force: m * v^2 / r = G * M * m / r^2. Solving for v gives orbital speed v = sqrt(G * M / r).
6Satellite A orbits a central star at radius r_A. Satellite B orbits the same star at radius r_B = 4 r_A. According to Kepler's Third Law, what is the ratio of their orbital periods T_B / T_A?
A.2
B.4
C.8
D.16
Explanation: Kepler's Third Law states T^2 is proportional to r^3. Therefore, (T_B / T_A)^2 = (r_B / r_A)^3 = (4)^3 = 64. Taking the square root gives T_B / T_A = sqrt(64) = 8.
7Calculate the orbital speed of a satellite orbiting Earth at an altitude h = R_E (r = 2 R_E = 1.274 x 10^7 m). Given Earth mass M = 5.97 x 10^24 kg and G = 6.674 x 10^-11 N m^2/kg^2.
A.5.59 km/s
B.7.91 km/s
C.11.2 km/s
D.3.96 km/s
Explanation: Orbital speed v = sqrt(G * M / r) = sqrt((6.674 x 10^-11 * 5.97 x 10^24) / 1.274 x 10^7) = sqrt(3.127 x 10^7) = 5.592 x 10^3 m/s = 5.59 km/s.
8How much work W is done by Earth's gravitational field on a satellite of mass m = 500 kg as it moves from an initial distance r_i = 2 R_E to a final distance r_f = R_E? (Express answer using g_0 = 9.81 m/s^2 and R_E = 6.37 x 10^6 m).
A.+1.56 x 10^10 J
B.-1.56 x 10^10 J
C.+3.12 x 10^10 J
D.-3.12 x 10^10 J
Explanation: Work done by conservative gravity is W = -Delta U = -(U_f - U_i) = G*M*m*(1/R_E - 1/(2 R_E)) = G*M*m / (2 R_E). Since G*M = g_0 * R_E^2, W = m * g_0 * R_E / 2 = 500 * 9.81 * 6.37 x 10^6 / 2 = +1.56 x 10^10 J. Gravity does positive work as the satellite moves closer.
9For a satellite of mass m in a circular orbit of radius r around mass M, what is the relationship between its kinetic energy K, potential energy U, and total mechanical energy E?
A.K = -U / 2 and E = U / 2
B.K = U / 2 and E = -U / 2
C.K = -U and E = 0
D.K = -2 U and E = -U
Explanation: Kinetic energy K = G*M*m / (2r). Potential energy U = -G*M*m / r. Thus K = -U / 2. Total energy E = K + U = G*M*m / (2r) - G*M*m / r = -G*M*m / (2r) = U / 2.
10What is the ratio of the escape velocity v_esc from the surface of a spherical planet to the circular orbital velocity v_orb near its surface?
A.sqrt(2) approx 1.414
B.2
C.1/sqrt(2) approx 0.707
D.sqrt(3) approx 1.732
Explanation: Escape velocity is v_esc = sqrt(2 * G * M / R) and circular orbital velocity is v_orb = sqrt(G * M / R). Dividing them gives v_esc / v_orb = sqrt(2) approx 1.414.

About the Valencian Community PAU Physics Exam

The Valencian Community PAU Physics exam (Física) assesses 2nd Bachillerato students on fundamental concepts and problem-solving skills across classical mechanics (gravitation), electromagnetism, wave phenomena, geometrical optics, and 20th-century quantum and nuclear physics. Local questions are an English-language MCQ study adaptation for 2nd Bachillerato curriculum.

Exam sponsor: Valencian Community PAU Managing Commission / Generalitat Valenciana (Universitats GVA) & Public Universities (UPV, UV, UA, UJI, UMH). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

90-minute written examination (theoretical questions, problem solving, and worked physics calculations; local questions are an English-language MCQ study adaptation)

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 78.37 base registration fee for compulsory Access Phase in Valencian Community (or ~15.00 € per optional subject in voluntary phase).

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: High (~92-96% PAU overall pass rate in Valencian Community). This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. 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.

25%

Gravitational Field

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

25%

Electromagnetic Field

Coulomb's law, electrostatic fields and potential energy, magnetic fields created by moving charges and currents, Lorentz force on charges and currents, Ampère's law, and Faraday-Lenz law of electromagnetic induction.

25%

Waves & Geometrical Optics

Harmonic wave equations, energy transport, sound intensity levels, standing waves, reflection and refraction, Snell's law, total internal reflection, and thin lens optics.

25%

Modern Physics, Quantum & Nuclear

Relativistic mass-energy equivalence, photon hypothesis, photoelectric effect, de Broglie wave-particle duality, nuclear binding energy, mass defect, and radioactive decay kinetics.

Preparing for the Valencian Community PAU Physics 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: 90-minute written examination (theoretical questions, problem solving, and worked physics calculations; local questions are an English-language MCQ study adaptation)
  • Time limit: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: EUR 78.37 base registration fee for compulsory Access Phase in Valencian Community (or ~15.00 € per optional subject in voluntary phase). 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

Valencian Community PAU Physics: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorize and practice manipulating core formulas such as Kepler's 3rd law, Lorentz force, Snell's law, Einstein's photoelectric equation, and the radioactive decay law.
2Pay careful attention to SI units: convert distances from kilometers to meters, mass from grams to kilograms, and electronvolts to Joules.
3Understand sign conventions in geometrical optics for focal length, object distance, and image distance under the Cartesian sign convention.
4Draw clear free-body diagrams and field vectors before solving electrostatic and magnetic field superposition problems.
5Study wrong option explanations to recognize common algebra mistakes, forgotten minus signs, or inverted ratio traps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of the PAU Physics exam in the Valencian Community?

The official exam is a 90-minute written paper evaluating conceptual understanding and quantitative problem solving in physics across four equal curriculum blocks (Gravitation, Electromagnetism, Waves/Optics, and Modern Physics). The 100 questions here adapt the syllabus into multiple-choice format for practice.

What mathematical tools are required for PAU Physics?

Students must be comfortable with vector algebra, basic calculus derivatives, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry, and scientific notation calculations.

What languages are available for the official PAU exam in the Valencian Community?

Official examination papers are provided in both Spanish (Castellano) and Valencian (Català/Valencià). The practice questions on this site are presented in English to support bilingual and international study adaptation.

What registration fees apply for PAU in the Valencian Community?

The base registration fee for the compulsory Access Phase is EUR 78.37, with approximately 15.00 € per subject in the voluntary phase (concessions available for large families and students with disabilities).

How are calculations handled in the multiple-choice question bank?

Each calculation question features exact steps, numerical formulas, unit analysis, and explanations for why common mathematical errors lead to incorrect distractor options.