Free Practice Questions for LC Physics

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Key Facts: LC Physics Exam

3 hours, 400 marks

The established Leaving Certificate Physics written paper duration and total marks

State Examinations Commission past papers

Section A + B

Section A tests mandatory experiments; Section B tests long theory and calculation questions

State Examinations Commission past papers

Higher and Ordinary

Physics is offered at two levels, Higher (H1-H8) and Ordinary (O1-O8)

State Examinations Commission grading scale

EUR 116

2026 Leaving Certificate exam fee for a school-based candidate (covers all subjects)

Citizens Information - Examination fees

Final exam 2026

The established Physics syllabus is examined for the last time in June 2026

Curriculum Online - Leaving Certificate Physics

First examined 2027

The redeveloped Physics specification (fifth years from September 2025) is first examined in 2027

Curriculum Online / NCCA Physics

Written not MCQ

The official SEC paper uses structured written answers; this bank is an MCQ study adaptation

State Examinations Commission paper format

100

Free original multiple-choice practice questions in this bank

OpenExamPrep

Leaving Certificate Physics is an Irish senior-cycle science subject set by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and sat at Higher (H1-H8) or Ordinary (O1-O8) Level. For 2026 it remains a single 3-hour written paper (400 marks) under the established syllabus: Section A mandatory experiments and Section B long theory and calculation questions covering mechanics, light, waves, heat, electricity and modern physics. The redeveloped specification with an Additional Assessment Component is first examined in 2027. This free bank provides 100 original English MCQ study items — an adaptation of the real structured-written format — with substantial calculation practice.

Sample LC Physics Practice Questions

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

1A car travels 120 m due east and then 50 m due west. What is the magnitude of its displacement from the start?

A.170 m

B.50 m

C.120 m

D.70 m

Explanation: Displacement is the net change in position. Taking east as positive: 120 m − 50 m = 70 m east. Distance travelled would be 170 m, but displacement magnitude is 70 m.

2Which quantity is a scalar?

A.Velocity

B.Acceleration

C.Force

D.Speed

Explanation: Speed has magnitude only and no direction, so it is a scalar. Velocity, acceleration and force all have direction and are vectors.

3A body starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 2.0 m s⁻² for 5.0 s. How far does it travel in that time?

A.10 m

B.20 m

C.25 m

D.50 m

Explanation: Using s = ut + ½at² with u = 0: s = ½(2.0)(5.0)² = ½ × 2 × 25 = 25 m.

4A car travelling at 20 m s⁻¹ brakes uniformly to rest in 4.0 s. What is the magnitude of its acceleration?

A.4.0 m s⁻²

B.80 m s⁻²

C.0.20 m s⁻²

D.5.0 m s⁻²

Explanation: a = (v − u)/t = (0 − 20)/4.0 = −5.0 m s⁻². The magnitude of the acceleration (deceleration) is 5.0 m s⁻².

5The gradient of a velocity–time graph gives:

A.Displacement

B.Speed

C.Acceleration

D.Distance

Explanation: Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, so the gradient (slope) of a v–t graph is acceleration. The area under a v–t graph gives displacement.

6A 2.0 kg mass is accelerated at 3.0 m s⁻² by a constant net force. What is the magnitude of that net force?

A.0.67 N

B.1.5 N

C.5.0 N

D.6.0 N

Explanation: Newton's second law: F = ma = (2.0)(3.0) = 6.0 N.

7Newton's third law states that:

A.A body continues in uniform motion unless acted on by a net force

B.Force equals mass times acceleration

C.If body A exerts a force on body B, body B exerts an equal and opposite force on body A

D.The total momentum of an isolated system is always zero

Explanation: Newton's third law: action and reaction are equal in magnitude, opposite in direction, and act on different bodies. The first law is inertia; the second is F = ma.

8A 0.20 kg ball is thrown vertically upward with speed 15 m s⁻¹. Taking g = 10 m s⁻² and neglecting air resistance, what is its maximum height?

A.7.5 m

B.15 m

C.22.5 m

D.11.3 m

Explanation: At maximum height v = 0. Using v² = u² + 2as: 0 = 15² + 2(−10)s ⇒ 0 = 225 − 20s ⇒ s = 225/20 = 11.25 m ≈ 11.3 m.

9A force of 12 N does 48 J of work on an object. How far does the object move in the direction of the force?

A.0.25 m

B.36 m

C.576 m

D.4.0 m

Explanation: Work W = Fs cosθ. When force and displacement are in the same direction, W = Fs, so s = W/F = 48/12 = 4.0 m.

10A 50 kg student climbs a vertical ladder of height 4.0 m in 8.0 s. Taking g = 10 m s⁻², what is the average power developed against gravity?

A.25 W

B.100 W

C.250 W

D.1600 W

Explanation: Work against gravity W = mgh = 50 × 10 × 4.0 = 2000 J. Average power P = W/t = 2000/8.0 = 250 W.

About the LC Physics Exam

Leaving Certificate Physics is a senior-cycle science subject in the Irish second-level system, examined by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) at Higher Level or Ordinary Level. Under the established syllabus examined to June 2026 it is assessed by a single 3-hour written paper worth 400 marks: Section A tests mandatory student experiments and Section B tests structured theory and calculation across mechanics, light, waves and sound, heat, electricity and modern physics, with science-technology-society (STS) applications woven through. Candidates complete a set of mandatory practical experiments during the course. A redeveloped Physics specification was introduced for fifth-year students from September 2025 and is first examined in 2027 with an Additional Assessment Component alongside a written paper; the June 2026 cohort remains on the established written paper. This free bank gives 100 original English single-best-answer multiple-choice questions as a study adaptation — not the official SEC item format — with real calculation practice on the core established syllabus topics.

Exam sponsor: State Examinations Commission (SEC), Ireland. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

One terminal written paper at Higher or Ordinary Level under the established syllabus examined to June 2026. Typical Higher Level structure: Section A — answer 3 of 5 mandatory-experiment questions (about 120 marks); Section B — answer 5 of about 8 long questions covering mechanics, light, waves, heat, electricity and modern physics (about 280 marks); total 400 marks. A redeveloped specification introduced for fifth years from September 2025 is first examined in 2027 with a written paper plus an Additional Assessment Component.

Time Limit

The written Physics examination lasts 3 hours and is marked out of 400 marks at both Higher and Ordinary Level under the established paper format.

Passing Score

No single pass mark. Results use the eight-point scale: Higher Level H1-H8 and Ordinary Level O1-O8, each a percentage band (H1/O1 90-100%, H2/O2 80 to under 90%, down to H8/O8 below 30%).

Exam / Certification Fees

In 2026 the Leaving Certificate examination fee is EUR 116 for a school-based candidate (EUR 301 for a school-going repeat candidate); full medical card holders are exempt. The fee covers all subjects entered, not Physics alone.

Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

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.

28%

Mechanics

Practice covers linear motion graphs and equations, vector resolution, Newton's laws, friction, momentum and impulse, work energy and power, circular motion, universal gravitation, pressure in fluids, and simple harmonic motion ideas where required at LC level.

20%

Light and waves

Practice covers reflection and refraction (including Snell's law and critical angle), lenses and mirrors, wave properties, sound, interference and diffraction (including the diffraction grating), and the Doppler effect.

12%

Heat

Practice covers Celsius and kelvin, heat capacity and specific heat capacity calculations, latent heat of fusion and vaporisation, methods of heat transfer, and links to mandatory heat experiments.

22%

Electricity

Practice covers charge and Coulomb's law ideas, current and potential difference, resistance and Ohm's law, series and parallel combinations, electrical energy and power, magnetic effects of current, electromagnetic induction and basic semiconductor concepts.

18%

Modern physics, experiments and STS

Practice covers the photoelectric effect, X-rays, radioactivity and half-life, nuclear fission and fusion ideas, particle concepts at LC level, mandatory experiment method and sources of error, and science-technology-society applications such as safety and energy systems.

Preparing for the LC Physics Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No single pass mark. Results use the eight-point scale: Higher Level H1-H8 and Ordinary Level O1-O8, each a percentage band (H1/O1 90-100%, H2/O2 80 to under 90%, down to H8/O8 below 30%).
Assessment: One terminal written paper at Higher or Ordinary Level under the established syllabus examined to June 2026. Typical Higher Level structure: Section A — answer 3 of 5 mandatory-experiment questions (about 120 marks); Section B — answer 5 of about 8 long questions covering mechanics, light, waves, heat, electricity and modern physics (about 280 marks); total 400 marks. A redeveloped specification introduced for fifth years from September 2025 is first examined in 2027 with a written paper plus an Additional Assessment Component.
Time limit: The written Physics examination lasts 3 hours and is marked out of 400 marks at both Higher and Ordinary Level under the established paper format.
Exam / certification fees: In 2026 the Leaving Certificate examination fee is EUR 116 for a school-based candidate (EUR 301 for a school-going repeat candidate); full medical card holders are exempt. The fee covers all subjects entered, not Physics alone. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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LC Physics: Suggested Study Strategy

1Learn the mandatory experiments thoroughly: apparatus, method, graph shape, slope or intercept meaning, and realistic sources of error — Section A rewards this directly.

2Drill calculation routines until automatic: SUVAT motion, force and momentum, work-energy-power, Q = mcΔθ and Q = ml, Ohm's law, series/parallel resistance, and V = IR power formulae.

3Write definitions exactly as examiners expect (for example vector, work, potential difference, refractive index) because short parts of long questions award marks for precise wording.

4Practise past SEC papers against official marking schemes so you present numerical answers with correct units and significant figures.

5For optics and waves, sketch rays and wavefronts; many marks come from clear labelled diagrams as much as algebra.

6Link modern physics ideas (photoelectric effect, half-life, nuclear energy) to formulae and to STS safety and energy applications so you can handle both calculation and explanation parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Leaving Certificate Physics exam multiple choice?

No. The official SEC paper is a single 3-hour written examination with Section A (mandatory experiment questions) and Section B (long structured theory and calculation questions). These multiple-choice items are an original English study adaptation for concept and calculation practice, not the real exam format.

How long is the Leaving Cert Physics exam and how many marks?

Under the established syllabus the written paper is 3 hours long and worth 400 marks at Higher and Ordinary Level. Candidates typically answer three Section A experiment questions and five Section B long questions.

What topics are covered in Leaving Cert Physics?

Core established-syllabus areas include mechanics, light and optics, waves and sound, heat, electricity and electromagnetism, and modern physics (photoelectric effect, X-rays, radioactivity and nuclear ideas), supported by mandatory practical experiments and STS applications.

Is the Physics syllabus changing?

Yes. The established syllabus is examined for the last time in June 2026. A redeveloped specification introduced for fifth-year students from September 2025 is first examined in 2027 and includes an Additional Assessment Component. This bank focuses on established-syllabus topics used by the 2026 cohort.

How is Leaving Cert Physics graded?

There is no single pass mark. Results use the eight-point scale (Higher Level H1-H8, Ordinary Level O1-O8), where each grade is a percentage band, for example H1/O1 is 90-100% and H4/O4 is 60 to under 70%.

Are these official SEC practice questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep English single-best-answer questions modelled on Leaving Certificate Physics topics. The State Examinations Commission publishes official past papers and marking schemes separately on examinations.ie.

Free Practice Questions for LC Physics

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