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Exam pass rate: Approximately 55% to 65% of sitting candidates achieve an Ordinary Pass (Grade S) or higher in Physics annually.
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Exam Review

Key Facts: GCE A/L Physics Exam

50 MCQs

Official Paper 1 Item Count

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

5 Hours

Total Examination Duration (Papers 1 & 2)

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Subject 01

Official National Subject Code

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Grade S

Minimum Passing Standard

Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka

3 Media

Sinhala, Tamil, and English Administration

Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka GCE A/L Physics (Subject Code 01) consists of Paper 1 (50 MCQs, 2 hours) and Paper 2 (structured and long essay, 3 hours). It is the cornerstone science examination determining state university admission for engineering and medical faculties.

Sample GCE A/L Physics Practice Questions

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

1A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly along a straight horizontal track at 2.5 m s⁻² for 8.0 s. What is the total distance covered by the car during this time?
A.80 m
B.100 m
C.160 m
D.320 m
Explanation: Using the kinematic equation s = ut + ½at² with initial velocity u = 0, we have s = ½(2.5 m s⁻²)(8.0 s)² = ½(2.5)(64) = 80 m. The final velocity reached is v = at = 20 m s⁻¹, confirming an average velocity of 10 m s⁻¹ over 8.0 s.
2A net horizontal force of 45 N acts on a 6.0 kg crate resting on a frictionless horizontal floor. What is the resulting acceleration of the crate?
A.3.75 m s⁻²
B.5.0 m s⁻²
C.6.5 m s⁻²
D.7.5 m s⁻²
Explanation: According to Newton's second law, F = ma. Solving for acceleration yields a = F / m = 45 N / 6.0 kg = 7.5 m s⁻² in the direction of the applied force.
3A load of mass 4.0 kg is lifted vertically through a height of 15 m near Earth's surface. Taking the gravitational acceleration g = 10 m s⁻², what is the increase in gravitational potential energy of the load?
A.60 J
B.150 J
C.300 J
D.600 J
Explanation: Gravitational potential energy gained is given by ΔU = mgh. Substituting the values gives ΔU = (4.0 kg)(10 m s⁻²)(15 m) = 600 J.
4What is the hydrostatic gauge pressure at a depth of 25 m in a fresh water reservoir where the water density is 1000 kg m⁻³? (Take g = 10 m s⁻²).
A.2.5 × 10⁵ Pa
B.5.0 × 10⁵ Pa
C.7.5 × 10⁵ Pa
D.2.5 × 10⁶ Pa
Explanation: Hydrostatic gauge pressure is given by P = hρg. Here P = (25 m)(1000 kg m⁻³)(10 m s⁻²) = 250,000 Pa = 2.5 × 10⁵ Pa (approximately 2.5 atmospheres).
5A particle moves in a horizontal circle of radius 0.50 m at a constant speed of 4.0 m s⁻¹. What is the magnitude of its centripetal acceleration?
A.4.0 m s⁻²
B.8.0 m s⁻²
C.16 m s⁻²
D.32 m s⁻²
Explanation: Centripetal acceleration is directed toward the center of the circular path and is given by a = v² / r. Substituting v = 4.0 m s⁻¹ and r = 0.50 m gives a = (4.0)² / 0.50 = 16 / 0.50 = 32 m s⁻².
6A constant force of 50 N pulls a wooden crate along a level floor through a displacement of 12 m. If the force is applied at an angle of 60° above the horizontal, how much work is done by the force?
A.300 J
B.520 J
C.600 J
D.1200 J
Explanation: Work done is given by W = F d cos θ. With F = 50 N, d = 12 m, and cos(60°) = 0.50, W = (50 N)(12 m)(0.50) = 300 J. Only the component of force parallel to the displacement does work.
7An ideal helical spring has a spring constant of k = 250 N m⁻¹. What is the elastic potential energy stored in the spring when it is extended by 0.080 m from its unstretched length?
A.0.80 J
B.1.0 J
C.1.6 J
D.10 J
Explanation: The elastic strain energy stored in a Hookean spring is U = ½kx². Substituting k = 250 N m⁻¹ and x = 0.080 m gives U = ½(250)(0.080)² = ½(250)(0.0064) = 0.80 J.
8A tennis ball of mass 0.20 kg moving horizontally at 15 m s⁻¹ strikes a rigid vertical wall normally and rebounds horizontally at 10 m s⁻¹. What is the magnitude of the impulse exerted on the ball by the wall?
A.1.0 N s
B.2.5 N s
C.3.0 N s
D.5.0 N s
Explanation: Impulse equals the change in linear momentum: J = m(v - u). Taking the rebound direction as positive, u = -15 m s⁻¹ and v = +10 m s⁻¹. Thus J = (0.20 kg)[10 - (-15)] m s⁻¹ = (0.20)(25) = 5.0 N s.
9A projectile is launched from flat ground with an initial speed of 20 m s⁻¹ at an elevation angle of 30° above the horizontal. Taking g = 10 m s⁻² and neglecting air resistance, what is the maximum height achieved by the projectile?
A.5.0 m
B.10 m
C.15 m
D.20 m
Explanation: The initial vertical component of velocity is u_y = u sin θ = 20 sin(30°) = 10 m s⁻¹. At maximum height, the vertical velocity is zero: v_y² = u_y² - 2gh_max => h_max = u_y² / (2g) = (10)² / (2 × 10) = 100 / 20 = 5.0 m.
10A solid block of mass 5.0 kg slides down a rough plane inclined at 30° to the horizontal at a constant terminal velocity. What is the coefficient of kinetic friction μ_k between the block and the inclined surface?
A.0.58
B.0.87
C.1.00
D.1.73
Explanation: At constant velocity, net acceleration is zero. Balancing forces along the incline gives mg sin θ = f_k = μ_k N, and perpendicular to the incline N = mg cos θ. Therefore, μ_k = tan θ = tan(30°) = 1 / √3 ≈ 0.577 ≈ 0.58.

About the GCE A/L Physics Exam

The Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Physics examination (Subject Code 01) is the premier secondary physics assessment administered annually by the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, under the Ministry of Education. It is a compulsory core subject for students in both the Physical Science stream (alongside Combined Mathematics and Chemistry or Information and Communication Technology) and the Biological Science stream (alongside Biology and Chemistry). The examination evaluates rigorous theoretical comprehension, quantitative mathematical reasoning, graphical interpretation, experimental laboratory principles, and physical intuition. Performance in GCE A/L Physics is vital in determining the standardized Z-score required for highly competitive admissions to Sri Lankan state university faculties of Engineering, Medicine, Dental Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Applied Sciences. The curriculum spans five foundational domains: Mechanics and Properties of Matter; Thermal Physics and Thermodynamics; Waves, Oscillations, and Optics; Electricity and Magnetism; and Modern Physics and Electronics. This independent practice bank provides 100 high-yield, calculated multiple-choice practice questions with exhaustive step-by-step solutions to help students reinforce concepts and sharpen timing for Paper 1.

Exam sponsor: Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (doenets.lk). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Paper 1 (50 compulsory multiple-choice questions, 2 hours) and Paper 2 (Structured essay + essay questions, 3 hours).

Time Limit

Paper I: 2 hours; Paper II: 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time (total 5 hours 10 minutes)

Passing Score

Grade S or higher

Exam / Certification Fees

Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Approximately 55% to 65% of sitting candidates achieve an Ordinary Pass (Grade S) or higher in Physics annually.. 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%

Mechanics and Properties of Matter

Kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, gravitation, circular motion, rotational dynamics, work, energy and power, hydrostatics, Bernoulli's principle, surface tension, viscosity, and elasticity.

15%

Thermal Physics and Thermodynamics

Thermometry, temperature scales, thermal expansion, calorimetry, heat transfer modes (conduction, convection, radiation), kinetic theory of ideal gases, and the first law of thermodynamics.

20%

Waves, Oscillations, and Optics

Simple harmonic motion, mechanical and electromagnetic wave properties, sound waves, Doppler effect, resonance tubes, vibrating strings, geometrical optics, total internal reflection, lenses, optical instruments, and physical wave optics.

25%

Electricity and Magnetism

Electrostatics, Coulomb's law, electric fields and potentials, capacitors, direct current circuits, Kirchhoff's laws, potentiometer, Wheatstone bridge, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, alternating currents, and transformers.

15%

Modern Physics and Electronics

Photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, X-ray production, radioactive decay laws, nuclear binding energy, semiconductor diodes, bipolar junction transistors, operational amplifiers, and digital logic gates.

Preparing for the GCE A/L Physics Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade S or higher
  • Assessment: Paper 1 (50 compulsory multiple-choice questions, 2 hours) and Paper 2 (Structured essay + essay questions, 3 hours).
  • Time limit: Paper I: 2 hours; Paper II: 3 hours plus 10 minutes' reading time (total 5 hours 10 minutes)
  • Exam / certification fees: Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official structure of Sri Lanka GCE A/L Physics (Subject Code 01)?

The examination consists of two written papers: Paper 1 contains 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to be answered in 2 hours. Paper 2 lasts 3 hours (plus 10 minutes reading time) and is divided into Part A (4 structured essay questions, all compulsory, often based on practical laboratory experiments) and Part B (essay questions, where candidates choose 4 out of 8 problems).

How are marks distributed and scaled between Paper 1 and Paper 2?

Paper 1 is marked out of 50 (or scaled to 100), and Paper 2 is marked out of 100. Both papers are combined into a composite raw score out of 100, which is then standardized within the national candidate cohort to produce the individual subject Z-score used by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for university selection.

What is the grading scale and passing score for GCE A/L Physics?

Candidate results are classified into letter grades based on standard national score boundaries: Distinction (A, 75–100 marks), Very Good Pass (B, 65–74 marks), Credit Pass (C, 55–64 marks), Ordinary Pass (S, 35–54 marks), and Failure (F, 0–34 marks). A grade of S or higher is legally recognized as a passing grade.

Are calculators allowed in the GCE A/L Physics examination hall?

No. Electronic calculators and programmable devices are strictly prohibited in Sri Lankan GCE A/L examinations. Candidates must carry out numerical computations by hand or with the aid of official four-figure mathematical tables provided at the examination center. Consequently, questions emphasize clean numerical factors, ratios, and standard constants.

In which examination media is GCE A/L Physics available?

Physics is offered in all three official national media of instruction: Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Candidates register for and write the exam in their designated medium.