VCE Physics Exam Practice for Units 3 and 4

Are you getting ready for your VCE Physics exam? This practice paper has been designed to help you apply your knowledge to exam-style questions and sharpen your problem-solving skills.

But first, check out our VCE Physics Study Guide: How to Ace Your Exam for expert tips on study techniques, time management, and how to approach different question types.

Below, we’ve pulled out one sample question from each major topic to give you a feel for what to expect. Try them out on your own.

Then grab the full paper (with solutions!) using the download form at the end.

These VCE Physics exam practice questions cover:

• Light as a wave
• Light as a particle
• The wave-particle duality of light
• Special relativity
• Solutions
• Full practice paper

Light as a wave

Question:

Blue light has a wavelength of 470 nm. Calculate the period of the wave. (1 mark)

Hint: Use the wave relationship \(T = \frac{1}{f}\), and remember that \(v = f \lambda\) for electromagnetic waves in a vacuum.

Light as a particle

Question:
The energy of one photon emitted from an X-ray source is measured to be 0.781 keV. Calculate the wavelength of the X-rays. Give your answer in nanometres. Show all working. (3 marks)

Hint: Use the formula \(E = \frac{hc}{\lambda}\). Don’t forget to convert energy units correctly!

The wave-particle duality of light

Question:
Electrons of mass \(9.1 \times 10^{-31}\) kg have a de Broglie wavelength of

$4.21 \times 10^{-6}$

. Calculate the speed of the electrons. (1 mark)

Hint: Rearranging de Broglie’s equation \(\lambda = \frac{h}{p}\) will help here.

Special relativity

Question:
“The speed of light, in a vacuum, is dependent on the motion of the observer.” Is this statement true or false? Explain your answer. (1 mark)

Hint: Think Einstein. The postulates of special relativity are your best friend here.

Looking for past exam questions?

If you’d like to see how recent exam questions are answered, check out our 2024 VCE Physics Exam Solutions — a full breakdown of the 2024 VCE Physics exam with explanations and working.

Solutions

Light as a wave

Solution:

\(T = \frac{\lambda}{v}\)

\(T = \frac{470 \times 10^{-9}}{3.0 \times 10^8}\)

\(T = 1.57 \times 10^{-15} \; \text{s}\)

Answer:

$T \approx 1.57 \times 10^{-15} \, \text{seconds}$

Light as a particle

Solution:

$\mathrm{\backslash (E\; =\; \backslash frac\{hc\}\{\backslash lambda\}\backslash )}$

\(0.781 \times 10^3 = \frac{4.14 \times 10^{-15} \times 3.0 \times 10^8}{\lambda}\) *use h in eVs, not Js

$$\lambda = \frac{6.63 \times 10^{-34} \times 3.00 \times 10^8}{1.25 \times 10^{-16}} \approx 1.59 \times 10^{-9} \, \text{m} = 1.59 \, \text{nm}$$

Answer:

$\lambda \approx 1.59 \, \text{nm}$

Wave-particle duality

Solution:
\(\lambda = \frac{h}{p} = \frac{h}{mv}\)

\(4.21 \times 10^{-6} = \frac{6.63 \times 10^{-34}}{9.1 \times 10^{-31} \times v}\)

\(v = \frac{6.63 \times 10^{-34}}{9.1 \times 10^{-31} \times 4.21 \times 10^{-6}}\)

\(v = 1.73 \times 10^2 \; \text{m/s}\)

$$\lambda = \frac{h}{mv} \Rightarrow v = \frac{h}{m\lambda} = \frac{6.63 \times 10^{-34}}{9.1 \times 10^{-31} \times 4.21 \times 10^{-6}} \approx 1.76 \times 10^4 \, \text{m/s}$$

Answer:

$v \approx 1.76 \times 10^4 \, \text{m/s}$

Special relativity

Answer:

Einstein’s second postulate states that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant, regardless of the motion of the observer or source of the light. Therefore, the statement is false.

Want the full VCE Physics Exam practice paper?

These are just a few of the 50+ questions waiting for you in our full VCE Physics Units 3 & 4 Practice Paper. It includes:

• Multiple choice and short answer questions

• Topics aligned with the VCE Study Design

• Separate, fully worked solutions

Download the full paper now using the form below!

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