If you're considering taking Physics, you've probably heard that being proficient in mathematics is crucial for excelling in the subject. Physics and mathematics are closely intertwined, as many calculations are involved in Physics. A student must have a firm grasp of calculations to excel in Physics. While this may not always be the case, there are many similarities between the two subjects, particularly at the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) levels.
One of the main reasons many think Physics is similar to mathematics is because it is essential to get a firm grasp on the concepts of its topics in order to score in this paper. In order to excel in mathematics and physics, students must have a strong understanding of the core concepts that serve as a foundation for these subjects. Like mathematics, there is a list of concepts and formulas that students must remember, understand, and apply to the questions in a physics examination.
Examples of mathematical concepts students have to master are geometry and algebra. Without mastering these, students cannot answer the questions in the examinations. Meanwhile, examples of physics concepts are energy, electricity and magnetism. Formulas such as v =s / t, which is the formula for constant motion and w = m x g, which is the formula for weight and mass, are a few that make up the foundation of physics.
Mathematicians can draw inspiration from physics theories such as general relativity and quantum theory, using them as a basis to create innovative mathematical techniques. Mathematics plays a pivotal role in unlocking the intricacies of the physical world. Without the application of mathematics, physics would be reduced to mere philosophical speculation.
In Malaysia, the SPM examination is the most widely taken test by students aspiring to attend university. The IGCSE level exams are on par with this test, which carry the same weight. For students seeking to pursue pre-university level courses in physics-related fields, either of these qualifications will suffice in opening the doors to their desired universities.
Here is an overview of the syllabus for the SPM and IGCSE exams. It will help you understand the subjects covered in the exams and the assessment criteria for each paper.
SPM
Form 4
Chapter 1: Elementary physics
- Physical quantities
- Scientific investigation
Chapter 2: Force and Motion 1
- Linear motion
- Linear motion graphs
- Free fall motion
- Inertia
- Momentum
- Force
- Impulse and Impulsive force
- Weight
Chapter 3: Gravitation
- Newton's universal law of gravitation
- Kepler's law
- Man-made satellites
Chapter 4: Heat
- Thermal equilibrium
- Specific heat capacity
- Specific latent heat
- Gas laws
Chapter 5: Waves
- Fundamental waves
- Damping and resonance
- Reflection of waves
- Refraction of waves
- Diffraction of waves
- Interference of waves
- Electromagnetic waves
Chapter 6: Light and Optics
- Refraction of light
- Total internal reflection
- Image formation by lenses
- Thin lens formula
- Optical instruments
- Image formation by spherical mirrors
Form 5
Chapter 1: Force and Motion 2
- Resultant force
- Resolution of forces
- Forces in equilibrium
- Elasticity
Chapter 2: Pressure
- Pressure in liquids
- Atmospheric pressure
- Gas pressure
- Pascal's principle
- Archimedes’ principle
- Bernoulli's principle
Chapter 3: Electricity
- The current and potential difference
- Resistance
- Electromotive force (e.m.f) and internal resistance
- Electrical energy and power
Chapter 4: Electromagnetism
- Force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field
- Electromagnetic induction
- Transformer
Chapter 5: Electronics
- Electron
- Semiconductor diode
- Transistor
Chapter 6: Nuclear physics
- Radioactive decay
- Nuclear energy
Chapter 7: Quantum physics
- Quantum theory of light
- Photoelectric effect
- Einstein's photoelectric theory
SPM's assessment for Psychics consists of topics covered in Form 4 and Form 5. The examination assessment is broken down into a total of 3 papers. Paper 1 consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. Papers 2 and 3, on the other hand, comprised 11 and 1 subjective questions, respectively.
Each of the three papers has its own unique set of objectives and areas of focus. In Paper 1, the primary goal is to evaluate students' comprehension, application, and analysis skills - essentially, their ability to understand and apply what they've learned. In Paper 2, the emphasis shifts to evaluation and creation, focusing on assessing students' ability to analyse and synthesise information to generate original ideas. Finally, Paper 3 is designed to test students' scientific processing skills, emphasising their ability to gather, analyse, and interpret data to draw meaningful conclusions.
In addition to the above, Paper 1 is about dichotomous, while papers 2 and 3 are about analysis. By understanding the points of assessment for every paper, students can better prepare for the questions that might be asked.
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IGCSE
Motion, forces and energy
- Physical quantity and measurement techniques
- Motion
- Mass, weight and density
- Effect of forces
- Moments
- Momentum
- Energy, work and power
- Energy sources
- Pressure
Thermal physics
- Kinetic particle model of matter
- Thermal properties and temperature
- Transfer of thermal energy
Waves
- General properties of waves
- Light
- Electromagnetic spectrum
- Sound
Electricity and magnetism
- Simple phenomena of magnetism
- Electrical quantities
- Electric circuits and electrical safety
- Electromagnetic Effects
Nuclear physics
- The nuclear model of the atom
- Radioactivity
Space physics
- Earth and the Solar System
- Stars and the universe
IGCSE's assessment for the physics papers consists of 3 types: core assessment, extended assessment, and practical assessment. This assessment encompasses multiple choice questions, theory as well as practical tests.
The most crucial factor in the IGCSE assessment is that it requires students to understand and demonstrate their physics knowledge. Students must know the laws, phenomena, theories and concepts. They must be able to recall and explain these to show their understanding of the subject matter.
In addition to testing a student's knowledge, the IGCSE assessment also evaluates their problem-solving skills and ability to handle information effectively. It is essential that they are proficient in organising data, interpreting the given information, presenting findings, and drawing relevant conclusions from it. These skills are crucial for success in academia and future endeavours.
The assessment's third part would be their experiments and investigation skills. A student must show that they can safely use apparatus and conduct experiments. They should have the skills to follow instructions for the experiments conducted. On top of this, they should know how to record data, observations and the results of their experiments and provide suggestions.
These are all critical points regarding the IGCSE assessment, which will help a student score. If you want to know more about the IGCSE physics syllabus, check out their website.
Are you interested to brush up your skills in physics? Check out Where to Find Physics Tutors in Seberang Perai.
Tuition centers in Kuala Lumpur
Pusat Tuition Teliti
This is a tuition centre located in Damansara Jaya and Kota Kemuning. They provide group lessons, small group lessons as well as individual lessons. Students have the option to choose between these three types of learning. They have an academic calendar, so students looking at joining them have a clear view of the schedule.
Discover a Physics tutor from Petaling Jaya via Superprof.
VBest tuition center
This centre is located in various areas ranging from Manjalara to Ampang. They mainly cater to students sitting for IGCSE and have many years of experience in this field. They have various learning resources and personalised notes to cater to students with different learning abilities.
ACE Education
Ace Education is located in Mont Kiara. The main focus of ACE education is to provide students access to qualified teachers. They mainly focus on IGCSE students. Students can learn physics with fully qualified teachers.
If you are looking for physics lessons in Shah Alam, click here.
If you're looking to study physics, Superprof is an excellent option. Unlike other learning options, Superprof offers flexible schedules and fees that may be easier to manage. You can also be confident in the credibility of the tutors listed on Superprof. The platform takes excellent pride in verifying all tutors' qualifications and personal details before publishing their information on the website. This ensures that only qualified and trustworthy tutors are available to help you with your studies.
We have Physics tutors all over Malaysia. If you reside on Penang Island, your Physics tutor based in Georgetown can provide you with thorough guidance to become an expert in the field of Physics.
Each student has a distinct learning style. Finding a tutor who is an ideal match for your specific needs can be challenging. Luckily, Superprof's website offers a wide range of tutors who cater to your goals and learning preferences. Finding a tutor who can assist you in reaching your objectives is now an effortless task.
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