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ISBN 978-0-230-48229-6
© Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC ®) 2015
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Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.

First published 2014

This revised edition published 2015

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CSEC® Physics Free Resources

LIST OF CONTENTS

CSEC® Physics Syllabus Extract 3

CSEC® Physics Syllabus 4

CSEC® Physics Specimen Papers and Mark Schemes/Keys 92

Paper 01 2012 93
Paper 02 2012 106
Paper 032 2012 130

CSEC® Physics Subject Reports

2005 (June) Subject Report 142

2006 (June) Subject Report 158
2007 (May/June) Subject Report 168
2008 (January) Subject Report 178
2008 (May/June) Subject Report 187
2009 (January) Subject Report 194
2009 (May/June) Subject Report 198
2010 (January) Subject Report 203
2010 (May/June) Subject Report 209
2011 (January) Subject Report 217
2011 (May/June) Subject Report 225
2012 (January) Subject Report 231
2012 (May/June) Subject Report 238
2013 (January) Subject Report 245
2014 (January) Subject Report 252
2014 (May/June) Subject Report 260
2015 (January) Subject Report 267
2015 (May/June) Subject Report 274
Physics Syllabus Extract

Physics is a science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions. It is
concerned with systems, laws, models, principles and theories that explain the
physical behaviour of our world and the universe. Physics is regarded as a
fundamental scientific discipline since all advances in technology can be traced either
directly or indirectly to the physical laws and theories.

The CSEC Physics syllabus is redesigned with a greater emphasis on the application
of scientific concepts and principles. Such an approach is adopted in order to develop
those long-term transferrable skills of ethical conduct, team work, problem solving,
critical thinking, innovation and communication. In addition, it encourages the use of
various teaching and learning strategies to inculcate these skills while, at the same
time catering to multiple intelligences and different learning styles and needs. The
syllabus will assist students to develop positive values and attitudes towards the
physical components of the environment and will also provide a sound foundation for
those who wish to pursue further studies in science.

The syllabus is arranged in five sections, namely:

• Section A Mechanics

• Section B Thermal Physics and Kinetic Theory

• Section C Waves and Optics

• Section D Electricity and Magnetism

• Section E The Physics of the Atom

 CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL

Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate®

CSEC®

PHYSICS
SYLLABUS
Effective for examinations from May–June 2015

CXC 22/G/SYLL 13
Published by the Caribbean Examinations Council.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form, or by any means electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise without
prior permission of the author or publisher.

Correspondence related to the syllabus should be addressed to:

The Pro-Registrar
Caribbean Examinations Council
Caenwood Centre
37 Arnold Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica

Telephone Number: + 1 (876) 630-5200

Facsimile Number: + 1 (876) 967-4972
E-mail Address: cxcwzo@cxc.org
Website: www.cxc.org

Copyright © 2013 by Caribbean Examinations Council

The Garrison, St Michael BB14038, Barbados

CXC 22/G/SYLL 13
 Content
RATIONALE ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1

AIMS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1

CANDIDATE POPULATION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2

SUGGESTED TIME-TABLE ALLOCATION ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 2

ORGANISATION OF THE SYLLABUS…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3

SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHING THE SYLLABUS………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

CERTIFICATION AND DEFINITION OF PROFILES…………………………………………………………………………………. 4

FORMAT OF THE EXAMINATION………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5

REGULATIONS FOR PRIVATE CANDIDATES CANDIDATES………………………………………………………………….. 6

REGULATIONS FOR RESIT …………………………………………………………….………………………………………………….. 6

THE PRACTICAL APPROACH………………………………………………………………………………….………………………….. 7

SECTION A - MECHANICS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10

SECTION B - THERMAL PHYSICS AND KINETIC THEORY……………………………………………………………………. 21

SECTION C - WAVES AND OPTICS……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 28

SECTION D - ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM…………………………………………………………………………………… 35

SECTION E - THE PHYSICS OF THE ATOM………………………………………………………………………………………… 49

GUIDELINES FOR THE SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT………………………………………………………………………… 53

LIST OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES AND THEIR SYMBOLS……………………………………………………………………….. 75

LIST OF GRAPHICAL SYMBOLS AS USED IN CIRCUIT DIAGRAMS………………………………………………………... 76

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST…………………………………………………………………………………. 78

RESOURCES……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 80

GLOSSARY……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 81

CXC 22/G/SYLL 13