LEAVING CERT PHYSICS: HIGHER AND ORDINARY:"ENJOYABLY CHALLENGING," was how one teacher described yesterday's higher-level physics exam. Leaving Cert students explored a range of "very practical" topics on a paper that was regarded as wide-ranging.
“This was a paper that covered almost the whole syllabus. It wouldn’t have suited a student that was trying to make predictions to reduce the workload,” said Edel McInerney of the ASTI.
However, students were reportedly happy with the higher-level exam, which was straightforward with “no tricks”.
Physics is a subject in decline. The predicted sit for yesterday’s exam was 6,767 and numbers have dropped steadily for the last five years. Concern has been expressed within industry that not enough Irish students are taking subjects considered critical to mainstay companies in Ireland.
There is no continuous assessment element to the physics exam. Critics claim that physics is losing students to subjects that include project work such as engineering, where students can earn 25 per cent of the their grade during the school year.
Yesterday’s higher-level paper featured a question on a merry-go-round, and a section on the physics of sound examined the clarinet. Higher-level students were also asked to consider the benefits of exchanging old incandescent lightbulbs for energy-efficient LED bulbs. “The maths section was also an enjoyable challenge,” said one teacher.
The ordinary-level paper was described as “fair and suitable”.
The physics syllabus is due for review to reflect the progress in physics research of recent years.
“It’s not a very old course, only six years, but the world of physics is changing and the syllabus needs to reflect that,” said Ms McInerney, of Castletroy College.
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