HSC Physics Module 5: Advanced Mechanics Questions

Browse 8 selected questions from the 2023 and 2024 HSC exams. Choose a skill, open the question’s page in NESA’s PDF and check your work with the marking guidelines in NESA’s marking guide.

These papers were set under the 2017 syllabus. The first HSC exam for the replacement Physics syllabus is in 2028. NESA syllabus and implementation dates.

Module 5: Advanced Mechanics

Projectile Motion

2023 Q32 · 7 marks. Combined circular-motion and projectile-motion problem: locate a launched ball's landing position relative to a rotating disc's launcher. Paper (PDF) · Marking guidelines

Circular Motion

2024 Q1 · 1 mark. Multiple choice: identify the direction of net force on an object in uniform circular motion. Paper (PDF) · Marking guidelines
2024 Q30 · 4 marks. Explain the effect on forces acting on an object in a rotating cylinder when the rotation period is halved. Paper (PDF) · Marking guidelines

Motion in Gravitational Fields

2024 Q25 · 6 marks. Derive Kepler's third law relationship from gravitational force, then use a moon-system period-radius graph to calculate a planet's mass. Paper (PDF) · Marking guidelines
2024 Q31 · 4 marks. Compare maximum projectile height under uniform versus radial gravitational field models, including energy changes. Paper (PDF) · Marking guidelines
2023 Q1 · 1 mark. Multiple choice: identify why gravitational field strength on a spacecraft changes with altitude. Paper (PDF) · Marking guidelines
2023 Q23 · 7 marks. Multi-part: gravitational force on a space telescope, minimum photon energy detectable, and exoplanet temperature from peak emission wavelength (Wien's law). Paper (PDF) · Marking guidelines
2023 Q34 · 9 marks. Multi-part orbital mechanics problem: qualitative energy analysis, a 'show that' kinetic-energy calculation, and explaining a satellite's subsequent trajectory after an engine burn. Paper (PDF) · Marking guidelines