stpm physics coursework 2022

An Overview Of STPM Physics Course Structure

29 November 2023

7 minutes to read

• 01. Topics Taught During Semester 1: Mechanics & Thermodynamics
• 02. Topics Taught During Semester 2: Electricity & Magnetism
• 03. Topics Taught During Semester 3: Oscillations and Waves, Optics & Modern Physics
• 04. Examination Structure For STPM Physics Central Assessments (Written Test)
• 05. School-Based Assessments (Physics Experiments and Project) & Written Practical Test (Private Candidates)

Did you read about the story of Bryan Lim, a Sarawakian student who intends to pursue his interest in Physics up to PhD level upon scoring straight As for his STPM in 2021?

It certainly served as a great inspiration and encouragement for many future STPM candidates.

With the right comprehension of the subjects, we believe you can ace your STPM exams including the STPM Physics subject like your fellow senior, Bryan Lim.

In this article, we will guide you through all the taught topics and the latest exam format for your STPM Physics papers.

Topics Taught During Semester 1: Mechanics & Thermodynamics

We are starting Semester 1 with a full focus on quantity and quality for your STPM Physics subject.

You will study the following 11 chapters.

• Chapter 1: Physical quantities and units [6 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about base quantities and SI units, dimensions of physical quantities, scalars and vectors as well as uncertainties in measurements.

• Chapter 2: Kinematics [6 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study various learning outcomes under the subtopics of linear motion and projectiles.

• Chapter 3: Dynamics [12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will be taught Newton's laws of motion, linear momentum and its conservation, elastic and inelastic collisions, centre of mass, and frictional forces.

• Chapter 4: Work, Energy and Power [ 5 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about the relationship between work and force, the various calculations revolving potential energy and kinetic energy as well as the concept of power.

• Chapter 5: Circular Motion [ 8 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study about the characteristics and formulas revolving around concepts such as angular displacement and angular velocity, centripetal acceleration and centripetal force.

• Chapter 6: Gravitation [10 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about Newton's law of universal gravitation, gravitational field, gravitational potential, satellite motion in a circular orbit as well as escape velocity.

• Chapter 7: Statics [6 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study about centre of gravity, the equilibrium of particles, as well as the equilibrium of rigid bodies.

• Chapter 8: Deformation of solids [5 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about the concept of stress and strain for a stretched wire/ elastic string, the properties of force-extension graph and stress-strain graph as well as the concept of strain energy.

• Chapter 9: Kinetic Theory of Gases [14 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the ideal gas equation, the pressure of a gas, molecular kinetic energy, the r.m.s speed of molecules, the degrees of freedom and law of equipartition of energy, and the internal energy of an ideal gas.

• Chapter 10: Thermodynamics of Gases [14 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about heat capacities, the work done by a gas, the first law of thermodynamics, as well as the concept of isothermal and adiabatic changes.

• Chapter 11: Heat Transfer [ 10 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the mechanism of heat conduction, heat transfer by convection, heat transfer by radiation and also the concept of the greenhouse effect alongside global warming. 

Topics Taught During Semester 2: Electricity & Magnetism

Starting from the second semester onwards, you will study 7 chapters per semester.

• Chapter 12: Electrostatics [ 12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn to apply Coulomb's law, the concept of an electric field, Gauss's law, and also the concept of electric potential.

• Chapter 13: Capacitors [ 12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the mechanism of capacitance, parallel plate capacitors, dielectrics, capacitors in series and in parallel, energy stored in a charged capacitor, and the charging and discharging of a capacitor.

• Chapter 14: Electric Current [10 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will master the concept of the condition of electricity, drift velocity, current density, as well as electric conductivity and resistivity.

• Chapter 15: Direct Current Circuit [ 14 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn concepts and applications of concepts such as internal resistance, Kirchhoff's laws, potential divider, potentiometer and Wheatstone bridge.

• Chapter 16: Magnetic Fields [ 18 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the concept of magnetic field, force on a moving charge, force on a current-carrying conductor, magnetic fields due to currents, the force between two current-carrying conductors, determination of the ratio e/m, and the Hall effect.

• Chapter 17: Electromagnetic Induction [18 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn the concepts of magnetic flux, Faraday's law and Lenz's law, self-induction, energy stored in an inductor and mutual induction.

• Chapter 18: Alternating Current Circuits [ 12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the concept of alternating current through a resistor, alternating current through an inductor, alternating current through a capacitor as well as the application of R-C and R-L circuits in series.

Read through these tips to ace your STPM Physics papers throughout the semesters.

Topics Taught During Semester 3: Oscillations and Waves, Optics & Modern Physics

We now move to the last seven chapters that you will learn for your final semester.

• Chapter 19: Oscillations [12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn the characteristics of simple harmonic motion, the kinematics of simple harmonic motion, energy in simple harmonic motion, systems in simple harmonic motion, damped oscillations, and forced oscillations and resonance.

• Chapter 20: Wave Motion [12 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study progressive waves, wave intensity, the principle of superposition, standing waves, and electromagnetic waves.

• Chapter 21: Sound Waves [14 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn the propagation of sound waves, the sources of sound, the intensity level of sound, beat, and the Doppler effect.

• Chapter 22: Geometrical Optics [ 8 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the concepts of spherical mirrors, refraction at spherical surfaces, and thin lenses.

• Chapter 23: Wave Optics [16 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn the Huygens's principle, the concept of interference, the two-slit interference pattern, the interference in a thin film, the diffraction by a single slit, diffraction gratings, polarisation, and optical waveguides.

• Chapter 24: Quantum Physics [20 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will study the concepts of photons, wave-particle quality, atomic structure, X-rays, and nanoscience.

• Chapter 25: Nuclear Physics [ 14 teaching period]

In this chapter, you will learn about everything revolving around the nucleus energy such as mass defect and binding energy, everything about radioactivity as well as the discussion about various nuclear reactions.

Check out and apply these revision resources for your STPM Physics subject .

Examination Structure For STPM Physics Central Assessments (Written Test)

At the end of every semester, you will sit for a written test for your STPM Physics Paper.

There are three sections for this paper. The test duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

There are compulsory 15 multiple-choice questions in this section. The mark allocation is 15%.

For this section, there are 2 compulsory structured questions to be answered. The mark allocation for this section is also 15%.

Candidates need to answer 2 out of 3 essay questions for this section. The mark allocation is 30%.

Hence, the total mark for your STPM Physics written test is 60%, which will later be rounded off to 26.67% (weightage) during the final grade calculation.

Discover the latest marking scheme for your STPM Physics papers.

School-Based Assessments (Physics Experiments and Project) & Written Practical Test (Private Candidates)

Apart from the STPM Physics written test, candidates will also go through school-based assessments during the three terms.

There will be 13 compulsory experiments (throughout the three semesters) and one group project (carried out during the third semester in groups of two or three candidates).

Important tip: The full mark of your entire school-based assessment is 225 mark, which will later be scaled to 45 mark.

It will then be rounded off to 20% as the total weightage for this assessment.

During the first term of your Form Six studies, you can download the student's manual for practical physics from the official portal of the Malaysian Examination Council (MEC).

You will be supplied with a work scheme before the day of the experiment so that you can plan your practical work.

Besides the success of completing each practical experiment, candidates will be tested on the following skills:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Adaptability/ flexibility
• Communications
• Moral and ethics 
• Information communications and technology
• Organising 
• Leadership 

Discover the benefits of learning and mastering the STPM Physics subject .

For private candidates, you will sit for the written Practical Test instead of doing the school-based practical experiments.

It is a central assessment whereby candidates need to answer three compulsory structured questions during the third term.

The test duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the total mark allocation is 45 marks, which will be covered to 20% (weightage).

Candidates will be tested on the following criteria:

• Their ability to record readings from diagrams of apparatus
• Their ability to describe, explain, suggest, design or comment on experimental arrangements, techniques and procedures
• Their ability to complete tables of data and plot graphs
• Their ability to interpret, conclude from, and evaluate observations and experimental data
• Their ability to recognise the limitations of experiments and sources of results
• Their ability to explain the effect of errors on experimental results 
• Their ability to suggest precautions or safety measures 
• Their ability to explain the theoretical basis of experiments 
• Their ability to use theory to explain or predict experimental results 
• Their ability to perform simple calculations and error analysis based on experiments 

Master Your Theoretical & Practical Knowledge In STPM Physics With Superprof

You should realise by now that the STPM Physics syllabus is comprehensive and holistic, covering both the theoretical and practical elements of this subject.

Connect with an experienced Physics tutor at Superprof today to take your Physics passion to the next level!

At Superprof, you can enjoy a personalised, flexible and affordable learning experience.

You get to choose your STPM Physics tutor based on your preferred teaching methodology, learning mode (home tutoring/ online tutoring), tutors' teaching experience and even maximum budget for the hourly rate.

The whole navigation process at the Superprof website is super user-friendly and efficient. With a few clicks, you can hire an experienced Physics tutor and start your learning journey.

We hope you have found this article useful. May you embark on a wonderful Physics exploration journey during your Form Six studies.

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An avid reader and writer, Joycelyn loves the art of communication and is passionate about all kinds of media.

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