Questions on everyday items welcome in physics exam

EVERYDAY items were to be found in exams for Leaving Certificate physics and Junior Certificate technical graphics students yesterday.

Teachers’ Union of Ireland physics spokesman Michael Gillespie said higher level students may have been under pressure with the diagrams and graphs needed in the opening section on experiments.

But Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) physics spokes-woman Edel McInerney said the higher level exam was strong on practical applications of the subject, such as mobile phone users’ exposure to radiation. She said the ordinary level paper had the welcome inclusion of the physics formulae and equations needed for certain questions.