Physics Syllabus

The syllabus has been prepared on the basis of attainment standards for the Matura Exam (standard level).
The Matura Exam is obligatory for all graduates of general secondary schools and specialized secondary
schools in Poland. This exam is also the basis for entry into universities and colleges of further education.

Scalars and Vectors

Distinction between scalar and vector quantities

Addition and subtractions of vectors
Multiplication and division of vectors by scalars
Decomposition of vectors into parallel and perpendicular components along chosen axes

Motion

Kinematic concepts (displacement, distance, trajectory, velocity, speed,

acceleration)
Frames of reference
Instantaneous and average values of speed, velocity and acceleration
Relative motion (relative velocity, relative acceleration)
Uniform motion in a straight line
Uniformly accelerated motion in a straight line
Uniform circular motion (centripetal acceleration)
Harmonic motion (simple harmonic oscillator)
Models: mass on a spring, simple pendulum
Period and frequency of harmonic oscillations
Graphical representation of motion
Elements of relativistic mechanics (speed of light, time dilation, length contraction,
relativistic mass, momentum and energy)

Forces and dynamics

Newton’s laws of motion

Newton’s first law
translational equilibrium
inertial reference frames
Newton’s second law (momentum and impulse)
Newton’s third law
Law of conservation of linear momentum (isolated system, inertial frame)
Inelastic collisions
Rockets (reaction engine)
Fictitious forces, analysis of motion in noninertial reference frames
Dry friction
Static friction
Kinetic friction
Force due to air resistance (terminal velocity)

1
Fundamental interactions (gravitation, electromagnetic, strong interaction,
week interaction)

Elementary particles (bosons, fermions: leptons, quarks (hadrons))

Gravitational field
Newton’s law of universal gravitation
Visualization of gravitational field - gravitational field lines
First and second cosmic velocities
Weightlessness and overload
Vertical free fall, vertical throw and horizontal throw near the Earth’s surface
Electric field
Electric charge and Coulomb’s law
Visualization of static electric field - electrostatic field lines
Motion of charged particles in static electric field
Magnetic field
Visualization of magnetic field - magnetic field lines
Magnetic field around a cylindrical current-carrying conductor
Magnetic field in a solenoid
Motion of charged particles in static magnetic field (Lorentz force)
Electromagnetic waves (properties, spectrum)
Strong interaction, week interaction

Matter properties

Atomic structure and physical properties of matter

Solid phase
Amorphous body
Cristal body
Thermal expansion of a solid body
Liquid phase
Internal structure of liquids
Models of water structure
Surface tension, meniscus
Gaseous phase
Electric properties of matter
Electric conductors (metals)
Electrical conductivity of metals as a function of temperature
Insulators
Semiconductors
Magnetic properties of matter
Diamagnetic materials
Paramagnetic materials
Ferromagnetic materials

Order and chaos in nature

Kinetic model of an ideal gas

The ideal gas equation
Boyle’s law (T=const isothermal process)
2
 Charles’ law (p=const; changes of thermal energy and work done by a gas in
isobaric process)
Gay-Lussac’s law (V=const; changes of thermal energy in isochoric process)
First law of thermodynamics (practical calculations/usage/application)
Entropy and Second Law of Thermodynamics (formulate the law and resulting
conclusions only)
Heat engines
The Carnot engine
Efficiency of thermodynamic engines
Reversible/irreversible process (examples)

Optics

The nature of light

Speed of light
Relation of speed, frequency and wavelength
Visible light spectrum
Reflection of light
Reflection in a plane and in a curved mirror (mirror equation)
Constructing images formed by mirrors (type of image, magnification)
Refraction of light
Refractive index
Snell’s law
Dispersion due to a prism
Critical angle and total internal reflection
Lenses
Types of lenses
Focus, focal length, optical power, magnification
Image formation
Thin lens equation
Optical power of a thin lens (lens maker’s formula)
Optical instruments
Microscope
Telescope
Aberrations
Diffraction
Diffraction grating
Interference
Interference from two point source
Young’s double slit experiment
Polarization and polarizer
Absorptive polarizer
Beam-splitting polarizer
Polarization by reflection (Brewster angle)
Birefringent polarizer
External photoelectric effect (photoelectric cell)
Bohr’s model of the hydrogen atom
Atomic energy states
Emission spectrum (frequencies, wavelengths)
3
 Absorption and emission spectra – application of spectrum analysis
Laser – design and practical application
The eye and sight
Myopia (nearsightedness) and hyperopia (farsightedness)
Correction of vision defects

Energy transport and transformation

Work, energy and power

Kinetic energy
Potential energy
Gravitational potential energy
Elastic potential energy
Transformation of energy in harmonic motion
Mechanical resonance
The Principle of Energy Conservation
The Equivalence of Mass and Energy (E=mc2)
Nuclear fission
Nuclear structure
Mass number, atomic number
Nuclear energy levels
Isotope, nucleon
Uranium-235 chain reaction
Nuclear mass defect, nuclear binding energy
Radioactive decay law
Half-live of nuclear decay
Nuclear radiation (α particles, β particles, γ radiation) applications
Description of energy transport in wave movement
Description of thermal energy transfer
convection
conduction
radiation

Structure and evolution of Universe

Analysis of thermonuclear fusion in stars

Solar System – sizes and distances between astronomic objects
Planet movement – Kepler’s laws
Star evolution, H-R diagram
The Big-Bang Model

Unity of micro-world and macro-world

De Broglie’s hypothesis – a matter wave

Experimental confirmation of de Broglie hypothesis
Wave–particle duality
Heisenberg uncertainty principle