← Combined Science syllabus

SingaporeCombined Science

Physics: Waves, Electricity and Magnetism

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do current, voltage and resistance relate in a circuit, and how do series and parallel circuits differ?

Define current, potential difference and resistance, apply Ohm's law V = IR, and analyse series and parallel circuits and electrical power
A focused answer to the O-Level Combined Science outcome on electricity. Current, potential difference and resistance, Ohm's law, series and parallel circuit rules, and electrical power and energy.
9 min answer →

How do waves carry energy, and how does light reflect and refract?

Describe transverse and longitudinal waves and the wave equation, and apply the laws of reflection and refraction of light
A focused answer to the O-Level Combined Science outcome on waves and light. Transverse and longitudinal waves, frequency, wavelength and the wave equation, reflection, and refraction of light.
8 min answer →

How do magnets and electric currents interact, and how is this used in everyday devices?

Describe magnetic fields and the magnetic effect of a current, and explain electromagnets, the motor effect and electromagnetic induction
A focused answer to the O-Level Combined Science outcome on magnetism. Magnetic fields and poles, the magnetic effect of a current, electromagnets, the motor effect, and electromagnetic induction.
8 min answer →

How is thermal energy stored and transferred, and what happens during a change of state?

Distinguish temperature and thermal energy, describe conduction, convection and radiation, and explain melting and boiling using the particle model
A focused answer to the O-Level Combined Science outcome on thermal physics. Temperature versus thermal energy, the three methods of heat transfer, and melting and boiling explained with the particle model.
8 min answer →