Cracking the Grade 11 Physics IEB Past Paper: 2019 June Exam

Question 2: Motion, Forces, and Energy

This part of the 2019 Physics IEB Past Paper typically begins with amotion scenario, such as a toy car being pushed or a diver jumping off a diving board. You’re usually presented with avelocity-time graph, a small narrative, and some known quantities like mass, time, or acceleration.

The questions that follow will ask you to:

• Define fundamental terms likevelocityoracceleration

• Calculate values likemaximum height,net force, orfrictional force

• Interpret orsketch graphsrepresenting motion

• Apply Newton’s Laws in dynamic situations

• Use algebra and logic to solve multi-step problems

Unlike straightforward theory recall, this section invites you toconnect the dots. You’re expected to read between the lines, identify known variables, choose appropriate formulas, and carry out your calculations methodically.

Understanding the Story Behind the Numbers

One of the most important skills in this section is being able toread the story behind the motion. Physics problems aren’t just about crunching numbers — they describe real-world actions, and each part of the question builds on the next.

For example, in the diver question from the 2019 June paper, students are told that the diver launches upward with an initial velocity of 4 m/s and is in the air for 1.3 seconds. That’s your clue to break the problem into two phases: the upward motion and the downward fall. Later, you’re told about the diver entering the water and decelerating — and now you’re using Newton’s Second Law in a totally different context.

This type of question isn’t just teaching you physics — it’s testing your ability toanalyse change,visualise motion, andsolve problems using layered reasoning.

The Formulas You Must Know to practice with the Grade 11 Physics IEB Past Paper – June 2019

In this section, your formula sheet becomes your best friend — but only if you understandwhat each formula representsandwhen to use it.

Here are a few that appear again and again:

• $v=u+at$→ to find final velocity

• s=ut+12at2s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2s=ut+21​at2→ for displacement when acceleration is constant

• Fnet=maF_{net} = maFnet​=ma→ Newton’s Second Law

• ffriction=μNf_{friction} = \mu Nffriction​=μN→ for calculating frictional force

• $W=Fd\cos \theta$→ for work done (in energy-related questions)

It’s not enough to know them — you must be comfortablerearrangingthem, substituting values correctly, and understanding thedirectionality(especially with vectors like acceleration and force).

Why Drawing Graphs and Diagrams Helps

In this section, you’re often asked tointerpret a velocity-time graphor draw one yourself. This is where many students get stuck — not because they don’t know the content, but because they struggle to visualise motion in time.

For example, when sketching the diver’s velocity-time graph, you’re expected to:

• Show positive velocity decreasing to zero (as the diver reaches the highest point)

• Then negative velocity increasing in magnitude (as he falls into the water)

• And finally, a sharp deceleration once submerged

Marking key points likemaximum height (H)andwater entry (W)shows the examiner you’re thinking clearly and chronologically.

Graphs also help reinforce one of the most important ideas in physics:change happens over time. Being able to translate a scenario into a graph is a key skill, and it’s rewarded generously in the IEB marking scheme.

The Power of Showing Your Working

Here’s something I always tell my students:don’t try to be clever — try to be clear. If a question is worth 4 marks, the examiner isn’t just looking for the right answer — they want to seeyour process.

This means:

• Writing down the formula first

• Substituting known values (with units)

• Showing each step clearly

• Including the final answerwith correct units and direction(when applicable)

Even if your final answer is incorrect, well-presented working can still earn youpartial marks— and that could be the difference between a level 6 and a level 7.

Common Mistakes to Watch Out For

While this section offers generous marks, it’s also where small slip-ups can cost you. Here are a few common traps and how to avoid them:

• Mixing up signs: Always define your direction as positive (e.g., “up is positive”) at the start and stick to it. A misplaced negative sign in velocity or acceleration can cost you accuracy.

• Confusing mass and weight: Remember, weight = mass × gravity. Don’t plug 20 kg into a force formula and expect the right result unless you convert it properly.

• Skipping unit conversions: If time is in milliseconds or distance is in cm, convert them before using kinematic equations.

• Leaving off units: Final answers must have correct units (e.g., m/s, N, m). Don’t leave them off — it’s an easy way to lose a mark.

Question 3–5: Newton’s Laws in Action

Expect questions about inclined planes, static and kinetic friction, cable-pulley systems, and horizontal force applications. Here’s where you’ll draw free-body diagrams and apply Newton’s Second and Third Laws.

These questions usually ask for:

• A diagram

• An explanation

• A calculation

Tutor Tip:Always start with a diagram. Even if it’s not required, it grounds your thinking. Then, write down what you know: mass, angles, forces, friction coefficients. From there, choose the correct equation and plug in the values.

Also, make sure you understand the difference betweenmaximum static frictionandkinetic friction. Many students lose marks confusing the two.

Question 5: Experimental Data – Mass vs Weight

This part typically involves reading data from a table, plotting graphs, calculating gradients, and identifying planets or gravitational forces. It’s a clever way to test yourpractical science skills.

This year’s paper had a great example — the astronaut experiment to determine gravity using a mass vs weight table.

To excel here:

• Know the difference between mass (kg) and weight (N)

• Use the correct formula:$W=mg$

• Label your graph clearly and choose appropriate scales

• Always include units in final answers — this is where easy marks are often lost

Questions 6–8: Chemistry Integration

While this is a Physics-focused post, it’s worth noting that the final third of the exam involves mole calculations, reactions, bonding, intermolecular forces, and explanations using structure and properties.

If physics is your strong point,don’t leave chemistry for the last minute. The IEB Past Paper expects you to apply scientific thinking across topics.

You might be asked to:

• Calculate limiting reagents

• Determine percentage purity

• Compare melting points using bonding types

Success here depends onstrong conceptual groundingand being able to explain “why” — why iodine has a higher melting point than bromine, or why sodium chloride requires more heat to melt.

How to Prepare Effectively for this year’s Physics IEB Paper

1. Start with Theory – But Don’t Get Stuck There
Begin your revision by reviewing your notes and summaries. Make sure you understand the laws, definitions, and formulas. Then move quickly into practising application through questions.

2. Use Physics IEB Past Papers Regularly
This is your biggest tool. Past papers teach you:

• Time management

• Question phrasing

• Common traps and themes

Try writing out at least two past physics papers under timed conditions in the final weeks before your exam.

3. Check Your Answers Against the Memo
After completing a past paper,mark it with the memo. Don’t just check final answers. Look at the mark allocations and make sure your steps match what markers look for.

4. Prioritise Problem Areas
If inclined planes are your downfall, do five of them. If you mix up Newton’s laws, go back and revise one law at a time with examples.

5. Mix Physics and Chemistry Prep
Don’t separate them too strictly. The paper won’t. Try a day of Physics and a day of Chemistry, so your brain adjusts to switching gears.

Final Thoughts: This 2019 Physics IEB Past Paper Rewarded Effort and Strategy

The Grade 11 June 2019 IEB Physical Sciences paperwastough but fair. Itwasdesigned to stretch your thinking, not trick you. Students whodidwellweren’tjust “science kids” — theywerethe ones who showed up with a plan, practised often, and took the time to understand.

Don’t be discouraged by the length of the paper or the variety of questions. Once you break it into pieces and approach each section like a puzzle, itbecomesfar more manageable — and even enjoyable. Remember, physicsisn’tabout memorising facts. It’s about understanding the rules of the universe and learning how to apply them.

You’ve got this — and if you ever feel stuck, that’swhat tutors like us are here for.