A "wordy" Leaving Cert higher physics paper was welcomed by students yesterday as all the predicted topics came up in a clear and well-structured format.
Last year's students complained of a paper that was too abstract and mathematical; this year's offering was just the opposite, according to commentators.
"Students were required to answer the modern physics questions in an essay style - this was a curious format but the questions were not difficult," said Martin Cunniffe, subject expert with ASTI.
"The rest of the paper was fairly predictable, with the odd sting in the tail of longer questions, aimed at A1 students."
The numbers taking Leaving Cert physics, which have been in decline over the last decade, stabilised this year at 8,223 or 14.8 per cent of the student body.
Physics students get a higher percentage of A1s than average, at 11.2 per cent last year. One in five students takes the ordinary level paper.
Michael Gillespie of St Brendan's Community School in Birr welcomed the move away from heavy maths on yesterday's higher paper.
"Most of the questions had appeared on past papers so students had no surprises in store," said Mr Gillespie, a subject expert with the TUI. "There was a slight format change - questions 11 and 12 swapped places - but the questions themselves were well received."
This year marks the centenary of three of Albert Einstein's most famous papers and has been designated by Unesco as the World Year of Physics. Einstein's "photoelectric effect" formed a substantial part of question 12 yesterday.
"Many teachers would have spent considerable time preparing for this question because this year is the centenary of Einstein's publication," said Mr Gillespie. "Yesterday's question counted for nearly 7 per cent which should have made some students very happy."
Mr Cunniffe welcomed the appearance of two Irish scientists - Nobel Prize winner EPS Walton and Rev Prof Callan of Maynooth.
A new physics syllabus was introduced four years ago with the aim of attracting a more diverse range of students. There is still no provision for a practical physics exam, however.
Yesterday's ordinary-level paper was also applauded as student-friendly.
"The paper was well laid out, giving students the opportunity to maximise their marks in each section," said Mr Gillespie. "There were plenty of hints in the questions to help students towards the right answers."
