Leaving Cert Physics: Yesterday's Leaving Cert physics paper was described as "bad news" for students who are not keen on maths.

Many of the long format questions in section two had lengthy mathematical components, which students have not seen since the new syllabus was first examined three years ago.

The new physics syllabus was introduced with the objective of attracting more students to study physics, which has been losing candidates ever year. Despite the overhaul, there was a further drop of 1 per cent in the numbers sitting physics this year, to 15 per cent. Yesterday's paper is unlikely to have addressed this problem.

Mr Pat Doyle, physics teacher with the Dublin Institute of Education, believes that the mathematical emphasis of yesterday's paper was "bad news" for less mathematical students. He also believes that the inclusion of a question on a nuclear reactor in the particle physics section will have thrown many candidates.

TUI representative, Mr John Gillespie, agreed that the heavy maths component was unexpected. "Section B had no tricks and drew broadly from the whole syllabus, but some of the questions were made up of 30 or even 40 per cent maths," said Mr Gillespie. He conceded that the new syllabus is not fulfilling its promise is terms of attracting new candidates. Gillespie pointed to the need for more modern topics on the course.

Mr Ger Curtin of the ASTI expressed the hope that yesterday's paper did not spell a return to old attitude that physics was the sole preserve of honours maths students.

Yesterday's ordinary level paper was pronounced "doable", drawing heavily from classwork. There were some difficult questions in Section B - chiefly questions 8 and 11, but students were generally satisfied.