Physical Science Grade 12 Exam Question Paper 2025 Walkthrough and PDF Download
Physical Science is one of the most challenging subjects in Matric. Whether you are aiming for a distinction or just want a safe pass, understanding the structure of the exam papers is the secret to success.
This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of the Physical Science Grade 12 Exam Question Paper 2025. We compare it with the 2024 paper to show you exactly which topics appear in which question numbers. This makes your revision much easier.
Below, you will find a breakdown of Paper 1 (Physics) and Paper 2 (Chemistry), along with tips on how to tackle the hardest questions.
Download Physical Science Grade 12 Paper 1 and Paper 2 Exam Question Papers:
Important Exam Rules (Don’t Lose Easy Marks!)
Before we look at the questions, you must remember the “Golden Rules” of the NSC (National Senior Certificate) exams. Based on the 2024 and 2025 papers, these rules haven’t changed:
- Total Marks: 150 Marks per paper.
- Time: 3 Hours per paper.
- Formulae: You must show the formula you are using before substituting numbers.
- Rounding: Always round your final numerical answers to a minimum of two decimal places.
Note: If you are writing the IEB exam, be careful! The 2025 IEB Paper 1 was out of 200 marks, meaning it covered more depth than the standard NSC paper.
Paper 1: Physics Walkthrough (2025 NSC)
The 2025 Physics paper followed a very similar structure to 2024. If you practiced with past papers, you would have felt comfortable. Here is the question-by-question breakdown.
Q2: Newton’s Laws and Friction
This question tests your understanding of forces.
- What was in the 2025 Paper?
- You had to apply Newton’s Laws to a block being pulled at an angle ($\theta$) on a rough horizontal surface.
- The Calculation: You needed to calculate the coefficient of static friction
- The Theory: You had to explain what happens to friction if the angle decreases.
- Comparison to 2024: In 2024, they used a crate and pulley system. 2025 focused more on angles and vector resolution.
Q3: Vertical Projectile Motion (VPM)
This is usually one of the trickier questions involving graphs.
- What was in the 2025 Paper?
- A single ball thrown upwards from a building.
- The Calculation: You had to find the time taken, the final velocity, and determine if the collision with the ground was elastic or inelastic.
- The Graph: You had to sketch a velocity-time graph.
- Difficulty: This is considered a high-difficulty question because you must understand sign conventions (choosing which direction is positive).
Q4: Momentum and Impulse
- What was in the 2025 Paper?
- An experiment involving a cricket ball being hit by a bat.
- The Graph: You were given a momentum-time graph and had to use it to calculate Impulse and the average force exerted.
- Comparison to 2024: 2024 focused on explosions (springs). 2025 focused on collisions and graphs.
Q5: Work, Energy, and Power
Always remember the Work-Energy Theorem:
- What was in the 2025 Paper?
- A crate moving horizontally and then going up a rough incline.
- The Task: You had to draw a free-body diagram showing all forces (gravity, friction, normal force, applied force).
- The Calculation: Using energy principles to figure out if the crate reaches a specific point.
Q6: Doppler Effect
This is often a “mark scorer” if you know your definitions.
- What was in the 2025 Paper?
- An ambulance moving with a siren.
- The Graph: You were given a graph of frequency vs. velocity.
- The Calculation: You had to use the graph to calculate the speed of sound.
- Tip: Always make sure you know which frequency is the source and which is the listener.
Q7: Electrostatics
This deals with electric charges and forces.
- What was in the 2025 Paper?
- Calculating the electric field and the distance between charges.
- Multi-charge problem: Calculating the net force on a charge due to other charges.
- Contact: What happens when two charged spheres touch and separate? (Conservation of charge).
Q8: Electric Circuits (The “Killer” Question)
Circuits are often the hardest part of Paper 1 for many students.
- What was in the 2025 Paper?
- A complex DC circuit with headlights and a starter motor
- Internal Resistance: You had to account for the battery’s internal resistance .
- The Task: Calculate EMF and voltage, and explain what happens to the current when switches are opened or closed.
Q9: Electrodynamics (Motors and Generators)
- What was in the 2025 Paper?
- AC Generator: You had to understand how it operates and define
- Real-world application: Calculate the cost of electricity based on a fan’s resistance, voltage, and time used.
Q10: Photoelectric Effect
- What was in the 2025 Paper?
- Experiments using different metals: zinc, sodium, and caesium.
- Definitions: You must define “Work Function.”
- Diagrams: Using electron energy level diagrams to do calculations.
Paper 2: Chemistry Overview
While we focus on the physics walkthrough, understanding the Chemistry (Paper 2) structure is vital. Based on the 2024 papers, 2025 follows the same pattern.
Organic Chemistry (Q2 – Q4)
This is the biggest section. You must master:
- IUPAC Naming: Naming chains, branches, and functional groups.
- Isomers: Understanding the difference between Chain, Positional, and Functional isomers.
- Intermolecular Forces: How hydrogen bonds affect vapour pressure. (E.g., comparing Pentane vs. 2,2-dimethylpropane).
- Reactions: Cracking, Elimination, Addition, and Substitution.
Rates of Reaction (Q5)
- Maxwell-Boltzmann Curves: Understanding how a catalyst lowers activation energy.
- Calculations: Using stoichiometry to find the remaining mass of a reactant (like Al).
Chemical Equilibrium (Q6)
- Le Chatelier’s Principle: Predicting shifts when temperature or pressure changes.
- Kc Calculation: This is the big math question. You usually need an “ICE” table (Initial, Change, Equilibrium) to solve or a final mass.
Acids and Bases (Q7)
- Titration: Calculating concentration
- Hydration Factor: A complex calculation to find ‘$x$’ in a formula
Electrochemistry (Q8 – Q9)
- Galvanic Cells: Batteries (Anode/Cathode).
- Electrolytic Cells: Using electricity to drive a reaction.
- Spontaneity: Using the Table of Standard Reduction Potentials to see if a reaction will happen on its own
How Difficult Was the 2025 Exam?
If we compare the complexity of 2024 and 2025:
- Kinematics (Q3): Both years required strong graph skills. 2024 had two moving objects (Balls A and B), which was confusing. 2025 focused on one object but required analyzing elastic/inelastic collisions, which is conceptually deep.
- Circuits (Q8): In 2024, you had to find bulb resistance first. In 2025, the difficulty came from the “starter motor” scenario and analyzing changes when switches open/close.
- Overall: Both papers are “High Difficulty.” They don’t just ask for definitions; they ask you to apply theory to new situations.
Passing Physical Science requires practice. The 2025 paper shows that the examiners love to test Graphs (in Motion, Impulse, and Doppler) and Multi-step Calculations (in Circuits and Equilibrium).
View more Physical Science Grade 12 Past Papers Here
Study Tip: Don’t just memorize definitions. Practice drawing free-body diagrams and setting up ICE tables for Chemistry.
Good luck with your studies!
Disclaimer: This article provides a walkthrough based on available educational comparisons. For official past papers, please visit the Department of Basic Education website.