Physical Sciences — Grade 12

Skills for Practical Investigations

This unit builds the practical skills you need for your matric year. Before you tackle experiments on momentum, organic chemistry, or electrochemistry, you must know how to plan investigations, control variables, record data, and write scientific reports.

Mechanics — Momentum and Impulse

Have you ever wondered why a heavy truck moving slowly can cause more damage than a small car moving quickly? Or why airbags and seatbelts save lives? The answer lies in understanding momentum and impulse.

Matter and Materials — Organic Chemistry — Functional Groups and IUPAC Naming

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds. Carbon is found in the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the fuel in vehicles, and even in your own body.

Matter and Materials — Organic Chemistry — Physical Properties and Reactions

You have already learned how to name organic compounds and identify their functional groups. Now you will discover why these molecules behave the way they do. Why does petrol evaporate quickly while cooking oil barely evaporates? Why can you dissolve sugar in water but not candle wax? The answers lie in the relationship between molecular structure and physical properties.

Organic Macromolecules: The Giant Molecules That Shape Our World

This unit introduces organic macromolecules—very large molecules made by joining many smaller molecules together. You will learn about synthetic polymers (plastics) and biological macromolecules (carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids).

Term 1 Revision: Momentum, Organic Molecules and Macromolecules

This revision unit brings together everything you learned in Term 1 of Grade 12 Physical Sciences. You will work through practical investigation skills, the physics of momentum and impulse, and the chemistry of organic compounds and macromolecules.

Vertical Projectile Motion in One Dimension

This unit covers vertical projectile motion — the motion of objects moving up or down under the influence of gravity alone. You will apply the equations of motion from Grade 11 to objects that are dropped, thrown upward, or thrown downward.

Mechanics — Work, Energy and Power

This unit connects force and motion to energy. You have already studied momentum and impulse in Term 1, where forces change motion over time. Now you will learn how forces change motion through distance, and how energy changes form but is never destroyed.

Waves, Sound and Light — Doppler Effect

Have you noticed how an ambulance siren sounds higher-pitched as it approaches, then drops to a lower pitch as it speeds away? This is the Doppler Effect in action. By the end of this unit, you will understand exactly why this happens and be able to calculate the frequency changes involved.

Chemical Change — Reaction Rate and Extent of Reaction

Why does a match burst into flame instantly while iron takes months to rust? Why does food stay fresh longer in the fridge? The answers lie in understanding reaction rates.

Chemical Equilibrium

Chemical equilibrium explains what happens when a reaction can go in both directions at the same time. This is not a contradiction—it is how many reactions work in nature and industry.

Term 2 Mastery Revision

This revision unit covers the five main topics from Term 2: vertical projectile motion, work-energy-power, the Doppler Effect, reaction rates, and chemical equilibrium. You will review key concepts, practise calculations, and prepare for exam-style questions.

Grade 12 Physical Sciences Mid-Year Examination Prep

This unit prepares you for the Grade 12 Physical Sciences mid-year examination. It covers the work from Term 1 and Term 2, following CAPS ATP expectations.

Electric Circuits — Internal Resistance and Series-Parallel Networks

Every time you switch on a light, charge your phone, or start a car, you use the principles covered in this unit. You will learn how real batteries behave (they are not perfect!) and how to analyse circuits that combine series and parallel connections.

Electrical Machines: Generators and Motors

This unit explores how electricity and magnetism work together in generators and motors. These machines power almost everything around us—from Eskom power stations to household appliances.

The Photoelectric Effect: When Light Unlocks Electrons

When light shines on certain metals, electrons can be ejected from the surface. This is called the photoelectric effect. It happens not because the light heats the metal, but because light carries energy in tiny packets called photons.

Chemical Change — Acids and Bases: Reactions, Titrations, and pH Calculations

Acids and bases are part of everyday life. Citric acid gives oranges their sour taste. Sodium hydroxide is used in drain cleaners. Antacids neutralise stomach acid. Fertilisers affect soil pH. Understanding how these substances react, how we measure their strength, and how we determine their concentrations is important for careers in medicine, agriculture, water treatment, and industry.

Chemical Change — Electrochemical Reactions

This unit covers electrochemical reactions — the chemistry of electron transfer. Every time you start a car, charge your phone, or see gold-plated jewellery being made, electrochemistry is at work.

Chemical Systems — Chemical Industry — Fertilisers

Fertilisers are chemicals that help plants grow. They have changed how the world produces food. This unit explains how the chemical industry makes fertilisers and why they matter for agriculture.

Term 3 Revision: Physics and Chemistry

This revision unit covers the six main topics from Term 3. These topics appear heavily in your final NSC examination. Use this guide to consolidate your understanding, practise problem-solving, and build confidence.

Grade 12 Physical Sciences Trial Preliminary Examination Prep

This unit prepares you for the Grade 12 trial/preliminary examination in Physical Sciences. The trial exam covers all work from Terms 1 to 3 and is structured exactly like the final NSC examination.

Term 4 Revision: Complete NSC Physical Sciences Preparation

This revision unit helps you prepare for the NSC Physical Sciences examinations. It covers all Grade 12 topics from both Paper 1 (Physics) and Paper 2 (Chemistry).

Final NSC Examinations: Physics and Chemistry Preparation Guide

This guide prepares you for the Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Physical Sciences examinations. You have spent the year learning physics and chemistry concepts. Now you need to show your understanding in two three-hour examinations.