the Evolution of Question 11 in LC Physics.... (by Kate Urell)

Some people want to know Banksy’s identity, others are curious about The Zodiac Killer, or the Man in the Iron Mask, what happened to Shergar, where is Lord Lucan now or what was Amelia Earhart’s fate?  Conspiracy theories have gone viral to try to solve them. My interests are a little more niche-I am curious about the mysterious person who designs question 11 in Leaving Cert Physics.

Every June, I enjoy reading question 11 to see how the Question Eleven Designer has linked an article to the syllabus since 2002. I am fascinated by the way the examiner uses the article as a launchpad for the themes of the questions. The articles are generally interesting, but I warn my classes that they can lure you in and then ask you questions which are only tenuously linked to the article. This was not always the case. Back in 2002, there was an article from the Department’s Teacher’s Handbook about Franklin and lightning conductors. The questions were all on that one topic-electrostatics and no calculations. An Irish Times article on radioactive decay featured in 2003. The Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland featured questions on domestic electricity and one on specific heat capacity. So far, it was straight forward-the article was about one topic and so were the questions.

There was a little break with tradition when 2005 amalgamated ques 10 and 11 and the articles were a choice between particle physics and applied electricity. The next year was a well-designed question which combined sound and electromagnetic induction and Hendrix. 2007 was about nuclear fission with an article adapted from Scientific American. An element of creative flair emerged in 2008. It was a turning point in ques 11’s journey as it was becoming more eclectic-there were questions on temperature, electromagnetic spectrum, mechanics and Quantum Theory. We were back to one topic question -heat  in 2009  and radio waves in 2010 (a mobile phone featuring an antenna). 2011 was too dull to mention and turbines featured in 2012 and seismometers in 2013. In 2014, questions 10 and 11 were amalgamated again with 11a on cyclotrons and 11b on silicon. We were back to electromagnetic induction in 2015 with an article on Tesla and electric cars. The theories about the nature of light turned up in 2016 referring to refraction, Newton and Young. 2017 was another eclectic mix of questions on electricity, planetary motion and light all linked to the history of telecommunications. 2018 was a blend of radio waves, magnetism, light linked to an article on telescopes.

One of my favourites was 2019 which was about Physics Rivalries which fuel scientific development. I am always interested in the human emotions behind science. The questions were about electrical transmission, Hooke’s Law, Newton’s Laws of Motion, convex lenses and fission. 2020 was about cathode rays, Geiger-Muller Tube and Rutherford, Geiger-Marsten’s gold foil experiment. Unusually in 2021 we had a repeat of the gold foil experiment as well as the Geiger-Muller Tube. 2022 was a mix of questions on heat, sound and radioactivity all tenuously linked to the Bronze Age. By 2023, ques 11 had morphed into ques 13 when we had an article on the electric power grid and the questions were on energy conversions, electricity, circular motion and renewable energy. Tyndall was the connection in 2024, for questions on light and spectroscopy.  

Have I noticed any trends? Well, there’s a clear bias towards Irish physics-we’ve had Turlough Hill, Tyndall, Hamilton, Fulacht Fiadhs, the Leviathan, the transatlantic cable and maybe a slight bias towards radioactivity and electrical transmission? However, nothing is guaranteed.

2025 will be the last year where I will be tracking question 11/13.   I have watched it evolve from one topic to a blend of many. No doubt, the new syllabus will feature other articles which will capture my interest.  Well done to the Banksy of Irish Physics-the anonymous question 11 designer- who has entertained me for 23 years.