A Comprehensive Guide to Hong Kong’s Junior Secondary Physics Curriculum (2025 Edition)

The Junior Secondary Physics Curriculum in Hong Kong (Grades 7–9) is designed to nurture students’ scientific thinking and real-world problem-solving abilities. With a strong emphasis on observation, modeling, and validation, this curriculum lays the groundwork for future studies in DSE Physics and STEM-related fields.

In this guide, we’ll explore the curriculum’s goals, core units, teaching methods, assessments, and more — perfect for parents, students, and educators looking to understand the full scope of Physics education at the junior secondary level in Hong Kong.

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1. Curriculum Goals and Objectives

The Junior Secondary Physics Curriculum serves as a bridge between primary science and senior secondary Physics. Its core objectives include:

• Building Strong Physics Concepts: Students learn fundamental physical principles by observing and analyzing everyday phenomena.
• Developing Scientific Inquiry Skills: Through experiments and investigations, students learn to test hypotheses and validate theories.
• Enhancing Problem-Solving Abilities: Physics knowledge is applied to interpret and solve real-life problems.
• Preparing for the DSE Physics Exam: Early exposure to key concepts sets students up for success in senior secondary science subjects.

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2. Curriculum Structure: 7 Core Physics Units

(1) Force and Motion

• Key Concepts:
  • Calculating speed and acceleration
  • Understanding Newton’s Laws of Motion using air track experiments
• Practical Applications:
  • How seatbelts reduce force during collisions
  • Physics behind athletes’ starting positions

(2) Energy and Power

• Energy Conversion:
  • Kinetic → Potential: Pendulum experiments
  • Light → Electrical: Solar-powered car projects
• Real-World Topics:
  • Renewable energy development in Hong Kong
  • Designing energy-efficient homes

(3) Thermodynamics

• Heat Transfer:
  • Experiments comparing conduction, convection, and radiation
  • Thermos flask insulation analysis
• Measuring Heat:
  • Calculating specific heat capacity using heated metal blocks

(4) Optics

• Light Behavior:
  • Law of reflection using mirrors
  • Refraction through water-filled glasses
• Optical Devices:
  • Building basic telescopes
  • Understanding how cameras capture images

(5) Acoustics

• Sound Properties:
  • Observing sound waves with oscilloscopes
  • Evaluating materials for sound absorption
• Applications:
  • Acoustic design of theaters and halls
  • Use of ultrasound in technology and medicine

(6) Electricity

• Circuit Basics:
  • Series vs. parallel circuits
  • Ohm’s Law experiments
• Home Applications:
  • Calculating electricity bills
  • Learning safe practices for household electrical use

(7) Magnetism and Electromagnetism

• Magnetic Fields:
  • Using iron filings to visualize field lines
  • Electromagnet-making competitions
• Induction Principles:
  • Generating electricity by hand-cranked generators
  • Understanding transformers

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3. Innovative Teaching Approaches

To make Physics more engaging and effective, teachers adopt creative and interactive methods:

• Inquiry-Based Learning:
  • Example: Students design an “egg protection device” to study momentum and impact forces
• Technology Integration:
  • Using apps like Phyphox to record motion data
  • Programming with Arduino to measure light intensity
• Life-Based Learning:
  • Investigating MTR braking systems
  • Estimating typhoon wind speeds using real data

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4. Lab Safety: A Tiered Protection System

Lab work is essential in Physics, and Hong Kong schools enforce strict safety guidelines:

• Tier 1 – Basic Experiments: Use of safety goggles
• Tier 2 – High-Voltage Activities: Use of insulated gloves
• Tier 3 – Laser Experiments: Use of specialized laser goggles
• Emergency Preparedness:
  • Steps to handle electric shocks and chemical burns

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5. Assessment Breakdown

School-Based Assessment (60%)

• Lab Reports:
  • Accuracy of data (30%)
  • Depth of error analysis (20%)
  • Quality of scientific conclusions (50%)
• Project-Based Learning:
  • Example: Building earthquake-resistant structures

Public Assessment (40%)

• Question Formats:
  • Multiple Choice (30%): e.g., identifying light paths
  • Calculations (40%): e.g., solving kinematics problems
  • Essay Questions (30%): e.g., discussing energy policies

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6. Teaching Resources and Tools

• Digital Tools:
  • Algodoo for simulating Physics scenarios
  • Vernier systems for collecting and analyzing lab data
• Physical Aids:
  • Kits for mechanics and optics experiments

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7. Transition Support: From Primary to DSE

The curriculum is designed to ease students through key academic transitions:

• Primary Bridging:
  • Shifting from qualitative to quantitative investigations
  • Progressing from simple machines to mechanical systems
• Senior Secondary Preparation:
  • Introducing vectors in Grade 9
  • Infusing foundational calculus thinking early on

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8. Latest Trends and Innovations

• STEM Integration:
  • Building water rockets to study projectile motion
  • Solar house design challenges
• AI in the Physics Classroom:
  • Analyzing lab data with machine learning
  • Smart sensor networks for environmental studies

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9. How Parents Can Support Learning

• At-Home Experiments:
  • Measuring gravitational acceleration with a smartphone
  • Comparing heat conduction in cooking pots
• Learning Activities:
  • Visiting the Hong Kong Science Museum
  • Enrolling in “Young Physicists” enrichment programs
• Recommended Resources:
  • Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt
  • Educational YouTube channels like Veritasium

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2024 Key Education Stats

• 89% of Hong Kong junior secondary schools are equipped with Physics lab facilities
• Students spend an average of 40 hours per year on lab work
• 62% of science stream students sit for the DSE Physics exam

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Note: This information is for reference only. For the latest updates, visit the official Hong Kong Education Bureau website.

Compiled with AI assistance. Reviewed by Professor Chan Kwok-wai. Edited by Eric Kong.