FAD1022 Final Exam Scope — Complete Guide
[!note] Single authoritative exam scope document.
Merges two data sources:
- Past year patterns — 3 transcribed UAS papers (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25)
- Coordinator leak — exam structure from physics coordinator (2026-05-02)
- Lecturer tips — WhatsApp voice notes from ZAA, NIA, Hafizul (2026-05-04)
Supersedes FAD1022 Exam Focus — Leak Topics and FAD1022 Exam Structure — Detailed Leak.
1. Exam Structure
Historical (from 3 past years)
| Section |
Format |
Marks |
Effective |
| A |
15 compulsory × 3 marks |
45 |
45 |
| B |
5 Q × 12 → pick 3 |
60 |
36 |
| C |
6 Q × 12 → pick 4 |
72 |
48 |
| Total |
22 Q attempted |
177 |
~129 |
Coordinator: This Year's Expected Structure
| Section |
Format |
Marks |
Effective |
Time |
| A |
15 structured × 3 marks |
45 |
45 |
~30 min |
| B |
4 Q × 12 → pick 3 |
48 |
36 |
~55 min |
| C |
6 Q × 12 → pick 4 |
72 |
48 |
~75 min |
| Total |
22 Q attempted |
165 |
~129 |
~2h 40min |
[!warning] Key Difference
Coordinator says Section B will have 4 questions this year (down from 5 in past years). Pick 3 of 4 instead of 3 of 5. Past year patterns for B topics still apply — just one fewer option.
2. Past Year Topic Distribution (3-Year Average)
| Topic Area |
22-23 |
23-24 |
24-25 |
Avg % |
Frequency |
| Electrostatics + Gauss |
~15% |
~21% |
~15% |
17% |
Every year |
| Capacitors & DC Circuits |
~15% |
~8% |
~15% |
13% |
Every year |
| AC Circuits |
~20% |
~16% |
~19% |
18% |
Every year |
| Magnetism |
~12% |
~12% |
~15% |
13% |
Every year |
| EM Induction |
~15% |
~21% |
~12% |
16% |
Every year |
| Transformers / Inductance |
~8% |
~8% |
~8% |
8% |
Every year |
| Semiconductors & Op-Amps |
~8% |
~12% |
~15% |
12% |
Every year |
| Modern Physics (Photo, deB, Heisenberg) |
~7% |
~7% |
~9% |
8% |
Every year |
| Nuclear & Atomic Physics |
~5% |
~11% |
~12% |
9% |
Every year |
3. Section A — Structured Questions (15 × 3 = 45 marks)
Coordinator's Predicted Topics (This Year)
| # |
Topic |
Key Formula / Fact |
Source |
| A1 |
Capacitor Charging & Discharging |
$q(t) = CV(1 - e^{-t/RC})$, $q(t) = Q_0 e^{-t/RC}$, $\tau = RC$, $U = \frac12 CV^2$ |
Coordinator leak |
| A2 |
Kirchhoff's Current Law |
$\sum I_{\text{in}} = \sum I_{\text{out}}$, node analysis only (not KVL) |
Coordinator leak |
| A3 |
Op-Amp Formula |
Inverting: $V_{\text{out}} = -\frac{R_f}{R_i} V_{\text{in}}$; Non-inverting: $V_{\text{out}} = (1 + \frac{R_f}{R_i}) V_{\text{in}}$ |
Coordinator leak |
| A4 |
Ampere's Law — Wire ($r < R$) |
$B(r) = \frac{\mu_0 I r}{2\pi R^2}$ (inside), $B = \frac{\mu_0 I}{2\pi r}$ (outside) |
Coordinator leak |
| A5 |
Lenz Law |
❌ NOT TESTED in Section A. Skip it. |
Coordinator leak |
How This Aligns With Past Years
The coordinator's predicted A1-A4 topics have appeared in past years, just in different positions:
| Coordinator prediction |
Appeared in past years? |
| A1: RC transient |
Yes — B2 questions (capacitor charging/discharging concepts) |
| A2: KCL |
Yes — B3/Kirchhoff questions but not as standalone structured question |
| A3: Op-amp formula |
Yes — A13 in 24-25 |
| A4: Ampere inside wire |
Yes — C1 derivations, A7 in 23-24 |
| A5: Lenz NOT tested |
Past years had Lenz at A9 position. Coordinator says skip for Section A this year. |
Topics That Appeared Every Year in Past Section A (study these too)
- Electric flux / Gauss's Law
- Capacitor energy/combinations
- EMF / internal resistance
- Velocity selector ($v = E/B$)
- Motional EMF ($\varepsilon = Blv$)
- Diode / rectification
- Transformer turns ratio
- Photoelectric effect
These are backup topics — they appeared every year in the past but the coordinator's prediction doesn't list them for this year's A section.
4. Lecturer-Specific Guidance
Dr Zainal Abidin (ZAA) — Semiconductors (C4)
| Rule |
Detail |
| Marking strictness |
Extremely strict. "Insanely hard to get 12/12." |
| Answer format |
Must follow lecture notes word-for-word, one-to-one |
| Q-point answers |
Must include a storyline — don't just give numbers |
| Tutorials to study |
Tuto 12 (graphs), Tuto 13 (explanations) |
| Every circuit diagram |
WRITE DIRECTION OF CURRENT — non-negotiable |
Q-point "Storyline" template (mandatory):
"We discovered that the transistor is BARELY ON. $I_S$ is very small — 0.093 mA — and most of the voltage $V_{CC}$ (14.5 V out of 16 V) is still across the transistor itself. This means it is sitting in the active region, ready to amplify a signal."
Nurul Izzati (NIA) — AC Analysis, Photoelectric, Modern Physics
| Rule |
Detail |
| Same style |
Also expects the "storyline" answering approach |
| Photoelectric |
She'll test photoelectric effect + photon momentum |
| Key relationship |
Relationship of current with $X_C$ |
| Focus areas |
Resonant frequency, phasor diagram |
| Phasor diagrams |
Drawn from $X_C$ and $X_L$ values |
Hafizul Mat — Atomic & Nuclear Physics (C5)
| Rule |
Detail |
| Derivation |
Question requires derivation — show full algebra |
General Answering Technique
| Situation |
Technique |
| Section A (any 3-mark Q) |
1 formula → 1 substitution → 1 final answer WITH correct unit |
| Velocity selector |
Write formula first ($v = E/B$) — that alone is 1 mark |
| Increase/decrease |
Must specify direction (e.g. "increase" or "decrease") |
| Equivalent circuits |
ALWAYS draw direction of current (op-amp, diode, transistor) |
| Op-amp drawing |
Draw circuit + explain what happens when value is high / whether it'll work |
| Explanations |
For photoelectric conditions: $E$ must equal work function, 3 factors, must be metal |
5. Section B — Structured Questions (Pick 3 of 4, 12 marks each)
| Question |
Topic |
Difficulty |
Verdict |
| B1 |
Electrostatics — E vector & projectile motion |
Medium |
✅ Everyone |
| B2 |
Capacitor + Dielectric + DC (voltage divider) |
Medium |
✅ Everyone |
| B3 |
AC — PRC/PLC/PCC phasor diagram & power |
Medium-Hard |
✅ If comfortable with phasors |
| B4 |
AC — Claims & RLC circuit |
Hard |
❌ Drop unless AC is your strength |
B1: Electrostatics — E Vector & Projectile Motion
- Electric field superposition (vector): $\vec{E}_{\text{net}} = \sum \vec{E}_i$
- Force on test charge: $\vec{F} = q\vec{E}$
- Projectile in uniform E-field: $a_y = qE/m$, deflection $y = \frac12 \cdot \frac{qE}{m} \cdot (L/v_0)^2$
- Potential at centre / potential difference questions
B2: Capacitor + Dielectric + DC
- (a) Capacitance with dielectric: $C = \kappa \epsilon_0 A / d$
- (b) Energy: $U = \frac12 CV^2 = Q^2/2C$
- (c) Voltage divider (loaded vs unloaded) or series capacitor network
- RC charging/discharging — "hot topic" per coordinator
B3: AC — Phasor & Power
- Phasor diagram drawing: PRC ($0^\circ$), PLC ($+90^\circ$), PCC ($-90^\circ$)
- Power calculations: $P_e$ (real), $P_{LC}$ (inductive reactive), $P_{CC}$ (capacitive reactive)
- Phase angle $\phi$, power factor $\cos\phi$, lead/lag
- CIVIL mnemonic: Capacitor — I leads V; Inductor — V leads I
B4: AC — Claims & RLC
- 4 claims about AC — pick 2 wrong and rewrite
- RLC circuit — identify parallel components
- Make circuit resonate — find $L$ or $C$ to change
Recommended selection: B1 + B2 + B3. Drop B4 unless very confident with AC.
6. Section C — Structured Questions (Pick 4 of 6, 12 marks each)
| Question |
Topic |
Difficulty |
Verdict |
| C1 |
Magnetism — Gauss & Ampere derivation |
Medium-Hard |
✅ Everyone |
| C2 |
EM — AC motor torque |
Medium |
✅ If comfortable with $\tau = \mu \times B$ |
| C3 |
Transformer — self & mutual induction |
Medium |
✅ Everyone |
| C4 |
Semiconductor & biasing |
Medium |
✅ Strongest pick (most detailed leak) |
| C5 |
Atomic — Bohr radius derivation |
Medium |
✅ Everyone |
| C6 |
Photoelectric effect |
Medium-Hard |
❌ Harder, but predictable with practice |
Recommended selection: C4 + C3 + C5 + C1
C1: Magnetism — Gauss & Ampere Derivation
- Derivation of Gauss's Law for magnetism: $\oint \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{A} = 0$
- Derivation of Ampere's Law: $\oint \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{l} = \mu_0 I_{\text{enc}}$
- 4-wire systems (square arrangement — exam focus)
- Spherical Gaussian surface problem
- Magnetic force between parallel conductors
- Torque on current loop: $\tau = NIAB\sin\theta$
C2: EM — AC Motor Torque
- $\tau = NIAB\sin\theta$, magnetic dipole moment $\mu = NIA$
- Torque on current loop in uniform B-field
- AC motor operation principles
C3: Transformer — Self & Mutual Induction
- Self-inductance: $V_L = -L,dI/dt$, solenoid $L = \mu_0 N^2 A/l$
- Mutual inductance: $V_2 = -M,dI_1/dt$, $M = k\sqrt{L_1 L_2}$
- Transformer: $V_2/V_1 = N_2/N_1$, $I_2/I_1 = N_1/N_2$
- Energy stored in inductor: $U = \frac12 LI^2$
- Factors to increase transformer efficiency
C4: Semiconductor & Biasing
- Clipper/rectifier output waveform — "bukit/hill shape"
- Voltage divider bias — why more stable (fixed $V_B$, independent of $\beta$)
- Comparison: fixed bias vs emitter-stabilized vs voltage divider ($I_C$ vs $V_{CE}$)
- $I_E = I_B + I_C$ (KCL at transistor)
- $I_B$ calculation for fixed & emitter-stabilized bias
- Change in $\beta$ has no effect — explain why
- Dr Zainal: Follow lecture notes word-for-word. Include Q-point "storyline." Direction of current on ALL diagrams.
C5: Atomic Physics — Bohr Radius Derivation
- Derivation of $r_n$: Coulomb force = centripetal force + angular momentum quantization
- $r_n = n^2 a_0$, $a_0 = 0.529\ \text{Å}$
- Energy levels: $E_n = -13.6/n^2\ \text{eV}$
- Must show full derivation
C6: Photoelectric Effect
- $K_{\text{max}} = hf - \phi$, $eV_s = K_{\text{max}}$
- $V_s$ vs $f$ graph: slope $= h/e$, intercept $= -\phi/e$
- Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle: $\Delta x \Delta p \geq \hbar/2$
- Photon momentum: $p = E/c$
- de Broglie wavelength: $\lambda = h/p$
7. Answer Selection Strategy
Section B (pick 3 of 4)
Open exam → Read ALL 4 Section B questions (3 min)
├─ Always: B1 (Electrostatic) + B2 (Capacitor+DC)
├─ Then: B3 (AC Phasor) if comfortable
└─ Drop: B4 (Claims & RLC)
Section C (pick 4 of 6)
├─ Always: C4 (Semi — most detailed lecturer info)
├─ Always: C3 (Transformer — standard formulas)
├─ Always: C5 (Atomic — standard derivation)
├─ Strongly: C1 (Magnetism — predictable)
├─ If confident: C2 (AC Motor Torque)
└─ If prepared: C6 (Photoelectric + Heisenberg)
Time Allocation
| Section |
Qs |
Total Time |
Per Q |
| A |
15 structured |
30 min |
~2 min |
| B |
3 long |
55 min |
~18 min |
| C |
4 long |
75 min |
~19 min |
8. Quick Reference — Must-Know Formulas
| Topic |
Formula |
| Coulomb's Law |
$\vec{F} = kQq/r^2 \hat{r}$, $F = q\vec{E}$ |
| Electric Flux |
$\Phi_E = EA\cos\theta$ |
| Gauss's Law |
$\oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{A} = Q_{enc}/\varepsilon_0$ |
| Projectile in E-field |
$a_y = qE/m$, $y = \frac12 a_y t^2$, $\theta = \tan^{-1}(v_y/v_x)$ |
| Capacitance |
$C = \kappa\epsilon_0 A/d$, $Q = CV$ |
| Capacitor Energy |
$U = \frac12 CV^2 = Q^2/2C = \frac12 QV$ |
| RC transient |
$q(t) = CV(1 - e^{-t/\tau})$, $q(t) = Q_0 e^{-t/\tau}$, $\tau = RC$ |
| KCL |
$\sum I_{\text{in}} = \sum I_{\text{out}}$ |
| KVL |
$\sum \Delta V = 0$ around closed loop |
| Reactance |
$X_L = \omega L$, $X_C = 1/\omega C$ |
| Impedance |
$Z = \sqrt{R^2 + (X_L - X_C)^2}$ |
| Resonance |
$\omega_0 = 1/\sqrt{LC}$, $f_0 = 1/(2\pi\sqrt{LC})$ |
| Power |
$P_{avg} = V_{rms}I_{rms}\cos\phi$, $\cos\phi = R/Z$ |
| Lorentz force |
$\vec{F}_B = q\vec{v} \times \vec{B}$, $r = mv/qB$ |
| Velocity selector |
$v = E/B$ |
| Ampere's Law |
$\oint \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{l} = \mu_0 I_{\text{enc}}$ |
| $B$ inside wire |
$B = \mu_0 I r / (2\pi R^2)$ |
| Torque on loop |
$\tau = NIAB\sin\theta$ |
| Faraday's Law |
$\varepsilon = -N d\Phi_B/dt$ |
| Motional EMF |
$\varepsilon = Blv$ |
| Self-inductance |
$L = \mu_0 N^2 A / l$, $\varepsilon = -L dI/dt$ |
| Mutual inductance |
$\varepsilon_2 = -M dI_1/dt$ |
| Energy in inductor |
$U = \frac12 LI^2$ |
| Transformer |
$V_2/V_1 = N_2/N_1$, $I_2/I_1 = N_1/N_2$ |
| Transistor |
$I_E = I_B + I_C$, $I_C = \beta I_B$ |
| Fixed bias |
$I_B = (V_{CC} - V_{BE})/R_B$ |
| Emitter-stabilized bias |
$I_B = (V_{CC} - V_{BE})/(R_B + (\beta+1)R_E)$ |
| Bohr radius |
$r_n = n^2 a_0 = n^2(0.529\ \text{Å})$ |
| Energy levels |
$E_n = -13.6/n^2\ \text{eV}$, $\Delta E = hf$ |
| Photoelectric |
$K_{\text{max}} = hf - \phi$, $eV_s = K_{\text{max}}$ |
| de Broglie |
$\lambda = h/p = h/mv$ |
| Heisenberg |
$\Delta x \Delta p \geq \hbar/2$, $\hbar = h/2\pi$ |
| Nuclear decay |
$N(t) = N_0 e^{-\lambda t}$, $T_{1/2} = \ln2/\lambda$ |
| Binding energy |
$E_B = \Delta m \times 931.5\ \text{MeV}$ |
| Photon momentum |
$p = E/c = h/\lambda$ |
| Op-amp inverting |
$V_{\text{out}} = -\frac{R_f}{R_i} V_{\text{in}}$ |
| Op-amp non-inverting |
$V_{\text{out}} = (1 + \frac{R_f}{R_i}) V_{\text{in}}$ |
Constants to Memorise
$k = 9.0 \times 10^9\ \text{N·m}^2/\text{C}^2$, $\epsilon_0 = 8.85 \times 10^{-12}\ \text{F/m}$, $\mu_0 = 4\pi \times 10^{-7}\ \text{T·m/A}$, $h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34}\ \text{J·s}$, $c = 3.0 \times 10^8\ \text{m/s}$, $e = 1.6 \times 10^{-19}\ \text{C}$, $m_e = 9.11 \times 10^{-31}\ \text{kg}$, $hc = 1240\ \text{eV·nm}$, $1\ \text{eV} = 1.602 \times 10^{-19}\ \text{J}$, $1\ \text{u} = 931.5\ \text{MeV/c}^2$
[!warning] Pre-Exam Checklist
- [ ] Section A: RC transient, KCL, op-amp formula, Ampere inside/outside wire (coordinator predicts these)
- [ ] Section B: B1 (vector E + projectile), B2 (dielectric + voltage divider), B3 (phasor + power)
- [ ] Section C: C4 (biasing + voltage divider stability + storylines), C3 (transformer + mutual induction), C5 (Bohr radius derivation), C1 (Gauss/Ampere derivation, 4-wire)
- [ ] Dr Zainal technique: direction of current on ALL diagrams + Q-point storyline
- [ ] Nurul Izzati: photoelectric + photon momentum + phasor diagrams + current vs $X_C$
- [ ] Constants memorised
- [ ] Past years reviewed: FAD1022 UAS 2022-2023, FAD1022 UAS 2023-2024, FAD1022 UAS 2024-2025
- [ ] Calculator + ruler for phasor diagrams + pencil
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