Grade 12 Physical Sciences: topics by term
Grade 12 Physical Sciences: what the CAPS curriculum covers in each of the four terms, with the official documents to download and ways the AlignWellz AI tutor can help.
Needs Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy).
Grade 12 Physical Sciences topics by term
Term 1
Mechanics
- Momentum and Impulse
- Vertical Projectile Motion in One Dimension
Matter and Materials
- Organic Molecules
Term 2
Mechanics
- Work, Energy and Power
Waves, Sound and Light
- Doppler Effect
Chemical Change
- Rate and Extent of Reaction
- Chemical Equilibrium
- Acids and Bases
Term 3
Electricity and Magnetism
- Electric Circuits
- Electrodynamics
Matter and Materials
- Optical Phenomena and Properties of Materials
Chemical Change
- Electrochemical Reactions
Chemical Systems
- Chemical Industry
Source: CAPS Physical Sciences Grades 10-12, section 3 (term tables for Physics and Chemistry in Grades 10, 11 and 12).
How the AlignWellz tutor helps with Physical Sciences
- Your child picks Physical Sciences, a term and a topic and the tutor knows what they are working on. They can also type, speak or upload a photo of their homework.
- The tutor guides step by step instead of just handing over answers, and explains things a different way if something doesn't click.
- Your child's own school worksheets, homework and textbooks always come first; CAPS is a guide, not a rule.
- Parents see time spent in Physical Sciences on the parent dashboard.
AI can make mistakes, so it works best alongside your child's teacher and textbook.
Official downloads
- Physical Sciences: CAPS document (English)
- Physical Sciences: CAPS document (Afrikaans)
- All CAPS documents for FET Phase (Grades 10–12)
These files are hosted by the Department of Basic Education, so you always get their current version. Workbooks are large PDFs, best downloaded on Wi-Fi. The DBE doesn't publish a workbook for this subject.
Other Grade 12 subjects
- Home Language
- First Additional Language
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Technical Mathematics
- Life Orientation
- Life Sciences
- Geography
- History
- Religion Studies
- Accounting
- Business Studies
- Economics
- Tourism
- Consumer Studies
- Hospitality Studies
- Computer Applications Technology
- Information Technology
- Visual Arts
- Dramatic Arts
- Music
- Dance Studies
- Design
- Agricultural Sciences
- Agricultural Management Practices
- Agricultural Technology
- Engineering Graphics and Design
- Civil Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Mechanical Technology
- Civil Technology (Technical specialisation)
- Electrical Technology (Technical specialisation)
- Mechanical Technology (Technical specialisation)
- Technical Sciences
- Second Additional Language
- Sport and Exercise Science
- Equine Studies
- Maritime Economics
- Nautical Science
- Marine Sciences
Back to all Grade 12 subjects.
Grade 12 Physical Sciences: common questions
What's new in Grade 12 Physical Sciences compared with Grade 11?
According to the CAPS documents, these topics appear in Grade 12 that were not named in Grade 11: Momentum and Impulse, Vertical Projectile Motion in One Dimension, Organic Molecules, Work, Energy and Power, Doppler Effect, Rate and Extent of Reaction, Chemical Equilibrium, Acids and Bases, Electrodynamics, Optical Phenomena and Properties of Materials, Electrochemical Reactions and Chemical Industry. Everything else builds on topics your child has already met.
Is the order of topics the same at every school?
Not necessarily. CAPS is the national framework, and the order of topics inside it is not prescriptive, so the term-by-term plan here is the Department of Basic Education's suggested sequence. Your child's school (or your homeschool plan) may teach topics in a different order, so check with their teacher. AlignWellz puts your child's own worksheets, homework and textbooks first.
Can an AI tutor help with Grade 12 Physical Sciences?
Yes. Your child can ask the tutor about Physical Sciences by typing or speaking, or attach a photo of a worksheet or homework (a clear JPG, PNG or WebP). The tutor is designed to guide step by step and check understanding rather than just hand over answers, and it puts your child's own school material first. They can also pick a term and topic from this page so the tutor knows what they are working on. AI can make mistakes, so it works best alongside your child's teacher and textbook.
How do I try it?
Create a family account, add your child, and start learning straight away. There is a 7-day free trial and no credit card is required.
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