Unit 1 Physics (PH011)

Areas of study

• How are light and heat explained?

• How is energy from the nucleus utilised?

• How can electricity be used to transfer energy?

Learning program & assessment:

• The learning program develops a deep, theoretical understanding of some of the fundamental ideas and models used by physicists to understand and explain energy. Theoretical work is supported by demonstrations, experiments, investigations and research tasks.

• Students demonstrate their knowledge through application to problem questions, construction and explanation of models, practical reports and summaries. The presentation and manipulation of data is a key consideration of Unit 1 Physics.

• Assessment consists of 3 SAC tasks from a range of activities such as tests, practical reports, practical summaries and investigative reports.

Unit 2 Physics (PH022)

Areas of study

• How is motion understood?

• How does physics inform contemporary issues and applications in society?

• How do physicists investigate questions?

Learning program & assessment:

• Students explore the power of experiments in developing models and theories by taking a more personalised view of their interests in Physics.

• Students demonstrate their knowledge through application to problem questions, construction and explanation of models, practical reports and summaries. 

• Assessment consists of 3 SAC tasks.  Amongst these tasks, students will choose from one of eighteen courses of investigation to justify a response to a contemporary physics issue. Students will also undertake a student-designed scientific investigation.

Unit 3 Physics (PH033)

Areas of study

• How do physicists explain motion in two dimensions?

• How do things move without contact?

• How are fields used in electricity generation?

Learning program & assessment:

• The learning program develops a deep, theoretical understanding of how energy shapes our world, with a focus on electricity, magnetism and motion. Theoretical work is supported by demonstrations, experiments, investigations and research tasks.

• Students demonstrate their knowledge through application to problem questions, construction and explanation of models, practical reports and summaries. The calculation and representation of error and uncertainty is a key skill of Unit 3 Physics.

• Assessment consists of 3 SAC tasks from a range of activities such as tests, practical reports, practical summaries and investigative reports.

Unit 4 Physics (PH044)

Areas of study

• How has understanding about the physical world changed?

• How is scientific inquiry used to investigate fields, motion or light?

Learning program & assessment:

• The learning program develops a deep, theoretical understanding of how wave and particle models can explain phenomena around us. Theoretical work is supported by demonstrations, experiments, investigations and research tasks.

• Students demonstrate their knowledge through application to problem questions, construction and explanation of models, practical reports and summaries. 

• Assessment consists of 2 SAC tasks. The first SAC will be based on content from the first area of study. The second SAC will involve the communication of the design, analysis and findings of a student-designed and student-conducted scientific investigation through a structured scientific poster and logbook entries. 

Recommended Foundational Skills and Knowledge

Students seeking to undertake study in physics at a VCE level or further are recommended to develop and maintain a strong foundation of skills and understanding relating to mathematics and physics.

Study Before VCE Physics

It is recommended that students have studied and attained a basis of knowledge in:

• 9/10 Physics

• Mathematical Science

Study Alongside VCE Physics

It is also recommended that students further develop their mathematical understanding while undertaking VCE physics, by studying:

• VCE Mathematical Methods (preferred)

• VCE General Mathematics

Note on University Enrolment

To enrol in university level physics courses, students are often required to have studied both VCE Physics and VCE Mathematical Methods. Students who have not studied these VCE courses may need to take extra bridging courses before they can enrol in tertiary physics courses.