Physics
2 units for each of Year 11 and Year 12 Board Developed Course Exclusions: Nil
Cost of course: $30
Course Description
The Year 11 course develops students’ knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the study of motion, how we describe it and what causes it. The course also examines energy in its different forms, and how we describe and measure electricity and magnetism and their interrelated effects.
The Year 12 course provides avenues for students to apply the concepts introduced in Year 11 and to motion in two dimensions, electromagnetism, the nature of light, and the atomic properties of matter.
Course Structure:
Year 11:
Topics & Brief Descriptions
Kinematics:
Motion is a fundamental observable phenomenon. The study of kinematics involves describing, measuring and analysing motion.
Dynamics:
The relationship between the motion of objects and the forces that act on them is often complex. This module develops the key concept that forces are always produced in pairs that act on different objects and add to zero.
Waves and Thermodynamics:
By exploring the behaviour of wave motion and examining the characteristics of wavelength, frequency, period, velocity and amplitude, students further their understanding of the properties of waves.
Electricity and Magnetism:
Atomic theory and the laws of conservation of energy and electric charge are unifying concepts in understanding the electrical and magnetic properties and behaviour of matter.
Year 12:
Topics & Brief Descriptions
Advanced Mechanics:
Students develop an understanding that all forms of complex motion can be understood by analysing the forces acting on a system, including the energy transformations taking place within and around the system.
Electromagnetism:
Understanding the similarities and differences in the interactions of single charges in electric and magnetic fields provides students with a conceptual foundation for this module.
The Nature of Light:
Throughout this module, students explore the evidence supporting physical theories related to light, along with the power of scientific theories to make useful predictions.
From the Universe to the Atom:
In studying this module, students can appreciate that the fundamental particle model is forever being updated and that our understanding of the nature of matter remains incomplete.
Particular Course Requirements:
Students should have a HSC minimum standard of level 3 or higher or a year 9 NAPLAN Band 7 minimum.
In both Year 11 and 12, 15 hours must be allocated to depth studies within the 120 indicative course hours.
Investigations are an essential part of the Year 12 course and must occupy a minimum of 35 hours of course time.
Students are strongly recommended to also be studying Mathematics Advanced or higher.
ASSESSMENT:
The Year 11 formal school-based assessment program is to reflect the following requirements:
• three assessment tasks
• one task may be a formal written examination
• one task must focus on a depth study or an aspect of a depth study with a weighting of 20–40%
The Year 12 formal school-based assessment program is to reflect the following requirements:
• a maximum of four assessment tasks
• one task may be a formal written examination with a maximum weighting of 30%
• one task must focus on a depth study or an aspect of a depth study with a weighting of 20–40%
Text: Yes + online learning via Edrolo
Faculty: Science
Contact: Mr Paul Devonshire- Head Teacher