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Course Overview
Course Overview
Physics involves the study of matter and its motion through space and time, along with related concepts that include energy and force. Physics deals with the study of phenomena on scales of space and time – from nuclear particles and their interactions up to the size and age of the Universe. This allows students to better understand the physical world and how it works, appreciate the uniqueness of the Universe, and participate in navigating and influencing the future.
The Physics course builds on students’ knowledge and skills developed in the Science Stage 5 course and help them develop a greater understanding of physics as a foundation for undertaking post-school studies in a wide range of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. A knowledge and understanding of physics often provides the unifying link between interdisciplinary studies.
Course Structure - Year 11
Course Structure - Year 11
Module 1: Kinematics
Module 1: Kinematics
- How is the motion of an object moving in a straight line described and predicted?
- How is the motion of an object that changes its direction of movement on a plane described?
Module 2: Dynamics
Module 2: Dynamics
- How are forces produced between objects and what effects do forces produce?
- How can the motion of objects be explained and analysed?
- How is the motion of objects in a simple system dependent on the interaction between the objects?
Module 3: Waves and Thermodynamics
Module 3: Waves and Thermodynamics
- What are the properties of all waves and wave motion?
- How do waves behave?
- What evidence suggests that sound is a mechanical wave?
- What properties can be demonstrated when using the ray model of light?
- How are temperature, thermal energy and particle motion related?
Module 4: Electricity and Magnetism
Module 4: Electricity and Magnetism
- How do charged objects interact with other charged objects and with neutral objects?
- How do the processes of the transfer and the transformation of energy occur in electric circuits?
- How do magnetised and magnetic objects interact?
Course Structure - Year 12
Course Structure - Year 12
Module 5: Advanced Mechanics
Module 5: Advanced Mechanics
- How can models that are used to explain projectile motion be used to analyse and make predictions?
- Why do objects move in circles?
- How does the force of gravity determine the motion of planets and satellites?
Module 6: Electromagnetism
Module 6: Electromagnetism
- What happens to stationary and moving charged particles when they interact with an electric or magnetic field?
- Under what circumstances is a force produced on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field?
- How are electric and magnetic fields related?
- How has knowledge about the Motor Effect been applied to technological advances?
Module 7: The Nature of Light
Module 7: The Nature of Light
- What is light?
- What evidence supports the classical wave model of light and what predictions can be made using this model?
- What evidence supports the particle model of light and what are the implications of this evidence for the development of the quantum model of light?
- How does the behaviour of light affect concepts of time, space and matter?
Module 8: From the Universe to the Atom
Module 8: From the Universe to the Atom
- What evidence is there for the origins of the elements?
- How is it known that atoms are made up of protons, neutrons and electrons?
- How is it known that classical physics cannot explain the properties of the atom?
- How can the energy of the atomic nucleus be harnessed?
- How is it known that human understanding of matter is still incomplete?
Coursework
Students who study physics are encouraged to use observations to develop quantitative models of real-world problems and derive relationships between variables. They are required to engage in solving equations based on these models, make predictions, and analyse the interconnectedness of physical entities.
Suitable Candidates
The study of physics provides the foundation knowledge and skills required to support participation in a range of careers. It is a discipline that utilises innovative and creative thinking to address new challenges, such as sustainability, energy efficiency and new materials.
Career paths
Engineer, Mathematician, Statistician, Actuary, Physicist, Researcher, Scientist, Technician, Astronomer.
Equipment Required
Exercise book / folder, laptop, calculator, black leather lace up shoes
Mandatory Course Fees? No
Other Course Costs Nil
Coordinating Faculty
Science
Head Teacher
Mrs. S Norrish
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