VCE Physics

Physics Units 1-4

VCE Physics is all about understanding how the world works, from the tiniest particles to the biggest structures in the universe. You'll use observations, experiments, and maths to explain what you see around you.

In this subject, you'll dive into big ideas that have changed how we think, like relativity and quantum physics. Some of the things you'll learn have been known for a long time, but many areas of physics are still evolving, leading to new and exciting technology and discoveries.

By studying physics, you'll learn the importance of careful observation and experiments. You'll do hands-on activities and use physics principles to explain and measure different phenomena.

Some people think that physics at VCE level requires a lot of mathematical prowess but if you are doing general maths, you will be able to do everything required in physics. The subject is approached from a perspective where understanding and explaining the concepts helps the mathematical aspects fall into place.

Unit 1: How is Energy useful to Society 

In this unit, you'll learn about the basic ideas and models' physicists use to explain energy. You'll explore how we understand light, thermal energy, radioactivity, nuclear processes, and electricity. We'll also look at how these concepts apply to real-world issues like communication, climate change, medical treatments, home electrical safety, and Australia's energy needs.

Unit 2: How does Physics Help us to understand the World

In this unit, you'll see how experiments help us develop models and theories. You'll investigate different phenomena by making observations and asking questions that lead to experiments.

• Area of Study 1: You'll study how forces move and keep objects stationary and apply these ideas to a case study on motion - in past years, we have focused this case study on road safety, and this has included an excursion to a crash test facility (future excursions to be confirmed).

• Area of Study 2: You'll choose one of eighteen topics, including topics such as climate science, nuclear energy, biomechanics, medical physics, astrophysics, or sports science. You'll investigate your chosen topic and use physics to address a related societal issue or application.

• Area of Study 3: You'll conduct your own scientific investigation, collecting primary data and use the skills and knowledge from the first two areas of study.

Unit 3: How do fields explain motion and electricity? 

In this unit you'll use Newton’s laws to investigate motion in one and two dimensions. This usually involves an excursion to Luna Park. You'll explore the concept of the field as a model used by physicists to explain observations of motion of objects not in apparent contact. You will compare and contrast three fundamental fields – gravitational, magnetic and electric – and how they relate to one another and consider the importance of the field to the motion of particles within the field. You'll examine the production of electricity and its delivery to homes and explore fields in relation to the transmission of electricity over large distances and in the design and operation of particle accelerators.

Unit 4: How have creative ideas and investigation revolutionised thinking in physics?

In this unit, you'll explore how experiments and theories work together to explain natural phenomena. You'll learn how ideas about the Universe have changed over time, particularly in light of quantum physics. You'll study wave theory and its limitations, and how quantum physics explains light's particle-like properties. You'll also explore how matter and energy are related, especially at speeds close to the speed of light. You'll dive into concepts like length contraction and time dilation and see how Einstein’s ideas led to modern technologies like GPS.

A student-designed extended practical investigation involving the generation of primary data and including one continuous, independent variable related to fields, motion or light is undertaken. You’ll collect primary data and present your findings in a scientific poster.

Assessment/Entry Requirements

Entry: Students need to achieve a satisfactory in year 10 science for entry into Units 1 and 2. Students must undertake Units 3 and 4 as a sequence within one calendar year.  Students who enter the study at Unit 3 must undertake preparatory work related to Unit 2.

Assessment

Demonstrated achievement of the set of outcomes specified for the unit.

Levels of Achievement

• Units 1 and 2: 

  • A range of school based assessment tasks including end of unit exam

• Units 3 and 4:

  • Unit 3 school-assessed coursework (30%): 3 SACs (each worth 10%)

  • Unit 4 school-assessed coursework (20%): 1 SAC (10%), 1 Extended Practical Investigation (10%)

  • End-of-year VCAA administered examination (50%)