COURSE: PHYSICS

Leader of Learning: Ms Tracy Wade

2 units for each of Year 11 and HSC / Board Developed Course.

Course Description:

Physics investigates natural phenomena and identifies patterns and applies in a wide range of interesting contexts, models, principles and laws to explain their behaviour.

• The Year 11 Course develops a knowledge of waves, heat, motion, forces, fields, electricity and magnetism. Working scientifically is a significant part of the course. Students develop their skills in questioning, designing investigations, conducting investigations and analysing data. Depth studies make up 15 hours and are spent studying aspects of Physics in greater detail. 

• The HSC Course builds on the concepts of the Year 11 Course by expanding into areas such as rocketry, planetary motion, astrophysics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics and relativity. Working scientifically and 15 hours of depth study are also a component of the HSC course. This dynamism and interrelatedness adds a level of sophistication to students’ understanding of the true nature and practice of science.

Course Content:

In the Year 11 course, students will learn about the following.

• Fundamental Mechanics

  • • Kinematics

    • Dynamics

• Energy

  1. • Waves and Thermodynamics

     • Electricity and Magnetism

In the HSC course, students will learn about the following.

• Beyond the Fundamentals

  • • Advanced Mechanics

    • Electromagnetism

• Developing New Ideas in Physics

  1. • The Nature of Light

     • Universe to the Atom

Course Requirements:

Students are provided with 15 hours of course time for Depth Studies in both Year 11 and Year 12 during each year’s 120 indicative hours. During this time students may undertake an investigation/activity that allows for the further development of one or more scientific concepts.

A Depth Study may be one investigation/activity or a series of investigations/activities. Depth Studies may be included in one module or across several modules.

Practical investigations are an essential part of the Year 11 and Year 12 courses and must occupy a minimum of 35 hours of course time each year. This will incur an additional fee of $55.