2 units for each of Preliminary and HSC

Board Developed Course (Category A)

ATAR Course

Exclusions: None

Prerequisites: None

Course Description:

The Physics Stage 6 Syllabus 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 Year 11 course develops student’s 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 they were introduced to in Year 11 to motion in two dimensions, electromagnetism, theories of light, the atom and the Universe.

Main Topics Covered:

Preliminary:

• • Module 1 Kinematics

  • Module 2 Dynamics

  • Module 3 Waves and Thermodynamics

  • Module 4 Electricity and Magnetism

HSC:

• • Module 5 Advanced Mechanics

  • Module 6 Electromagnetism

  • Module 7 The Nature of Light

  • Module 8 From the 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 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.

For more information about this course, please see: Mr Hersey