Level 3 Physics

Course Description

What is the Physical World? The Level 3 Physical World course engages students in critical thinking and problem-solving skills to enable them to answer questions such as, 'why is the sky blue yet turns red during a sunrise?' This academic course delves further into the Physical World concepts of Mechanics, Electricity, Light and Waves. It helps to prepare them for university studies the following year and to apply their learned knowledge into new practical and theoretical situations. The recommendation is this course is chosen alongside the MAT302 course to build on skills and knowledge learned across both Curriculum strands. For more information go to the Science Department Website.

Topics Covered

●  Demonstrate an understanding of Mechanical Systems (EXT): centre of mass and conservation of momentum and impulse, Circular Motion and Gravity: Newton’s Laws, Satellite motion, Rotating systems: Rotational motion with constant angular acceleration, Oscillating systems: Simple harmonic motion

●  Demonstrate an understanding of electrical systems (EXT): Resistors in DC circuits, Capacitors in DC circuits, Inductors in DC circuits, AC circuits

●  Demonstrate an understanding of waves systems (EXT - optional): Interference of electromagnetic and sound waves, Standing waves, Harmonics, Resonance, Doppler Effect

●  Demonstrate an understanding of Modern Physics (INT): Models of atoms, photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, nuclear reactions and stability

●  Carry out a practical investigation to test a physics theory relating two variables in a non-linear relationship (INT): Collect data relating to one of the learning areas from PHY300 leading to a non-linear relationship. Use accuracy improving and error reducing techniques, justify decisions, utilise uncertainties and error bars, and explore limitations of experimental and theoretical understanding.

●  Demonstrate understanding of the application of physics to a selected context (INT): Linking key physics ideas together to provide a coherent picture of the physics relevant to the selected context

●  Use physics knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue (INT - optional): Linking key physics ideas together to provide a coherent picture of the physics relevant to the socio-scientific issue, and analysing and prioritising the physics knowledge and other perspectives related to the issue to justify the response.

Assessment 

This course has a minimum of 22 credits on offer, with a final assessment of either 3 internal credits (socio-scientific issue) or 4 external credits (waves).

Recommendation for Subject Entry

13 Credits including 2 external assessments (preferably Mechanics 91168 and Electricity and Magnetism 91173), and the Nuclear Physics Internal Assessment (AS91172).

Course Contributions

$30 - Course contribution for Physics SCIPAD workbooks

Next Steps

Some of the many possible career pathways for students who study the Physical World up into Level 3 are Architecture, Aviation, Engineering, Information Technology, Military Officers, Health Science, space research and Exploration.