Physics
Units 1-2
In Physics, students gain an appreciation of the laws of nature from the smallest scale of the atomic nucleus to the largest scale, that of the entire universe. The focus is on being able to understand and meaningfully describe the physical world. Physics provides an excellent grounding for a large number of fulfilling careers and is a very suitable subject for inquisitive students who have sound capabilities in analysis. Students need to have satisfactorily completed Unit 1 and 2 Physics prior to studying Units 3 and 4.
UNIT 1
In Unit 1, students examine some of the fundamental ideas and models used by physicists in an attempt to understand and explain energy. Models used to understand light, thermal energy, radioactivity, nuclear processes and electricity are explored. Students apply these physics ideas to contemporary societal issues: communication, climate change and global warming, medical treatment, electrical home safety and Australian energy needs.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES Discussions, demonstrations, practical activities, text questions and interactive software.
KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Develop aims and questions, formulate hypotheses and make predictions, Plan and undertake investigations, Comply with safety and ethical guidelines, Conduct investigations to collect and record data, Analyse and evaluate data, methods and scientific models.
ASSESSED TASKS Selected from data analysis, media analysis/response and a test (short answer and extended response) and an end-ofsemester examination.
UNIT 2
In Unit 2, students explore the power of experiments in developing models and theories. They investigate a variety of phenomena by making their own observations and generating questions, which in turn lead to experiments.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES Discussions, demonstrations, practical activities, text questions and interactive software.
KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Develop aims and questions, formulate hypotheses and make predictions, Plan and undertake investigations, Comply with safety and ethical guidelines, Conduct investigations to collect and record data, Analyse and evaluate data, methods and scientific models.
ASSESSED TASKS Selected from data analysis, media analysis/response, a test (short answer and extended response), a structured scientific poster according to VCAA template and an end-of-semester examination.
Units 3-4
Students gain an appreciation of the laws of nature from the smallest scale of the atomic nucleus to the largest scale, the entire universe. Students learn through experimenting, observing, debating and developing theoretical models that describe the phenomena we see. The study of Physics underpins much of the technology found in areas such as commerce, communications, engineering and industry. Students need to have satisfactorily completed Unit 1 and 2 Physics prior to studying Units 3 and 4.
UNIT 3
In unit 3, students investigate the contribution that classical and contemporary research has made to the understanding of the functioning of the nervous system and to the understanding of biological, psychological and social factors that influence learning and memory.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES Discussions, demonstrations, practical activities, text questions and interactive software.
KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Develop aims and questions, formulate hypotheses and make predictions, Plan and undertake investigations, Comply with safety and ethical guidelines, Conduct investigations to collect and record data, Analyse and evaluate data, methods and scientific models.
ASSESSED TASKS Selected from data analysis, media analysis/response and a test (short answer and extended response).
UNIT 4
In unit 4, students explore the demand for sleep and the influences of sleep on mental wellbeing. They consider the biological mechanisms that regulate sleep and the relationship between rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep across the life span. They also study the impact that changes to a person’s sleep-wake cycle and sleep hygiene have on a person’s psychological functioning and consider the contribution that classical and contemporary research has made to the understanding of sleep.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES Discussions, demonstrations, practical activities, text questions and interactive software.
KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Develop aims and questions, formulate hypotheses and make predictions, Plan and undertake investigations, Comply with safety and ethical guidelines, Conduct investigations to collect and record data, Analyse and evaluate data, methods and scientific models.
ASSESSED TASKS Selected from data analysis, media analysis/response, a test (short answer and extended response) and a structured scientific poster according to VCAA template.
VCAA ASSESSMENT – The overall Study Score will consist of: School Assessed Coursework (50%), 2 ½ hour written examination in November (50%). School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 will contribute 21 per cent to the study score. School-assessed Coursework for Unit 4 will contribute 19 per cent to the study score