The links that a specific ORBYTS project has to the curriculum may vary; below, we include some of the most common.
Note we are referring to the Australian National Curriculum in Physics and Chemistry.
Role and Practice of Science (Science as a Human Endeavour)
Science is a global enterprise that relies on clear communication, international conventions, peer review and reproducibility (ACSCH009,ACSCH048,ACSPH009)
Development of complex models and/or theories often requires a wide range of evidence from multiple individuals and across disciplines (ACSCH010,ACSCH049,ACSPH010)
Advances in science understanding in one field can influence other areas of science, technology and engineering (ACSCH011,ACSCH050,ACSPH011)
Scientific knowledge can enable scientists to offer valid explanations and make reliable predictions (ACSCH053,ACSPH014)
understand how models and theories have developed based on evidence from multiple disciplines, and the uses and limitations of chemical knowledge in a range of contexts (Learning Objective, Unit 2)
understand how scientific models and theories have developed and are applied to improve existing, and develop new, technologies (Learning Outcomes, Physics Unit 2)
ICT and other technologies have dramatically increased the size, accuracy and geographic and temporal scope of data sets with which scientists work (ACSCH120,ACSPH086)
Models and theories are contested and refined or replaced when new evidence challenges them, or when a new model or theory has greater explanatory power (ACSCH121, ACSPH087)
International collaboration is often required when investing in large-scale science projects or addressing issues for the Asia-Pacific region (ACSCH125,ACSPH091)
understand how models and theories have developed over time, and the ways in which physical science knowledge and associated technologies interact with social, economic, cultural and ethical considerations (Learning Objectives)
Scientific Skills
Represent data in meaningful and useful ways, including using appropriate graphic representations and correct units and symbols; organise and process data to identify trends, patterns and relationships; identify sources of random and systematic error; identify anomalous data; estimate the effect of error on measured results; and select, synthesise and use evidence to make and justify conclusions (ACSCH043)
Represent data in meaningful and useful ways, including using appropriate Système Internationale (SI) units and symbols; organise and analyse data to identify trends, patterns and relationships; identify sources of random and systematic error and estimate their effect on measurement results; identify anomalous data and calculate the measurement discrepancy between experimental results and a currently accepted value, expressed as a percentage; and select, synthesise and use evidence to make and justify conclusions (ACSPH004)
Select, construct and use appropriate representations, including text and graphic representations of empirical and theoretical relationships, flow diagrams, nuclear equations and circuit diagrams, to communicate conceptual understanding, solve problems and make predictions (ACSPH006)
Select, use and interpret appropriate mathematical representations, including linear and non-linear graphs and algebraic relationships representing physical systems, to solve problems and make predictions (ACSPH007)
Interpret a range of scientific and media texts, and evaluate processes, claims and conclusions by considering the quality of available evidence; and use reasoning to construct scientific arguments (ACSCH044, ACSPH005)
Communicate to specific audiences and for specific purposes using appropriate language, nomenclature, genres and modes, including scientific reports (ACSCH047, ACSPH008)
communicate physics understanding using qualitative and quantitative representations in appropriate modes and genres. (Physics, Unit 1, 2: Learning Outcomes)
Spectroscopy
Flame tests and atomic absorption spectroscopy are analytical techniques that can be used to identify elements; these methods rely on electron transfer between atomic energy levels (ACSCH019)
Data from analytical techniques, including mass spectrometry, x-ray crystallography and infrared spectroscopy, can be used to determine the structure of organic molecules, often using evidence from more than one technique (ACSCH130)
Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a system (ACSPH019)
Change of state involves internal energy changes to form or break bonds between atoms or molecules; latent heat is the energy required to be added to or removed from a system to change the state of the system (ACSPH021)
Conduct investigations, including the manipulation of devices to measure motion and the direction of light rays, safely, competently and methodically for the collection of valid and reliable data (ACSPH047)
Light exhibits many wave properties; however, it cannot be modelled as a mechanical wave because it can travel through a vacuum (ACSPH074)
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves made up of mutually perpendicular, oscillating electric and magnetic fields (ACSPH112)
On the atomic level, electromagnetic radiation is emitted or absorbed in discrete packets called photons; the energy of a photon is proportional to its frequency; and the constant of proportionality, Planck’s constant, can be determined experimentally (for example, from the photoelectric effect or the threshold voltage of coloured LEDs) (ACSPH136)
Atoms of an element emit and absorb specific wavelengths of light that are unique to that element; this is the basis of spectral analysis (ACSPH138)
The Bohr model of the hydrogen atom integrates light quanta and atomic energy states to explain the specific wavelengths in the hydrogen spectrum and in the spectra of other simple atoms; the Bohr model enables line spectra to be correlated with atomic energy-level diagrams (ACSPH139)
Quantum Mechanics
Atoms can be modelled as a nucleus surrounded by electrons in distinct energy levels, held together by electrostatic forces of attraction between the nucleus and electrons; atoms can be represented using electron shell diagrams (all electron shells or valence shell only) or electron charge clouds (ACSCH018)
The nuclear model of the atom describes the atom as consisting of an extremely small nucleus, which contains most of the atom’s mass and is made up of positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons surrounded by negatively charged electrons (ACSPH026)
Atomic phenomena and the interaction of light with matter indicate that states of matter and energy are quantised into discrete values (ACSPH135)