Physics Pathways
Physics Unit 1
Overview
In this unit you will 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. You apply these physics ideas to contemporary societal issues: communication, climate change and global warming, medical treatment, electrical home safety and Australian energy needs.
Unit Prerequisites
Year 10 Physics or Year 10 Forensics are recommendations.
Areas of Study
- How are light and heat explained?
- How is energy from the nucleus utilised?
- How can electricity be used to transfer energy?
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Unit Assessment
Assessment tasks for Outcomes 1, 2 and 3 will be drawn from: an annotated folio of practical activities; data analysis; the design, building, testing and evaluation of a device; modelling, a practical report or a test.
Pathways
It is recommended that both Units 1 &/.or 2 be taken as preparation for Units 3 & 4. Note that Unit 1 may be done in Year 10, followed by Unit 2 in Year 11 before undertaking Units 3 & 4 in Year 12. Students undertaking Physics would be expected to be competent in Mathematics as well as in the Physics components of a Science course.
Physics Unit 2
Overview
How does physics help us to understand the world?
In this unit you explore the power of experiments in developing models and theories. You investigate a variety of phenomena by making your own observations and generating questions, which in turn lead to experiments.
In Area of Study 1, you investigate the ways in which forces are involved both in moving objects and in keeping objects stationary and apply these concepts to a chosen case study of motion.
In Area of Study 2, you choose one of eighteen options related to climate science, nuclear energy, flight, structural engineering, biomechanics, medical physics, bioelectricity, optics, photography, music, sports science, electronics, astrophysics, astrobiology, Australian traditional artefacts and techniques, particle physics, cosmology and local physics research. The selection of an option enables students to pursue an area of interest through an investigation and using physics to justify a stance, response or solution to a contemporary societal issue or application related to the option.
A student-adapted or student-designed scientific investigation is undertaken in Area of Study 3. The investigation involves the generation of primary data and draws on the key science skills and key knowledge from Area of Study 1 and/or Area of Study 2.
Unit Prerequisites
Unit 1 Physics
Areas of Study
- How is motion understood?
- Options: How does physics inform contemporary issues and applications in society?
- How do physicists investigate questions?
Download > VCE Physics Study Design
Unit Assessment
Assessment tasks for Outcomes 1 and 2 will be drawn from: an annotated folio of practical activities; data analysis; the design, building, testing and evaluation of a device; modelling, a practical report or a test. Assessment for Outcome 3 will be a report of a practical investigation (student-designed or adapted) using a scientific poster, practical report, or digital presentation.
Pathways
It is recommended that both Units 1 &/or 2 be taken as preparation for Units 3 & 4. Note that Unit 1 may be done in Year 10, followed by Unit 2 in Year 11 before undertaking Units 3 & 4 in Year 12. Students undertaking Physics would be expected to be competent in Mathematics as well as in the Physics components of a Science course.
Physics Unit 3
Overview
How do fields explain motion and electricity?
In this unit, you will explore the importance of energy in explaining and describing the physical world. You will examine the production of electricity and its delivery to homes. You will consider the field model as a construct that has enabled an understanding of why objects move when they are not apparently in contact with other objects. Applications of concepts related to fields include the transmission of electricity over large distances and the design and operation of particle accelerators. You will explore the interactions, effects and applications of gravitational, electric and magnetic fields. You will use Newton’s laws to investigate motion in one and two dimensions, and are introduced to Einstein’s theories to explain the motion of very fast objects. You will consider how developing technologies can challenge existing explanations of the physical world, requiring a review of conceptual models and theories. You will design and undertake investigations involving at least two continuous independent variables.
You will learn to analyse gravitational, electric and magnetic fields, and use these to explain the operation of motors and particle accelerators and the orbits of satellites. You will also be able to analyse and evaluate an electricity generation and distribution system. Whilst undertaking this unit you will investigate motion and related energy transformations experimentally, analyse motion using Newton’s laws of motion in one and two dimensions, and explain the motion of objects moving at very large speeds using Einstein’s theory of special relativity.
Prerequisites
It is recommended that both Units 1 & 2 be taken as preparation for Units 3 & 4. Note that Unit 1 or 2 can be taken in Year 10 (Unit 2 is the recommended option if both Unit 1 and 2 cannot be completed), followed by Unit 3 and 4 in Year 11. Students undertaking Physics would be expected to be competent in Mathematics as well as in the Physics components of a Science course.
Areas of Study
- How do things move without contact?
- How are fields used to move electrical energy?
- How fast can things go?
Download > VCE Physics Study Design
Unit Assessment
- Unit 3 School assessed coursework (SAC’s) 21%
- Unit 4 School assessed coursework (SAC’s) 19%
- Unit 3 & 4 examination 60%
Assessment for Outcomes 1, 2 and 3 may include annotations of a practical work folio; a report on physics phenomenon; media response; problem-solving; data analysis; or a test.
Unit 3 or 4 Practical Investigation: A student-designed or adapted investigation related to waves, fields or motion is undertaken in either Unit 3 or Unit 4, or across both Units 3 and 4. The investigation is to relate to knowledge and skills developed across Units 3 and 4 and may be undertaken by the student through laboratory work.
Physics Unit 4
Overview
How can two contradictory models explain both light and matter?
You will learn to apply wave concepts to analyse, interpret and explain the behaviour of light. You will provide evidence for the nature of light and matter, and analyse the data from experiments that support this evidence. You will also design and undertake a practical investigation related to waves or fields or motion, and present methodologies, findings and conclusions in a scientific poster.
In this unit, you will learn to apply wave concepts to analyse, interpret and explain the behaviour of light. You will also be able to provide evidence for the nature of light and matter and analyse the data from experiments that support this evidence.
Prerequisites
It is recommended that both Units 1 & 2 be taken as preparation for Units 3 & 4. Note that Unit 1 or 2 can be taken in Year 10 (Unit 2 is the recommended option if both Unit 1 and 2 cannot be completed), followed by Unit 3 and 4 in Year 11. Students undertaking Physics would be expected to be competent in Mathematics as well as in the Physics components of a Science course.
Areas of Study
- How can waves explain the behaviour of light?
- How are light and matter similar?
Download > VCE Physics Study Design
Unit Assessment
- Unit 3 School assessed coursework (SAC’s) 21%
- Unit 4 School assessed coursework (SAC’s) 19%
- Unit 3 & 4 examination 60%
Assessment for Outcomes 1 and 2 may include annotations of a practical work folio; a report on physics phenomenon; media response; problem-solving; data analysis; or a test.
Unit 3 or 4 Practical Investigation: A student-designed or adapted investigation related to waves, fields or motion is undertaken in either Unit 3 or Unit 4, or across both Units 3 and 4. The investigation is to relate to knowledge and skills developed across Units 3 and 4 and may be undertaken by the student through laboratory work.