2 Unit Physics!

What the course is about? Physics is the study of how objects interact with each other – force, motion, energy, the universe.

What you study in this course… Each module below takes about 30 hours of class time.

Preliminary Course 8.2 The World Communicates – explore waves and how devices such as mobile phones and radios make use of these waves. 8.3 Electrical Energy in the Home – investigate electricity and how devices in the home use this. 8.4 Moving About – how cars get around and the safety issues. 8.5 The Cosmic Engine – explore the universe and its objects.

HSC Core Topics 9.2 Space – learn about rockets, motion and space exploration. 9.3 Motors and Generators – investigate different types of electrical motors and generators and the principles behind them. 9.4 From Ideas to Implementation – Explore TV tubes (Cathode Ray Tubes), solar cells, transistors and superconductors.

HSC Option Topics 9.5 Geophysics – review methods used to detect and exploit mineral resources. 9.6 Medical Physics – investigates the different types of imaging techniques available to medicine. 9.7 Astrophysics – explore the universe in more detail – binary systems, deep space objects, etc. 9.8 From Quarks to Quanta – research modern theories of what makes up matter and the universe. 9.9 The Age of Silicon – an investigation into electronics and its components.

How is the course assessed? Practical work, analysis of written material, research and open – ended investigations, oral tasks.

What is the course useful for? This course gives a general grounding in some of the concepts in physics and its application to every day life. Students gain an appreciation of how some technologies work and how to make informed decision about their use.

What does the course lead towards? Physics is a required course for many university courses. It leads to careers in engineering (electrical, mechanical, automotive, chemical, etc), astronomy, architecture, teaching, computing and many others.