Physics

Preliminary Course

Topic 1 – The World Communicates

The wave model can be used to explain how current technologies transfer information Features of a wave model can

be used to account for the properties of sound

Recent technological developments have allowed greater use of the electromagnetic spectrum

Many communication technologies use applications of reflection and refraction of EMR waves Electromagnetic waves have

potential for future communication technologies and storage data technologies

Preliminary Course

Topic 2 -Electrical Energy in the Home

Society has become increasingly dependenton electricity over thelast 200 years

One of the main advantages of electricity is that Is can be moved with comparative ease from one place toanother through electric circuits

Series and parallel circuits serve different purposes in households

The amount of power is related to the rate at which energy is transformed

Electric currentsalso producemagnetic fieldsand these fields areused in differentdevices in thehome

Safety devicesAre importantin householdcircuits

Preliminary course

Topic 3 - Moving About

Vehicles do not typically travel at a constant speed

Moving vehicles have kineticenergy and energy transformationsare an important aspect in understandingmotion

Change of momentum relates to the forces acting on the vehicle or the driver

Safety devices areutilised to reducethe effects ofchangingmomentum

Topic 4 - Cosmic Engine

Preliminary courseOur Sun is just one star in the galaxy and ours is just one galaxy in the Universe

The first minutes of the Universe released energy which changed to matter, forming stars and galaxies

Stars have a limited life spanand may explode to form supernovas

The Sun is a typical star, emitting electromagnetic radiation and particles that influence the Earth

HSC Course

Topic 1 - Space

The Earth has a gravitational field that exerts a force on objects both it and around it

Many factors have to be taken into account to achieve a successful rocket launch, maintain a stable orbit and return to Earth

The Solar System is held together by gravity

Current and emerging understanding about time and space has been dependent upon earlier models of the

transmission of light

HSC Course

Topic 2 - Motors and Generators

Motors use the effect of forces on current-carrying conductors in magnetic fields

The relative motion between a conductor and magnetic field is used to generate an electrical voltage

Generators are used to provide large scale power production

Transformers allow generated voltage to be either increased or decreased before it is used

Motors are used in industries and the home usually to convert electrical energy into more

useful forms of energy

HSC Course

Topic 3 – From Ideas to Implementation

Increased understandings of cathode rays led to

the development of television

The reconceptualisation of the model of light led to an understanding of the photoelectric effect and black

body radiation

Limitations of past technologies and increased research into the structure of the atom resulted in the invention of transistors

Investigations into the electrical properties of particular metals at different temperatures led to the identification of superconductivity and the exploration of possible applications

HSC Course

Elective - Astrophysics

Our understanding of celestial objects depends upon observations made from Earth or from space near the Earth Careful measurement of a celestial object’s position in the

sky (astrometry) may be used to determine its distance

Spectroscopy is a vital tool forastronomers and providesa wealth ofinformation

Photometric measurements canbe used for determining distance andcomparing objects

The study of binary and variable starsreveals vital information about stars

Stars evolve and eventually ‘die’