§-Physics syllabus
NSW · NESA← Physics
Physics syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the NSW Physics syllabus, in syllabus order, with a focused answer for each. Open any dot point for the answer, exam-style questions and links to related points.
Module 5: Advanced Mechanics
Module overview →Inquiry Question 1: How can models that are used to explain projectile motion be used to analyse and make predictions?
Inquiry Question 2: Why do objects move in circles?
Investigate the relationship between the forces acting on objects in non-uniform circular motion (banked tracks, conical pendulums, vertical circles) and apply the relationship tau = r F sin theta for torque
Conduct investigations to explain and evaluate, for objects executing uniform circular motion, the relationships that exist between centripetal force, mass, speed and radius, and solve problems using the relationships a_c = v^2 / r, v = 2 pi r / T, F_c = m v^2 / r and omega = delta theta / delta t
Inquiry Question 3: How does the force of gravity determine the motion of planets and satellites?
Predict quantitatively the orbital properties of planets and artificial satellites in a variety of situations, including near-Earth and geostationary orbits, using the relationship between orbital speed, radius, and period
Derive and apply the concept of gravitational potential energy in a radial gravitational field, U = -G M m / r, including the concept of escape velocity
Investigate the relationship of Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion to the forces acting on, and the total energy of, planets in circular and non-circular orbits using v = 2 pi r / T and T^2 / r^3 = 4 pi^2 / (G M)
Apply the concepts of gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy to determine the total energy of a planet or satellite in its orbit, and the energy changes that occur when satellites move between orbits
Apply qualitatively and quantitatively Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, F = G m_1 m_2 / r^2, to determine the magnitude of force, gravitational field strength g = G M / r^2, and acceleration due to gravity at different points in a radial gravitational field
Module 6: Electromagnetism
Module overview →Inquiry Question 1: What happens to stationary and moving charged particles when they interact with an electric field?
Model qualitatively and quantitatively the electric field, including direction and shape, produced between parallel charged plates and the potential difference, using E = V/d
Investigate and quantitatively derive and analyse the interaction between charged particles and uniform electric fields, including: electric field between parallel charged plates E = V/d, acceleration of charged particles by the electric field F_net = ma, F = qE, work done on the charge W = qV, W = qEd, K = (1/2)mv^2
Inquiry Question 2: How does the motion of a charged particle in a magnetic field differ from its motion in an electric field?
Investigate quantitatively and analyse the interaction between current-carrying conductors and uniform magnetic fields F/l = I B sin theta, including parallel current-carrying wires F/l = mu_0 I_1 I_2 / (2 pi r)
Analyse the interaction between charged particles and uniform magnetic fields, including: acceleration, perpendicular to velocity F = qv x B, circular motion of a charged particle moving perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field
Inquiry Question 3: Under what circumstances is an electrical voltage generated by a magnetic field?
Describe how magnetic flux can be sensed by the changing alignment of a magnet on a compass needle and quantitatively analyse the concept of magnetic flux density B and flux Phi = B A cos theta in a magnetic field
Describe and quantitatively analyse electromagnetic induction using Faraday's law (induced EMF = - N dPhi/dt) and Lenz's law, including motional EMF, eddy currents and the induction coil
Inquiry Question 4: How are electric and magnetic fields applied in electrical generation, transmission and use?
Analyse the operation of DC and AC motors, including the torque on a current loop tau = n B I A cos theta, the role of the commutator, back EMF, and the AC induction motor principle
Analyse the operation of ideal and real transformers, including the turns ratios V_s/V_p = N_s/N_p and I_p/I_s = N_s/N_p, energy losses, and the role of step-up and step-down transformers in AC power transmission
Inquiry Question 4: How has knowledge about the Motor Effect been applied to technological advances?
Module 7: The Nature of Light
Module overview →Inquiry Question 1: What is light?
Describe the electromagnetic spectrum in terms of frequency, wavelength and photon energy, and outline how Maxwell's equations conceptually predict electromagnetic waves travelling at the speed of light
Analyse the wave model of light using Young's double-slit experiment, single-slit diffraction and polarisation, and apply Malus's law I = I_0 cos^2 theta to polarised light
Inquiry Question 2: What is observed when light interacts with matter?
Investigate emission and absorption spectra, distinguish continuous, line emission and line absorption spectra, and analyse stellar spectra to identify chemical composition, surface temperature and motion
Analyse the photoelectric effect, including Einstein's photon equation hf = phi + K_max, the role of Planck's constant, and the inability of the wave model to explain the threshold frequency and the kinetic-energy results
Inquiry Question 3: What evidence supports the relativistic model of the universe?
Compare classical and relativistic momentum, derive p = gamma m v, and analyse the role of relativistic momentum in particle accelerators
Derive and apply the mass-energy equivalence E = mc^2, including the calculation of mass defect and binding energy in nuclear reactions
Investigate experimental and observational evidence for special relativity, including atmospheric and accelerator muon decay, GPS clock corrections, and the routine use of relativistic mechanics in particle physics
Analyse the Michelson-Morley experiment, state Einstein's two postulates of special relativity, and apply the consequences of time dilation, length contraction and relativity of simultaneity
Module 8: From the Universe to the Atom
Module overview →Inquiry Question 1: What evidence is there for the origins of the elements?
Investigate the evidence for the Big Bang theory and the early evolution of the universe, including cosmic microwave background radiation, abundance of light elements, and Hubble's law v = H_0 d
Account for the production of emission and absorption spectra and compare these with a continuous black body spectrum; investigate stellar evolution using the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and account for the synthesis of elements heavier than iron in supernovae
Inquiry Question 2: How is it known that atoms are made up of protons, neutrons and electrons?
Investigate, assess and model Millikan's oil drop experiment to determine the elementary charge and the quantisation of electric charge
Investigate and analyse the Geiger-Marsden (Rutherford) gold foil experiment and Rutherford's nuclear model of the atom, and Chadwick's discovery of the neutron
Investigate, assess and model the experimental evidence supporting the existence and properties of the electron, including cathode ray tube experiments and Thomson's determination of the charge-to-mass ratio of the electron
Inquiry Question 3: How is it known that classical physics cannot explain the properties of the atom?
Investigate de Broglie's matter waves, and the experimental evidence that confirms their existence including the Davisson-Germer experiment, and how matter waves explain the stability of Bohr orbits
Investigate the contribution of Schrodinger to the current model of the atom, including the probabilistic interpretation of the wavefunction and the concept of atomic orbitals replacing Bohr's fixed orbits
Investigate the line emission spectra to examine the Balmer-Rydberg equation 1/lambda = R(1/n_f^2 - 1/n_i^2), and assess the limitations of the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom
Inquiry Question 4: How is it known that human understanding of matter is still being refined?
Investigate the Standard Model of matter, including quarks, leptons and the fundamental forces, and the role of particle accelerators in confirming the existence of these particles
Examine the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei (alpha, beta, gamma) and represent these decays as nuclear equations; use the decay law N = N_0 e^(-lambda t) and the concept of half-life T_1/2
Account for the energy released in nuclear fission and fusion in terms of mass defect and binding energy, using E = mc^2 and the binding energy curve