§-Physics Q&A
WA · SCSA← Physics
Physics Q&A by dot point
A short Q&A bank for every WA Physics syllabus dot point. Each question and answer is drawn directly from our worked dot-point page, so you can scan key concepts before opening the long-form answer.
Unit 3: Gravity and Electromagnetism
Explain the operation of AC and DC generators using electromagnetic induction
Analyse the motion of charged particles in uniform electric fields between parallel plates
Apply Coulomb's law to calculate the electrostatic force between point charges
Describe electric fields and potential and apply them to point charges and uniform fields between parallel plates
Apply Faraday's and Lenz's laws to magnetic flux, generators and transformers
Model gravitation as a field and apply it to projectile motion, uniform circular motion and satellite orbits
Define gravitational field strength and analyse changes in gravitational potential energy in a field
Apply the motor effect to forces on current-carrying conductors and the operation of DC motors
Apply the magnetic force on a moving charge and on a current-carrying conductor, including the motor effect
Apply Newton's law of universal gravitation to calculate the force between masses
Analyse projectile motion quantitatively by treating the horizontal and vertical components independently
Model satellite motion as uniform circular motion and derive Kepler's third law
Apply the transformer equation and explain high-voltage transmission of electrical power
Apply centripetal force and acceleration to horizontal, banked and vertical circular motion
Unit 4: Wave Models and Quantum Physics
Explain atomic energy levels and spectra, the Standard Model, mass-energy equivalence and nuclear reactions
Describe the development of atomic models and explain quantised electron energy levels
Explain how emission and absorption line spectra arise from atomic energy levels
Apply the diffraction grating equation to analyse the dispersion of light into spectra
Explain diffraction, two-slit interference and the electromagnetic spectrum as evidence for the wave model of light
Apply mass-energy equivalence to calculate energy changes in nuclear reactions
Compare nuclear fission and fusion and explain the energy released using binding energy
Explain nuclear binding energy and the stability of nuclei using the binding-energy curve
Explain how particle accelerators reveal fundamental particles and support the Big Bang model
Explain polarisation of light and how it provides evidence that light is a transverse wave
Describe alpha, beta and gamma decay and apply the concept of half-life to radioactive decay
Apply special relativity to time dilation and length contraction at high relative speeds
Explain standing waves on strings and in pipes and relate harmonics to resonance
Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and relate frequency, wavelength and the speed of light
Explain the photoelectric effect using photons, work function, threshold frequency and Einstein's equation
Describe the Standard Model of particles, including quarks, leptons and the fundamental forces
Apply the wave model to the wave equation, superposition, standing waves, resonance and beats
Explain wave-particle duality and apply the de Broglie wavelength to matter
Apply path difference and the double-slit equation to analyse two-source interference of light