§-Physics syllabus
WA · SCSA← Physics
Physics syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the WA Physics syllabus, with a focused answer for each. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions and links to related points.
Unit 3: Gravity and Electromagnetism
Module overview →How does rotating a coil in a magnetic field generate alternating and direct current?
Explain the operation of AC and DC generators using electromagnetic induction
How does a uniform electric field accelerate and deflect a charged particle?
Analyse the motion of charged particles in uniform electric fields between parallel plates
How does Coulomb's law describe the force between two point charges?
Apply Coulomb's law to calculate the electrostatic force between point charges
How do electric fields and potential describe the force and energy of charges?
Describe electric fields and potential and apply them to point charges and uniform fields between parallel plates
How does a changing magnetic flux induce an emf in a circuit?
Apply Faraday's and Lenz's laws to magnetic flux, generators and transformers
How does a gravitational field govern projectile, circular and orbital motion?
Model gravitation as a field and apply it to projectile motion, uniform circular motion and satellite orbits
How do gravitational field strength and gravitational potential energy describe a field?
Define gravitational field strength and analyse changes in gravitational potential energy in a field
How does a magnetic field exert a force on a current-carrying conductor?
Apply the motor effect to forces on current-carrying conductors and the operation of DC motors
How does a magnetic field exert a force on moving charges and currents?
Apply the magnetic force on a moving charge and on a current-carrying conductor, including the motor effect
How does the inverse-square law govern the gravitational force between two masses?
Apply Newton's law of universal gravitation to calculate the force between masses
How can the independence of horizontal and vertical motion describe a projectile's flight?
Analyse projectile motion quantitatively by treating the horizontal and vertical components independently
How does gravity supply the centripetal force that keeps a satellite in orbit?
Model satellite motion as uniform circular motion and derive Kepler's third law
Why is electrical energy transmitted at high voltage and stepped down with transformers?
Apply the transformer equation and explain high-voltage transmission of electrical power
Why does an object moving in a circle at constant speed still accelerate?
Apply centripetal force and acceleration to horizontal, banked and vertical circular motion
Unit 4: Wave Models and Quantum Physics
Module overview →How do atomic energy levels and nuclear reactions release and reveal energy?
Explain atomic energy levels and spectra, the Standard Model, mass-energy equivalence and nuclear reactions
How did the Bohr model explain quantised atomic energy levels?
Describe the development of atomic models and explain quantised electron energy levels
Why does each element produce a unique pattern of spectral lines?
Explain how emission and absorption line spectra arise from atomic energy levels
How does a diffraction grating separate light into sharp, well-resolved spectral lines?
Apply the diffraction grating equation to analyse the dispersion of light into spectra
How does light behave as a wave through diffraction and interference?
Explain diffraction, two-slit interference and the electromagnetic spectrum as evidence for the wave model of light
How does Einstein's mass-energy equivalence explain energy released in nuclear reactions?
Apply mass-energy equivalence to calculate energy changes in nuclear reactions
How do fission and fusion release energy, and how do they differ?
Compare nuclear fission and fusion and explain the energy released using binding energy
Why are some nuclei more stable than others, and what holds a nucleus together?
Explain nuclear binding energy and the stability of nuclei using the binding-energy curve
How do particle accelerators probe matter and support the Big Bang theory?
Explain how particle accelerators reveal fundamental particles and support the Big Bang model
How does polarisation show that light is a transverse wave?
Explain polarisation of light and how it provides evidence that light is a transverse wave
How do unstable nuclei decay, and how does half-life describe the rate?
Describe alpha, beta and gamma decay and apply the concept of half-life to radioactive decay
How do time and length change for observers in relative motion at high speed?
Apply special relativity to time dilation and length contraction at high relative speeds
How do reflected waves superpose to form standing waves and resonance?
Explain standing waves on strings and in pipes and relate harmonics to resonance
How are the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum related and produced?
Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and relate frequency, wavelength and the speed of light
How does the photoelectric effect reveal the particle nature of light?
Explain the photoelectric effect using photons, work function, threshold frequency and Einstein's equation
How does the Standard Model classify the fundamental particles and forces?
Describe the Standard Model of particles, including quarks, leptons and the fundamental forces
How does the wave model describe motion, superposition and standing waves?
Apply the wave model to the wave equation, superposition, standing waves, resonance and beats
How can both light and matter show wave and particle behaviour?
Explain wave-particle duality and apply the de Broglie wavelength to matter
How does Young's double-slit experiment provide evidence for the wave model of light?
Apply path difference and the double-slit equation to analyse two-source interference of light