Drouin Secondary College
VCE PHYSICS
TOPIC: Course Outline
VCE Physics - UNITS 3 & 4 - COURSE OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION.
The following are the key areas of study:
UNIT 3: Motion in 1 and 2 dimensions; Electronics and Photonics; Detailed Study: Einstein’s Special Relativity
UNIT 4: Electric power; Interactions of Light and Matter; Detailed Study: Sound
UNIT 3
The level of achievement for Unit 3 will be determined by School Assessed Coursework (SAC) and a Mid Year
Examination. The SAC result will be statistically moderated against the exam (and the GAT if needed).
Unit 3 SACs
The SACs in Unit 3 contribute 17% to your final assessment.
The SACs are used to determine your knowledge of, and ability to meet, various OUTCOMES:
Outcomes
SACs
or Assessment Tasks.
1.Use the Newtonian model in one and
two dimensions to describe and explain
transport motion and related aspects of
safety, and motion in space.
A student-designed extended practical
investigation with at least two independent
continuous variables
and
2. Compare and explain the operation of
electronic and photonic devices and
analyse their use in domestic and
industrial systems.
at least two different tasks selected from the
following:
• a multimedia presentation
• an annotated folio of practical activities
• a summary report of selected practical
activities from the student’s log book
• a data analysis
• a report (written, oral, annotated visual)
• a test (short answer and extended
response)
• a response to a media article.
3. Use Einstein’s theory of relativity to
describe relativistic motion and effects and
make comparisons with Galilean and
Newtonian descriptions.
Marks
Allocated
40%
30%
30%
The allocation of marks must be clearly understood: The 40% ALLOCATED TO THE EXTENDED
PRACTICAL INVESTIGATION IS 40% OF 17 MARKS.
SAC No 1.
The Experimental Investigation.
You will be required to design, carry out and report on an investigation based on the principles and
methods of physics with topics restricted to the content in Unit 3– Motion in 1 and 2 dimensions.
SAC No 2.
A Summary Report.
You will be required to respond to a set of structured questions based on the experimental electronics and
photonics results recorded in your log book.
SAC No 3.
Data Analysis
You will be required to use mathematical modelling (including construction of a spreadsheet) to illustrate
that non simultaneity is a consequence of Einstein’s postulates.
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Drouin Secondary College
VCE PHYSICS
TOPIC: Course Outline
UNIT 4
The level of achievement for Unit 4 will be determined by School Assessed Coursework and an End of Year
Examination. Statistical moderation will apply to the SAC result.
Unit 4 SACs
The SACs in Unit 4 contribute 17% to your final assessment.
The SACs are used to determine your knowledge of, and ability to meet, various OUTCOMES:
Outcomes
1. . Explain the operation of electric motors,
generators and alternators and the generation,
transmission, distribution and use of electric
power
2.Use wave and photon models to explain
interactions of light and matter and the
quantised energy levels of atoms.
3. Apply a wave model of sound and a field
model of electromagnetism to describe and
evaluate the recording and reproduction of
sound.
SACs
or Assessment Tasks
A summary report of selected practical
activities from the student’s log book
and
at least two different tasks selected from the
following:
• a multimedia presentation
• an annotated folio of practical activities
• a student-designed extended practical
investigation
• a data analysis
• a report (written, oral, annotated visual)
• a test (short answer and extended
response)
• a response to a media article.
Marks
Allocated
40%
30%
30%
The allocation of marks must be clearly understood: The 40% ALLOCATED TO THE SUMMARY REPORT IS
40% OF 17 MARKS
.
SAC No 1.
The Summary Report.
An exercise of between 80 and 100 minutes based on information collected during Electric Power
practical activities and/or teacher supplied information.
SAC No 2.
A Multimedia Presentation.
You will be required to complete an internet based exercise and produce and present a multimedia
presentation on the nature and operation of the photoelectric effect.
SAC No 3.
A Witten Report – Sound Practicals
You will be required to carry out and submit reports for the practical investigations set for the Detailed Study
of Sound.
EXAMINATIONS.
There are 2 EXAMINATIONS covering Units 3 & 4.
1. Mid Year Examination
 An externally set and marked examination of 1½ hours duration.
 It contributes 33% to the final assessment.
 It will be undertaken during the Mid Year (June) Examination period.
 Areas covered are those listed for Unit 3 above.
 You will be permitted to take an A4 sheet (a ”cheat sheet”) into the examination.
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Drouin Secondary College

VCE PHYSICS
TOPIC: Course Outline
Formula Sheet will be supplied.
The marks for each area will be allocated across areas of study in approximately the following way:
Outcome Area of study
Marks allocated
(per cent)
1 Motion in one and two dimensions
35–45
2 Electronics and Photonics
25–35
3. Detailed Study: Einstein’s relativity
24 - 35
2. End of Year Examination.
 An externally set and marked examination of 1½ hours duration.
 It contributes 33% to the final assessment.
 It will be undertaken during the End of Year (November) Examination period.
 Areas covered are those listed for Unit 4 above.
 You will be permitted to take an A4 sheet (a “cheat sheet”) into the examination.
 Formula Sheet will be supplied.
The marks for each area will be allocated across areas of study in approximately the following way:
Outcome Area of study
Marks allocated
(per cent)
1 Electric Power
35–45
2 Interactions of light and matter
25–35
3. Detailed Study: Sound
24 - 35
SATISFACTORY COMPLETION.
The award of satisfactory completion (S) for a unit is based on a decision that the student has
demonstrated achievement of the set of outcomes specified for the unit.
This decision will be based on the teacher’s assessment of the student’s overall performance
on the SAC’s specified for the unit. NOTE: Satisfactory completion also has an attendance
component.
RESOURCES
The DSC Science web site (http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/monkweb/Main/dscsci.htm) contains a VCE Physics
section in which are all the powerpoints relevant to Units 3 and 4 in addition to samples of students’ work for
various SACs. The VCAA web site is accessible from this site as are also other relevant physics web sites.
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