SAMPLE COURSE OUTLINE
PHYSICS
ATAR YEAR 11
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Sample course outline
Physics – ATAR Year 11
Unit 1 – Thermal, nuclear and electrical physics
Semester 1
Week
Key teaching points
1–2
Heating processes
Kinetic particle model
Heat capacity of a substance
Passive solar design, solar water heating
3–4
Change of state, latent heat
Development of the refrigerator
5
Heat transfer: conduction, convection, radiation
Engine cooling systems and other applications of heat transfer
6
Thermal equilibrium, conservation of energy
Efficiency
7–8
Ionising radiation and nuclear reactions
Model of the atom
Decay of unstable nuclides – properties of alpha, beta and gamma
Half-life
9
Effect of radiation
Use of radioisotopes for medical diagnosis and treatment
Mass/energy relationship
10
Fission and fusion reactions
Safety features of nuclear power stations
Nuclear waste
11–12
Electrical circuits
Electric charge
Potential difference
Resistance
Ohm’s law
13–15
Series circuits
Parallel circuits
Power, energy transformation
Electrical safety devices
16
Examination
Sample course outline | Physics | ATAR Year 11
2
Sample course outline
Physics – ATAR Year 11
Unit 2 – Linear motion and waves
Semester 2
Week
1–2
Key teaching points
Linear motion and force
Vectors, scalars
Velocity, acceleration
Acceleration due to gravity
Free body diagrams
3–5
Momentum
Newton’s laws of motion
Safety measures including helmets, seatbelts, crumple zones, airbags, safety barriers
6–7
Energy and work
Kinetic energy and potential energy
8
Power
9
Waves
Longitudinal and transverse waves
Frequency, wavelength, velocity, amplitude
10
Reflection, refraction
11–13
Interference, wave behaviour in pipes and strings
Intensity
14
Applications of waves: ultrasound, seismology
Acoustic engineering applied to noise pollution
15
Revision
16
Examination
Sample course outline | Physics | ATAR Year 11