VCE Physics Resource List with Annotations
Books
Unit 1
Wave-like properties of Light
Australian Optometrical Association 1984, Eyes Right, Australian Optometrical Association.
Very comprehensive paperback, good illustrations, costs about $2. T, S
Cameron, J.R. and Skofronik, J.G., 1978, Medical Physics, Wiley, New York, T
Falk, D et al. 1985, Seeing the Light: Optics in Nature, Photograph, Color, Vision and
Holography, Wiley/Harper and Rowe, New York. Excellent book for all optics contexts, but
very expensive. T, S
Fowles, G 1989, Introduction to Modern Optics, Dover Publications, New York. Very
comprehensive for its age, and readable.
Greenler, R, 1988, Rainbows, Glories, Haloes, Cambridge University Press, T
Johnston, SF 2001, A History of Light and Colour Measurement: Science in the Shadows,
Institute of Physics, London. Links the scientific, technological, social and commercial in a
very engaging way. T, S
Minnaert, M, 1948, The Nature of Light and Color in the Open Air, Dover, New York, T
Pye, JD 2001, Polarised Light in Science and Nature, Institute of Physics, London. Wealth
of detail, many photographs. T, S
Nuclear and radioactivity physics
Australian School of Nuclear Technology 1988, Nuclear Science for Science Teachers,
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights. T
Caro, D.E., McDonell, J.A. and Spicer, B.M., 1961, Modern Physics: An Introduction to
Atomic and Nuclear Physics, Cheshire, Melbourne, T, S
Dahl, P 2002, From Nuclear Transmutation to Nuclear Fission, 1932–1939, Institute of
Physics, London
Hall, E,J, 1984, Radiation and Life, Pergamon Press, New York, T
Hore-Lacy, I and Hubery, R, 1989, Nuclear Electricity - An Australian Perspective, UIC, S
Jungk, R., 1958, Brighter than a Thousand Suns - trans. J. Cleugh, Penguin Books, T, S
Milliken, R, 1986, No Conceivable Injury, Penguin Books, Melbourne, T, S
Milner, B 2001, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
A well presented student text that goes from decay to quarks and the synchrotron. S
Pochin, E., 1983, Nuclear Radiation: Risks and Benefits, Oxford University Press, T, S
Rhodes, R., 1988, The Making of the Bomb, Penguin Books, London, T, S
United Nations Environment Programme 1985, Radiation Doses, Effects and Risks, United
Nations, New York
Detailed Studies
Astronomy
De Pree, C & Axelrod, A 2001, Complete Idiots Guide to Astronomy, Alpha Books,
Indianapolis, US. Comprehensive, No colour pictures.
Maran, SP 1999, Astronomy for Dummies, , John Wiley & Sons, New York Effective text,
adequate depth, Colour pictures. S, T
Moche, DL 2002, Astronomy – A Self-Teaching Guide, John Wiley & Sons, New York. No
colour pictures, but many effective diagrams. A book teachers will appreciate. S, T
Moore, P 2000, The Data Book of Astronomy, Institute of Physics, London Current data and
discoveries with extensive explanation.
Medical physics
Cameron, J.R. and Skofronik, J.G. 1978, Medical Physics, Wiley, New York, T
Hollins, M 2001, Bath advanced science: Medical Physics, 2nd edn, Nelson Thornes
Education, Glocester, UK
McCormack, A & Elliott, A 2001, Health Physics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge,
UK
Mould, R F 1993, A Century of X-Rays and Radioactivity in Medicine: With Emphasis on
Photographic Records of the Early Years, Institute of Physics, London
Energy from the nucleus
Dahl, P 1999, Heavy Water and the Wartime Race for Nuclear Energy, Institute of Physics,
London Definitive, scientifically accurate and compelling. S, T
Mould, RF 2000, Chernobyl Record: The Definitive History of the Chernobyl Catastrophe,
Institute of Physics, London, The most complete report of Chernobyl yet published. S, T
Wilhelmsson, H 1999, Fusion: A Voyage Through the Plasma Universe, Institute of Physics,
London. History of fusion to present day, "popular" but rigorous. T
Unit 2
Movement
Daish, CB 1972 The Physics of Ball Games The English University Press, London
Haake, SJ (ed) 1996 The Engineering of Sport A A Balkema, Rotterdam
Tao, P.K., 1987, The Physics of Traffic Accident Investigation, Oxford University Press,
Hong Kong, T, S
Wesson, J 2002, The Science of Soccer, Institute of Physics, London
Electricity
Meany, T et al. 2000, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Electrical Repair, Alpha Books,
Indianapolis, US
Detailed Studies
Astrophysics
Cooper, A & Walker, N, Getting the Measure of the Stars, IOP, 1989, 308p, T
Milner, B 2000, Cosmology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
Moring, G F 2002, Complete Idiots Guide to Theories of the Universe, Alpha Books,
Indianapolis, US Thorough, no pictures. S
Rees, M 2000, New Perspectives in Astrophysical Cosmology, Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, UK Well known author, excellent up to date content, but quite deep. T
Investigations: Aerospace
Anderson, D & Eberhardt, S 2000, Understanding Flight, McGraw Hill, New York
Craig, DM 1998, Stop Abusing Bernoulli!, How Planes Really Fly, Regenerative Press,
Anderson, Indiana, US
Smith, H 1992, The Illustrated Guide to Aerodynamics, McGraw Hill, New York
Tennekes, H 1996, The Simple Science of Flight, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Press, USA.
Investigations: Alternative energy sources
Markvart, T 2000, Solar Electricity, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York Not only
about Photovoltaic cells, but also their use in real systems. T
.
Unit 3
Motion in one and two dimensions
Bate, R et al. 1971, Fundamentals of Astrodynamics, Dover Publications, New York.
Hawking S, 2002, On the Shoulders of Giants, Running Press, Philadelphia.
Tao, P.K., 1987, The Physics of Traffic Accident Investigation, Oxford University Press,
Hong Kong, T, S
Electronics and photonics
Fowles, G 1989, Introduction to Modern Optics, Dover Publications, New York. Very
comprehensive for its age, and readable.
Saleh, B & Teich, M 1991, Fundamentals of Photonics, Wiley interScience, New York
Covers an enormousd amount, but starts from the basics. Not cheap. T
Detailed Studies
Einstein’s relativity
Bodanis, D, 2000, E = mc2: A Biography of the World's Most Famous Equation, Walker &
Co, Entertaining, accessible, but misleading at times, S, T
Bohm, D 1996, The Special Theory of Relativity, Routledge, New York Well written and
comprehensive also discusses historical and philosphical issues. T
Einstein, A 1966, The Meaning of Relativity, Princeton University Press, USA. Obviously
authoritative, but not a first choice. T
Einstein, A,1995, Relativity: The Special and the General Theory, Crown Pub, Obviously
authoritative, but not a first choice, T
Einstein, A, 1924, Principle of Relativity Dover, Obviously authoritative, but not a first
choice, T
Epstein, L C 1985, Relativity Visualized, Insight Press, San Francisco, Lives up to the title. S,
T
Feynman, R 1998, Six Not-So-Easy Pieces: Einstein's Relativity, Symmetry, and SpacePerseus Publishing, Boulder, Colorado, US. Recommended, some calculus, but explanations
are very good. T
Gardner, M, 1997 Relativity Simply Explained, Dover, Accessible, but limited, S, T
Hawking, S 1998, A Brief History of Time, Bantam Doubleday, New York Recommended. T
Sartori, L 1996, Understanding Relativity – A Simplified Approach, University of California
Press, USA.
Schwartz, J & McGuinness, M 1993, Introducing Einstein, Icon Books, London. Humorous,
cartoon, accessible. S
Schwartz, J & McGuinness M 1990, Einstein for Beginners, Pantheon Books, New York
Amusing, irreverent, but effective. S, T
Investigating structures and materials
Gordon, J.E., 1978, Structures, or Why things Don't Fall Down, . T, S, New York, Penguin
Books, T, S
Gordon, J.E., 1978, New Materials, or Why You Don't Fall through the Floor, . T, S, New
York, Penguin Books, T, S
Harris, DW 2000, Truss Fun, BaHa Enterprises, Lakewood, Colorado, US Well structured,
accessible. S, T
Taylor, J 2002, Materials, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
Timoshenko, SP 1953, History of Strength of Materials, Dover Publications, New York. An
excellent historical reference. T
Unit 4
Interactions of light and matter
Feynman, R 1995, Six Easy Pieces, Penguin, London. A Feynman classic on quantum
theory. S, T
Electric power
Nasar, S E 1997, Schaum’s Outline of Electric machines and Electromechanics, McGraw
Hill, New York
Detailed Studies
Synchrotron and applications
Weidemann, H 2002, Synchrotron Radiation, Springer Verlag, Heidelberg, Germany
Photonics
Kennedy, S 2001, Telecommunications, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
Pearsall, TP 2002, Photonics Essentials: An Introduction with Experiments, McGraw Hill,
New York
Recording and reproducing sound
Eargle, J 2001, The Microphone Book, Focal Press, London Design and use of different
types of microphones, including the concert hall and studio. Thorough, but dry.. T
Johnston, ID 2002, Measured Tones: The Interplay of Physics and Music, 2nd Edition,
Institute of Physics, London Authoritative. S, T
Kane, JW & Sternheim, MM 1988, Physics, Wiley, New York.
Murphy, JL 1998, Introduction to Loudspeaker Design, True Audio, Andersonville, Tennesee
Written by a physicist. S, T
Olson, H F 1967, Music, Physics and Engineering, Dover Publications, New York. An oldie,
but a goodie. Detailed about speakers and microphones. T
Rossing, T D, Physics of Sound, T
General texts
Breithaupt, J 2000, New Understanding Physics for Advanced Level, 4th edn, Nelson Thornes
Education, UK.
Butler M, Hopkins D & Willis J 2002, Macmillan Physics 1 HSC Course, Macmillan,
Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
Butler M, Hopkins D & Willis J 2002, Macmillan Physics 2 HSC Course, Macmillan,
Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
Butler M 2002, Macquarie HSC Physics, Macmillan, Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK
Gibbs, K 1999, The Resourceful Physics Teacher: 600 Ideas for Creative Teaching, Institute
of Physics, London
Homer, D 2002, Synoptic Skills in Advanced Physics, Hodder, UK.
Hutchings, R 1996, Bath Advanced Science: Physics Core Text, 2nd edn, Nelson Thornes
Education, UK.
Johnson, K et al. 2000. Advanced Physics For You, Nelson Thornes Education, UK.
Mee, C et al. 2000, AS/A2 Physics, Nelson Thornes Education, UK.
Neuss G, Allott A & Kirk T 2002, Physics for the IB Diploma, Oxford University Press,
Oxford, UK
Rounce, J 2002, Maths for Advanced Physics, Nelson Thornes Education, UK.
Science Education Group, University of York 2000 Salters Horners Advanced Physics AS,
Heinemann, UK.
Science Education Group, University of York 2000 Salters Horners Advanced Physics A,
Heinemann, UK.
Zealey B et al. 2002, Physics in Context The Forces of Life – Preliminary and HSC, Oxford
University Press, Oxford, UK
Practical activities
McKittrick, B 1991, Physics: Experiments and Student Investigations, McGraw Hill, Sydney.
Mee, C & Crundell, M 2001, Advanced Level Practical Work for Physics, Hodder UK.
Problem solving
Lowe, T & Rounce, J 1997, Calculations for A-level physics, Nelson Thornes Education, UK.
Taylor, C 1993, Physics Context Problems for Units 3 & 4, Nelson, Australia.
Articles
Theme Issues in “Physics Education”: several articles on each theme
‘Energy and The Environment’, Physics Education, March. 2003
‘Space and Science Fiction’, Physics Education, January, 2003
‘Teaching Physics through Earth Science’, Physics Education November, 2002
‘Uncertainty, Risk and Disaster’, Physics Education, September, 2002
‘Developing Ideas of Space’, Physics Education, July, 2002
‘Teaching Quantum Physics’, Physics Education, May, 2002
‘Untangling and using the Internet’, Physics Education, March, 2002
‘Girls with Attitude’, Physics Education, January, 2002
‘Medical Physics’, Physics Education, November, 2001
‘Nuclear Physics’, Physics Education, September, 2001
‘Space Physics’, Physics Education, May, 2001
‘Physics In Sport’, Physics Education, January, 2001
‘Quantum Physics’, Physics Education, November, 2000
‘Telecommunications’, Physics Education, July, 2000
‘Solar Physics’, Physics Education, May, 2000
Software
Pintar Virtual Lab, software, www.pintarmedia.com Software on Waves, Electronics,
Optics, Electricity, Sound and Mechanics
Physics Academic Software, software http://webassign.net/pasnew/index.htm Over 60 pieces
of quality, well supported software ranging in price from US$40 to$200 individual and $100
to $350 for a site licence. The description gives the list on content and clicking on an item of
content gives all the other software that also covers that item
Sky Map, software/CD-ROM, www.skymap.com/, Powerful planetarium software available
on a CDROM
Physlink, software, www.physlink.com/Education/software_newtonsaq.cfm, (Solar system
construction software.)
Making waves, software, www.livinggraphs.com/enu/products/mw/, (Interactive waves
package.)
Looking glass, software, www.livinggraphs.com/enu/products/lg/, (Interactive geometric
optics package.)
Relativistic Flight Simulations, software,
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/anima/rfslink.htm, A graded set of simulations
to suit computers of different capability
Physics software for Mac, software, www.ncf.carleton.ca/~ch865/english/, (A range of many
mechanics simulations.)
Orbit Xplorer, software, www.ottisoft.com/orbit_x.htm, (Generates solar systems.)
Interference of waves, software, www.ottisoft.com/interfer.htm, Effective visuals
Visual Quantum Mechanics, software, http://phys.educ.ksu.edu/, Impressive applets, but
sophisticated in content, well supported with written material.
Physics On Line, software, www.fable.co.uk/products.htm#, (Set of interactive web
resources, lesson plans.)
Interactive Physics, software, www.fable.co.uk/products.htm#, (Set of Mechanics
simulations.)
Oscillations and waves, software, www.fable.co.uk/products.htm#, (15 interactive programs.)
Circuit Shop, software, www.cherrywoodsystems.com/cshop1.htm, (Electronics simulation.)
Active Education, software, http://members.aol.com/activedu/, (Mechanics training
programs.)
Statics and Dynamics of 3D Structures, software, http://home.pacifier.com/~bukara/,
Video data analysis software www.lsw.com/videopoint/ and www.vernier.com
Crocodile Clips http://www.crocodile-clips.com. A very effective and comprehensive
program.
Websites
General
Contemporary Physics Education Project , Particles, Fusion, Nuclear Science and History &
Fate of the Universe www.cpepweb.org/
Glenbrook South Physics Page www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/phys.html
Hyperphysics http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html (Packages of
instructional material across the full range of physics.)
Physics Applets http://webphysics.davidson.edu/Applets/Applets.html
Physics Virtual Bookshelf http://faraday.physics.utoronto.ca/GeneralInterest/PVB.html
Resourceful Physics http://resourcefulphysics.org
Webphysics http://webphysics.iupui.edu (Collection of many physics websites.)
Flash animations http://www.upscale.utoronto.ca/GeneralInterest/Harrison/Flash/
Unit 1
Wave-like properties of light
Physics of Theatre
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/21722/LIGHTING.html#gel2 Description of the role of colour,
different ways of lighting the stage and the different types of lights
Polarisation
www.abdn.ac.uk/physics/px2010/polsum.pdf (File of PowerPoint slides. The early slides are
too complex for students, but the later ones effectively show the many applications.)
http://scholar.hw.ac.uk/site/physics/subindex_f1aphys3topic5.asp An instructional site that is
still developing, but the polarisation material is quite effective.
Polarised Light in Nature and Technology www.polarization.com/index-net/index.html An
intriguing website on polarised light featuring historical, scientific, technological and
biological insights.
Reflection & refraction by Huygen's Principle www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/huygenspr.htm
Nuclear and radioactivity physics
History of Physics: Curie www.aip.org/history/curie/
Law of Radioactive Decay www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/lawdecay.htm
Radioactive Decay Series www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/decayseries.htm
Astronomy
Resource Guide www.astrosociety.org/education/resources/scifi.html (Resource guide for
teaching astronomy through science fiction.)
Medical physics
The Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine
www.acpsem.org.au/acpsem_index.html (Summary of medical physicists.)
Energy from the nucleus
Nuclear Energy Institute – Commercial (US) www.nei.org/
World Nuclear Association – Commercial (UK) http://world-nuclear.org/
Unit 2
Motion
The comparison of Aristotle and Galileo
http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/history/aristotle_dynamics.html
Video: Galileo’s battle for the heavens (slo-mo dropping of ball from moving horse)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/galileo/ (support materials to video)
Some movies with crash testing, others simulations and interactives.
 http://www.atsb.gov.au/roadsafety/stats/stathome.htm
 http://www.exploratorium.edu/iron_science/qt.html
 http://www.newscientist.com/ns/19991016/newsstory1.html
 http://www.stnonline.com/sb_history.htm
 http://www.renfroe.com.harness.htm
 http://eruditio.asu.edu/~smckeeve/scilinkphys.html
 http://www.ihpva.org/hpva/hpvarech.html
 http://www.landspeed.com/historylsr.html
 http://members.aol.com/CErick5563/physics/crumple.html
 http://www1.tpgi.com.au/users/mpaine/
 http://www.raru.adelaide.edu.au/hazards/index.html
 http://www.netspace.com.au/~leeming/saabsafe.htm
 http://www/teacher.link.usu.edu/nasa/activities/microgravity2/activities/act06.html
 http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/physics/u1f3phy.html
 http://www.pbs.org./wgbh/nova/escape/timecar.html
Electricity
Household Wiring http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html
Astrophysics
Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy (CLEA) web site
http://www.gettysburg.edu/academics/physics/clea/CLEAhome.html. An extensive range of
activities, but at a high level
Aerospace
NASA The NASA site http://education.nasa.gov has an extensive range of educational
materials on flight
Forces in Flight Flash animation: http://www.aviationnow.com/content/ncof/ncflearn.htm
Alternative Energy
Renewable energy The CRC on Renewable Energy at Murdoch University is a well
structured and resourced site http://acre.murdoch.edu.au
Solar Tower Solar tower construction http://www.latrobe.edu.au/solar/. Solar tower for
Mildura http://www.enviromission.com.au/index1.htm
Wind Energy Wind Farms: The Blue Energy company http://www.bluewindenergy.com.au/
Hydrogen Hydrogen-based economy: http://people.howstuffworks.com/hydrogeneconomy.htm
Photovoltaics http://www.pv.unsw.edu.au/index1.html
Unit 3
Motion
Centripetal accel'n, www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/carousel.htm
Elastic and Inelastic Collision www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/collision.htm
Projectile Motion www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/projectile.htm
Electronics and photonics
Photonics Educational Applets www.ee.buffalo.edu/faculty/cartwright/photonics/index.html
Einstein’s relativity
History of Physics – Einstein www.aip.org/history/einstein/
Relativity on the Web http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/relativity.html (A list of popular
science, visualisations and tutorial sites for a range of levels.)
Time Dilation www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/
Investigating structures and materials
Bridges http://eduscapes.com/42explore/bridge.htm (Collection of websites about bridges,
bridge construction and bridge-building contests.)
Resource for teachers on materials www.materials.ac.uk/index.asp (Resources for teachers
on materials, with over 150 keywords from adhesive to Young's modulus.)
Further electronics
Rectifier http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html
Unit 4
Light and matter
Modern physics www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/cover.html (Well produced site on modern
physics.)
Electric Power
DC Motor www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/electricmotor.htm
Generator www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/generator_e.htm
Lorentz Force www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/lorentzforce.htm
Magnetic field around a wire www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/mfwire.htm
Synchrotron and its applications
Bragg Diffraction with microwaves
http://polaris.phys.ualberta.ca/users/austen/Phys29x/Manual/15Bragg94.pdf (A pdf file of
the experiment.)
History of Physic s– Lawrence www.aip.org/history/lawrence/
Photonics
Photonics Educational Applets www.ee.buffalo.edu/faculty/cartwright/photonics/index.html
Recording and reproducing sound
Magnets, coils, loudspeakers
http://webphysics.iupui.edu/webscience/physics_archive/loudspeakers.html