Physics T

This course which incorporates the new Australian Curriculum is designed to develop an understanding of the funda-mental concepts of physics together with the skills of problem solving, report writing and communication. Students will need to have good mathematical skills. Physics is essential for careers in physics and engineering and recom-mended for others such as architecture, medicine and design.

Course Patterns

This course is sequential in Years 11 and 12.

Minor - Unit 1: Linear Motion & Waves, Unit 2: Thermal, Nuclear & Electrical Physics

Major - The above units, Unit 3: Gravity and Electromagnetism, Unit 4: Revolu-tions in Modern Physics

Prerequisites

Level 1 Year 10 Science and Maths, or, A/B grades in Level 2 Year 10 Science and Maths. Year 12 units have pre-requisite requirements. You should check with your teacher before selecting any Year 12 unit.

NOTE: This course is a rigorous introduction to Physics and would be best understood if a mathematics course such as Mathe-matical Methods is also studied.

Units

Students investigate energy production by considering heating processes, radio-activity and nuclear reactions, and inves-tigate energy transfer and transfor-mation in electrical circuits.

Unit 2:

Students describe, explain and predict linear motion, and investigate the appli-cation of wave models to light and sound phenomena

Year 12

Unit 3: Gravity and Electromagnetism Students investigate models of motion in gravitational, electric and magnetic fields to explain how forces act at a distance, and use the theory of electromagnetism to explain the production and propaga-tion of electromagnetic waves.

Unit 4: Revolutions in Modern Physics

Students investigate how shortcomings in existing theories led to the development

of the Special Theory of Relativity, the quantum theory of light and matter, and the Standard Model of particle physics.

More About Physics

Physics is the area of knowledge that is concerned with the structure of the uni-verse and the best explanations of natu-ral phenomena.

An understanding of physics underpins all branches of science. Its processes, attitudes and values are powerful ways of generating new ideas. Studying this subject will develop your ability to carry out scientific enquiry with creativity, re-sponsibility, confidence and competence.

To achieve at a high level in this course you will need good mathematical skills and should also be studying the Mathe-matics Methods course, or achieving very good results in Mathematics Appli-cations.

This course is essential for a wide varie-ty of careers in science. Satisfactory completion of the course may also enti-tle you to advanced standing at CIT.

Students and teachers are continuing to explore the many unique opportunities afforded by virtue of our unique and exciting wind tunnel facilities.