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=Unit 1 – Course Outline =

This unit focuses on Physics as a human endeavour. Observations and ideas about the physical world related to aspects of energy are organised and explained through the use of conceptual models. The detailed studies provide opportunities to explore the application of energy concepts and modes in nuclear energy, sustainable energy sources, flight, space and medical contexts. Unit 1 consists of two prescribed areas of study: Nuclear physics and radioactivity; and Electricity; and a third area of study to be chosen from one of six detailed studies: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Energy from the nucleus, Investigations: Flight, Investigations: Sustainable energy sources, and Medical physics.

Area of Study 1: Nuclear physics and radioactivity

 * Outcome 1:** On the completion of this unit the student should be able to explain and model relevant physics ideas to describe the sources and use of nuclear reactions and radioactivity and their effects on living things, the environment and in industry.

Area of Study 2: Electricity

 * Outcome 2:** On the completion of this unit students should be able to investigate and apply a basic DC circuit model to simple battery operated devices, car and household (AC) electrical systems, and describe the safe and effective use of electricity by individuals and the community.

(Detailed study)
One detailed study is to be selected from: • Astronomy • Astrophysics • Energy from the nucleus • Investigation: Flight • Investigations: Sustainable energy sources • Medical Physics (Detailed Study 3.6) and explain applications of radioisotopes, optical fibres, waves and lasers to medical diagnosis and treatment, and describe the production and/or simple interpretation of images of the human body produced by the processes of CT, ultrasound or X-rays.
 * Outcome 3.6:** On completion of this unit the students should be able to describe

=Unit 2 – Course Outline =

This unit focuses on the application of models to more complex phenomena – motion and light – developed within contexts that are familiar to students and relevant to their experiences. Newtonian ideas of motion are extended to include a range of movements and more abstract ideas, while the wave and particle model of light provide a framework for exploring light phenomena in real world applications. The detailed studies provide opportunities to explore motion and/or light in nuclear, sustainable energy, flight, space and medical contexts. Unit 2 consists of two prescribed areas of study: Motion and Wave-like proprieties of light; and a third area of study to be chosen from one of six detailed studies: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Energy from the nucleus, Investigations: Flight, Investigations: Sustainable energy sources, and Medical physics. The detailed study chosen in Unit 2 must be a different detailed study from that chosen in Unit 1.

Area of Study 1: Motion

 * Outcome 1:** On completion of this unit the student should be able to investigate, analyse and mathematically model motion of particles and bodies in terms of Aristotelian, Galilean and Newtonian theories.

Area of Study 2: Wave-like properties of light

 * Outcome 2:** Light phenomena are examples of the interaction of the physical world with human biology. The wave model of light, compared with the particle model of light, will be evaluated in terms of satisfactorily explaining light phenomena.

(Detailed study)
The detailed study chosen in Unit 2 must be a different detailed study from that chosen in Unit 1. One detailed study is to be selected from • Astronomy • Astrophysics • Energy from the nucleus • Investigation: Flight • Investigations: Sustainable energy sources (Detailed Study 3.5) • Medical Physics
 * Outcome 3.5:** On completion of this unit the student should be able to use concepts of energy transfer and transformations to design, conduct and report on an experimental investigation into an aspect of a renewable energy supply system.