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Physics
Preliminary Course
Topic 1 – The World Communicates
The wave model can be used to explain how current technologies transfer information Features of a wave model can
be used to account for the properties of sound
Recent technological developments have allowed greater use of the electromagnetic spectrum
Many communication technologies use applications of reflection and refraction of EMR waves Electromagnetic waves have
potential for future communication technologies and storage data technologies
Preliminary Course
Topic 2 -Electrical Energy in the Home
Society has become increasingly dependenton electricity over thelast 200 years
One of the main advantages of electricity is that Is can be moved with comparative ease from one place toanother through electric circuits
Series and parallel circuits serve different purposes in households
The amount of power is related to the rate at which energy is transformed
Electric currentsalso producemagnetic fieldsand these fields areused in differentdevices in thehome
Safety devicesAre importantin householdcircuits
Preliminary course
Topic 3 - Moving About
Vehicles do not typically travel at a constant speed
Moving vehicles have kineticenergy and energy transformationsare an important aspect in understandingmotion
Change of momentum relates to the forces acting on the vehicle or the driver
Safety devices areutilised to reducethe effects ofchangingmomentum
Topic 4 - Cosmic Engine
Preliminary courseOur Sun is just one star in the galaxy and ours is just one galaxy in the Universe
The first minutes of the Universe released energy which changed to matter, forming stars and galaxies
Stars have a limited life spanand may explode to form supernovas
The Sun is a typical star, emitting electromagnetic radiation and particles that influence the Earth
HSC Course
Topic 1 - Space
The Earth has a gravitational field that exerts a force on objects both it and around it
Many factors have to be taken into account to achieve a successful rocket launch, maintain a stable orbit and return to Earth
The Solar System is held together by gravity
Current and emerging understanding about time and space has been dependent upon earlier models of the
transmission of light
HSC Course
Topic 2 - Motors and Generators
Motors use the effect of forces on current-carrying conductors in magnetic fields
The relative motion between a conductor and magnetic field is used to generate an electrical voltage
Generators are used to provide large scale power production
Transformers allow generated voltage to be either increased or decreased before it is used
Motors are used in industries and the home usually to convert electrical energy into more
useful forms of energy
HSC Course
Topic 3 – From Ideas to Implementation
Increased understandings of cathode rays led to
the development of television
The reconceptualisation of the model of light led to an understanding of the photoelectric effect and black
body radiation
Limitations of past technologies and increased research into the structure of the atom resulted in the invention of transistors
Investigations into the electrical properties of particular metals at different temperatures led to the identification of superconductivity and the exploration of possible applications
HSC Course
Elective - Astrophysics
Our understanding of celestial objects depends upon observations made from Earth or from space near the Earth Careful measurement of a celestial object’s position in the
sky (astrometry) may be used to determine its distance
Spectroscopy is a vital tool forastronomers and providesa wealth ofinformation
Photometric measurements canbe used for determining distance andcomparing objects
The study of binary and variable starsreveals vital information about stars
Stars evolve and eventually ‘die’