Physics

Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority - Physics Details

Note re. Calculators: For VCAA examinations in Physics, only the use of a scientific calculator is permitted.

Physics Unit 1

Areas of study

1. Wave–like properties of light
2. Nuclear and radioactivity physics
3. Detailed Study

Three detailed studies are available in Unit 1. One detailed study is to be selected from:

• Astronomy
• Medical Physics
• Energy from the nucleus

Assessment

Satisfactory completion is based on demonstrating that the learning outcomes for the unit have been met through completion of assessment tasks, which are:

Practical investigation (student-designed or adapted)

and

A selection from the following:

• An annotated folio of practical activities
• A data analysis
• A multimedia or webpage presentation
• A response to a media article
• A summary report of selected practical investigations, including maintenance of a logbook
• A written report
• A test (short answer and extended response)

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Physics Unit 2

Areas of study

1. Movement
2. Electricity
3. Detailed study

Three detailed studies are available in Unit 2. One detailed study is to be selected from:

• Astrophysics
• Investigations: Aerospace
• Investigations: Alternative energy sources

Assessment

Satisfactory completion is based on demonstrating that the learning outcomes for the unit have been met through completion of assessment tasks, which are:

Practical investigation (student-designed, adapted or extended)

and

A selection from the following:

• An annotated folio of practical activities
• A data analysis
• A multimedia or webpage presentation
• A response to a media article
• A summary report of selected practical investigations, including maintenance of a logbook
• A written report
• A test (short answer and extended response)to topR

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Physics Unit 3

Areas of study

1. Motion in one and two dimensions
2. Electronics and photonics
3. Detailed study

Detailed study

Three detailed studies are available in Unit 3. One detailed study is to be selected from:

• Einstein's relativity
• Investigating structures and materials
• Further electronics

Assessment

Satisfactory completion is based on demonstrating that the learning outcomes for the unit have been met through completion of school assessed coursework, which is:

A student-designed extended practical investigation

and

At least two different tasks selected from the following:

• A multimedia presentation
• An annotated folio of practical activities
• A summary report of selected practical activities from the student's log book
• A data analysis
• A report (written, oral, annotated visual)
• A test (short answer and extended response)
• A response to a media article

School assessed coursework for Unit 3 contributes 17% to the study score and the marks allocation is:

• Outcome 1 – 40 marks
• Outcome 2 – 30 marks
• Detailed study – 30 marks

The mid-year examination (1 1/2 hours) contributes 33% to the study score.

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Physics Unit 4

Areas of study

1. Interactions of light and matter
2. Electric power
3. Detailed study

Detailed study

Three detailed studies are available in Unit 4. One detailed study is to be selected from:

• Synchrotron and applications
• Photonics
• Recording and reproducing sound

Assessment

Satisfactory completion is based on demonstrating that the learning outcomes for the unit have been met through completion of school assessed coursework, which is:

A summary report of selected practical activities from the student's log book

and

At least two different tasks selected from the following:

• A multimedia presentation
• An annotated folio of practical activities
• A student-designed extended practical investigation
• A data analysis
• A report (written, oral, annotated visual)
• A test (short answer and extended response)
• A response to a media article

School assessed coursework for Unit 4 contributes 17% to the study score and the marks allocation is:

• Outcome 1 – 30 marks
• Outcome 2 – 40 marks
• Detailed study – 30 marks

The end-of-year examination (1 1/2 hours) contributes 33% to the study score.

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