-+Physics

Physics

=**Link to Physics Summaries**= []

Unit One: Space =Scientists have drawn on advances in areas such as aeronautics, material science, robotics, electronics, medicine and energy production to develop viable spacecraft. Perhaps the most dangerous parts of any space mission are the launch, re-entry and landing. A huge force is required to propel the rocket a sufficient distance from the Earth so that it is able to either escape the Earth’s gravitational pull or maintain an orbit. Following a successful mission, re-entry through the Earth’s atmosphere provides further challenges to scientists if astronauts are to return to Earth safely. =
 * Contextual Outline **

Rapid advances in technologies over the past fifty years have allowed the exploration of not only the Moon, but the Solar System and, to an increasing extent, the Universe. Space exploration is becoming more viable. Information from research undertaken in space programs has impacted on society through the development of devices such as personal computers, advanced medical equipment and communication satellites, and has enabled the accurate mapping of natural resources. Space research and exploration increases our understanding of the Earth’s own environment, the Solar System and the Universe. This module increases students’ understanding of the history, nature and practice of physics and the implications of physics for society and the environment.



Links:
 *  [|Space: 1. The Earth's gravitational field]
 *  [|Space: 2. A successful rocket launch]
 *  [|Space: 3. The Solar System is held together by gravity]
 *  [|Space: 4. Current and emerging understanding about time and space]

Motors and Generators





Links:


 *  [|Motors and generators: 1. Motors and magnetic forces]
 *  [|Motors and generators: 2. The generator]
 *  [|Motors and generators: 3. Generators for large scale power production]
 *  [|Motors and generators: 4. Transformers]
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em;"> [|Motors and generators: 5. AC motors]

From ideas to implementation

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;">By the beginning of the twentieth century, many of the pieces of the physics puzzle seemed to be falling into place. The wave model of light had successfully explained interference and diffraction, and wavelengths at the extremes of the visible spectrum had been estimated. The invention of a pump that could evacuate tubes to 10 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;">-4 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica;"> of an atmosphere allowed the investigation of cathode rays. X-rays would soon be confirmed as electromagnetic radiation and patterns in the Periodic Table appeared to be nearly complete. The nature of cathode rays was resolved and the measurement of the charge on the electron was soon to follow. There were some experimental observations still unexplained but to many scientists the understanding of the world of the atom seemed almost complete. This belief was about to be challenged seriously.

[] HSC online link to the topic


 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em;"> [|From ideas to implementation: 1. Cathode rays]
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em;"> [|From ideas to implementation: 2. The photoelectric effect and black body radiation]
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em;"> [|From ideas to implementation: 3. Transistors]
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em;"> [|From ideas to implementation: 4. Superconductivity]

Past HSC Papers

2014 http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/2014/pdf_doc/2014-hsc-physics.pdf

2013 http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/2013/pdf_doc/2013-hsc-physics.pdf

2012 http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/hsc_exams/hsc2012exams/pdf_doc/2012-hsc-exam-physics.pdf