Science & Physical Education

Science and Physical Education Science Physics (T) Chemistry (T) Biological Science (T) Human Biology/Human Movement (T) Environmental Systems (T) Forestry (T) General Science (T) General Science (A) Geology (T) CSIRO Student Research Scheme (R) Questacon Trainer (R) Science Project (R) The study of a science at the college level is needed to satisfy the entrance requirements of many tertiary courses and also as a basis for many occupations. Careful consideration should therefore be given to your subject choice and your future plans. In all the science courses, assessment is based on class work and participation, practical work, written assignments and tests. Exact weighting is notified at the beginning of each unit. In some subjects excursions are an essential part of the courses and students are expected to meet the costs that are kept as low as possible. All science development courses are presently under

International Group 4 Baccalaureate Project: This compulsory activity aims to provide students with the opportunity to appreciate both the implications of using science and the limitations of scientific study. It emphasises interdisciplinary cooperation. The requirements for IB students are set out in Biological Science, Physics and Chemistry sections respectively. Additional IB specific texts may be purchased by students. This course aims to develop a scientific method of thinking based on the interaction between ideas and experimentation; to develop technical and computative skills in order to apply them to problems of all kinds; and to enable students to study areas of physics that are relevant to future employment and to personal interest.

Physics (T)

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Science & Physical Education

Course Pattern A Minor or Major is available. A Minor consists of the units 1, 2 and 3. Students intending to study physics at the tertiary level are strongly advised to study Physics 1 to 6. Physics units are sequential and it is therefore important that any student intending to study physics should start at the beginning of Year 11. International Higher Level: Baccalaureate Students preparing for a physics examination at this level need to do six physics units. Some of the topics in the IB syllabus are not covered in these units. Students will be set additional work to enable them to cover these topics. Standard Level: At this level students also need to do physics units 1 6. Extra sessions and/or tutorials will be arranged as necessary for IB students. Physics 7 covers the elective Biomedical Physics in the IB Physics course. It is recommended that students purchase the IB Physics textbook for use with the IB Physics program. Unit Description Units are offered as either half-standard (05) and/or standard (10) units as indicated against each unit. Physics 1 PH 1 Introductory Physics: a survey of the basic areas of physics - scientific computation, SI units, graphing; experimental measurement, report writing; optics, lenses and mirrors. (05) Physics 2 PH 2 Motion, Newtons Laws, Energy and Momentum, and States of Matter: Concepts of motion, uniformly accelerated motion, graphs. An in-depth treatment of forces and energy development of the concepts of vector and scalar addition in two dimensions; forces and motion, Newtons three Laws and applications to machines, projectiles and bodies in equilibrium; circular motion and gravitational interactions; conservation of momentum and energy. The gaseous, liquid and solid states and the laws governing these states. (10) Physics 3 PH 3 Heat and Electricity: A detailed treatment of thermodynamics - development of the concept of heat, 1st and 2nd law of thermodynamics, electrodynamics; direct current circuits and measurement and electrical devices. Structure and uses of semiconductors and semi-conducting devices. (05)

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Science & Physical Education

Physics 4 PH 4 Wave Motion: simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) and wave concepts applied to sound springs and pendulums; superposition, Huygens Principle. (05) Physics 5 PH 5 Electromagnetic Radiation and Induction, and the atom: wave concepts applied to light refraction and reflection; polarisation, interference and diffraction, use of lasers and microwaves. Electromagnetic principles and their application to simple circuits - magnetism associated with DC flow and its application to motors, meters and other electrical devices; electromagnetic induction principles related to AC production, transformers and generators; LCR circuits. The development of the major concepts in atomic and nuclear physics, discovery and properties of the atomic particles. (10) Physics 6 PH 6 Atomic and Nuclear Physics: development of Quantum physics and the photoelectric effect; duality theory, matter waves and the uncertainty principle; the atomic nucleus and radioactivity; models of the atom; introduction to relativity. (05) Physics 7 PH 7 Biomedical Physics: designed to investigate the physics of a number of biological systems. Topics include scaling laws, size, form and function, sound and hearing, medical imaging, and radiation in medicine. This unit is an elective of the IB Physics program. (05) Physics 8 PH 8 Introductory Electronics: circuit analysis, Kirchoff Laws, RLC circuitry and phase diagrams, digital electronics and logic. (05) Assessment Tests 40-60%, student investigation 40-60%, Chemistry (T) Chemistry is a living subject. Humans are made up of chemicals and live in a chemical world, where the thousands of known chemical compounds increase or decrease the quality of life, affecting people physically, socially, economically and politically.

Course Description The Chemistry course at Narrabundah College provides a firm basis for an understanding of our complex world. Students are trained in the logical, scientific approach to problem solving, model building and abstract thought, coupled with practical applications of the theory. Chemistry is therefore not only an essential preparation for students intending to do a tertiary science course, but is an excellent background for many other disciplines.

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