Sydney Technical High School

Manners Makyth Man

Telephone02 8566 2600

Emailsydneytech-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Preliminary Course Topics - Physics (Year 11)

The Year 11 Physics course at Sydney Technical High School introduces students to key physical principles through the investigation of motion, forces, energy, and the properties of waves and matter. Students develop their scientific inquiry skills through practical investigations, modelling, and analysis of real-world phenomena.

The Preliminary course is organised into four core modules:

Module 1: Kinematics

Students study the motion of objects using graphical and mathematical representations. They explore:

  • Uniform and non-uniform motion

  • Displacement, velocity, acceleration

  • Graphical analysis of motion

  • Applications of kinematics in everyday and engineered systems

Module 2: Dynamics

This module investigates the forces that cause motion and how Newton’s Laws of Motion explain interactions between objects. Topics include:

  • Net force and acceleration

  • Friction and tension

  • Free-body diagrams

  • Safety and motion in vehicles and machinery

Module 3: Waves and Thermodynamics

Students explore the behaviour of mechanical waves and the transfer of energy through wave and thermal systems. They investigate:

  • Properties of waves (speed, frequency, wavelength, amplitude)

  • Sound and light as wave phenomena

  • Reflection, refraction, and interference

  • Temperature, heat, and thermal equilibrium

Module 4: Electricity and Magnetism

This module examines electric and magnetic fields and their role in energy transfer and technological applications. Students study:

  • Electrical circuits, Ohm’s Law, and power

  • Electrostatics and magnetism

  • Magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors

  • The relationship between electricity and magnetism in motors and generators

Depth Study and UNSW Laboratory Excursion

As part of the course, students undertake a Depth Study, which involves applying their scientific skills to explore a physics concept or question in greater depth. To support this, students attend an excursion to the University of New South Wales, where they work in purpose-built teaching laboratories to conduct extended investigations.

This excursion provides students with:

  • Access to university-grade equipment and lab environments

  • Exposure to authentic research processes

  • Opportunities to design, carry out, and report on a self-directed investigation

  • Insights into STEM pathways and careers

Throughout the Preliminary course, students engage in practical investigations, use scientific and mathematical methods to analyse data, and apply their understanding to real-world contexts. These experiences build a strong foundation for success in the HSC Physics course.