HSC Physics Kickstart Syllabus Dotpoints

Syllabus Dotpoints and skills

The University of Sydney School of Physics HSC Physics Kickstart program addresses a number of dotpoints in the HSC Syllabus. Each HSC Physics Kickstart module has 5 experiments and each experiment is designed to cover a key part of the HSC syllabus.On this page you will find the specific syllabus dotpoints for each module.

Modules

From Ideas to Implementations

The amazing Meissner effect

• Hertz's Experiment
  - describe Hertz’s observation of the effect of a radio wave on a receiver and the photoelectric effect he produced but failed to investigate
  - outline qualitatively Hertz’s experiments in measuring the speed of radio waves and how they relate to light waves.
  - identify the relationships between, frequency, speed of light and wavelength: c = f λ
  - solve problems and analyse information using: c = f λ Photoelectric effect
  - identify Einstein’s contribution to quantum theory.
  - explain the particle model of light in terms of photons with particular energy and frequency
  - solve problems and analyse information using: E = hf
  - selecting and using appropriate media to present data and information
  - 12.2a (gather first-hand information): using appropriate data collection techniques, employing appropriate technologies including data loggers and sensors
• Cathode rays
  - identify that moving charged particles in a magnetic field experience a force
  - outline Thomson’s experiment to measure the charge : mass ratio of an electron
• Semiconductors
  - describe the difference between conductors, insulators and semiconductors in terms of band structures and relative electrical resistance
  - identify absences of electrons in a nearly full band as holes, and recognise that both electrons and holes help to carry current
  - compare qualitatively the relative number of free electrons that can drift from atom to atom in conductors, semiconductors and insulators
• Superconductors and the meissner effect
  - discuss the BCS theory
  - gather and process information to describe how superconductors and the effects of magnetic fields have been applied to develop a maglev train
  - process information to identify some of the metals, metal alloys and compounds that have been identified as exhibiting the property of superconductivity and their critical temperatures
  - perform an investigation to demonstrate magnetic levitation
  - analyse information to explain why a magnet is able to hover above a superconducting material that has reached the temperature at which it is superconducting
  - discuss the advantages of using superconductors and identify limitations to their use
  - describe the occurrence in superconductors below their critical temperature of a population of electron pairs unaffected by electrical resistance
  - 11.3b (choose equipment or resources): carrying out a risk assessment of intended experimental procedures and identifying and addressing potential hazards
  - 14.1f (analyse information): use models, including mathematical ones, to explain phenomena and/or make predictions

Motors and Generators

A 12 phase generator

• Motor Effect
  - identify that the motor effect is due to the force acting on a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field
  - identify data sources, gather and process information to qualitatively describe the application of the motor effect in: the galvanometer and the loudspeaker
  - describe the main features of a DC electric motor and the role of each feature
• Electromagnetic Induction and Lenz's Law
  - account for Lenz’s Law in terms of conservation of energy and relate it to the production of back emf in motors
  - explain that, in electric motors, back emf opposes the supply emf
  - explain the production of eddy currents in terms of Lenz’s Law
  - gather secondary information to identify how eddy currents have been utilised in electromagnetic braking
  - 14.1d (analyse information): predict outcomes and generate plausible explanations related to the observations
• AC Induction Motors
  - describe the main features of an AC electric motor
  - 13.1b (present information): selecting and using appropriate media to present data and information
• Generators
  - describe the differences between AC and DC generators
• Transformers
  - describe the purpose of transformers in electrical circuits
  - perform an investigation to model the structure of a transformer to demonstrate how secondary voltage is produced
  - solve problems and analyse information about transformers using: V_p/V_s = n_p/n_s
  - 14.1f (analyse information): use models, including mathematical ones, to explain phenomena and/or make predictions

Qanta to Quarks

The standard model of Physics

• Atomic emission spectra (including Hydrogen)
  - solve problems and analyse information using: 1/λ = R(1/n_f² - 1/n_i²)
  - perform a first-hand investigation to observe the visible components of the hydrogen spectrum
• Wilson Cloud Chamber
  - perform a first-hand investigation or gather secondary information to
  observe radiation emitted from a nucleus using a Wilson cloud chamber
  or similar detection device
  - 13.1e (present information): using a variety of pictorial representations to show relationships and present information clearly and succinctly
• Penetration of Radioactive emission
  - 11.2a (plan first-hand investigations): demonstrate the use of the terms 'dependent' and 'independent' to describe variables involved in the investigation
  - 12.1a (perform first-hand investigations): carrying out the planned procedure, recognising where and when modifications are needed and analysing the effect of these adjustments
  - 12.2a (gather first-hand information): using appropriate data collection techniques, employing appropriate technologies including data loggers and sensors
  
• Tracking fundamental particles
  - identify ways by which physicists continue to develop their
  understanding of matter, using accelerators as a probe to investigate the structure of matter
• Mass defect in radioactive decay
  - explain the concept of a mass defect using Einstein’s equivalence
  between mass and energysolve problems and analyse information to
  - calculate the mass defect and energy released in natural transmutation and fission reactions
  - 11.3b (choose equipment or resources): carrying out a risk assessment of intended experimental procedures and identifying and addressing potential hazards

Space

• Speed and velocity
  - account for the orbital decay of satellites in low Earth orbit
  - compare qualitatively low Earth and geo-stationary orbits
  - outline Newton’s concept of escape velocity
• Projectile motion
  - describe the trajectory of an object undergoing projectile motion within the Earth’s gravitational field in terms of horizontal and vertical components
  - describe Galileo’s analysis of projectile motion
  Δy = ut + at²
• c and relativity
  - discuss the role of the Michelson-Morley experiments in making determinations about competing theories
  - discuss the principle of relativity
  - describe the significance of Einstein’s assumption of the constancy of
  the speed of light
  - identify that if c is constant then space and time become relative
  - discuss the concept that length standards
  gather and process information to interpret the results of the Michelson-
  Morley experiment
  - explain qualitatively and quantitatively the consequence of special
  relativity in relation to: length contraction and time dilation
  - discuss the implications of
• Energy and rocket science
  - analyse the changing acceleration of a rocket during launch in terms of the: forces experienced by astronauts
  - identify why the term ‘g forces’ is used to explain the forces acting on an astronaut during launch
  - analyse the changing acceleration of a rocket during launch in terms of the: Law of conservation of momentum and the forces experienced by astronauts