Year 10 and 11 - Physics

Unit 1 - Working as a Scientist

i) Scale and measurement

Recall the seven fundamental S.I. units.

Solve problems using scientific notation

Scientific notation refers to expressing a number as a product of any number between 1 and 10
to the 10th power. Scientific notation is mostly used when dealing

Solve problems using prefixes

.
Distinguish between accuracy and precision.

Accuracy: It refers to how close a measurement is to the true or accepted value.

Precision: It refers to how close measurements of the same item are to each other. Precision is
independent of accuracy.

Show the uncertainty of measurements

ii) Experimental Inquiry

State the absolute uncertainty in a measured value and calculate relative uncertainties: fractional
and percentage.
Unit 2 - Force and Motion
i) Calculating Motion ​

State the meaning of the terms distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration, giving an
appropriate symbol and SI unit for each.

Term Definition Symbol Units

Distance The total length of the path traveled by an object. d meter (m)

Displacement The change in the position of an object from its s meter (m)
starting point to its ending point, including
direction.

Speed The rate at which an object travels a distance. v meter per second
(m/s)

Velocity The rate of change of displacement of an object, v meter per second

including direction. (m/s)

Acceleration The rate of change of velocity of an object, a meter per second

including direction. squared (m/s²)

Describe the distinction between vector and scalar quantities relating to motion.
Scalar quantities are quantities that have only magnitude, but no direction. Examples of scalar
quantities relating to motion include:

Vector quantities are quantities that have both magnitude and direction. Examples of vector quantities
relating to motion include:

Ex. Distance, Speed, Mass, Temperature, Time

Scalar quantities are physical quantities that have only magnitude, but no direction. They can be fully
described by a single number, and they can be added or subtracted using the ordinary rules of arithmetic.

Ex. Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration, Force, Momentum

Outline why the formulas for speed and velocity give the average value unless the speed/velocity is
constant.
The formulas for speed and velocity give the average value unless the speed/velocity is constant because
they measure the total distance traveled or displacement divided by the total time taken.

If the speed/velocity is not constant, then the object will travel at different speeds/velocities at different
times. This means that the average speed/velocity will be somewhere between the highest and lowest
speeds/velocities.

Solve problems using the four kinematic equations: (v = u + at) , (s = , (s = ut + at2) , (v2 = u2 + 2as)

Sub-Topic Objectives

Calculating State the meaning of the terms distance, displacement, speed, velocity
Motion and acceleration, giving an appropriate symbol and SI unit for each.

Describe the distinction between vector and scalar quantities relating to

motion.

Recall and solve problems using the formula

Recall and solve problems using the formula

Outline why the formulas for speed and velocity give the average value
unless the speed/velocity is constant.
 Recall and solve problems using the formula

Solve problems using the four kinematic equations:

(v = u + at) , (s = , (s = ut + at2) , (v2 = u2 + 2as)

State that the kinematic equations relate to problems involving uniform

acceleration only.

Investigating Design investigations to describe the relationship between quantities

Motion such as distance, displacement, speed and velocity with time.

Draw and interpret motion graphs including: distance-time,

displacement-time, speed-time and velocity-time graphs.

Calculate the gradient of a straight line using the formula

Determine the speed of an object using the gradient of a distance-time

graph.

Determine the velocity of an object using the gradient of a

displacement-time graph.

Determine the acceleration of an object using the gradient of a

velocity-time graph.

Outline why the gradient of a speed time graph gives the magnitude of
acceleration but not the direction.

Determine the displacement of an object using the area under a

velocity-time graph.

Outline why the area under a speed-time graph gives the distance instead
of the displacement.

Determine the gradient at a point on a curved graph by drawing a tangent

at that point.

Describe the an object's motion, including speed, velocity and

acceleration, by interpreting motion graphs including straight inclined,
straight declined, horizontal and curved lines.

Outline the significance of a negative gradient for displacement-time and

velocity-time graphs.
 Investigate the effect of different factors on an object's motion, eg. effect
of incline of a ramp on speed or acceleration.

Force State that a force is something that can change the shape, speed or
direction of an object.

Recall that the unit of force is the Newton / N.

State that Force is a vector quantity and use arrows to represent forces on
Force diagrams.

Distinguish between contact and non-contact forces giving examples

including: pushing forces, pulling forces, gravitational force,
electro-magnetic force, friction, drag, thrust, tension and lift.

State that the Normal force is a force perpendicular to the surface and
equal in magnitude to the amount of weight acting perpendicularly to
that surface.

Determine the magnitude of a range of forces using a Force meter.

Mass and State that mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object.
Weight

State that weight is an attractive force caused by gravity acting on an

object's mass.

Recall and solve problems using the formula Weight = mass x gravity

Recall that the strength of gravity on Earth is approximately 10 N/kg or 10

m/s2

Explain why weight changes on different planets but mass does not.

Describe the relationship between gravitational force with distance from

the source and represent this relationship with the formula F 1/r2

Friction Describe the nature and origin of friction as a force and outline how
friction can be reduced.

Explain the effect of friction in different scenarios including fluid friction

(drag).
 State that the coefficient of friction is a value that relates to the amount
of friction between two surfaces.

Solve problems using the formula F = u N

Investigate the factors affecting the amount of friction between different

surfaces.

Road Safety Recall and solve problems using the formula: stopping distance =
thinking distance + braking distance.

Recall and describe the effect of factors that affect stopping distance of a
vehicle including weather conditions, vehicle condition such as brakes and
tyres as well as the driver's reaction time and how that is affected by
intoxication, tiredness and distraction.

Distinguish between factors that affect thinking distance and braking

distance.

Interpret motion graphs involving stopping distance.

Explain why high speed collisions are more dangerous with reference to
the forces involved.

Extension Sketch and interpret acceleration-time graphs

towards DP

Calculate the change in velocity from the area under an acceleration-time

graph

Solve problems involving forces acting in multiple different planes using

vector analysis

Solve problems involving projectile motion

Unit 3 – Dynamics
Sub-Topic Objectives

Force diagrams Draw vector arrows to represent forces.

 Construct and interpret free-body diagrams involving multiple forces in
the x and y direction.

Interpret the size of a force by the size of the arrow on a force diagram.

State the meaning of the terms "resultant force" / "net force" /

"unbalanced force".

Calculate the net force on an object quantitatively due to multiple

different forces acting in a single plane, ie. in the x or y direction.

Determine the net force graphically using vector addition with force
vectors in multiple directions including angles above and below the
horizontal.

State that a net force causes acceleration / deceleration.

Outline why a change in direction at constant speed is also considered an

acceleration.

Explain situations involving acceleration and deceleration using an

understanding of force and motion.

Newton's Laws State Newton's 1st law and recall the formula: Fnet = 0

State that inertia is the tendency of an object to remain at rest or in a

constant state of motion.

Outline the meaning of the term "equilibrium" in relation to the forces

acting on an object.

Show both quantitatively and qualitatively, using force diagrams, whether

the net force on an object is equal to zero, ie. show whether or not an
object is in equilibrium.

Explain scenarios involving objects at rest or in a constant state of motion

using Newon's 1st law.

State Newton's 2nd law and recall that "F" in the formula F = ma relates to
the net force.

Solve problems involving Newton's 2nd law.

 Design an investigation to determine the relationship between net force
and acceleration for a system with constant mass and the relationship
between mass and acceleration for a constant force applied.

State Newton's 3rd law: If object A exerts a force on object B, then object
B exerts and equal and opposite force on object A.

Outline examples of Newton's 3rd law in action.

Explain situations involving objects in a state of equilibrium using

Newton's 3rd law.

Outline why the drag force acting on a moving object is an example of

Newton's 3rd law.

Explain the changes in drag experienced by an accelerating or decelerating

object using Newton's laws.

Explain how an accelerating object such as a car reaches a top speed.

Terminal State and explain the changes in drag experienced by an accelerating or

Velocity decelerating object.

State that the Terminal Velocity is the maximum velocity reached by a

falling object when the drag force equals to the weight of the object and
explain how an object reaches terminal velocity.

Solve problems involving Terminal Velocity.

Interpret motion graphs involving Terminal Velocity.

Explain how the density of the fluid and the weight and shape of the
object affect the Terminal Velocity.

Moment of a State the meaning of the terms moment, lever and fulcrum / pivot and
Force recall that the unit for the moment of a force is the Nm.

Calculate the moment acting on a lever.

Apply the law of the lever to solve problems involving balanced and
unbalanced moments

Momentum Outline what is meant by momentum.

 Explain the effect of an object's mass and velocity on it's momentum.

Recall the formula for momentum and state that the unit for momentum
is the kg m/s.

Calculate the momentum acting on an object and solve problems

involving momentum.

Extension to DP Solve problems involving force vectors at an angle from the horizontal /
vertical plances using trigonometric functions.

Explain the law of conservation of momentum.

Solve problems involving conservation of momentum.

Unit 4 - Energy, Work and Power

Subtopic Self Objectives

Energy Outline what is meant by the term Energy and

recall that the unit for Energy is the Joule (J).

List different types of energy with examples.

State and Outline what is meant by the Law of

Conservation of Energy.

Explain how energy is transferred for common

situations and examples.

Distinguish between useful and non-useful energy

transfers and state what is meant by "wasted
energy".

Kinetic and State what is meant by the terms Kinetic Energy

Gravitational Potential and Gravitational Potential Energy.
Energy

Calculate the Kinetic Energy and Gravitational

Potential Energy of an object using the respective
formulas.
 Solve problems involving the transfer of energy
between Kinetic Energy and Gravitational Potential
Energy.

Investigate factors affecting Kinetic and

gravitational potential energy

State what is meant by the term "Mechanical

Energy".

Explain situations where mechanical energy is not

conserved without violating the Law of
Conservation of Energy.

Work Define the term Work and recall that the unit for
Work is the Joule (J)

Calculate the work done by a force on an object

using the formula
W=Fxd

Outline how the energy of a system or object

changes when Work is done on it.

Solve problems involving changes in Kinetic and

Gravitational Potential energy where Work is done
on an object.

Power State the meaning of the term Power and recall

that the unit for Power is the Watt (W).

Show that 1 W is equivalent to 1 J / s.

Calculate the Power involved in energy transfers

using the formula
P=

Efficiency State what is meant by the term Efficiency.

Solve problems using the formula efficiency =

Draw and Interpret Sankey Diagrams to calculate

the efficiency of different systems.
Springs and Hooke's State Hooke's Law, ie. "The force applied to a spring
Law is directly proportional to it's extension".

Recall and Solve problems using the formula F = k X

where F is the force applied and X is the extension
of the spring.

State that the Work done to a spring is equal to the

Elastic Potential Energy stored in the spring.

Investigate Hooke's Law experimentally.

Extension to DP Derive the formula P = Fv when a force "F" is used

to move an object at a velocity "v"

Derive the formula for the Elastic Potential Energy

stored in a spring: E = 1/2 k x2

Solve problems involving Work where the force is

applied at an angle to the distance moved.

Unit 5 - Thermal Physics

Subtopic Self Objectives

Heat and State that the Thermal Energy of an object refers to the energy
Temperature stored as Kinetic Energy due to the movement of the particles in
the object.

State that the term Heat / Q refers to the thermal energy which is
transferred between objects.

State that particles also store Potential Energy due to the

intermolecular bonds between particles.

State that Temperature is a property which is proportional to the

average kinetic energy of a particle in an object.

State that Internal Energy of an object is the sum of the Kinetic

and Potential Energies of all the particles in that body.
 Distinguish between the terms Internal Energy, Thermal Energy,
Heat and Temperature with reference to Energy.

Recall that the unit for Internal Energy and Heat is the Joule (J).

Recall that the unit for Temperature is degrees Celsius (OC) or

Kelvin (k).

Recall that 0 k = - 273 OC and Solve problems by converting

between temperature scales.

Outline the meaning of the term Absolute Zero in terms of the

energy of particles.

Explain how energy "wasted" as heat in common energy transfer

systems like bouncing balls and electrical appliances by referring
to the kinetic energy of particles.

Heating and State three types of Heat Transfer and Outline how Thermal
Cooling Energy is transferred in each case.

Recall that thermal energy is transferred as electromagnetic

radiation and outline how the wavelength of the wave depends
on the temperature of the object.

Outline how the particles in an object are affected by Heat

Transfer (gain and loss) in terms of molecular structure and
energies of particles.

Demonstrate each type of Heat Transfer experimentally.

Investigate the thermal conductivity of different materials.

Outline what is meant by Specific Heat Capacity and show that it

has an inversely proportional relationship to temperature change
when the heat transfer is constant.

Solve problems using the formula Q = mc(ΔT) where ΔT = Tf - Ti

States of Matter Recall the four states of matter: Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma.

Draw diagrams to show the particle structure of solids, liquids

and gases.
 Compare the Internal Energies of matter for solids, liquids and
gases.

Interpret heating and cooling graphs including changes of state.

Outline what is meant by the term Specific Latent Heat and

Identify the latent heat on a heating or cooling graph.

Describe the energy changes that take place during a change of

state with reference to Latent Heat.

Solve problems using the formula Q = mL

Explain why the Internal energy of gases is stored as Kinetic

Energy only.

Describe the process of evaporation.

Distinguish between evaporation and boiling with reference to

the energy of particles.

Thermal State some common examples of thermal insulators for

Insulation preventing each of the three types of Heat Transfer.

Outline how different materials prevent heat transfer, referring to

conduction, convection and radiation.

Design thermally insulated systems including thermos flasks,

houses and clothing to deal with a variety of different climates
and temperatures.

Extension to DP Interpret, Explain and Draw graphs showing the Maxwell

Boltzmann distribution of energies of particles at different
temperatures.

Explain why the specific heat capacity varies for different

substances.

Explain some factors that affect the thermal conductivity of a

material.

Explain why the Specific Latent Heat varies for different

substances.
Unit 6 - Climate Change
Topic Self Objectives

Earth’s energy balance Describe surfaces in terms of their black-body emissivity and
reflectivity

Identify the chief greenhouse gases

Summarize the greenhouse effect in terms of absorption and

re-emission of radiation

Outline the effects of the greenhouse effect on the

earth–atmosphere system

Identify the chief sectors of human activity that contribute to

greenhouse gas emissions

Energy sources Classify energy sources as primary or secondary

Evaluate energy density of different fuel sources

Identify renewable and non-renewable energy sources

Evaluate renewable and non-renewable energy sources

Power station Outline the key features of a non-renewable fuel source

power station

Outline the key features of renewable energy sources: wind

generators, hydroelectric, tidal, and solar systems

Human impact on Classify climate phenomena in terms of positive and negative

Earth’s climate feedback

Outline the effects of changing albedo on climate

Describe the effects of changing solar irradiation on climate

Evaluate the evidence that short-term global warming is a

consequence of human activity