2026
A new syllabus will be in effect for Physics Unit 3 and 4 from 2026. I’m hard at work updating content to match the new syllabus. The chapter list below can assist teachers with their programming. This is a draft outline and is subject to change.
Any one who has access to our Physics Unit 3 and 4 content will see the revised content appear here as it becomes available. I’m keeping outdated 2025 content up at least until the 2025 WACE exams have finished, and likely until a replacement chapter for 2026 is ready.
Damien Patterson.
Science Inquiry Skills
SIS 1. Rearranging Equations
SIS 2. Scientific Notation and Units
SIS 3. Uncertainty of Measurements
SIS 4. Uncertainty of Calculated Values
SIS 5. Graphing with Uncertainty
Unit 3
1. Newtonian Motion within Gravitational Fields
1.1 Gravitational Fields and Forces
1.2 Inclined Planes
1.3 Projectile Motion
1.4 Circular Motion in a Horizontal Plane
1.5 Circular Motion in a Vertical Plane
1.6 Satellite Motion
1.7 Work and Energy in Gravitational Fields
1.8 Static Equilibrium
2. Special Relativity
2.1 Frames of Reference and the Speed of Light
2.2 Time Dilation
2.3 Length Contraction
2.4 Relativistic Addition of Velocities
2.5 Evidence and Applications of Relativity
Unit 4
3. Electromagnetism
3.1 Electric Fields and Forces
3.2 Work and Energy in Electric Fields
3.3 Magnetic Fields
3.4 Magnetic Forces on Moving Charges
3.5 Electric Motors
3.6 Electromagnetic Induction
3.7 Generators
3.8 Transformers and Power Distribution
3.9 Further Applications of Induction
4. Particle Accelerators
4.1 Using Fields to Control Charged Particles
4.2 Relativistic Energy and Momentum
5. Wave-Particle Duality
5.1 A Wave Model of Light
5.2 Evidence of Wave Behaviours of Light
5.3 Black Body Spectra and the Quantization of Light Energy
5.4 Photoelectric Effect
5.5 Bohr’s Model and Spectral Lines
5.6 Applications of Atomic Energy Levels
5.7 Matter Waves
6. Cosmology
6.1 Hubble’s Law
6.2 Big Bang Theory
Science Inquiry Skills
Building upon the scientific method covered in lower school, ATAR Physics has a focus on evaluating uncertainty and using graphical analysis to support or confirm theoretical relationships.
- SIS 1 Rearranging Equations
- SIS 2 Scientific Notation and Units
- SIS 3 Uncertainty of Measurements
- SIS 4 Uncertainty of Calculated Values
- SIS 5 Graphing with Uncertainty
Unit 3
Gravity and Relativity
Students extend their understanding of motion by applying Newton’s laws and gravitational field models to analyse projectile and circular motion. They investigate contexts such as satellites, navigation, and sports science to explore theories of gravity and relativity.
Unit 4
Electromagnetism and Modern Physics
Students explore electromagnetic interactions to understand the operation of motors, generators, transformers, and power systems, as well as the production of electromagnetic waves. They investigate how unexplained observations of light and matter led to quantum theory, applying concepts such as black body radiation, wave–particle duality, and atomic structure to phenomena like spectra, the photoelectric effect, and lasers.
2025
Science Inquiry Skills
Building upon the scientific method covered in lower school, ATAR Physics has a focus on evaluating uncertainty and using graphical analysis to support or confirm theoretical relationships.
- SIS 1 Rearranging Equations
- SIS 2 Scientific Notation and Units
- SIS 3 Uncertainty of Measurements
- SIS 4 Uncertainty of Calculated Values
- SIS 5 Graphing with Uncertainty
Unit 3
Gravity and Electromagnetism
In this unit the current understanding of field theories for gravity and electromagnetism are studied. This includes using force lines to represent vector fields as well as applying calculations and theoretical concepts to the interaction of these fields in two and three dimensional space.
Unit 4
Revolutions in Modern Physics
In this unit the shortcomings of previous theories and models are used as a stepping stone to leap into modern views of the atom, light, space and time. This unit also looks deep into the past, at the early formation of the Universe and how modern technology allows us to gather evidence of what transpired billions of years ago.