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VCE PHYSICSSummary of proposed changes to the study design
This table provides detailed information about proposed changes to the VCE Physics study design.
General changes
Feature Current study design Proposal for revised study design
Detailed studies Students undertake two Detailed Studies from a set of six that are offered across Units 1 and 2
Students undertake one Detailed Study that is offered from a set of six across Units 3 and/or 4
Students undertake one Focus Study from a set of 11 in Unit 2 Area of Study 2, with a further aspect of a Focus Study being able to be undertaken in Unit 2 Area of Study 3 as a practical investigation
No Detailed Studies are offered across Units 3 and 4
Unit 4 Area of Study 3 is a skills-based area of study where students undertake a practical investigation related to content in Units 3 and/or 4
©VCAA, August 2014
VCE PHYSICS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Specific changes
Section Current study design Proposal for revised study design
Scope of study A single Rationale covers both proposed Scope of study and Rationale
Explains aspects of the broad discipline of physics that is included in VCE Physics
Rationale Explains the importance of studying VCE Physics, including post-secondary pathways
Aims Includes a set of nine VCE Physics aims
Proposes set of two VCE Physics-specific aims and a set of seven generic aims which apply to all VCE sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics and Psychology)
Key science skills
A set of key skills is described under three general headings
A set of key science skills is described under seven general headings which apply to all VCE sciences, with elaborations specific to VCE Physics
Unit questions No unit titles or questions are included in the current study design
Unit questions are designed to link concepts and ideas across the unit and to reflect the inquiry nature of science Unit 1: How can the unseen be
explained? Unit 2: How do observations
shape knowledge? Unit 3: How does energy relate to
nature? Unit 4: Why are light and matter
so challenging to explain?
Area of study questions
Area of study has short phrases as titles
Area of study has questions as titles which are designed to enable exploration of the concepts and ideas related to the topics within the area of study
Key knowledge sub-headings
Key knowledge is listed as a set of dot points
Key knowledge dot points are listed under sets of sub-headings
©VCAA, August 20142
VCE PHYSICS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Section Current study design Proposal for revised study design
Unit 1 Area of Study 1
Nuclear physics and radioactivity nuclear stability radioactive decay origin, detection, penetration and
effects on humans of α, β and γ radiation
effects of ionising radiation on living things and the environment
nuclear transformations and decay series diagrams
natural and artificial isotopes neutron absorption and
production of artificial radioisotopes
risks in the use of nuclear reactions and radioactivity
Can the Universe be explained?Topics: the origin and fate of the Universe the composition of the Universe scientific exploration of the origin
and composition of the UniverseThis is a new area of study related to cosmology and including the Big Bang theory, the Standard Model and string theory. There is a focus on how we know what we know about the Universe.
Unit 1Area of Study 2
Electricity electric circuits resistance in series and parallel
circuits modelling of simple electric
circuits and household electricity connections
electric shock practical investigations of the
operation of simple circuits safe use of electricity
How can thermal effects be explained?Topics: Thermodynamics principles Thermodynamics and global
warmingThis is a new area of study. Students explore thermodynamics though one of more of three contexts: the car, the home and/or Earth
Unit 1Area of Study 3
Detailed study (first selection from a choice of six)
How can electricity be explained?Topics: concepts used to model electricity circuit electricity using electricity electrical safetyContent is similar to current Unit 1 Area of Study 2
©VCAA, August 20143
VCE PHYSICS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Section Current study design Proposal for revised study design
Unit 2Area of Study 1
Motion vectors and scalars straight-line and non-uniform
motion in a straight line forces weight application of Newton’s three
laws of motion work Hooke’s law for an ideal spring energy transfers and
transformations momentum impulse
How can motion be described?Topics: concepts used to model motion forces and motion energy and motionContent is similar to current Unit 2 Area of Study 1: inclusion of g = 9.8 inclusion of the concept of torque
and analysis of structures, from the current Unit 3 and 4 Detailed Study of ‘Materials and their use in structures’
deletion of reference to ‘weight’
Unit 2Area of Study 2
Wave-like properties of light transverse waves calculations of wavelength,
frequency, period, and speed of travel of light waves
reflection, refraction and total internal reflection
light as a wave and a particle polarisation visible light colour
Proposed set of 11 Focus Studies: What are stars? Is there intelligent life beyond
Earth’s solar system? How do forces act on the human
body? How can AC electricity charge a
DC mobile phone? How do heavy things fly? How do fusion and fission
compare as viable nuclear energy power sources?
How is radiation used in medical imaging and diagnosis?
How do particle accelerators and colliders work?
How can human vision be extended?
How do instruments make music? How can physics be applied to
improve performance in ball sports?
Content contains new material in addition to content derived from current Areas of Study and Detailed Studies across Units 1 to 4
©VCAA, August 20144
VCE PHYSICS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Section Current study design Proposal for revised study design
Unit 2Area of Study 3
Detailed study (second selection from a choice of six)
Student-designed practical investigation related to waves, fields or motion new Area of Study with a skills
focus investigation question relates to
content in Unit 2 Areas of Study 1 and/or 2
student designed and conducted involves collection of primary
qualitative and/or quantitative data
Unit 3Area of Study 1
Motion in one and two dimensions application of Newton’s three
laws of motion in one and two dimensions
uniform circular motion projectile motion momentum and impulse work energy transformations gravitational fields and forces weight, apparent weight,
weightlessness, apparent weightlessness
satellite motion
How do things move when there is no contact?Topics: fields and interactions effects of fields application of field conceptsContent relates to fields: derived from several areas of
study in the current study design related to electric, magnetic and gravitational fields
includes Coulomb’s law and the magnetic force on a moving charge
Unit 3Area of Study 3
Electronics and photonics operation of electronic circuits parallel and series circuits opto-electronic devices transfer of information in
analogue form design, investigation and analysis
of circuits for particular purposes voltage characteristics of
amplifiers
How efficient is the delivery of electrical energy to homes?Topics: generation of electricity transmission of electricity impact of electricityContent is similar to current Unit 4 Area of Study 1
©VCAA, August 20145
VCE PHYSICS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Section Current study design Proposal for revised study design
Unit 3Area of Study 2
Not included Is there a limit to how fast things can go?Topics Newtonian theories of motion Einsteinian theories of motion relationships between force,
energy and mass relativityContent is similar to current Unit 3 Area of Study 1, but with the inclusion of relativity
Unit 4Area of Study 1
Electric power application of a vector field model
to magnetic phenomena calculations related to current
carrying wires simple DC motors magnetic flux generation of emf DC motors, DC generators and
AC alternators transformer action power supply use of transformers in electricity
distribution system
How can waves explain the behaviour of light?Topics: properties of mechanical waves light as a wave changing direction polarisation of lightContent similar to content from current Unit 2 Area of Study 2 but includes: calculations of Brewster’s Angle applications of polarisation
Unit 4Area of Study 2
Interactions of light and matter Young’s double slit experiment diffraction patterns photoelectric effect light as a wave and a particle de Broglie wavelength of matter momentum of photons and of
matter of the same wavelength atomic absorption and emission
spectra absorption of photons by atoms
How are light and matter similar?Topics: behaviour of light matter as particles or waves similarities between light and
matterContent: similar to current content in Unit 4
Area of Study 2 new content includes
Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle
©VCAA, August 20146
VCE PHYSICS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Section Current study design Proposal for revised study design
Unit 4Area of Study 3
Detailed study (one from a choice of six)
Student-designed practical investigation related to waves, fields or motion new area of study with a skills
focus investigation question relates to
content in Unit 3 and/or 4 may be undertaken in either Unit
3, Unit 4 or across both Units 3 and 4
student designed and conducted involves collection of primary
quantitative data results presented as a scientific
poster
Units 3 and/or 4 scientific poster template
Not included Scientific poster template provided which includes identified sections and suggested marking scheme
Practical logbook
Practical logbook not mandated Students are required to maintain a practical logbook for record, authentication and assessment purposes
School-assessed Course
School-assessed Coursework is weighted across five outcomes
Proposed School-assessed Coursework is equally weighted across 6 outcomes
©VCAA, August 20147
VCE PHYSICS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
ASSESSMENTUnits 1 and 2Assessment tasks in the current and proposed study designs are similar although some have been updated to reflect current assessment practice and the nature of the discipline.
Current Unit 1 assessment tasks Proposed Unit 1 assessment tasks
Assessment tasks for this unit are:A practical investigation (student designed or adapted)andA selection from the following: an annotated folio of practical
activities a data analysis a multimedia or web page
presentation a response to a media article a summary report of selected
practical investigations including maintenance of a logbook
a written report a test (short answer and extended
response).
For Outcomes 1 and 2:Assessment tasks for this unit should be selected from the following: report of a practical investigation (student-
designed or adapted) using an appropriate format, for example, a scientific poster, practical report, oral communication or digital presentation.
andA selection from the following: annotated folio of practical activities data analysis media response summary report of selected practical
investigations including maintenance of a logbook
modelling activity reflective learning journal/blog related to
selected activities or in response to an issue test comprising multiple choice and/or short
answer and/or extended response.The assessment tasks may be written, oral or multi-modal.
©VCAA, August 20148
VCE PHYSICS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Current Unit 2 assessment tasks Proposed Unit 2 assessment tasks
Assessment tasks for this unit are:A practical investigation (student designed, adapted or extended)andA selection from the following: an annotated folio of practical
activities a data analysis a multimedia or web page
presentation a response to a media article a summary report of selected
practical investigations including maintenance of a logbook
a written report a test (short answer and extended
response).
Assessment tasks for this unit should be selected from the following:For Outcomes 1 and 2:A selection from the following: annotated folio of practical activities data analysis media response summary report of selected practical
investigations including maintenance of a logbook
modelling activity reflective learning journal/blog related to
selected activities or in response to an issue test comprising multiple choice and/or short
answer and/or extended response.The assessment tasks may be written, oral or multi-modal.
andFor Outcome 3: report of a practical investigation (student-
designed or adapted) using an appropriate format, for example, a scientific poster, practical report, oral communication or digital presentation.
©VCAA, August 20149
VCE PHYSICS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Proposed Unit 3 assessmentThe nature of assessment tasks in the current and proposed study designs are similar although only two Outcomes exist currently for Unit 3 and three Outcomes are included in the proposed study design. Some assessment tasks have been updated to reflect current assessment practice and the nature of the discipline. An indication of time for the task is intended to provide greater comparability in the scope of the tasks across classes and schools, and to reduce School-assessed Coursework load for teachers and students.
Outcomes Marks allocated* Assessment tasks
Outcome 1Analyse gravitational, electrical and magnetic fields, and use these to explain the operation of motors and particle accelerators
30For Outcomes 1, 2 and 3:At least one different task for each Outcome selected from: annotations of at least two practical
activities from a practical logbook report of a student investigation analysis of data including
generalisations and conclusions media analysis/response extended response questions reflective blog A test (short answer and extended
response)(approximately 50 minutes per task)
Outcome 2Analyse and evaluate an electricity generation and distribution system.
30
Outcome 3Investigate motion and related energy transformations experimentally, analyse motion using the Newtonian model in one and two dimensions, and describe the motion of objects moving at very large speeds using Einsteinian models.
30
Total marks 90
*School-assessed Coursework for Unit 3 contributes 20 per cent.
©VCAA, August 201410
VCE PHYSICS SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES
Proposed Unit 4 assessmentAssessment tasks in the current and proposed study designs are similar for Outcomes 1, 2 and 3 although some have been updated to reflect current assessment practice and the nature of the discipline. An indication of time for the task is intended to provide greater comparability in the scope of the task across classes and schools, and to reduce School-assessed Coursework load for teachers and students.
The proposed Outcome 3 task may be undertaken in Unit 3, Unit 4, or across Unit 3 and Unit 4, but will be reported as part of Unit 4 School-assessed Coursework and mirrors the current assessment task for Unit 4 Outcome 3. A template has been constructed for production of the associated scientific poster task to assist in staged completion and authentication of student work.
Outcomes Marks allocated* Assessment tasks
Outcome 1Apply wave principles to analyse, interpret and explain wave phenomena.
30For Outcomes 1 and 2:At least one different task for each Outcome selected from: annotations of at least two
practical activities from a practical logbook
report of a student investigation analysis of data including
generalisations and conclusions media analysis/response extended response questions reflective blog
(approximately 50 minutes)
Outcome 2Provide evidence for the nature of light and matter, and analyse the data from experiments that provide this evidence.
30
Outcome 3Undertake an investigation related to the motion of particles or matter, and present methodologies, findings and conclusions as a scientific poster.
30 Structured scientific poster according to VCAA template
(maximum 1000 words)
Total marks 90
*School-assessed Coursework for Unit 4 contributes 20 per cent.
©VCAA, August 201411