Physics 12 syllabus

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All Physics 12 learning outcomes

Gravitational field strength
Gas pressure and molecular motion
Learn about simple examples of free oscillations.
Calculate and explain electric potential.
Explain the particle nature of electromagnetic radiation
Explain debates about beauty in physics
Gravitational field lines
The kinetic theory pressure equation
Use terms displacement, amplitude, period, frequency, angular frequency, phase.
Use the fact that electric field is negative potential gradient.
Use the photon model of light
Explain challenges to mathematical elegance
Newton’s law of gravitation
Root-mean-square speed
Express the period of simple harmonic motion (SHM).
State electric potential energy of two point charges.
Describe debates about aliens and subatomic research
Circular orbits in gravity
Average kinetic energy of a gas
Understand that SHM occurs when acceleration is proportional to displacement.
Calculate and explain capacitance.
Geostationary satellites
Ideal gases and statistical mechanics
Use a = -ω²x to solve problems.
Work out and apply formulae for combined capacitance (series/parallel).
Explain photon momentum
Deriving gravitational field strength
Matter under extreme conditions
Use equations v = v₀ cos(ωt) and v = ±ω√(x₀² - x²).
Use capacitance formulas.
Describe photoelectric emission
Why g is nearly constant near Earth
Explore graphical representations of displacement, velocity and acceleration for SHM.
Determine electric potential energy stored in a capacitor.
Use threshold frequency and wavelength
Gravitational potential
Explore the interchange between kinetic and potential energy during SHM.
Explore graphs of capacitor discharge (V, Q, I vs time).
Explain photoelectric emission using work function
Gravitational potential energy
Use total energy formula for SHM.
Use exponential decay equations for capacitor discharge.
Use Einstein’s photoelectric equation
Learn about that a resistive force causes damping.
List the use of capacitors in household appliances.
Explain why intensity does not set maximum KE
Use terms light, critical and heavy damping.
Compare wave and particle evidence for light
Sketch displacement-time graphs for damping types.
Analyse electron-diffraction evidence
Recognize that resonance involves maximum amplitude at natural frequency.
Use the de Broglie wavelength
Learn about practical examples of free and forced oscillations.
Describe discrete electron energy levels
Learn about practical examples of damped oscillations (e.g., car suspension).
Explain emission and absorption spectra
Plan and explain qualitatively factors determining frequency response/sharpness of resonance.
Use hf = ΔE
Identify the use of standing waves and resonance (Rubens tubes, levitation).
Describe the Compton effect
Plan and explain the importance of critical damping in a car suspension.
Explain pair production and annihilation
Plan and explain circumstances where resonance is useful (radio) or should be avoided (bridges).
Explain half-wave rectification with a diode
Explain high resolution in electron microscopes
Understand experiments demonstrating two-source interference.
Explain full-wave bridge rectification
State and explain Heisenberg’s principle
Learn about conditions required for two-source interference fringes.
Analyse a smoothing capacitor
Use uncertainty to explain measurement limits
Use double-slit formula.
Define self- and mutual inductance
Use mass–energy equivalence
Use diffraction grating formula.
Describe phase lead and lag in AC
Define mass defect and binding energy
Learn about use of diffraction grating to determine wavelength.
Identify inductors as AC chokes
Sketch binding energy per nucleon
Understand Copenhagen vs Many Worlds interpretations (via electron diffraction).
Calculate capacitor and inductor reactance
Recall nuclear fission and fusion
Describe impedance as a vector sum
Relate binding energy to fission and fusion
Calculate nuclear-reaction energy release
Explain random count-rate fluctuations
Explain spontaneous random radioactive decay
Use activity and decay constant
Explain half-life
Relate half-life to decay constant
Describe exponential radioactive decay
Use the radioactive-decay equation
Describe a water-moderated reactor
Explain uranium enrichment
Compare fission and chemical-reaction energy
Explain medical tracers
Explain annihilation and conservation laws
Illustrate how PET scanning works
Calculate annihilation gamma-ray energy
Explain detection of gamma rays outside the body
Explain luminosity
Use the inverse-square law for radiant intensity
Define and use standard candles
Explain blackbody radiation and Wien’s law
Apply the Stefan–Boltzmann law
Estimate a star’s radius
Explain redshift in spectra
Relate redshift to an expanding universe
Explain Hubble’s law and the Big Bang
Describe Earth’s five-part climate system
Relate currents and winds to climate
Explain climate inertia
Explain climate-change forcings
Explain Earth’s energy budget and climate
Explain atmospheric circulation cells
Explain density- and salinity-driven ocean circulation
Explain thermohaline circulation
Explain climate as a chaotic system
Explain the piezoelectric effect in medicine
Explain ultrasound diagnostics
Explain X-ray production and minimum wavelength
Explain contrast in X-ray imaging
Explain computed tomography