Developing Science - Year 9

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Physics (TASC Level 4) - An Introduction

Physics is a fundamental science that endeavours to explain all the natural phenomena that occur in the universe using the method of experiment and observation and the method of mathematical reasoning

Its power lies in the use of a comparatively small number of assumptions, models, laws and theories to explain a wide range of phenomena, from the incredibly small to the incredibly large. Physics has helped to unlock the mysteries of the universe and provides the foundation of understanding upon which modern technologies and all other sciences are based. Students learn how an understanding of physics is central to the identification of, and solutions to, some of the key issues facing an increasingly globalised society. They consider how physics contributes to diverse areas in contemporary life, such as engineering, renewable energy generation, communication, development of new materials, transport and vehicle safety, medical science, an understanding of climate change, and the exploration of the universe. Studying physics will enable learners to become citizens who are better informed about the world around them and who have the critical skills to evaluate and make evidence-based decisions about current scientific issues.

TASC. Physics. Level 4, PHY415115, 2020.

Course information for TASC Physics level 4 can be found here.

Library Resources
eReserve
CSIRO Image Library
Web Resources
Topics in Physics

Library Resources

The Library catalogue is a powerful searching tool that allows you to quickly locate material in our collections.

Dewey numbers

  • 530 - Physics

Keyword searching

All the chapters and summaries of the physics books on our shelves are entered into our catalogue. A simple keyword search is the quickest way to locate these resources, e.g.

Collection highlights

Parsons, P. 2012, 3-minute Einstein: digesting his life, theories and influence in 3-minute morsels, Pier 9, Milsons Point, NSW.

Smil, V. 2006, Energy: a beginner's guide, Oneworld, Oxford.

Speyer, E. 1994, Six roads from Newton: great discoveries in physics, Wiley Popular Science, New York.

Tipler, A, Llewellyn, R.A., (2012), Modern physics, 6th edn. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York.

Walding, R, Rapkins, G, Rossiter G, (2004), New century senior physics: knowledge, processes and reasoning, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, Vic. [Multiple copies of this text are held in the Science Faculty resources]

eBooks

Issues in society

Reference resources

General encyclopedia

  • World Book

Single-volume reference

eReserve

  • Folger, T (2017), Mass Hysteria in Scientific American, vol. 316 no. 2.

CSIRO Image Library

The CSIRO Science Image Library has an extensive selection of images you can use in your assignments. They are available to download and copy under a Creative Commons licence. You must acknowledge and provide a citation to the CSIRO when you use any of these images.

Web Resources

Be careful what you download and use from the Internet.

Before using information from a web address ensure you are looking at a publication from a legitimate source. Material from the Internet often does not acknowledge the author or creator, does not cite references or footnotes, or include any type of bibliography or reference list. Use this type of material with caution. As part of your research process you need to sort out the reliable sources from the less trustworthy sites.

If in doubt always check with your teacher. For further information read the Library Fact Sheet Evaluating Information from the Web.

General resources

Additional resources

Unit 1: Ionising radiation and nuclear reactions

Unit 2: Waves

  • BBC Higher Bitesize: Physics - Waves

Unit 3: Gravity and motion

Unit 3: Electromagnetism

Unit 4: Special Relativity

Unit 4: Quantum theory

Unit 4: Standard model

Topics in Physics

Science Understanding

The following tasks are only possible suggestions from TASC in regard to internal assessment tasks in TASC Physics, Level 4.

Artificial satellites

Big Bang theory

Black body radiation and the greenhouse effect

Forensic science - Projectiles

Harnessing nuclear power

Medical imaging

Monitoring earthquakes and tsunamis

Faculty resources: All material purchased for the teachers in the Science Faculty is also available for student use if it is not required by the teachers. The resources are kept in the Library and can be found by using the Library catalogue.

Article Index