Albany Senior High School/Coursebook/3PHY

What is this course about?
The word Physics comes from the greek word fusis meaning natural things. Physics studies natural phenomenon in the areas of mechanics, electricity, waves and nuclear physics.

Physicists are inquisitive, so you will investigate the answers to questions about events that occur in the world around you. These topics will range from parts of the atom to observations of distant galaxies, yet all the topics can be related to phenomenon that you can observe every day.

What will I learn?
Skills you will learn as a Physicist are:


 * how to think scientificaly and understand the nature of science
 * use basic laws to explain situations you observe, both qualitatively (explaining in words) and quantitatively (using formula and numerical values)
 * how to carry out an investigation and analyse trends and relationships in data that you collect
 * explain technical or biological applications of Physics in the world around you and their impact on society

What sorts of things will I do?
As a Physicist you will be

Connected

Understand how physics links to the world around you and your everyday lives. Use physics theory to explain or help understand what you see. Recognise that physics is used in areas such as sports, engineering, communication, medicine and many more...

Curious

Be a lifelong learner who has a sense of curiosity, ask questions about what you see and why things work

Big Ideas you will study in Physics

These standards are required as part of the course
19

What do I need to be able to study L3 Physics?

 * It is highly recommended that students have passed, with achieved or above, level 2 physics course
 * A good understanding of the following areas of maths - measurement, calculation of area, pythagoras, trigonometry and algebra
 * If you do not have the above you need to see the head of science in the year prior to commencing study.

Can I study Scholarship Physics?
Scholarship is an external examination for top secondary students. Scholarship examines course material related to level 3 standards derived from up to level 8 of the New Zealand Curriculum, but related content knowledge from NCEA levels 1 and 2, will be assumed. Therefore scholarship students must study material contained in 3 other standards at level 3, therefore it is highly recommended that students wanting to do scholarship link the learning for these standards to a suitable impact project. The skills and understanding required to meet Scholarship criteria are considerably more advanced than NCEA level 3. Scholarship requires students to demonstrate high-level critical thinking.

Are there any recommended texts?
It is recommended that students have access to the following texts at home:


 * NCEA Level 3 Physics Study Guide, ESA Publishers, Pauline Bendall and Paul Howison (ISBN: 978-1-877366-80-2

To study for external examinations the following texts are recommended:


 * StudyPass level 3 Physics fold out notes and revision guide (these can be ordered throught the school later in the year at a discounted price, you will be informed in class)

And for students doing Physics scholarship


 * Scholarship Physics AME Workbook, ESA Publishers, David Housden (ISBN: 978-877401-94-7)