VCE Physics - New course 2016

3. * all comments to be
confirmed with VCE
Physics SD
(available March
2015)
Draft
Study
Design*

4. Suitable tasks for assessment in this unit may 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.
and
A selection from the following:
• annotated folio of practical activities
• data analysis
• design, building, testing and evaluation of a device
• explanation of the operation of a device
• proposed solution to a scientific or technological problem
• report of a selected physics phenomenon
• modelling activity
• media response
• summary report of selected practical investigations
• 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.
Where teachers allow students to choose between tasks they must ensure that the tasks they
set are of comparable scope and demand.
Assessment

5. • Three containers in a row..equal
amounts of clear watertwo
peopleplace one hand in
outside container..then place
same hand in centre
containerDescribe the
temperature of the centre
container
Goldilocks temperature

6. Human perceptions are
unreliable
independent, calibrated observations are
necessary to establish trends
= sensors!

7. Thermodynamics
• easy first topic (in summer!)
• good introduction to the need for calibration(accuracy)
and reduction of variation (precision)
• simple projects readily available
• solar ponds/solar (thermal) tower
• insulation/insolation
•
selective surfaces(reflect/absorb)

8. • heat energy!!
• heat is a noun ..rather than a verb
• add heat (energy) and..remove heat (energy)
• temperature increases/decreases ..rather than
‘goes up/down’
… a few points to be made

9. Sensors
• Plenty available
• simple logging software
• plenty of data, graphs available
• the ‘heat equation’ is an approximation..it is a
differential..so beware of curve fitting!

10. Why is the freezing point
depressed in an ice block??

11. (2x)100ml of water is mixed

12. What happens if 100ml of room
temperature water is mixed with
200ml of ‘hot’ water?
300 ml of (140 C˚ )
3
= 46.7 C˚

13. Decide who the audience may be…
Adjust the timelines to accommodate
external requirements.
Be flexible in assigning deadlines,
eg. swim day is a good data
collecting opportunity…
Reporting of data is a ‘story’
The ‘real’ school report may be completed at a
later date, demonstrate skills and planning is a
requirement..not a completed report.

14. VICPhysics website
Mag-Net website bit.ly/1zQxleO
Ready sources of assistance
vicphysics.org
GB website bit.ly/1DuSyCH