11–12Physics 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

Record of changes

Implementation from 2027

Expand for detailed implementation advice

Overview Rationale Aim Outcomes Content Assessment Glossary Teaching and learning support

Content

Year 11

Year 12

View Life Skills

Teaching advice

Examples

Nature of light

PY-12-03
analyses the properties of light using models and theories

Related Life Skills content for Stage 6

Light

Nature of light

Relevant Working scientifically outcomes and content must be integrated with each focus area. All the Working scientifically outcomes and content must be addressed by the end of Year 12.

Electromagnetic waves

Identify that all forms of electromagnetic radiation have constant speed, $c$ , in a vacuum
Explain how electromagnetic waves are produced and propagated
Discuss how the historical prediction of the speed of light was made by relating the electric permittivity and magnetic permeability of free space, using $c = \frac{1}{\sqrt{ε_{0} μ_{0}}}$
Conduct a secondary source investigation to explain how a spark-gap oscillator and a loop antenna verified the predicted speed of electromagnetic waves (Hertz experiment)
Conduct a laboratory experiment to measure the speed of electromagnetic waves and assess the accuracy of the measured value

The wave model of light

Account for the diffraction and interference effects produced when monochromatic light is shone through a double slit
Explain why small slit gaps are used in diffraction of light experiments
Interpret the theoretical pattern and intensity graph produced by visible light passing through a double slit
Explain observations of the double-slit experiment in terms of constructive interference and destructive interference
Analyse the factors involved in the production of an interference pattern from a double slit and a diffraction grating using $d \sin θ = mλ = \frac{dy}{L}$
Conduct a laboratory experiment to produce and analyse interference patterns
Solve problems involving interference patterns from a double slit and a diffraction grating
Compare linearly polarised and unpolarised light in terms of the plane of the electric field
Explain how light becomes polarised when passing through a filter
Solve problems involving polarised light using $I = I_{\max} \cos^{2} θ$
Evaluate the evidence supporting the wave model of light, including diffraction, interference and polarisation

The quantum model of light

Explain the particle model of light in terms of photons with discrete energy and frequency
Analyse the relationships between photon energy, frequency, speed of light and wavelength, using $E = hf$ and $c = fλ$
Describe the relationship between the temperature of an object and the distribution of kinetic energies among particles within the object
Explain why black bodies emit electromagnetic radiation as a function of their temperature
Use models to explain why theoretical black bodies are perfect absorbers and emitters of energy
Analyse the black-body curves of objects of different temperatures
Solve problems involving black bodies using $λ_{\max} = \frac{b}{T}$
Compare black-body radiation curves with classical curve predictions to highlight the importance of a theory being supported by experimental observations
Explain how the proposal of quantised energy given by $E = hf$ resolves the difference between classical predictions and experimental evidence for black-body radiators
Solve problems using $E = hf$
Use quantum theory to analyse the relationships between frequency of light, intensity of light, energy of photons and number of photons
Account for the photoelectric effect in metals
Relate the law of conservation of energy to the maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons and $K_{\max} = hf - ϕ$
Analyse data from photoelectric effect and thermionic emission experiments to explain relationships using $K_{\max} = hf - ϕ$ and $K_{\max} = q V_{0}$
Solve problems involving the photoelectric effect and thermionic emission using $K_{\max} = hf - ϕ$ and $K_{\max} = q V_{0}$
Analyse graphs of photoelectric experiments involving different metals
Conduct a secondary-source investigation to explain how the photelectric effect is used in photovoltaics (solar cells) and one other real-world application
Explain how observations of the photoelectric effect and data can validate predictions about the quantum nature of light

Light and special relativity

Compare inertial and non-inertial frames of reference
Outline Einstein’s first and second postulates of special relativity
Apply Einstein’s first and second postulates of special relativity to a simultaneity thought experiment involving 2 events occurring at opposite ends of a vehicle moving at relativistic speed when viewed from different frames of reference
Apply Einstein’s first and second postulates of special relativity to a time dilation thought experiment involving light pulses reflecting inside a vehicle moving at relativistic speed when viewed from different frames of reference
Account for the relativistic effects of time dilation, length contraction and relativistic momentum from an external frame of reference
Solve quantitative problems involving $t = \frac{t_{0}}{\sqrt{(1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}})}}$ , $l_{v} = l_{0} \sqrt{(1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}})}$ and $p_{v} = \frac{m_{0} v}{\sqrt{(1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}})}}$
Explain why an object with mass cannot travel at the speed of light
Analyse the evidence supporting the theory of relativity, including the muon lifetime and atomic clocks moving at different velocities

Related files

Life Skills

Welcome to the NSW Curriculum website

11–12Physics 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

Content