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NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

7–10Science 7–10 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2026
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Stage 5

Waves and motion

Working scientifically

In this focus area, students develop skills in conducting investigations, as well as processing data and information. Additional Working scientifically outcomes and skills may be integrated with this content.

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Common properties of waves
  • Demonstrate that a mechanical wave requires a medium to travel through, while an electromagnetic (EM) wave does not

  • Use the wave model to explain how energy is transferred without the net transfer of particles

  • Use models to compare and describe the features of transverse and longitudinal waves

  • Compare the different wave forms of the electromagnetic spectrum

  • Investigate the features of waves, including amplitude, frequency, speed and wavelength by exploring a range of wave types

  • Analyse data from secondary sources to compare the uses of different EM waves based on their properties

Sound waves
  • Model the transfer of sound energy as compressions and rarefactions in waves

  • Investigate and describe how amplitude and frequency affect the pitch and volume of sound

  • Investigate the Doppler effect of waves

  • Describe how the ear responds to sound waves

  • Investigate and outline the impact of material selection on the transfer of sound energy in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ traditional musical and communication instruments

  • Describe how sound waves are used in medical diagnosis

Light waves
  • Describe how the eye responds to light

  • Investigate the properties of light, including absorption, reflection, refraction and scattering

  • Investigate applications of absorption, reflection and refraction in everyday life

  • Explain how the electromagnetic spectrum is used to learn about stars

Motion
  • Conduct an investigation to analyse the relationships between distance, time, speed, displacement and velocity

  • Investigate the motion of objects and represent them using motion diagrams

  • Conduct investigations to analyse the relationship between distance, time and speed, and draw and analyse a line graph of the results

  • Conduct an investigation to analyse the relationships between force, mass and acceleration

  • Investigate applications of Newton’s laws of motion

  • Determine, using vector analysis, the net force on an object in one dimension

Waves and motion in context
  • Structure an argument to analyse how waves and motion have changed society

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