UNIT 1: HOW IS ENERGY USEFUL TO
SOCIETY?
Areas of study: Light and Heat,
Nuclear Physics, Electricity
WHAT WILL I LEARN
UNIT 2: HOW DOES PHYSICS HELP US TO
UNDERSTAND THE WORLD?
Areas of study: Motion, Investigation
into a Physics application, Student-
designed investigation
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
Physics is the study of how the universe
works. Physicists will use observations,
experiments, measurements and
mathematics to develop explanations for how
and why things happen.
In this study, students will use experiments,
research and analysis to test the theories they
learn about and use mathematics to evaluate
and solve problems based on scientific
models.
The study of Physics is linked to careers
related to sound, space, engineering,
education, medical diagnosis and treatment,
lasers, communication, forensics, materials,
renewable energy, sports science and
transport.
UNIT 3: HOW DO FIELDS EXPLAIN MOTION
AND ELECTRICITY?
Areas of study: Motion, Fields,
Electricity Generation
VCE - Physics
P A G E 6 5 | P A K E N H A M S E C O N D A R Y C O L L E G E S E N I O R S C H O O L 2 0 2 6 H A N D B O O K
UNIT 4: HOW HAVE CREATIVE IDEAS AND
INVESTIGATION REVOLUTIONISED
THINKING IN PHYSICS?
Areas of study: Light and Matter,
Student-designed Investigation
Unit 3
120 marks
Outcome 1 - Motion
40 marks (SAC)
Outcome 2 - Fields
40 marks (SAC)
Unit 4
80 marks
SATISFACTORY COMPLETION
To achieve a satisfactory completion of Unit
1 and 2, students will need to pass all
School-Assessed Coursework (SACs) to
demonstrate satisfactory understanding of
all learning outcomes. These could include
tests, reports, annotation of practical
activities, analysis of physics phenomena, a
written response to a media article or issue
or a scientific poster.
To achieve a satisfactory completion of Unit
3 and 4, students will need to pass all
School-Assessed Coursework (SACs) to
demonstrate satisfactory understanding of
all learning outcomes and complete a final
exam. The SACs will consist of an
explanation of the physics behind a theory
or device, analysis of a set of data, a
problem-solving task, a comparison of two
solutions to a problem and a scientific
poster.
Outcome 3 - Electricity
40 marks (SAC)
Outcome 1 - Light and
matter
40 marks (SAC)
Outcome 2 - Extended
Practical Investigation
40 marks (SAC)
Total Units 3 & 4 SAC = 200 marks (50% of
final score)
Final 2 hour examination = 50% of final score
ENTRY
Satisfactory completion of Year 10 Science
and Mathematics.