Whangarei Girls’ High School Whangarei Girls’ High School

Year 11 Science - Physics (THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL FOR 2025, PLEASE CHOOSE ANOTHER COURSE)

11SCIP
Course Description

This course covers fundamental physics ideas such as energy, forces, motion, waves and electricity. A key focus will be how physics explains energy in the world around us, from the energy associated with motion, position, electrical circuits,and heat. These fundamental physics concepts form major parts of our NCEA Level 2 and Level 3 physics courses. 

The study of energy helps students explain the nature of everyday objects and interactions and form predictions about their world. All interactions are the result of forces. We will explore some key forces and their effects on motion. An understanding of static and direct current (DC) electricity helps students see the sparks in everyday life and the circuits found in their homes and favourite gadgets. Learning about how waves behave helps students to understand the applications of physics in musical instruments, earth and space science, and medical imaging, to name a few. 

Through experimentation and investigation, students will delve deeper into some key physics ideas and present their understanding in a variety of ways. Students will also demonstrate their understanding through exam-style assessments aimed to prepare them for future physics courses. 

Learning Opportunities

In this course you will need to:

Develop these skills:Explore this content:
  • Experimental investigation and analysis.
  • Concepts involving energy

  • Energy transfer

  • Conservation on energy

  • Forms of energy (heat, electrical, mechanical)

  • Critical thinking and problem solving.
  • Concepts involving forces and their effects on motion (e.g. gravity, support forces, force pairs, balanced and unbalanced forces).
  • Mathematical reasoning and algebraic thinking.
  • The movement of electrical charge and the transfer of electrical energy (electricity):

    • Static electricity

    • Direct current (DC) electricity

    • Electromagnetism

  • Physics exam technique.
  • The transfer of energy by waves through physical substances and the vacuum of space:

    • Mechanical waves

    • Electromagnetic waves



  • The physics of technological applications and naturally occuring phenomena.
Year Levels/Departments:

Year 11, Science




			
					
					Resources Required
										
Exercise book (1B8 or 1E8 or similar)

Scientific calculator (Casio FX82 or similar)