Outcomes

A student:

• designs and evaluates investigations in order to obtain primary and secondary data and information PH11/12- 2
• conducts investigations to collect valid and reliable primary and secondary data and information PH11/12-3
• selects and processes appropriate qualitative and quantitative data and information using a range of appropriate media PH11/12-4
• analyses and evaluates primary and secondary data and information PH11/12-5
• solves scientific problems using primary and secondary data, critical thinking skills and scientific processes PH11/12-6
• describes and analyses motion in terms of scalar and vector quantities in two dimensions and makes quantitative measurements and calculations for distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration PH11-8

Content Focus

Motion is a fundamental observable phenomenon. The study of kinematics involves describing, measuring and analysing motion without considering the forces and masses involved in that motion. Uniformly accelerated motion is described in terms of relationships between measurable scalar and vector quantities, including displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration and time.

Representations – including graphs and vectors, and equations of motion – can be used qualitatively and quantitatively to describe and predict linear motion.

By studying this module, students come to understand that scientific knowledge enables scientists to offer valid explanations and make reliable predictions, particularly in regard to the motion of an object.

Working Scientifically

In this module, students focus on designing, evaluating and conducting investigations to examine trends in data and solve problems related to kinematics. Students should be provided with opportunities to engage with all the Working Scientifically skills throughout the course.

Content

Motion in a Straight Line

Inquiry question: How is the motion of an object moving in a straight line described and predicted?

Students:

• describe uniform straight-line (rectilinear) motion and uniformly accelerated motion through:

  • qualitative descriptions
  • the use of scalar and vector quantities (ACSPH060)

• conduct a practical investigation to gather data to facilitate the analysis of instantaneous and average velocity through:

  Information and communication technology capability icon

  • quantitative, first-hand measurements

  • the graphical representation and interpretation of data (ACSPH061)

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