Physics Unit 1 AOS 1 - How are light and heat explained?

This unit is composed of three different modules that can be completed individually (approximately 4 hours each). The modules include:

Physics Unit 1 AOS 1: 1.1 - Electromagnetic radiation

Students will use interactive activities including simulations, videos and apps, to:

• Study waves, including electromagnetic waves, and compare wavelengths and frequencies across the spectrum.

• Investigate wave behaviour including refraction using Snell’s Law, total internal reflection and critical angle with applications.

• Explore colour dispersion theoretically and practically.

• Explain optical phenomena (rainbows and mirages).

• Investigate light transmission through optical fibres for communication.

Physics Unit 1 AOS 1: 1.2 - Thermal energy

Students will use interactive activities including simulations, videos and apps, to:

• Convert between Celsius and Kelvin temperature scales.

• Explain how temperature increase corresponds to increased thermal energy (kinetic and potential energy of atoms).

• Distinguish between heat transfer methods: Conduction, Convection and Radiation.

• Explain cooling by evaporation using a kinetic energy model.

• Investigate and analyse energy requirements for raising a substance’s temperature and changing a substance’s state.

Physics Unit 1 AOS 1: 1.3 - Interaction of thermal energy and electromagnetic radiation

Students will use interactive activities including simulations, videos and apps, to:

• Calculate the peak wavelength of the radiated electromagnetic radiation using Wien’s Law.

• Compare the total energy across the electromagnetic spectrum emitted by objects at different temperatures.

• Apply concepts of energy transfer, energy transformation, temperature change and change of state to climate change and global warming.