Physics Unit 4 AOS 1 - How has understanding about the physical world changed?

This unit is composed of one module (approximately 4 hours). The module includes:

Physics Unit 4 AOS 1: 1.1 - Light and matter

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

• Light as a wave

• Light as a particle

• Matter as particles or waves

• Similarities between light and matter

• Einstein's special theory of relativity

• Relationship between energy and mass

Physics Unit 4 AOS 1: 1.2 - Light as a particle & Matter as particles or waves

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

• Discuss quantisation in understanding light and atomic structure.

• Compare photon and matter momentum with calculations.

• Explain atomic absorption and emission spectra.

• Interpret spectra and calculate photon energy.

• Analyse electron energy state changes through photon absorption/emission.

• Interpret double-slit experiments as evidence of wave-particle duality.

Physics Unit 4 AOS 1: 1.3 - Similarities between light and matter

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

• Discuss the importance of quantisation in understanding light and atoms.

• Compare the momentum of photons and matter of the same wavelength.

• Explain atomic absorption and emission spectra, including metal vapor lamps.

• Calculate photon energy from spectra.

• Interpret double-slit experiments as evidence of wave-particle duality.

Physics Unit 4 AOS 1: 1.4 - Einstein's special theory of relativity

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

• Describe limitations of classical mechanics at speeds near c and Einstein’s postulates.

• Interpret the Michelson-Morley experiment as support for special relativity.

• Define proper time and proper length.

• Model time dilation and length contraction mathematically.

• Analyse relativity in muons, accelerators, and GPS.

• Apply E=mc² to the Sun, annihilation, and nuclear transformations.