HSC Physics study plan

Build a formula sheet covering kinematics and dynamics, writing each equation with its variables, SI units and the condition under which it applies

Solve 15 projectile and relative-velocity problems, sketching the motion and resolving vectors before substituting numbers

Derive the equations of uniformly accelerated motion from a velocity-time graph and state what the gradient and area represent

Explain the difference between mass and weight and apply Newton's three laws to two-body and lift problems

Analyse circular motion problems by identifying the centripetal force source and resolving forces toward the centre

Apply conservation of momentum and energy to collisions and explosions, distinguishing elastic from inelastic cases

Solve problems involving work, power and efficiency, showing unit consistency at each step

Describe and calculate torque and conditions for static equilibrium in extended bodies

Explain gravitational field strength, potential energy and orbital motion using Newton's law of universal gravitation

Derive Kepler's third law for circular orbits and apply it to satellite data

Compare gravitational and electric fields by tabulating similarities and differences in field lines, force laws and potential

Solve problems on electric fields, Coulomb's law and charged parallel plates

Apply Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws and series-parallel rules to multi-loop circuits

Calculate magnetic force on current-carrying conductors and moving charges using the right-hand rule

Explain electromagnetic induction using Faraday's and Lenz's laws and solve flux-change problems

Describe the motor and generator effect and identify energy transformations in each

Describe wave properties, superposition, reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference with correct terminology

Solve problems using the wave equation and Snell's law, including critical angle and total internal reflection

Analyse double-slit and diffraction-grating interference patterns quantitatively

Explain polarisation and model the behaviour of light using both ray and wave models

Explain the photoelectric effect using photon energy and work function, and interpret stopping voltage graphs

Describe quantised atomic energy levels and interpret emission and absorption spectra

Compare the Bohr model with later quantum descriptions and state the limits of each

Solve problems converting between wavelength, frequency and photon energy

Outline the structure of the nucleus and write balanced nuclear equations for alpha, beta and gamma decay

Calculate mass defect and binding energy and relate them to nuclear stability

Explain fission and fusion with reference to binding energy per nucleon and describe reactor components

Evaluate the risks and benefits of nuclear technology using named evidence

Sit two full past papers under timed conditions and mark them strictly against the criteria

Rewrite every incorrect response with the correct reasoning and the specific concept that failed

Drill the highest-frequency calculation types until each is completed accurately within its time budget

Recite key definitions and constants from memory and check them against the syllabus