SACE Stage 2 Physics study plan

Derive and apply the equations of uniformly accelerated motion to solve at least 15 multi-step kinematics problems involving free fall and projectile motion.

Construct and interpret displacement-time and velocity-time graphs, calculating gradients and areas to determine velocity and displacement.

Resolve vectors into perpendicular components and apply them to two-dimensional projectile problems with horizontal launch and angled launch.

Identify and explain the difference between distance and displacement, speed and velocity, and state the conditions under which each applies.

State Newton's three laws of motion and apply them to draw correct free-body diagrams for at least 10 physical situations.

Solve problems involving friction, normal force, and inclined planes by resolving forces into components.

Apply conservation of momentum to analyse one-dimensional and two-dimensional collisions and explosions.

Distinguish between elastic and inelastic collisions and calculate kinetic energy changes in each case.

Explain circular motion in terms of centripetal force and acceleration, and solve problems involving horizontal and vertical circular paths.

State the two postulates of special relativity and explain why they lead to time dilation and length contraction.

Apply the time dilation and length contraction equations to solve at least 8 numerical problems involving relativistic speeds.

Calculate relativistic momentum and rest energy using E = mc^2 and the relativistic energy-momentum relation.

Explain the concept of simultaneity and describe at least two experimental or observational confirmations of relativity.

Solve problems involving relativistic kinetic energy and total energy, distinguishing clearly between rest mass and relativistic mass.

Apply Coulomb's law to calculate the force between point charges in one and two dimensions, including vector addition of forces.

Define electric field strength and calculate the field due to point charges and combinations of charges.

Explain electric potential and potential difference, and calculate the work done moving a charge between two points.

Describe the motion of charged particles in uniform electric fields and solve problems involving acceleration and deflection.

State and apply the relationships between electric field, potential difference, and plate separation for parallel plates.

Define electric current, resistance, and potential difference, and apply Ohm's law to solve series and parallel circuit problems.

Calculate equivalent resistance for combinations of resistors in series and parallel, and determine current and voltage at each component.

Apply Kirchhoff's laws to solve multi-loop circuits with at least two sources of emf.

Calculate electrical power and energy in circuits and explain the effect of internal resistance on terminal voltage.

Describe the magnetic field produced by a current-carrying wire and a solenoid, and apply the right-hand rule to determine field direction.

Calculate the magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor and on a moving charge, and describe the motion of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Explain electromagnetic induction, state Faraday's law and Lenz's law, and apply them to calculate induced emf and current direction.

Describe the operation of transformers and AC generators in terms of electromagnetic induction, and solve transformer ratio problems.

Describe the wave model of light, define wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and speed, and apply v = fλ to solve problems.

Explain superposition, interference, and diffraction, and describe the conditions for constructive and destructive interference.

Apply the double-slit interference equation to calculate fringe spacing and wavelength, and explain how the pattern changes with slit separation and distance.

Describe diffraction gratings and solve problems involving grating spacing, order number, and wavelength.

Explain the photoelectric effect and use Einstein's photoelectric equation to calculate threshold frequency, work function, and maximum kinetic energy.

Describe wave-particle duality and the de Broglie wavelength, and calculate the wavelength of electrons and other particles.

Explain the Bohr model of the atom and calculate photon energies for electron transitions between energy levels.

Describe the structure of the nucleus, define isotopes, and explain the strong nuclear force and nuclear stability.

Write balanced nuclear equations for alpha, beta-minus, beta-plus, and gamma decay, and apply conservation of mass number and atomic number.

Calculate mass defect and binding energy using E = mc^2, and interpret the binding energy per nucleon curve.

Explain nuclear fission and fusion, and describe the conditions required for a chain reaction and for fusion in stars.

Describe the penetrating power and ionising ability of alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, and outline one application of each.