Full Course Study Plan
HSC Physics Year 12 Complete Coverage
Comprehensive study plan covering all Year 12 modules
Overview
This study plan covers all four Year 12 HSC Physics modules systematically. It is designed for students completing the course over the school year or for comprehensive revision.
Total Study Hours: Approximately 120 hours (excluding depth study)
Prerequisites: Completion of Year 11 Physics (Modules 1-4)
Phase 1: Module 5 - Advanced Mechanics
Duration: 4-6 weeks | Study Hours: 30
Week 1-2: Projectile Motion
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Horizontal & vertical components | Read Module 5, practice vector resolution |
| 3-4 | Kinematic equations in 2D | Worked examples, formula practice |
| 5-6 | Problem solving | Complete Projectile Motion topic problems |
| 7 | Assessment | Module 5 Quiz Section A |
Week 3-4: Circular Motion
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Centripetal acceleration & force | Derive equations, practice calculations |
| 3-4 | Banked tracks, vertical circles | Real-world applications |
| 5-6 | Problem solving | Mixed circular motion problems |
| 7 | Assessment | Module 5 Quiz Section B |
Week 5-6: Gravitational Fields & Orbits
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Newton’s Law of Gravitation | Field calculations, potential energy |
| 3-4 | Orbital mechanics | Kepler’s laws, satellite motion |
| 5-6 | Escape velocity, energy in orbits | Problem solving |
| 7 | Assessment | Complete Module 5 Quiz, review gaps |
Practical Focus
- Design and conduct projectile motion investigation
- Use simulations for orbital mechanics visualisation
Phase 2: Module 6 - Electromagnetism
Duration: 4-6 weeks | Study Hours: 30
Week 1-2: Charged Particles in Fields
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Electric fields between plates | \(E = V/d\), force on charges |
| 3-4 | Motion in electric fields | Trajectory analysis |
| 5-6 | Magnetic force on charges | \(F = qvB\sin\theta\), circular motion |
| 7 | Assessment | Quiz Section A |
Week 3-4: Motor Effect & Induction
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Force on conductors | \(F = BIl\), parallel wires |
| 3-4 | Faraday’s Law | Read Electromagnetic Induction |
| 5-6 | Lenz’s Law applications | Energy conservation analysis |
| 7 | Assessment | Quiz Section B |
Week 5-6: Motors, Generators, Transformers
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | DC motor operation | Torque, back EMF |
| 3-4 | AC generator principles | EMF generation |
| 5-6 | Transformers | Efficiency, power transmission |
| 7 | Assessment | Complete Module 6 Quiz |
Practical Focus
- Motor effect demonstration
- Induction experiments with magnets and coils
- Transformer efficiency investigation
Phase 3: Module 7 - The Nature of Light
Duration: 4-6 weeks | Study Hours: 30
Week 1-2: Electromagnetic Spectrum & Wave Model
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Maxwell’s theory, EM waves | Historical context |
| 3-4 | Diffraction & interference | Double slit, gratings |
| 5-6 | Polarisation, Malus’ Law | Practical demonstrations |
| 7 | Assessment | Quiz Section A |
Week 3-4: Quantum Model of Light
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Black body radiation | Wien’s Law |
| 3-4 | Photoelectric effect | Read Photoelectric Effect topic |
| 5-6 | Wave-particle duality | Conceptual understanding |
| 7 | Assessment | Quiz Section B |
Week 5-6: Special Relativity
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Einstein’s postulates | Evidence analysis |
| 3-4 | Time dilation, length contraction | Read Special Relativity topic |
| 5-6 | Mass-energy equivalence | \(E = mc^2\) applications |
| 7 | Assessment | Complete Module 7 Quiz |
Practical Focus
- Spectroscopy investigation
- Diffraction grating wavelength measurement
- Polarisation experiments
Phase 4: Module 8 - From the Universe to the Atom
Duration: 4-6 weeks | Study Hours: 30
Week 1-2: Cosmology & Stellar Physics
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Big Bang evidence | Hubble, CMB radiation |
| 3-4 | Stellar spectra, H-R diagram | Star classification |
| 5-6 | Nucleosynthesis | Proton-proton chain, CNO cycle |
| 7 | Assessment | Quiz Section A |
Week 3-4: Atomic Structure
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Electron discovery | Thomson, Millikan |
| 3-4 | Nuclear model | Rutherford, Chadwick |
| 5-6 | Bohr model, spectra | Hydrogen emission lines |
| 7 | Assessment | Quiz Section B |
Week 5-6: Quantum Mechanics & Nuclear Physics
| Day | Topic | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | de Broglie, Schrödinger | Matter waves |
| 3-4 | Radioactive decay | Read Nuclear Physics topic |
| 5-6 | Fission, fusion | Energy calculations |
| 7 | Assessment | Complete Module 8 Quiz |
Phase 5: Revision & Exam Preparation
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Revision Strategy
- Week 1: Review all module notes, complete mixed practice quizzes
- Week 2: Work through past HSC papers (timed conditions)
- Week 3: Focus on weak areas identified from practice
- Week 4: Final review, exam technique practice
Exam Preparation Checklist
Study Resources
| Resource | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Module Pages | Core content review |
| Topic Reviews | Deep dive on key concepts |
| Module Quizzes | Knowledge testing |
| HSC Exams | Exam practice |
| Exam Mapping | Identify question trends |
Success Tips
Study Strategies
- Active recall: Test yourself regularly, don’t just re-read
- Spaced repetition: Review material at increasing intervals
- Problem practice: Physics is learned by doing problems
- Explain concepts: Teaching others reveals gaps in understanding
- Past papers: Essential for exam preparation
Common Pitfalls
- Don’t leave revision until the end of the year
- Don’t skip the Working Scientifically components
- Don’t memorise without understanding
- Don’t neglect calculation practice