Yr 11 Physics - Unit 2 - Area of Study 2

Physics Research Investigation -

Contemporary Societal Issue

In this area of study, students develop a deeper understanding of an area of interest within
diverse areas of physics. They select from eighteen options, explore the related physics and
use this physics to form a stance, opinion or solution to a contemporary societal issue or
application. In their explorations, a range of investigation methodologies may be used by
students.

What will this look like?

There are examples of essay-style investigations available in the JacPlus text in each of the
subtopics - see 11.1 onwards. Click open each of the bubble boxes to see these. Note the
focus on the PHYSICS of the explanation, use of technical language, use of diagrams to
enhance explanations, and provision of a stance, opinion or solution in each exemplar.

But you will be re-working text from different sources to present in an INFOGRAPHIC using
CANVA. See below examples

What will I investigate?

Refer to the separate big ideas / question handout. Only ONE person from each class may
investigate a research question.
Where do I start?

What is the question you have selected from the list? Remember - only ONE person may
select that question in this class, and you may not collaborate between classes

How do forces act on structures and materials？

What are you going to be forming through your investigation within this area of physics?
(circle below)

Stance Opinion Solution

What do you know about this topic already?

General knowledge Physics knowledge

external forces that act upon a structure. Hooke's Law. It is expressed as stress =
When external forces are applied to a modulus of elasticity × strain.
structure, internal forces develop resistance
to the outside forces. The opposition of
external and internal forces is what holds
the structure together.

Look up the Physics Study Design - Unit 2, Area of Study 2.

To make sure your research and presentation is really well linked to the PHYSICS, find the
section in the study design document (from page 37) which lists the options, description of
what students would do if selecting that option, and key skills.
Copy and paste the relevant sections into this table:

Title of option:

Introductory “In this option students….”

description:

Key Knowledge:

Communicating
Physics:

You won’t necessarily need to cover ALL the dot points above for the question you have
selected. Highlight the ones you think are relevant to your selected question.

Is this the right question for me? Can I locate all the information I
need?
First, look at the assessment rubric, then start gathering information in a research table (see
below). Make sure as you go you are checking that you are able to LOCATE information that
meets each of the criteria. Decide early whether this is the right topic for you - or whether
you should change topics because you can’t find information to meet the criteria. Make this
decision within ONE PERIOD of research.

Research Table
This is direct evidence for authentication of your work

Word document with the following table:

Website Date Publisher Why have Text / Put the text

address accessed you selected diagrams into your
this source? from website own words
What makes (copy and
it trustworthy paste)
or reliable
 Timeline:

What needs doing Date

Period 1 - select topic - confirm with teacher

Periods 2 - 4 - research table (if changing topics, MUST be done by lesson 2)

Rest of term 3 + holidays - complete infographic

Week 1 of term 4 - authentication / progress interview during class (At Risks

sent if concerns)

Infographic DUE end of week 1 term 4

Assessment:
When creating the INFOGRAPHIC that presents your question, along with explanations of
the underlying physics that will justify your stance/opinion/solution to that question, you will
need to keep your word count limited in each section (of text).

Your infographic must have separate sections for each of the following areas - with
headings. Assessment criteria below:

Infographic inclusions:

Section Format and content High Medium Low Not

shown

Physics Concepts ● Identifies the key physics concepts 3 2 1 0

(word count involved in your context (must be at
limit = 300) least 3)

● Explicitly apply the models/theory used 6 4 2 0

in your explanation, and discuss the
limitations of these in your findings

● Give practical applications / examples 3 2 1 0

of how the variables in your context
change, and what impact this has on
other variables involved in the
application
Diagram ● Include a diagram explaining how the 6 4 2 0
variables work
(word count limit ● Must include annotations and clearly
for show how the physics concepts apply
annotation =
100 words)

3 2 1 0
Influences ● discuss the influence of sociocultural,
economic, legal and political factors
(word count limit - relevant to the selected issue or
200 words) application

3 2 1 0
Response to ● apply physics understanding to justify a
question stance, opinion or solution to the
selected issue or application
(word count limit
= 200
words)

Infographic Communication and Presentation:

High Medium Low Not

Shown

Use correct physics terminology and 3 2 1 0

language in your presentation

Visual clarity (font size, logical layout, 3 2 1 0

readability)

The research table is to be submitted as a separate document.

Assessment of High Medium Low Not Shown

research table

Websites More than 3 3 website Less than 3 Not complete

accessed websites website (0)
(3) (2) (1)

Information as (6) (4) (2) (0)

per tables
requirements
completed