Prelim Physics

Topics to be covered Announcements
Overview Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4 Topic 5 Topic 6 Summary 1



Prelim Physics
ATARNotes January Lecture Series
Presented By: Rohan Simon Slides Prepared By: Haraneesh Shah

Overview About me!
● My name is Haraneesh (or Harry for short, whatever you prefer)
● I study Mechatronic Engineering + Computer Science at UNSW
● I graduated from Girraween High School with an ATAR of 98.8
● Subjects:
○ Maths Extension 1 + 2
○ Physics
○ Chemistry
○ English Advanced
● I love sport which includes cricket, basketball, swimming, etc. (but
that doesn’t mean I’m good at all of them 😅)
OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 5

Overview Some quick tips before we start
• Anyone can be good at physics - some people simply require more practice
than others. However, if you work hard, you will succeed!
• Enjoy the content!
• Past Papers
• Exam technique is important.
• Again, feel free to ask any questions about anything related to high school
and physics.

Overview What’s The Goal Today?
• Teach you a bunch of content from Modules 1+2

ahead of everyone else (speedrun any%)
• Give you some tips and tricks to build good study

habits for Physics in Year 11
• Get you feeling confident to start your senior studies!

Overview How Does This Lecture Work?
We’ll have two content blocks:
• Block 1: Intro to Physics + Kinematics (Module 1)
• Block 2: Dynamics (Module 2) + Study tips and tricks

Overview How Does This Lecture Work?
We are doing 1.5-2 modules (half of the Year 11 course) in

just over 2 hours! Aim:
• Pre-exposure to all the ideas you are seeing in the

foreseeable future so you can learn them faster
• An understanding of what this course involves
• Advice on getting this info to stick over the next term!

INTRO TO PHYSICS
(WITH FAQ’s)
FAQ Physics – Frequently Asked Q’s
There are a bunch of questions I get asked over and over again about
HSC Physics. Let me try and answer them ☺

Question: How well does Physics scale?
Answer:
• Don’t worry about scaling!
• Focus on doing the best you can do
• This is true for all of your subjects!
• But it does usually scale pretty well

Question: Do you need to know Prelim content in Year

12?
Answer:
• Yes, but you won’t be directly assessed on it
(ie there probably won’t be full questions dedicated to it - it’s
just stuff you will need to understand to then understand the
yr 12 content).
• Some knowledge is used more than the rest:

• I’ve picked these modules because they are used the most
in Year 12!

Question: How many hours a week should I study for Physics?
Answer:
• Totally depends on you!
• Study until you get it (I used to allow 30mins-1hr a week
for reading/doing questions just to understand what was
happening)
• On top of this, allow time to finish homework, do
assignments, and practice applying your knowledge
• Make sure you are balancing your time across your
subjects, and consider what you’re best and worst at as
well!
Question: Should I drop Physics in Year 12 if my mark is

XYZ
Answer:
• No ☺
• You drop a subject because you aren’t enjoying it, you
don’t have time for it, you want to pick up something
else, etc. – Not just because you aren’t doing as well
as you would like!
• Year 11 is a practice run, you’ll almost certainly do
better in Year 12 (my mark jumped a fair bit)
Question: How should I handle the new syllabus?
Answer:
• You are part of the 6th group to do the new syllabus,
so there are now plenty of resources available.
• Just be careful that the resources that you are using

are designed specifically for the new syllabus.

Question: How should I make notes for Physics?
Answer:
• Notes are passive study, their primary purpose should
be to make active study easier!
• Basically just so that you understand the theory, so then
you can attempt questions.
• Don’t spend too much time on them!
• Physics is a subject based on problem solving – so
most of your time should be spent SOLVING
PROBLEMS! :D
Question: Do I need to understand the practical

experiments/know practical skills?
Answer:
• Yep! Exams can and will ask about them
• Practice graphing skills!
• Be able to discuss experiments– Understand
reliability/accuracy/validity, identify sources of error,
suggest improvements to experimental design, etc.!

Question: How good at Maths do I need to be for Physics.

⭐
Answer: It depends how you feel.
• About half of HSC Physics directly involves maths, and
even more involves “quantitative skills” (interpreting
graphs, trends, etc)
• Not much “hard maths” – more based on your comfort
level.
• I would recommend doing Adv. Maths at least.
• However, you can do fine in standard so long as you
PRACTICE.

Question: What’s your big tip for Physics success?
Answer: PRACTICE.
• Like I said earlier, physics is a subject based on solving problems. So
the best way to get better at it is to practice.
• Try questions
• Textbook questions
• Topic tests
• Practice Papers

MODULE 1
KINEMATICS
MOTION Kinematics

MOTION Kinematics
In this first module you will be looking at motion:

• In one dimension (along a straight line)
• In two dimensions (in a plane)
Warning: This isn’t a theory heavy module! My goal is to

introduce you to the methods and the theory to enable you to
go home and put the work in yourselves.
To appropriately describe motion, we need to know about

vectors.

MOTION Vectors

MOTION Kinematics
We can represent vectors in many ways – A good visual

method is with an arrow.
• Length of arrow: Magnitude
• Direction of arrow: Well... direction
This allows us to visualise things like adding vectors,
subtracting vectors, and so on!

MOTION Practice! ⭐
Identify which of these are vector properties, and which are scalars!
(it’s ok if you’ve never heard of some of them before – just take a
guess!)
• Time
• Acceleration
• Distance
• Displacement
• Speed
• Force
• Velocity

MOTION Kinematics
When we discuss kinematics, we typically care about three
things:
• Where an object is
• How fast it is moving
• How fast this movement is changing
Scalar Version Vector Version

Distance Displacement
Speed Velocity
- Acceleration

MOTION Kinematics

Example: Krisha is walking along a line running north to

south. She walks 12 metres north, then 15 metres south, and
finally walks 4 metres north again. All of this takes her twenty
seconds.
Calculate:
a) The distance travelled
b) Her displacement from the start point
c) The average speed
d) The average velocity

MOTION Kinematics
A Quick Note on Units

You’ll notice I’ve been using metres and seconds as my
units for distance and time. This is purposeful – They are the
SI unit for these quantities:
• An international system of units which ensures consistency
amongst academics and professionals
• In Physics, we always use SI units in our formulas, and
always give answers in SI units unless asked
otherwise

MOTION Kinematics
Quantity Unit
Time Second
Length Metre
Mass Kilogram
Electric Current Ampere
Temperature Kelvin
Amount of Substance Mole
Candela Luminous Intensity

MOTION Kinematics
How would we handle a similar example in two
dimensions?
One way is to handle each dimension separately by
resolving the vector into two components.
• Use trigonometry + algebra

Resolve a velocity vector of a car travelling at 5m/s 30 degrees
above the horizontal into its horizontal and vertical components.
• This skill is quite tricky, but if you can nail it in year 11, it will
REALLY help you in Year 12 Physics and Maths.

Example: Greg runs 100 metres to the north-west, then 220
metres to the east, which takes one minute. Find Greg’s:
a) Displacement from the start point
b) Average velocity

SUVAT Kinematics
The SUVAT equation you need to know

are shown to the right.

SUVAT Practice! ⭐

SUVAT Practice! ⭐

SUVAT Kinematics
This is something that takes a lot of practice to get the hang
of!
• I’d encourage you to go home, look up some videos with
more examples, and tackle some yourself
• As you work on it more, you will get more comfortable
• My aim today is to introduce you to the idea of
kinematic analysis

SUVAT Formula Sheet
These three formulae are on your formula sheet, which you
can find here:
https://syllabus.nesa.nsw.edu.au/assets/global/files/physics-f
ormulae-sheet-data-sheet-periodic-table-hsc-exams-2019.pdf
• This will be what is given to you in your actual HSC.
• Over the course of Physics, you will learn about everything

on it!
• KNOW IT REALLY WELL.

– Print it out, put it with your physics book/have it on hand whenever
you study for physics.

SUVAT Kinematics

SUVAT Kinematics
Another example...

SUVAT Practice! ⭐
Required: Velocity of car relative

to truck.

SUVAT Syllabus Review
- We didn’t do the
pracs (obviously)
- You still need more
practice of lots of
this stuff, but you’ve
seen most of the
important stuff!

MODULE 2
DYNAMICS
FORCES Dynamics
Dynamics is the study of the motion of bodies under the

action of forces.
• Here, we do care about what creates the motion, and the
rules that dictate how stuff moves!
• Less mathematical than kinematics (typically), but you’ll
still be analyzing things in a mathematical sense

FORCES Dynamics
A force:
• A push, pull, or twist which acts on an object due to its
interaction with its surroundings.
• Can be caused by:
– Direct contact with something (a contact force)
– Mediated by a field (a field force)
• Governed by Newtons Three Laws of Motion
• Is measured in Newtons (N)

FORCES Dynamics

FORCES Dynamics

FORCES Practice! ⭐
Example: What is the magnitude of the net force on the

object below?
120kg

Example: What is the magnitude of the net acceleration of

the object below? (use Newton’s second law)
120kg

FORCES Dynamics
Why don’t we see the concept of inertia in everyday life?
FRICTION!
FORCES Dynamics

FORCES Dynamics

Example: A 500kg wooden crate is sitting on a concrete floor. The coefficient of

static friction between the concrete and wood is 0.62.
Required: Force necessary to overcome static friction.

ENERGY Dynamics

ENERGY Dynamics
Because of the conservation of energy,

energy cannot be destroyed, it is just
transferred between different forms.
• When you drop a ball, as it falls, it
converts potential energy into kinetic
energy, causing it to speed up.
• When friction slows an object down,
it converts its kinetic energy into heat
and sound (and sometimes light).

ENERGY Practice! ⭐
A 60kg physics teacher is pushed off a 70m high cliff by a

disgruntled student.
a) What is the teacher’s gravitational potential energy?
b) Ignoring air resistance, how fast will the teacher hit the
ground?

ENERGY Dynamics


ENERGY Dynamics

ENERGY Dynamics

ENERGY Dynamics
When we’re talking about momentum we’re usually talking
about collisions.
• In Physics, a collision is defined as an interaction where 2+
bodies apply forces to each other in a relatively short
period of time
• There are two types of collisions:
– Elastic Collisions: A collision where all kinetic energy
is conserved.
– Inelastic Collisions: A collision where some kinetic
energy is converted to other forms (EG – elastic
potential, sound…)
– Momentum is conserved in both cases

Example: A 1000kg car is stationary, when it is

struck by a 1800kg van travelling at 50 kilometres an
hour. The two vehicles lock together in the collision,
which you can assume is elastic. What is the speed
of the vehicles immediately after the collision?

ENERGY Dynamics

ENERGY Dynamics

ENERGY Dynamics

ENERGY Dynamics

STUDY TIPS
STUDY TIPS Notes for Physics
If you are writing notes/creating reference material:
• Make them suitable for learning at a glance

• Use as many sources as possible (you aren’t selling these,
copyright isn’t an issue for you like it is for me)
• Add stuff you do yourself – Diagrams, tables, mindmaps,
etc.

STUDY TIPS Notes for Physics

STUDY TIPS Studying for Physics
There are three types of questions in HSC Physics exams,

and you need to prepare for them all differently:
• Calculations
• Predictions
• Regurgitations

Calculations: This is self explanatory, these questions want
you to calculate some numerical value.
• Practice, practice, practice!
• Understand your formulas – Derive them, use them, try
and apply them to practical situations!
Go home and practice questions with the formulas!

Figure out the common key traps!

Predictions: These will present a new scenario and have you
guess what will happen/explain something.
• This is where the understanding is so important, Band 6
students can apply the principles to something totally
unfamiliar
• Make time to do further reading, consolidate your
knowledge and push it further
Go home and watch some videos/read your textbook on

what we’ve covered today! Start asking questions, and
answering them with research!

Regurgitations: These are usually worth more marks, it is a
question wanting you to do a ‘content dump.’
• You should have a rehearsed answer to this style of
question – Rehearse and get feedback
• Know your syllabus, try brainstorming around the dot
points to check your recall
Go home and underneath the headings we’ve covered

today, dot point everything you remember! Add what you
missed in a different colour!

All three of these should form part of your study routine.

Try an hour a week on top of homework/assignments, if you
can!
• Practice harder questions
• Complete topic tests/past papers
• Review topics that you’re struggling with

STUDY TIPS Closing Comments
• Two tips to rule them all:

1. Know your key words!
2. Practice as much as you can!
• Hang in there! This course is tough – Work hard, you’ll
get there ☺
• Follow up questions?
– We’ve got awesome moderators and a community
happy to answer any content related questions, or
anything else Physics related!

THANKS FOR
COMING :))

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Topics to be covered Announcements

Overview Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4 Topic 5 Topic 6 Summary 1

Overview Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4 Topic 5 Topic 6 Summary 2

Overview Topic 1 Topic 2 Topic 3 Topic 4 Topic 5 Topic 6 Summary 3

Presented By: Rohan Simon Slides Prepared By: Haraneesh Shah

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 5

• Enjoy the content!

• Exam technique is important.

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 6

• Teach you a bunch of content from Modules 1+2

• Give you some tips and tricks to build good study

• Get you feeling confident to start your senior studies!

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 7

We’ll have two content blocks:

• Block 1: Intro to Physics + Kinematics (Module 1)

• Block 2: Dynamics (Module 2) + Study tips and tricks

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 8

We are doing 1.5-2 modules (half of the Year 11 course) in

• Pre-exposure to all the ideas you are seeing in the

• An understanding of what this course involves

• Advice on getting this info to stick over the next term!

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 9

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 11

Question: How well does Physics scale?

• But it does usually scale pretty well

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 12

Question: Do you need to know Prelim content in Year

• Some knowledge is used more than the rest:

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 13

Question: How many hours a week should I study for Physics?

Question: Should I drop Physics in Year 12 if my mark is

Question: How should I handle the new syllabus?

• Just be careful that the resources that you are using

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 16

Question: How should I make notes for Physics?

Question: Do I need to understand the practical

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 18

Question: How good at Maths do I need to be for Physics.

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 19

Question: What’s your big tip for Physics success?

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 20

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 22

In this first module you will be looking at motion:

Warning: This isn’t a theory heavy module! My goal is to

To appropriately describe motion, we need to know about

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 23

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 24

We can represent vectors in many ways – A good visual

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 25

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 26

Scalar Version Vector Version

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 27

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 28

Example: Krisha is walking along a line running north to

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 29

A Quick Note on Units

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 30

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 31

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 32

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 33

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 34

The SUVAT equation you need to know

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 35

OVERVIEW FAQ MOTION SUVAT FORCES ENERGY STUDY TIPS 36