Physics Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
The Physics Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) is for students in Stage 6. Find out more about the syllabus and access teaching and learning support materials.
New syllabus implemented from 2027
The new Physics 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2027.
2025 and 2026
• Plan and prepare to teach Physics 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
2027, Term 1
• Start teaching Physics 11–12 Syllabus (2025) for Year 11
• Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
• Continue to teach the Physics Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12
2027, Term 4
• Start teaching Physics 11–12 Syllabus (2025) for Year 12
• Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2028
• First HSC examination for Physics 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
About the course
Students develop and apply knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the study of motion, how we describe it and what causes it.
The Year 11 course develops students’ knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the study of motion, how we describe it and what causes it. The course also examines energy in its different forms, and how we describe and measure electricity and magnetism and their interrelated effects.
The Year 12 course provides avenues for students to apply the concepts introduced in Year 11 and to motion in two dimensions, electromagnetism, the nature of light, and the atomic properties of matter.
Year 11 course
The Year 11 course consists of four modules:
- Module 1 Kinematics
- Module 2 Dynamics
- Module 3 Waves and Thermodynamics
- Module 4 Electricity and Magnetism
Year 12 course
The Year 12 course consists of four modules:
- Module 5 Advanced Mechanics
- Module 6 Electromagnetism
- Module 7 The Nature of Light
- Module 8 From the Universe to the Atom
Board Developed Course
Course number(s):
- 11310 Physics (2 units – Year 11/12)
- 15330 Physics (2 units – Year 11/12)
Prerequisites: Nil
Corequisites: Nil
Pattern of study: A student may count up to:
- Year 11: Six units of Science
- Year 12: Seven units of Science
to satisfy pattern of study requirements for the HSC.
Eligibility: Nil
Study via self-tuition: No
Exclusions:
- 16646 Physical World Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
- 16646 Physical World Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)
Students are provided with 15 hours of course time for depth studies in both Year 11 and Year 12. During this time students may undertake an investigation/activity that allows for the further development of one or more scientific concepts.
A depth study may be one investigation/activity or a series of investigations/activities. Depth studies may be included in one module or across several modules.
Practical investigations are an essential part of the Year 11 and Year 12 courses and must occupy a minimum of 35 hours of course time each year.
The knowledge and skills developed in this course can be applied across a range of career pathways.
Industries related to this course include, but are not limited to, the following outlined on the Your Career website:
Assessment and exam information and support
Teaching and learning support
Use these support materials to guide and plan your teaching and assessment.
Physics Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample Scope and Sequence: Sample A (DOCX 21.18KB)
Physics Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample Scope and Sequence: Sample B (DOCX 21.93KB)
Physics Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample Scope and Sequence: Sample C (DOCX 20.2KB)
Physics Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample Scope and Sequence: Sample A (DOCX 22.21KB)
Physics Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample Scope and Sequence: Sample B (DOCX 20.92KB)
Physics Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample A (DOCX 16.58KB)
Physics Stage 6 (Year 11) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample B (DOCX 16.47KB)
Physics Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample A (DOCX 21.23KB)
Physics Stage 6 (Year 12) – Sample assessment schedule: Sample B (DOCX 21.17KB)