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Science · Year 10 · Unit 3

Waves and Motion

This 20-lesson unit explores the physics of waves, light and sound before turning to forces and motion. You will learn how energy travels through different media, how the electromagnetic spectrum shapes our world, and how Newton's laws explain everything from a kicked football to a rocket launch.

20lessons

5assessments

8-12hstudy

Start Lesson 1 →

Lessons

Block A, Waves (Lessons 1-5)

Introduction to Waves

What is a wave, energy transfer, wave models

Mechanical vs Electromagnetic Waves

Need for a medium, speed, key differences

Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves

Particle motion, real-world examples

Wave Features and the Wave Equation

Amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, speed

Production, propagation, pitch, loudness, speed in different media

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 1-5

Block B, Light and the EM Spectrum (Lessons 6-10)

Reflection, refraction, absorption, ray diagrams

Colour and the Eye

Primary and secondary colours, colour mixing, how we see

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Radio to gamma, frequency, wavelength, energy

Applications of Waves

Communication, medicine, technology, Indigenous knowledge

Wave Investigations

Practical investigations, data collection, analysis

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 6-10

Block C, Forces and Motion (Lessons 11-15)

Types of forces, vector and scalar, net force, free-body diagrams

Newton's First Law

Inertia, balanced forces, frames of reference

Newton's Second Law

F = ma, acceleration, mass and force relationships

Newton's Third Law

Action-reaction pairs, everyday examples

Position-time, velocity-time, interpreting gradients and areas

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 11-15

Block D, Context, Synthesis and Depth Study (Lessons 16-20)

Technology and Waves

Lasers, fibre optics, imaging, future technologies

Waves and Motion in Nature

Earthquakes, tsunamis, animal echolocation, celestial mechanics

Motion Investigations

Designing and conducting practical investigations on forces and motion

Argumentation in Physics

Claim-evidence-reasoning, evaluating sources, scientific consensus

Unit Synthesis and Depth Study Preparation

Connecting concepts and preparing for investigation

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 16-20

Comprehensive assessment covering all 20 lessons

Unit Snapshot

20lessons

4checkpoints

1unit quiz

1NESA outcome

Ready to start?

Work through the lessons in order, each one builds on the last.

Start Lesson 1 →