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.

20 Lessons4 Checkpoints1 Unit QuizStage 5 Science
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Syllabus Outcomes

SC5-WAM-01

Students describe the properties and behaviour of waves including light and sound, and explain the electromagnetic spectrum and its applications.

SC5-WAM-02

Students explain the effects of forces on motion using Newton's laws, and analyse motion using graphs and mathematical relationships.

Lessons

Block A — Waves (Lessons 1-5)
1Introduction to Waves

What is a wave, energy transfer, wave models

 2Mechanical vs Electromagnetic Waves

Need for a medium, speed, key differences

 3Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves

Particle motion, real-world examples

 4Wave Features and the Wave Equation

Amplitude, wavelength, frequency, period, speed

 5Sound Waves

Production, propagation, pitch, loudness, speed in different media
✓ Checkpoint 1

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 1-5
Block B — Light and the EM Spectrum (Lessons 6-10)
6Light Waves

Reflection, refraction, absorption, ray diagrams

 7Colour and the Eye

Primary and secondary colours, colour mixing, how we see

 8The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Radio to gamma, frequency, wavelength, energy

 9Applications of Waves

Communication, medicine, technology, Indigenous knowledge

 10Wave Investigations

Practical investigations, data collection, analysis
✓ Checkpoint 2

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 6-10
Block C — Forces and Motion (Lessons 11-15)
11Forces

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

 12Newton's First Law

Inertia, balanced forces, frames of reference

 13Newton's Second Law

F = ma, acceleration, mass and force relationships

 14Newton's Third Law

Action-reaction pairs, everyday examples

 15Motion Graphs

Position-time, velocity-time, interpreting gradients and areas
✓ Checkpoint 3

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 11-15
Block D — Context, Synthesis and Depth Study (Lessons 16-20)
16Technology and Waves

Lasers, fibre optics, imaging, future technologies

 17Waves and Motion in Nature

Earthquakes, tsunamis, animal echolocation, celestial mechanics

 18Motion Investigations

Designing and conducting practical investigations on forces and motion

 19Argumentation in Physics

Claim-evidence-reasoning, evaluating sources, scientific consensus

 20Unit Synthesis and Depth Study Preparation

Connecting concepts and preparing for investigation
✓ Checkpoint 4

Cumulative assessment for Lessons 16-20

 🏆 Unit Quiz

Comprehensive assessment covering all 20 lessons

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