Overview
Nelson Physics for the Australian Curriculum adopts a qualitative and quantitative model approach to the teaching of physics. Models, laws and theories are developed and used to explain and predict physical phenomena, from the very small to the very large. Students investigate their predictions using the scientific method and by interpreting second hand data (SIS strand). Physics concepts are clearly and well explained in an easy to read language (SU strand). Case Studies and Scientific Literacy boxes provide context allowing students to engage with physics and those who work in the field (SHE strand).
*Complimentary access to NelsonNet is available to teachers who use the accompanying student book as a core resource in their classroom. Contact your education consultant for access codes and conditions.
1 Heating and cooling
2 Heating and cooling systems
3 The nuclear atom
4 Energy from the nucleus
5 Electricity
6 Electrical circuits
7 Motion
8 Force
9 Work-energy and impulse-momentum
10 Mechanical models of waves
11 Wave model and light phenomena
12 Measurement
13 Scientific investigations
Neil Champion is a secondary physics teacher at Buckley Park College and has held numerous school leadership positions in State and Independent schools, including Principal. Neil has taught university level physics and physics teaching method for pre-service teachers, and was the VCAA Science Manager.
Robert Farr is the Head of Science at Brigidine College in St Ives, Sydney and has been teaching and marking senior physics for 25 years in New South Wales schools. He has been on review panels for the current physics syllabus and has extensive experience as a marker, senior marker and supervisor in physics and chemistry. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from the University of Sydney in 1982 and completed his Diploma of Education the next year. He has a Master of Arts, specialising in science education and school leadership, from MacQuarie University. Robert was a consultant and contributing author on the highly successful McGraw-Hill Biology in Focus series, especially in developing the approach to the Prescribed Focus Areas.
Kate Wilson is a senior lecturer in the School of Engineering and Information Technology, UNSW Canberra (UNSW at the Australian Defence Force Academy). She has a PhD in computational physics from Monash University and a Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching from the University of Canberra. Kate has been a member of the Sydney University Physics Education Research group, an Innovative Teaching and Educational Technology Fellow at the University of New South Wales, first year coordinator in physics at the Australian National University and director of the Australian Science Olympiads Physics Program. She is author of the resource set Workshop Tutorials for Physics and Nelson Physics units 3 and 4 for the National Curriculum.
Thoroughly reviewed
Accessible reading level
Clear and well explained concepts
All three strands of the Australian Curriculum: Senior Physics are thoroughly addressed
All examples of context have been developed
Practical work including quizzes, worksheets, videos, revision and PowerPoints available through NelsonNet
Scientific Literacy boxes help develop student understanding, interpretation and reasoning of a range of texts and media
Activities, experiments and investigations enable students to use hands-on means to manipulate and test physics phenomena
Worked examples give the step-by-step logic needed to work through a problem to gain the highest marks on a test or exam
A dedicated Scientific Investigation chapter enables students to undertake their own scientific research
Interactive NelsonNetBook enables students to highlight and annotate their text.