Chapter 1: Physics Depth Study Ideas and Topics

Looking for ideas and topics for your Physics depth study assessment? Check out our comprehensive list of depth study topics and examples.

Looking for Physics depth study ideas and topics?

The most important part of your depth study assessment is deciding on the idea and topic for your Physics depth study. This is especially challenging if you are given a depth study at the start of Year 12 since you haven’t been exposed to the concept and topics covered in the HSC Physics syllabus.

In this article, we discuss ideas and topics for:

 

Ideas and Topics for Physics Depth Study

For each Physics depth study type, we’ve outlined topics under each module. You might be interested in exploring these for your assessment.

Remember there are five different depth study types:

  1. Practical investigation
  2. Secondary-sourced investigation
  3. Data analysis
  4. Creating
  5. Field work

To understand the different types, read the article Physics depth study | Comprehensive Guide.

 

Ideas and topics for depth study type: Practical investigation

There are 3 different ideas suggested by NESA for the ‘Practical Investigation‘ Physics depth study type:

  1. Design and conduct experiments
  2. Test a device
  3. Test a claim

Each of these ideas follows its own specific scientific method. The methods for testing a device and testing a claim differ to the method for designing and conducting experiments.

To avoid losing marks, you must adhere to the scientific method relevant to your practical investigation idea.

The scientific method for Design and conduct experiments is shown below.

 

Possible topics for Practical Investigations

Examples of some practical investigations are listed below.

ModuleIdeaTopic/Example
Advanced MechanicsDesign and conduct experimentsProjectile Motion: Validate the relationship between the height of release (h) of a projectile and the range in projectile motion, and determine the fixed height of a table (H).

Projectile Motion: Test the claim that the effect of air resistance in projectile motion is small and can be ignored.

ElectromagnetismDesign and conduct experiments

Test a device

The Motor Effect: Validate the relationship between the force between two parallel current carrying conductors and the currents, and hence determine the permittivity or permeability of free space.

Transformer: Determine the efficiency of a transformer

The Nature of LightTest a claimWave Model of Light: Determine the wavelength of the light output of a laser, and compare this with the claimed wavelength and uncertainty
From the Universe to the AtomDesign and conduct experimentsQuantum Mechanical Nature of the Atom: Using the visible hydrogen spectrum, determine the Rydberg constant for hydrogen.

 

Related: ‘How to plan and conduct Physics practical investigations‘.

 

Ideas and topics for depth study type: Secondary-sourced investigation

There are 9 different ideas suggested by NESA for the ‘Secondary-sourced Investigation‘ Physics depth study type:

1. Make a documentary or media report

The video shown below is a documentary about Einstein and his work.

2. Conduct a literature review

The article shown below is a literature review in the field of astrophysics, reviewing the science of the Big Bang and the expansion of the universe.

Depth Study Idea - Literature Review
Source: Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 120:235–265, 2008 March © 2008. The Astronomical Society of the Pacific. All rights reserved.

 

3. Develop an evidence-based argument

4. Write a journal article

The article shown below is a scientific paper published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Physics Depth Study Idea - Journal Article
Source: The Astronomical Journal, 116:1009-1038, 1998 September © 1998. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

 

5. Write an essay – historical or theoretical

The article shown below is an example of historical essay. It discusses the conflict between AC and DC electricity distribution systems.

Depth Study Type - Secondary Sourced Investigation Historical Essay
Source: https://www.historyextra.com/period/victorian/edison-westinghouse-tesla-real-history-behind-the-current-war-film/

 

6. Develop an environmental management plan

7. Analyse a work of fiction or film for scientific relevance

8. Create a visual presentation

The picture shown below is a poster summarising the elementary particles and their interactions in The Standard Model of Physics, as well as unsolved mysteries.

Physics Depth Study Idea - Visual Presentation
Source: https://www.cpepweb.org/cpep_sm_large.html

 

9. Investigate emerging technologies.

 

Possible topics for Secondary-Sourced investigations

Examples of some secondary-sourced investigations are listed below.

ModuleIdeaTopic/Example
Advanced MechanicsMake a documentary or media reportMotion in Gravitational Fields: Create a documentary or media report on current endeavours to execute missions to Mars.
ElectromagnetismWrite an essay – historicalElectromagnetic induction: Discuss the historical competition between AC and DC electrical generation and transmission systems.
The Nature of LightCreate a visual presentation OR
Write an essay
Light and Special Relativity: Create a visual presentation to describe why Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation has been replaced by General Relativity as the preferred theory of gravity.
From the Universe to the AtomDevelop an evidence-based argumentOrigins of the Elements: Write a detailed explanation of the empirical evidence that proves the expansion of the Universe.

 

 

Ideas and topics for depth study type: Data Analysis

There are 3 different ideas suggested by NESA for the ‘Data Analysis‘ Physics depth study type:

  1. Construction and analysis of graphs/tables
  2. Data analysis from a variety of sources
  3. Research analysis, eg of longitudinal data, resource management data

 

Possible topics for data analysis

Examples of some data analysis are listed below.

ModuleIdeaTopic/Example
Advanced MechanicsData analysis from a variety of sourcesCircular Motion: Analyse data on the torque production of electric motors used in research grade solar powered vehicles and autonomous electric racing vehicles.
ElectromagnetismData analysis from a variety of sourcesElectromagnetic Induction: Collect and analyse data on major high voltage electrical transmission systems around Australia, and determine a representative average of power lost as heat.
The Nature of LightConstruction and analysis of graphs/tablesLight (Wave Model): Calculate the slit separation distance of a diffraction grating using different wavelengths of laser.
From the Universe to the AtomConstruction and analysis of graphs/tablesOrigins of the Elements: Discover the luminosity-period relationship of Cepheid variables.

 

Related: How to perform data analysis 

 

Ideas and topics for depth study type: Creating

There are 3 different ideas suggested by NESA for the ‘Creating‘ Physics depth study type:

  1. Design and invent
  2. Create a working model
  3. Create a portfolio

Possible topics for Creating

Examples of some Creating are listed below.

ModuleIdeaTopic/Example
Advanced MechanicsDesign and inventTorque: Build a force-amplifying, torque-based pulley system capable of lifting amounts of mass within a specified range.
Electromagnetism
  1. Create a working model
  2. Create a working model
  3. Design and invent

 

  1. Applications of the Motor Effect: Create a working model of a DC motor 

  2. Electromagnetic induction: Create a working model of an AC induction motor or a transformer

  3. Electromagnetic induction Design and invent a public transit system using a linear induction motors.

 

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Written by DJ Kim

DJ is the founder of Learnable and has a passionate interest in education and technology. He is also the author of Physics resources on Learnable.

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