Overview

Pearson Physics Western Australia has been updated to support educators implementing the new Physics ATAR Course Syllabus, for implementation from 2025.

  • Year Levels 11–12
  • Curriculum WA
  • Subject Science
  • Resource Formats Print, Digital
  • Learning Focus Physics

What it is

Developed by leading Western Australian educators, Pearson Physics WA 2nd Edition is fully aligned to the Physics ATAR Course Syllabus. It helps you prepare students in Years 11 and 12 for a future in science with:

  • in-depth student books
  • interactive eBooks
  • a suite of teaching resources.

How it helps

Learners

Seamless study opportunities: Utilise the convenience of the eBook, whether online or offline, ensuring content is available to students anywhere, anytime.

Practical features and exercises: Minimise feelings of overwhelm with engaging content and much-loved features, including Worked Examples with Try Yourself questions to reinforce learning, and Physics in Action boxes to provide context through real-world applications.

Best-practice question sets: Give students experience providing effective exam responses with question sets aligned to the new syllabus.

Educators

Complete coverage: Have confidence knowing that the content has been developed by an expert team of Western Australian Physics educators led by Greg Moran.  

Teaching programs: Work through the course with confidence knowing that the content aligns to the 2nd edition of STAWA’s Exploring Physics: Experiments, Investigations and Problems books, so that you can be confident of complete syllabus coverage.

Multi-feature eBook access: Gain access to the full range of features of the Teacher eBook, which include downloadable, editable chapter tests and practice exams, supported by fully worked solutions and a formula and data booklet, updated in line with Physics ATAR examination design brief requirements.

What it includes

New 2nd Edition Resource

Overview

Pearson Physics 2nd edition has been carefully updated for the new Western Australian syllabus.

Trusted by teachers, Pearson Physics 2nd edition Western Australia can be used alongside the Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia (STAWA) Exploring Physics: Experiments, Investigations and Problems Second Edition. Together they ensure full coverage of the required Science Inquiry Skills, Science as a Human Endeavour and Science Understanding content mandated by the syllabus. 

Teachers are supported with teaching programs that link these resources in a coherent and effective way. 

 

Components

Student Books

The Student Book has been meticulously revised for the new Physics ATAR course syllabus, and reflects the very latest developments and applications of Physics.

Based in Western Australia, the author team brings extensive experience interpreting, teaching and writing to the Physics ATAR syllabus.

The text has been developed following best-practice literacy and instructional design principles to ensure the content and concepts are accessible to your students.

Components

Student eBooks and digital resources

The eBook provides access to Student Book content and digital resources, anywhere, anytime, online and offline.

Student eBook access includes:

  • Fully worked solutions to all questions and worked examples in the student book
  • Carefully selected, captivating videos that support each chapter
  • A downloadable glossary of terms
  • Support for Mathematical skills for Physics ATAR.

Components

Teacher eBooks and digital resources

Teacher eBook access includes:

  • Downloadable, editable chapter tests and practice exams, supported by fully worked solutions and a formula and data booklet, updated in line with Physics ATAR examination design brief requirements
  • Editable teaching programs for each unit which map the Pearson resources to the syllabus and provide clear links to STAWA’s Exploring Physics resources. The teaching programs can be used as a quick guide to the course or as templates for your own planning
  • Access to all student resources.

Table of contents

Pearson Physics 11 Western Australia, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 1 Practical investigation 

1.1 Designing and planning the investigation    

1.2 Conducting investigations, and recording and presenting data  

1.3 Discussing investigations and drawing evidence-based conclusions 

Chapter review 

UNIT 1 Motion, forces and energy 

MOTION AND FORCES  

CHAPTER 2 Scalars and vectors  

2.1 Scalars and vectors  

2.2 Adding vectors in one and two dimensions  

2.3 Subtracting vectors in one and two dimensions

2.4 Vector components  

Chapter review 

CHAPTER 3 Linear motion xx 

3.1 Displacement, speed and velocity  

3.2 Acceleration  

3.3 Graphing position, velocity and acceleration over time  

3.4 Equations for uniform acceleration 

3.5 Vertical motion 

Chapter review 

CHAPTER 4 Momentum and forces  

4.1 Momentum and conservation of momentum  

4.2 Newton’s first law  

4.3 Newton’s second law  

4.4 Newton’s third law  

4.5 Change in momentum and impulse  

4.6 Impulse and force  

4.7 Mass and weight  

Chapter review 

Mechanical and thermal energy   

CHAPTER 5 Work, energy and power  

5.1 Energy and work  

5.2 Kinetic energy  

5.3 Gravitational potential energy  

5.4 Law of conservation of energy  

5.5 Elastic and inelastic collisions  

5.6 Power  

Chapter review  

CHAPTER 6 Heating processes   

6.1 Heat and temperature  

6.2 Specific heat capacity 

6.3 Latent heat  

6.4 Heating and cooling  

Chapter review 

Unit 1 Review  

 

UNIT 2 Waves, nuclear and electrical physics  

Waves  

CHAPTER 7 The nature of waves 

7.1 Longitudinal and transverse waves   

7.2 Representing waves  

7.3 Wave behaviours—reflection, refraction and diffraction 

7.4 Wave interactions—superposition, interference and resonance   

7.5 Standing waves and harmonics  

7.6 Applications of wave properties 

Chapter review 

Ionising radiation and nuclear reactions  

CHAPTER 8 Particles in the nucleus 

8.1 Atoms, isotopes and radioisotopes 

8.2 Radioactivity  

8.3 Properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiation 

8.4 Half-life and decay series 

8.5 Radiation doses and effects on humans 

Chapter review 

CHAPTER 9 Fission and fusion  

9.1 Nuclear fission and energy  

9.2 Chain reactions and nuclear reactors 96 

9.3 Nuclear fusion  

Chapter review 

Electrical forces and energy  

CHAPTER 10 Electrical physics 

10.1 Behaviour of charged particles 

10.2 Energy in electric circuits 

10.3 Electric current and circuits  

10.4 Resistance  

10.5 Series and parallel circuits  

10.6 Electrical safety  

Unit 2 Review  

APPENDIX A SI units 

APPENDIX B Understanding measurement 

APPENDIX C Mathematical skills for physics ATAR 

ANSWERS 

GLOSSARY

INDEX 

ATTRIBUTIONS

 

Table of contents

Pearson Physics 12 Western Australia, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 1 Practical investigation 

1.1 Designing and planning the investigation 

1.2 Conducting investigations, and recording and presenting data  

1.3 Discussing investigations and drawing evidence-based conclusions 

Chapter review 

UNIT 3 Gravity and relativity 

STATIC EQUILIBRIUM AND CENTRE OF MASS  

Chapter 2 Equilibrium of forces 

2.1 Torque 

2.2 Equilibrium of forces 

2.3 Static equilibrium 

Chapter 2 Review 

CIRCULAR MOTION IN HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL PLANE  

Chapter 3 Circular motion 

3.1 Circular motion in a horizontal plane 

3.2 Circular motion on banked tracks 

3.3 Circular motion in a vertical plane 

Chapter 3 Review 

GRAVITY  

Chapter 4 The force due to gravity  

4.1 Newton’s law of universal gravitation  

4.2 Gravitational fields 

4.3 Work in a gravitational field 

4.1 Inclined planes 

4.2 Projectiles launched horizontally 

4.3 Projectiles launched obliquely 

4.7 Satellite motion 

Chapter 4 Review 

RELATIVITY  

Chapter 5 Special relativity 

5.1 Einstein’s theory of special relativity 

5.2 Time dilation 

5.3 Length contraction 

Chapter 5 Review 

Unit 3 Review  

 

UNIT 4 Electromagnetism and modern physics 

ELECTROMAGNETISM  

Chapter 6 Electric fields 

6.1 Electric fields [TBC] 

6.2 Coulomb’s law 

6.3 Work done in an electric field 

Chapter 6 Review 

Chapter 7 Magnetic field and force 

7.1 The magnetic field 

7.2 Forces on charged objects 

7.3 The force on a conductor 

Chapter 7 Review 

Chapter 8 Magnetic field and emf 

8.1 Induced emf in a conductor moving in a magnetic field  

8.2 Induced emf from a changing magnetic flux 

8.3 Transforming voltage using changing magnetic field 

8.4 Lenz’s law 

Chapter 8 Review 

PARTICLE ACCELERATORS  

Chapter 9  Particle accelerators 

9.1 Particle accelerators 

9.2 Relativistic momentum and energy 

Chapter 9 Review 

WAVE PARTICLE DUALITY AND THE QUANTUM THEORY  

Chapter 10 Wave–particle duality and the quantum theory 

10.1 Properties of waves in two dimensions 

10.2 Interference: Further evidence for the wave model of light 

10.3 Electromagnetic waves 

10.4 Light quanta: Blackbody radiation and the photoelectric effect  

10.5 Atomic spectra 

10.6 The quantum nature of light and matter 

Chapter 10 Review 

COSMOLOGY  

Chapter 11  Cosmology  

11.1 Expansion of the universe 

Chapter 11 Review 

Unit 4 Review  

APPENDIX A SI units 

APPENDIX B Understanding measurement 

APPENDIX C Mathematical skills for physics ATAR 

ANSWERS 

GLOSSARY 

INDEX 

ATTRIBUTIONS

In partnership with

The Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia (STAWA)

STAWA is a not-for-profit organisation that supports and advocates for science teachers.

STAWA have developed the Exploring Physics books for Year 11 and 12, which include practical experiments and problems that are designed to be used alongside Pearson’s Physics for Western Australia student books and resources.

Used together, Exploring Physics: Experiments, Investigations and Problems and Pearson Physics Western Australia 2nd edition provide a complete package of support for the Science Inquiry Skills, Science as a Human Endeavour and Science Understanding strands

Samples & downloads

Tools and materials to help you unlock Pearson Physics Western Australia.

Year 12 Sample pages coming soon!

Product Information

View resource titles, ISBNs and pricing for Pearson Physics Western Australia 2nd Edition

Title ISBN Price (AUD)
Pearson Physics 11 Western Australia 2nd edition Student Book and eBook 9780655719113 $99.95
Pearson Physics 11 Western Australia 2nd edition eBook 9780655719090 $63.95
Pearson Physics 12 Western Australia 2nd edition Student Book and eBook 9780655719120 $99.95
Pearson Physics 12 Western Australia 2nd edition eBook 9780655719106 $63.95

 

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