Most interesting physics option? (1 Viewer)

[emilios]

My teacher wants to give us a say in what option we're doing. Past hsc-ers, which option did you do and was it interesting? I've heard most are quite rote-learning type ones, which I'm not a big fan of. Most of my class wants to do Q2Q but it sounds really boring (quantum mechanics without maths? Where's the justice). Is Medical any good?

 

[Squar3root]

our school did Q2Q and it was very interesting. Yes it may seem weird that you are doing "quantum mechanics without maths" but to make it fair on everyone there is limited maths and the maths is fairly straight forward (sub in a number and whatnot) and memorize what some scientist did. The "quantum mechanics with maths" is beyond hsc and in some cases 1st or 2nd year university. I heard astro is also pretty interesting and medical was a bit challenging but it sort of follows on from I2I

 

[strawberrye]

I did Astrophysics and I loved it-since I like astronomy stuff in general. I heard Medical Physics was quite good-but if the majority of your class wants to do quanta to quarks-perhaps partially because there is so much resources readily available, it is unlikely you will be able to change to a different option topic-particularly if your school does the same option topic for all physics classes. The best you can do in this case is to convince yourself that Q2Q is quite interesting (You can always try to teach the content to someone else to make course content more interesting)

 

[photastic]

My teacher wants to give us a say in what option we're doing. Past hsc-ers, which option did you do and was it interesting? I've heard most are quite rote-learning type ones, which I'm not a big fan of. Most of my class wants to do Q2Q but it sounds really boring (quantum mechanics without maths? Where's the justice). Is Medical any good?

Doing Astrophysics and it is simply theory (4 equations) but straight forward since it is simply extension cosmic engine. In terms of rote-learning, compared to the core modules, yep but I wouldn't recommend rote-learning anyway but you can get away with it with the options. Q2Q (>40% of the state) apparently is harder content but easier questions than astro and medical. I wanted to do medical because it had some link with chem but the big 3 all look the same tbh. Hating astrophysics because I hated cosmic engine and prefer the mathematics like the Space Module

 

[anomalousdecay]

I did the one that is least done, Age of Silicon.

It was quite a fun option and there was no need to memorise much as 80% of the option was based on your skills on analysing different questions involving circuits, amplifiers and logic gates.

If you are looking to do engineering, especially electrical, mechatronics, aerospace and mechanical, then by far this is the most suitable option for you.

However, unfortunately there are a lack of resources for the option. There is only one textbook (Jacaranda) that has the content for it, and unless someone in your class has it, it will be difficult for you to access it unfortunately (Its not in the textbook, its through the online code given when the textbook is purchased).

 

[emilios]

I did the one that is least done, Age of Silicon.

It was quite a fun option and there was no need to memorise much as 80% of the option was based on your skills on analysing different questions involving circuits, amplifiers and logic gates.

If you are looking to do engineering, especially electrical, mechatronics, aerospace and mechanical, then by far this is the most suitable option for you.

However, unfortunately there are a lack of resources for the option. There is only one textbook (Jacaranda) that has the content for it, and unless someone in your class has it, it will be difficult for you to access it unfortunately (Its not in the textbook, its through the online code given when the textbook is purchased).

Hm that seems ok, I actually do have access to online Jacaranda (I'm one of the chumps that bought the book). I remember reading that you did great in Age of Silicon, did you really only use Jacaranda? Any other resources?

 

[anomalousdecay]

Hm that seems ok, I actually do have access to online Jacaranda (I'm one of the chumps that bought the book). I remember reading that you did great in Age of Silicon, did you really only use Jacaranda? Any other resources?

Jacaranda, HSC online (I only used HSC online for AoS) and one website which addressed a dot-point in the syllabus that was missing in the textbook (optical linearity was too brief and I didn't understand anything about Silica until I stumbled across that site).

If many people in your class will push to become engineers, then it might be a good idea to push this option to be done (may I ask how large your class is?).

It changed my decision of doing chemical to electrical because of how enjoyable it was. Also, we had to give a few copies out of the textbook chapter to the class so they did the work substantially (but that was like one or two people, and the rest did other options like q2q and astro and medical).

I suggest however, looking at how much you want to do the option. Choose the option you will enjoy the most or has relevance to you in the future.

A few people here on BoS recommended me not to do it because I said I had no previous experience with digital systems or analysing circuits, but that was complete bullcrap because it was my strongest section (22/25) and you need no prior knowledge of anything at all.

In fact, the first quarter of AoS is revision and more in depth detail of I2I.

Also, if you do it, post frequently in the AoS section because I will post up some easy development type and some challenging type questions too. Any questions you can ask me too as a resource for it.

All the best

 

[emilios]

Jacaranda, HSC online (I only used HSC online for AoS) and one website which addressed a dot-point in the syllabus that was missing in the textbook (optical linearity was too brief and I didn't understand anything about Silica until I stumbled across that site).

If many people in your class will push to become engineers, then it might be a good idea to push this option to be done (may I ask how large your class is?).

It changed my decision of doing chemical to electrical because of how enjoyable it was. Also, we had to give a few copies out of the textbook chapter to the class so they did the work substantially (but that was like one or two people, and the rest did other options like q2q and astro and medical).

I suggest however, looking at how much you want to do the option. Choose the option you will enjoy the most or has relevance to you in the future.

A few people here on BoS recommended me not to do it because I said I had no previous experience with digital systems or analysing circuits, but that was complete bullcrap because it was my strongest section (22/25) and you need no prior knowledge of anything at all.

In fact, the first quarter of AoS is revision and more in depth detail of I2I.

Also, if you do it, post frequently in the AoS section because I will post up some easy development type and some challenging type questions too. Any questions you can ask me too as a resource for it.

All the best

I'm fairly sure my school is just buying a trial paper from an external source (the Exam Choice one I think) so naturally it'll have all the options + answers, so I can just do what I want even if the rest of the class isn't doing it. Thanks a lot for your help! I'll definitely look into AoS.

Edit: Also, forgot to mention that I've self-taught everything this year and it's going swimmingly, so there's no dramas with learning it by myself.

 

[Axio]

What is the Geophysics option like? : o

 

[Axio]

Out of the 5 I'd probably want to do Geophysics, Medical Physics or Age of Silicon (although I do like learning about nuclear and astrophysics). Anomalousdecay, is AoS basically just circuits? If so I'd probably want to that one (assuming it was the diagrams and not just boring content that had to be memorised). Also, did your whole class do it? Because I have a feeling that I'll end up being forced into doing Q2Q (I don't want to do it not because it doesn't sound alright, but it just sounds like the one I'd least want to do).

 

[anomalousdecay]

I'm fairly sure my school is just buying a trial paper from an external source (the Exam Choice one I think) so naturally it'll have all the options + answers, so I can just do what I want even if the rest of the class isn't doing it. Thanks a lot for your help! I'll definitely look into AoS.

Edit: Also, forgot to mention that I've self-taught everything this year and it's going swimmingly, so there's no dramas with learning it by myself.

Sounds like me self learning.....(our teacher just showed us how to maximise marks and stuff in HSC and was good at giving us exam preparation but the content was up to us to learn).

Just be careful.....if you have a topic assessment and its on a random option, then it might be a problem. Make sure your teacher explicitly knows that you are doing a completely different option. Also, it would be best if you had a few more people (preferably friends who would discuss stuff with you) so that you can learn from each others mistakes and stuff.

Also, I would recommend you do it only if there is NO assessment for the option modules.

Out of the 5 I'd probably want to do Geophysics, Medical Physics or Age of Silicon (although I do like learning about nuclear and astrophysics). Anomalousdecay, is AoS basically just circuits? If so I'd probably want to that one (assuming it was the diagrams and not just boring content that had to be memorised). Also, did your whole class do it? Because I have a feeling that I'll end up being forced into doing Q2Q (I don't want to do it not because it doesn't sound alright, but it just sounds like the one I'd least want to do).

I have no idea about Geophysics but I'm guessing it has a lot to do with seismic activity and tectonic plates and how the Earth behaves and its history and there is like 2% chance possibly of calculation questions in HSC if I remember looking to the section properly briefly.

Depending on your circumstances as I have iterated here, and here: http://community.boredofstudies.org/18/physics/321171/physics-options.html

your decision might be constricted.....

You have 1 year left to decide it Axio, but I suggest you look into your performance and preference in 7 months time too, then keep all the options in your mind, then choose one close to the point you need to choose.

About 3-6 marks of HSC is allocated to analysing circuits, 3-5 marks are allocated to logic circuit design, 3-10 marks are allocated for LDR, Thermistors, LEDs, Cameras and transducers/interfacing, 3-5 marks on amplifiers and a big 6-8 marker at the end of the paper is allocated on a random discussion topic involving generally the future of semiconductor technology/sustainability of it continually improving or something related to how it has developed or the real impacts on society.

Its a neat intro into electronics and has a little bit of intro into circuits (it could have been better here but the electronics stuff is just as great and it is called Age of Silicon not "Age of Electrics and Electronics").

 

[Axio]

Sounds like me self learning.....(our teacher just showed us how to maximise marks and stuff in HSC and was good at giving us exam preparation but the content was up to us to learn).

Just be careful.....if you have a topic assessment and its on a random option, then it might be a problem. Make sure your teacher explicitly knows that you are doing a completely different option. Also, it would be best if you had a few more people (preferably friends who would discuss stuff with you) so that you can learn from each others mistakes and stuff.

Also, I would recommend you do it only if there is NO assessment for the option modules.



I have no idea about Geophysics but I'm guessing it has a lot to do with seismic activity and tectonic plates and how the Earth behaves and its history and there is like 2% chance possibly of calculation questions in HSC if I remember looking to the section properly briefly.

Depending on your circumstances as I have iterated here, and here: http://community.boredofstudies.org/18/physics/321171/physics-options.html

your decision might be constricted.....

You have 1 year left to decide it Axio, but I suggest you look into your performance and preference in 7 months time too, then keep all the options in your mind, then choose one close to the point you need to choose.

About 3-6 marks of HSC is allocated to analysing circuits, 3-5 marks are allocated to logic circuit design, 3-10 marks are allocated for LDR, Thermistors, LEDs, Cameras and transducers/interfacing, 3-5 marks on amplifiers and a big 6-8 marker at the end of the paper is allocated on a random discussion topic involving generally the future of semiconductor technology/sustainability of it continually improving or something related to how it has developed or the real impacts on society.

Its a neat intro into electronics and has a little bit of intro into circuits (it could have been better here but the electronics stuff is just as great and it is called Age of Silicon not "Age of Electrics and Electronics").

Thanks for that. Very helpful. Tbh the more calculation questions in the topic the better (for me). I like the idea of analysing circuits and stuff... basically the order of what you mentioned things in was the order of what I'd most want to do -> least want to do. I have plenty of time anyway but I'll have a bit more of a look into it.

 

[anomalousdecay]

Thanks for that. Very helpful. Tbh the more calculation questions in the topic the better (for me). I like the idea of analysing circuits and stuff... basically the order of what you mentioned things in was the order of what I'd most want to do -> least want to do. I have plenty of time anyway but I'll have a bit more of a look into it.

Are you remotely considering engineering as a possible choice for uni?

 

[Axio]

Are you remotely considering engineering as a possible choice for uni?

Tbh... it doesn't really interest me (and I think it is because I don't really know what it involves). If you would enlighten me that would be fantastic. I mean I like all my subjects (especially maths)... I really don't know what I'm going to do. The electric circuits and stuff does sound interesting (although I'm not very good at ITC - mainly because I don't care...) is that engineering ?

 

[iStudent]

I'm pretty sure I asked this before but..
Which option aligns the best? If you're aiming for the marks and you don't really mind any option then that might be the one to pick

Imo, the options can't be thaaat different from each other. After all, they're all physics and the question styles are probably similar (so it's not say, comparing biology to legal studies). If you're good at physics, you should be good at all options. (just what I think).

 

[Axio]

I'm pretty sure I asked this before but..
Which option aligns the best? If you're aiming for the marks and you don't really mind any option then that might be the one to pick

Imo, the options can't be thaaat different from each other. After all, they're all physics and the question styles are probably similar (so it's not say, comparing biology to legal studies). If you're good at physics, you should be good at all options. (just what I think).

I have a feeling that the aligning would vary greatly year to year, especially Geophysics and Age of Silicon.

 

[anomalousdecay]

I'm pretty sure I asked this before but..
Which option aligns the best? If you're aiming for the marks and you don't really mind any option then that might be the one to pick

Imo, the options can't be thaaat different from each other. After all, they're all physics and the question styles are probably similar (so it's not say, comparing biology to legal studies). If you're good at physics, you should be good at all options. (just what I think).

Aligning is done afresh every year and is based on how that cohort does that year in the rest of the paper or something like that.

I just laughed at "After all, they're just physics", because they are totally different topics and the question styles are not similar except the final 6-8 marker for every option.

Astro aligned well last year but if you look at the 2013 paper, many people said it was much harder than usual, hence the good aligning. Look at the relevant threads in here:

http://community.boredofstudies.org/1086/physics/

However, generally they barely align at all (maybe one or two marks), which certainly should not deter your decision on doing an option you enjoy (and hence if you enjoy it you will definitely strive to do well in it ). That's why I want to re-iterate my point made above to choose what you want to do, not what aligns well or anything.