Physics 3/4 without 1/2?

[NatAmiee]

Hey all, so next year I'm going into year 12 and I'm thinking about picking up 3/4 physics as it will be helpful for the degree I want to get into. This year I've done English, legal 3/4, methods, chem and spesh, and was going to do physics but decided to do Italian instead. I'm thinking of dropping spesh and picking up physics as I don't want to drop any of my other subjects. My question is would I be really disadvantaged going into physics 3/4 without doing the 1/2? I did relatively well in spesh this year, so would that help me going into physics? Also, any tips for catching up before the new year starts? I know the study design for physics is changing, so would it be more difficult or not as bad for me to move into compared to past years?

Thanks 

[Vaike]

Hi there,

Personally, I loved both VCE Physics and Specialist, albeit for different reasons, and think you'll greatly enjoy both. The challenge provided in spesh is unlike most other subjects, and its really rewarding to master those difficult skills. On the other hand, the questions in VCE Physics (and the math) are comparably straightforward, but the concepts covered (relativity, electromagnetism, wave particle duality etc.) are super interesting.

With regards to your main question, I don't think you'll be face any disadvantage that you can't overcome picking up 3/4, as a lot on Unit 1/2 focuses on topics not covered in the 3/4 study design, such as circuits and thermodynamics (so don't worry about these). What you will have to catch up on is motion, which includes straight line motion (constant acceleration/suvat), horizontal and vertical circular motion, as well as momentum and energy transformations (kinetic, elastic, gravitational potential). None of this is too hard, and there are ample resources online to help you get a grip on it (feel free to post any questions you have here on ATAR Notes!); so I'd focus on that over the summer break. Having done well in spesh won't directly benefit you (although if you've already done motion in spesh that would help), as VCE physics is more concept based than tricky mathematics; most of the maths is simple, however it does suggest VCE Physics and catching up on 1/2 work will be within your grasp.

If I was in your position; I'd probably keep specialist, as I can't really see VCE physics giving you any significant advantage going into uni as most of the course can be picked up relatively easily, unlike the mathematical skills learned in spesh, which may be harder to develop. That said, if you're not enjoying spesh, or would feel more comfortable going into uni with the foundations of physics, go for it, you won't be disappointed (as long as you don't expect to do much maths in VCE physics!)

TL;DR: Both are great subjects, you'll be able to transition to 3/4 fine if you brush up on motion (read the study design), but don't discount the valuable skills you could learn in specialist either; they may actually be more beneficial going onto further education.

[NatAmiee]

Hi there,

Personally, I loved both VCE Physics and Specialist, albeit for different reasons, and think you'll greatly enjoy both. The challenge provided in spesh is unlike most other subjects, and its really rewarding to master those difficult skills. On the other hand, the questions in VCE Physics (and the math) are comparably straightforward, but the concepts covered (relativity, electromagnetism, wave particle duality etc.) are super interesting.

With regards to your main question, I don't think you'll be face any disadvantage that you can't overcome picking up 3/4, as a lot on Unit 1/2 focuses on topics not covered in the 3/4 study design, such as circuits and thermodynamics (so don't worry about these). What you will have to catch up on is motion, which includes straight line motion (constant acceleration/suvat), horizontal and vertical circular motion, as well as momentum and energy transformations (kinetic, elastic, gravitational potential). None of this is too hard, and there are ample resources online to help you get a grip on it (feel free to post any questions you have here on ATAR Notes!); so I'd focus on that over the summer break. Having done well in spesh won't directly benefit you (although if you've already done motion in spesh that would help), as VCE physics is more concept based than tricky mathematics; most of the maths is simple, however it does suggest VCE Physics and catching up on 1/2 work will be within your grasp.

If I was in your position; I'd probably keep specialist, as I can't really see VCE physics giving you any significant advantage going into uni as most of the course can be picked up relatively easily, unlike the mathematical skills learned in spesh, which may be harder to develop. That said, if you're not enjoying spesh, or would feel more comfortable going into uni with the foundations of physics, go for it, you won't be disappointed (as long as you don't expect to do much maths in VCE physics!)

TL;DR: Both are great subjects, you'll be able to transition to 3/4 fine if you brush up on motion (read the study design), but don't discount the valuable skills you could learn in specialist either; they may actually be more beneficial going onto further education.

Thank you so much for your response! We did a small topic on motion and dynamics this year in specialist that was from the year 12 textbook, so hopefully that can help me in some way. After reading what you've said, I might go over the content from 1/2 physics and see if I like it and decide before the new school year starts if I prefer it or spesh. Thank you for letting me know what I need to go over!

[Vaike]

After reading what you've said, I might go over the content from 1/2 physics and see if I like it and decide before the new school year starts if I prefer it or spesh. Thank you for letting me know what I need to go over!

No worries. That specialist work should indeed be helpful; it made motion in physics a breeze for me. One last suggestion, when you're looking through the content, I'd suggest looking over the 3/4 course, not the 1/2, as that's what you'll do next year, and it's way more interesting. Found 1/2 a bore but 3/4 conceptually interesting. Good luck with it all!

[KiNSKi01]

No worries. That specialist work should indeed be helpful; it made motion in physics a breeze for me. One last suggestion, when you're looking t

Totally agree with Vaike! I found that vectors in Spesh are much harder than the sort of work required for vectors in 1/2 so I assume that going from spesh to 3/4 physics, you will be finding forces and motions questions much easier than most than the cohort

[NatAmiee]

Totally agree with Vaike! I found that vectors in Spesh are much harder than the sort of work required for vectors in 1/2 so I assume that going from spesh to 3/4 physics, you will be finding forces and motions questions much easier than most than the cohort

No worries. That specialist work should indeed be helpful; it made motion in physics a breeze for me. One last suggestion, when you're looking through the content, I'd suggest looking over the 3/4 course, not the 1/2, as that's what you'll do next year, and it's way more interesting. Found 1/2 a bore but 3/4 conceptually interesting. Good luck with it all!

I've changed to physics officially because I decided it'll probably help me more than spesh because of the degree I want to do. I've gone over the study design and I'm pretty excited for it actually! I've been going over my friend's notes from the 1/2 just to catch up a bit and all the vectors and kinematics they did are easier than what I did in spesh this year.
Thank you both!!