Science / Year 10 / Science Understanding / Physical sciences

Curriculum content descriptions

Energy conservation in a system can be explained by describing energy transfers and transformations (ACSSU190)

Elaborations
  • recognising that the Law of Conservation of Energy explains that total energy is maintained in energy transfer and transformation
  • recognising that in energy transfer and transformation, a variety of processes can occur, so that the usable energy is reduced and the system is not 100% efficient
  • comparing energy changes in interactions such as car crashes, pendulums, lifting and dropping
  • using models to describe how energy is transferred and transformed within systems
ScOT terms

Energy conversion

Interactive

Invictus Games Sydney 2018 – Science – Stage 5

Modern prosthetics are developed to offer comfort and practicality in a range of complex environments. This Stage 5 unit, The science and technology of prosthetics and the physics of movement, explores a number of technological advances in the field of prosthetics including material strength, sensors and actuators and osseointegration. ...

Interactive

Thermal comfort – sustainability action process (Years 7–10)

This thermal comfort learning resource will guide students through an extended school based investigation. Students will develop and implement a chosen sustainability action and then evaluate and reflect on their success and their learning.

Video

Can photons and atoms generate laser?

Electrons around atoms can absorb and emit photons of particular colours of light – see three different atomic models explain what's going on.

Video

Catalyst: Nuclear fusion future

Visit the world's largest nuclear fusion reactor, which uses the same process as the Sun to produce energy. Look at the new advances in fusion technology which mean, for the first time, a fusion reactor should now be able to produce more energy than it consumes. It offers a future alternative energy source, but is not without ...

Video

How does the retina work?

When electrons in your retina absorb photons of light they don't emit light, they cause a molecule to change shape - and that lets you see colour!

Interactive

Energy skate park

This interactive simulation explores the conservation of energy in a skater moving on a curved ramp. In a series of simulations students explore the transformation of energy between kinetic and potential energy; how changing the mass, friction, or gravity affects the skater's energy; students can predict position or estimate ...

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Keep your cool | Questacon

In this activity, students design an insulation system for keeping ice cold. They investigate factors that effect how quickly an ice block melts when in sunshine, then design and test insulating mechanisms using different materials and structures. They consider the different ways heat energy is transferred (conduction, ...

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The Mathematics of Projectiles - Calculate

This activity provides a practical introduction to the motion of projectiles with a focus on angles. It is designed as a lead in to parabolic and quadratic functions.

Video

How do solar panels work?

The Earth intercepts a lot of solar power: 173,000 terawatts. That’s 10,000 times more power than the planet’s population uses. So is it possible that one day the world could be completely reliant on solar energy? Richard Komp examines how solar panels convert solar energy to electrical energy. This TedEd animation (4:58 ...

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Ocean energy

This is a resource about ocean energy that includes sections on Tidal energy, Wave energy, Ocean thermal energy, World ocean energy market, and Australia's ocean energy resources. Links on the right-hand side of the resource provide additional related resources including publications and websites. The resource is part of ...

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Integrated gasification combined cycle

Find out how emissions from coal-burning can be reduced by turning the coal into syngas. This is a fact sheet describing methods of coal gasification, and how the resulting syngas can drive a combined cycle power generator. It lists the advantages of the technology, including lower emissions and increased efficiency, as ...

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Energy efficiency in homes

Find out how to save energy at home and reduce your carbon footprint. This fact sheet describes strategies that can be used in the home to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

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Energy efficiency in industry

Find out how industries can reduce their carbon footprints. This is an information sheet describing practices that can be used by industry to make energy use more efficient and thus reduce power bills as well as lowering greenhouse-gas emissions. A number of examples from the mining industry, such as the redesign of dragline ...

Video

Low-emission energy future

Find out about the technologies that can reduce our greenhouse-gas emissions. This resource consists of an animated video accompanied by an interactive landscape activity. The video focuses on technologies that can reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, as well as renewable energy and improved ...

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Gas-fired power

Find out how gas-fired power stations work. This fact sheet describes the generation of electricity in gas-fired power stations, which typically produce 50 per cent less carbon dioxide than conventional coal-fired power plants. Information is provided about the Daandine Power Station located west of Brisbane, which uses ...

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All about hydrogen

This is a fact sheet providing information on how we produce hydrogen from fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. The uses of hydrogen are briefly discussed and information is provided about hydrogen fuel cells.

Interactive

Copper processing

This interactive activity allows students to explore the processes involved in the mining and processing of copper ore and the production of copper. Students initially put the processes in the correct sequence and then select each stage to animate it and access relevant information. The smelting stage includes an activity ...

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Copper processing

Find out how copper ore is extracted and turned into copper metal. This is a PowerPoint presentation showing the properties, uses and extraction of copper. It includes details of the mining and processing of copper ore, as well as smelting, converting and refining to produce copper metal. Most slides contain photographs ...