Having been to both selective and non-selective, I can tell you that the atmosphere does make quite a difference, not just the competition but in general. Also another thing is, when I was at my non-selective school I used to come 1st quite easily which led me to not pushing myself to do extra...
For Part 2
If Intensity is greater than 8.1 x 10^-9, ear damage occurs so that means the greatest intensity at which no ear damage occurs is 8.1 x 10^-9. So to find the maximum loudness of a sound so that no ear damage occurs, you have to sub in 8.1 x 10^-9 for I in the equation and solve for...
I have 4 periods a day, 75mins each and I do feel they are a bit too long especially when you have subjects where you predominantly have to listen and read. I think 60 minutes per period would probably be much better.
I think hard work can get you to a certain point and then you have to have natural ability to get over that point. What that point in terms of ATAR is, I don't know.
LOL I love those people, in my experience they are most likely people who choose all their subjects for scaling even if they have no interest in them and then say these type of things to justify their choices.
I don't think it is concerning because as you mentioned everyone learns differently. Its just whatever suits you, I know some people who make no notes whatsoever and still do extremely well and also the opposite where people make lots of notes and don't do so well. If you really wanted to make...