The problem is that not everyone does 2-unit in Physics. Me and two others in our Physics class do 4-unit. At least we get to do Mechanics. One other person also does 3-unit and one other does 2-unit. Only 5 people in our Physics class does 2-unit or higher. The other 15 people got kicked out for failing 2-unit and do general now.
That is the only reason why HSC Physics and HSC Chemistry do not contain intense calculations. Btw, 5 people in our Chem class do MX2, one does 2-unit, one does general. Unfortunately, Mechanics in 4-unit has nothing to do with Chemistry
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I do agree with everything you said and I understand that not everybody doing HSC physics have exceptional skill in maths (which is why they should introduce advanced science course courses), but questions such as 'asses the impact on society and the environment of the potential applications of superconductors', will have no real life value what so ever, unless your a major scientist or PHd student. Even by then you would already gained the skills necessary to properly answer this question.
Take a look at VCE physics papers the types of question is exactly what I would except in a physics paper. Although they could be abit harder
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Did you know some things in HSC Physics they teach you in the syllabus are incorrect
There shouldn't be "intensive calculations" but rather questions that make you think instead of writing stuff for 5/6 markers that the Board of studies want to see
Incorrect? such as? o.o
That is the problem the Board of Studies attempt to give questions that encourages critical thinking, but they are only restricted in their own syllabus and rote learners are able spill out generic band 6 answers without thinking at all. Instead the Board of Studies should recreate pseudo-real life scenarios, and force the student to use the skills obtained through HSC physics to calculate and justify whatever the students need to answer.
And here is a quote I found from talent100 "When I asked Jack Dwyer how he was able to beat the Chemistry Olympiad team in the HSC, he said that it was his strength in English that probably gave him the edge in Chemistry! And for myself, although I think my Chemistry is stronger than my Physics, I topped Physics because I was able to answer exactly what the examiners were looking for."
Jack is better in HSC Chemistry than the Chemistry Olympiad team because of English skills? ridiculous... I feel sorry for the Olympiad team...