The laws of physics underpin all science, while the study of them continues to drive new advances that revolutionize many aspects of contemporary society. Theoretical physics produced quantum theory and the theory of relativity, and a totally new understanding of the physics of the very small and the very large. Atomic physics and nuclear physics spawned the laser, nuclear energy and nuclear medicine; solid state physics - the transistor and the microchip; thermodynamics and hydrodynamics - jet aircraft and space exploration; optical physics - photonics and the dawn of a new era of communications; and the list goes on. 

The Physics program introduces its students to an exciting range of topics from this very wide field through courses embracing both theory and experiment.

The ASO physics textbook is "Physics" by Resnick, Halliday and Krane, currently in its 5th edition, published by Wiley, ISBN 0-471-32057-9, and it comes in 2 volumes.  It is very expensive, and for general use you would be just as well served by any other calculus based first year physics book.

 
Download copies of past Physics NQEs.

The 2007 Australian Physics Team has returned from the 8^th Asian Physics Olympiad held in Shanghai, China.

Read more about the results and experiences of the Physics Team.

Updated 5 September 2008