Astronomy and Space Science (27 hours) Topics Content Notes for teachers (a) The universe as seen in different scales Structure of the universe use the Powers of Ten approach to describe the basic features and hierarchy of celestial bodies such as satellite, planet, star, star cluster, nebula, galaxy and cluster of galaxies, as seen in different spatial scales define the basic terminologies such as light year and astronomical unit for describing the spatial scale A brief introduction to the relative order of magnitude of the celestial bodies only, exact values are not required The names of the eight planets of the solar system is not required The sky as seen from the Earth (b) Astronomy through history Models of planetary motion use the celestial sphere as a model to describe the positions of celestial bodies in the sky describe the positions of celestial poles and celestial equator in the sky as seen at different latitudes on Earth describe the daily motion of the celestial sphere as seen at different latitudes on Earth describe the annual motion of the Sun on the celestial sphere compare the heliocentric model with the geocentric model in explaining the motion of planets on the celestial sphere describe Galileo s astronomical discoveries and discuss their implications describe planetary motion using Kepler s laws The angle between the celestial pole and the horizon being equal to the latitude of the observer is expected, detailed calculations are not required Qualitative treatment only for the daily motion of the celestial sphere as seen at different latitudes on Earth Qualitative treatment only for annual motion of the Sun on the celestial sphere A free software which can be downloaded from the website: http://www.stellarium.org could be used to simulate the sky as seen from different latitudes on the earth, and the daily motion of the celestial sphere A brief historic review of geocentric model and heliocentric model serves to stimulate students to think critically about how scientific hypotheses were built on the basis of observation Realize the retrograde motion of planets Realize that the planets Mercury and Venus always appear close to the Sun Be familiar with the basic terminologies of an ellipse (focus, and semi-major axis) Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 1 / 13
(c) Orbital motions under gravity Newton s law of gravitation GMm apply Newton s law of gravitation F = to 2 r explain the motion of celestial bodies in circular orbits 2 3 derive Kepler s third law T r for circular orbits from Newton s law of gravitation state Kepler s third law for elliptical orbits 2 3 2 4π a T = GM apply Kepler s third law to solve problems involving circular and elliptical orbits Weightlessness explain apparent weightlessness in an orbiting spacecraft as a result of acceleration due to gravity being independent of mass Conservation of energy interpret the meaning of gravitational potential GMm energy and its expressionu = r apply conservation of mechanical energy to solve problems involving the motion of celestial bodies or spacecraft determine the escape velocity on a celestial body (d) Stars and the universe Stellar luminosity and classification determine the distance of a celestial body using the method of parallax use parsec (pc) as a unit of distance realise magnitude as a measure of brightness of celestial bodies distinguish between apparent magnitude and absolute magnitude describe the effect of surface temperature on the colour and luminosity of a star using blackbody radiation curves Uniform circular motion and Gravitation are introduced in the Compulsory Part - Force and Motion Application of the Kepler s third law to solve problems involving elliptical orbits by using semi-major axis (a) instead of radius (r) is required Solving problems involving the motion of planets, moons and satellites is required Direct application of T 2 (in Earth years) = a 3 (in AU) to orbital motions around the Sun is not required Discussion of the motion of a satellite with an energy loss is not required Mathematics skills involved - Module 2 (Algebra and Calculus) in Math: (4) More about trigonometric Functions 4.1 understand the concept of radian measure 4.2 find arc lengths and areas of sectors through radian measure Calculation of apparent magnitude and absolute magnitude involving logarithms is not required The surface temperature of stars in relation to their spectral classes is not required Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 2 / 13
Doppler effect realise the existence of spectral lines in the spectra of stars state major spectral classes: O B A F G K M and relate them to the surface temperature of stars state Stefan s law and apply it to derive the luminosity L = 4πR 2 σt 4 for a spherical blackbody represent information of classification for stars on the Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram according to their luminosities and surface temperatures use H-R diagram and Stefan s law to estimate the relative sizes of stars λ v realise the Doppler effect and apply r to λ o c determine the radial velocity of celestial bodies use the radial velocity curve to determine the orbital radius, speed, and period of a small celestial body in circular orbital motion around a massive body as seen along the orbital plane relate the rotation curve of stars around galaxies to the existence of dark matter relate the red shift to the expansion of the universe Note that Stefan s law gives the radiant power output per unit surface area of a blackbody while luminosity gives the absolute (total) radiant power output of an object Note that absolute magnitude or luminosity (Sun = 1) of stars is taken as the y-axis while surface temperature of stars is taken as the x-axis in the H-R diagram Simple application of Doppler effect and radial velocity curve is expected Simple and qualitative understanding of dark matter and expansion of the universe is expected Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 3 / 13
Atomic World (27 hours) Topics Content Notes for teachers (a) Rutherford s atomic model The structure of atom describe Rutherford s construction of an atomic model consisting of a nucleus and electrons state the limitations of Rutherford s atomic model in accounting for the motion of electrons around the nucleus and line spectra realise the importance of scattering experiments in the discovery of the structure of atoms and the impact on the searching for new particles (b) Photoelectric effect Evidence for light quanta describe photoelectric effect experiment and its results state the limitations of the wave model of light in explaining the photoelectric effect Einstein s interpretation of photoelectric effect and photoelectric equation state photon energy E = hf describe how the intensity of the incident light of a given frequency is related to the number of photons explain photoelectric effect using Einstein s 1 2 photoelectric equation hf φ = mevmax 2 realise the photoelectric effect as the evidence of particle nature of light apply E = hf and Einstein s photoelectric equation to solve problems (c) Bohr s atomic model of hydrogen Line spectra describe the special features of line spectra of hydrogen atoms and other monatomic gases explain spectral lines in terms of difference in energies realise that the energy of a hydrogen atom can only take on certain values realise line spectra as evidence of energy levels of atoms Realise that scattering experiments are commonly used in modern physics researches for finding the structure of atoms and searching for new particles The setups of different scattering experiments and the names of new particles found by the scattering experiments are not required The use of Gold-leaf electroscope in photoelectric effect experiment is not required The use of photocell in photoelectric effect experiment is implied Applications of photocell are not required Stopping potential of photoelectrons in photoelectric effect experiments is implied Expressing work function in terms of threshold frequency ( φ = hf 0 ) is required Millikan s photoelectric experiment is not required The names of spectral line series (e.g. Lyman, Balmer and Paschen) are not required Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 4 / 13
Bohr s model of hydrogen atom state the postulates that define Bohr s model of hydrogen atom distinguish between the quantum and classical aspects in the postulates of Bohr s atomic model of hydrogen nh realise the postulate m e vr = as the quantization 2π of angular momentum of an electron around a hydrogen nucleus where n=1,2,3 is the quantum number labelling the n th Bohr orbit of the electron realise the equation for the energy of an electron in a hydrogen atom as 4 1 m ee E = 2 2 2 ( 13.6 tot = ev) 2 n 8h ε o n use electron-volt (ev) as a unit of energy distinguish ionization and excitation energies apply 4 1 m ee E = 2 2 2 to solve problems tot n 8h ε o Basic knowledge of angular momentum = mvr is expected nh The derivation of the postulate m e vr = is not required 2π The interpretation of line spectra derive, by using Bohr s equation of electron energy 4 1 mee 1 1 and E=hf, the expression = 3 2 2 2 for λ a b 8h ε o c b a the wavelength of photon emitted or absorbed when an electron undergoes a transition from one energy level to another interpret line spectra by the use of Bohr s equation of electron energy 4 1 mee 1 1 apply E=hf and = 3 2 2 2 to solve λ a b 8h ε o c b a problems The equation could also be expressed as for a hydrogen atom 1 λ a b 13.6 ev 1 1 = 2 2 hc b a (d) Particles or Waves realise the wave-particle duality of electrons and light describe evidences of electrons and light exhibiting both wave and particle properties Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 5 / 13
relate the wave and particle properties of electrons h using the de Broglie formula λ = p h apply λ = to solve problems p Note that the de Broglie formula the quantization of angular momentum h λ = can be used to explain p m e vr = nh 2π (e) Probing into nano scale Physical properties of materials in nano scale understand that nano means 10-9 realise that materials in nano scale can exist in various forms, such as nano wires, nano tubes and nano particles realise that materials often exhibit different physical properties when their sizes are reduced to nano scale Realise that different arrangements of atoms lead to different physical properties (can be illustrated using the different forms of carbon) Limited to the following physical properties: optical (e.g. colour, transparency), mechanical (e.g. strength, hardness) and electrical (e.g. conductivity) properties Seeing at nano scale describe the limitations of optical microscope in seeing substances of small scale describe how a transmission electron microscope (TEM) works draw the analogy between the use of electric and magnetic fields in TEMs and lenses in optical microscopes estimate the anode voltage needed in a TEM to accelerate electrons achieving wavelengths of the order of atomic size explain the advantage of high resolution of TEM using Rayleigh criterion for minimum resolvable 1.22λ detail, θ d describe how a scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) works in seeing nano particles (principles of the tunnelling effect are not required) Spherical and chromatic aberrations of optical microscope are not required Detailed mechanism of focusing by electric and magnetic fields in TEM is not required Derivation of 1.22λ θ is not required d Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 6 / 13
Recent development in nanotechnology describe recent developments and applications of nanotechnology in various areas related to daily life discuss potential hazards, issues of risks and safety concerns for our lives and society in using nanotechnology Current developments and daily life applications of nanotechnology including: (1) Materials (stain-resistant fibres, anti-bacterial / detoxicating / de-odorising nano paint, strong / flexible / light / conductive materials); (2) Information technology (better data storage and computation); and (3) Health care & Environment (chemical and biological sensors, drugs and delivery devices, clean energy, clean air and water) are expected Realise that nanotechnology is still developing Realise that the long term effect of nano materials to safety, health, and environment is still under investigation Students should carry out information search on the recent development in nanotechnology Debates could be arranged on discussing potential hazards, issues of risks and safety concerns in using nanotechnology Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 7 / 13
Energy and Use of Energy (27 hours) Topics Content Notes for teachers (a) Electricity at home Energy consuming appliances at home state electricity as the main source for domestic energy describe the energy conversion involved in electrical appliances define end-use energy efficiency in terms of the ratio of the amount of useful energy output to energy input Identification of energy input and useful energy output in different appliances is required Note that the concept of end-use energy efficiency and its application to solve problems is required Lighting state the different types of lighting used at home describe how incandescent lamps, gas discharge lamps and light emitting diodes (LED) work and interpret light emission in terms of energy change in atomic level discuss cost effectiveness of incandescent lamps, gas discharge lamps and light emitting diodes Realise that the response of our light sensitive cells is frequency realise that the eye response depends on dependent wavelengths define luminous flux as the energy of light emitted per unit time by a light source use lumen as a unit of luminous flux define illuminance as luminous flux falling on unit area of a surface If calculation of efficacy of a lighting device is required, the use lux as a unit of illuminance following would be given: use inverse square law and Lambert s cosine law to luminous flux solve problems involving illuminance electrical power input solve problems involving end-use energy efficiency of electric lights Cooking without fire describe how electric hotplates, induction cookers Same treatment as HKCEE and microwave ovens work in heat generation use the power rating of cookers to determine running cost solve problems involving end-use energy efficiency of cookers discuss the advantages and disadvantages of electric hotplates, induction cookers and microwave ovens Moving heat around describe how air-conditioner as a heat pump Simple qualitative treatment of heat transfer during compression transfers heat against its natural direction of flow and expansion is implied Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 8 / 13
use kilowatt (kw) as a unit for cooling capacity and solve problems involving cooling capacity discuss possible ways of using heat generated by central air-conditioning systems 1st law of thermodynamics ( U= Q+ W) is not required Define cooling capacity as the rate at which a cooling appliance is capable of removing heat from a room If calculation of coefficient of performance (COP) of a heat pump is required, the following would be given: cooling capacity electrical power input Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (b) Energy efficiency in building and transportation Building materials used to improve the energy efficiency discuss the uses of the Hong Kong Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (EELS) for energysaving solve problems involving EELS suggest examples of energy-saving devices Interpret Q = Aκ (T t d hot T cold ) as the rate of energy transfer by conduction and discuss the heat loss in conduction define thermal transmittance U-value of building materials as u = κ d state the Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) of a building envelope solve problems involving conduction in a building discuss the use of solar control window film in a building discuss the factors affecting the energy efficiency of buildings Electric vehicles state the main components of the power system of electric vehicles discuss the use of electric vehicles state the main components of the power system of hybrid vehicles and compare their end-use energy efficiency to fossil-fuel vehicles discuss the advantages of public transportation systems and give examples Interpretation of Energy Efficiency Label of electrical appliances is required EELS classifies the energy performance of appliances into five grades from 1 to 5. Grade 1 is the most efficient and 5 is the least efficient in that category OTTV of a building envelope is defined as the average rate of heat transfer of a building per unit wall area Note that OTTV can be expressed by OTTV = Q T A T Qualitative treatment of solar control window film which selectively permits the transmission of EMW Qualitative treatment of the function of the main components of EVs and hybrid vehicles is implied Detailed internal function of the battery of EVs is not required Realise that the use of EVs is to reduce pollutants in urban area Pros and cons of fossil-fuel vehicles and hybrid vehicles is implied Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 9 / 13
(c) Renewable and nonrenewable energy sources Renewable and non-renewable energy sources Environmental impact of energy consumption describe the characteristics of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources and give examples define solar constant as the total electromagnetic radiation energy radiated at normal incidence by the Sun per unit time per unit area at the mean distance between the Earth and the Sun measured outside the Earth s atmosphere solve problems involving the solar constant derive maximum power by wind turbine as P = 1 2 ρav3 and solve problems describe the energy conversion process for hydroelectric power and solve problems define binding energy per nucleon in unit of ev and solve problems relate the binding energy curve to nuclear fission and fusion describe the principle of the fission reactor and state the roles of moderator, coolant and control rods describe how a solar cell works discuss the impact of extraction, conversion, distribution and use of energy on the environment and society discuss effect of greenhouse gases on global warming analyse the consumption data for different fuel types in Hong Kong and their specific purposes Note that the power output of a wind turbine depends on the efficiency of converting the kinetic energy of air into electrical energy and is typically only 30% 40% of the maximum power Simple concept of a solar cell in terms of the electric field across PN junction which provides the voltage needed to drive the current through an external load. By absorbing photon energy, bounded electron is able to escape from its normal position to become part of the current in an electrical circuit Hong Kong Energy End-use Data, the consumption data of the different energy fuel types and the specific purposes for which these fuels are consumed can be found in EMSD website ( http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/eng/pee/edata.shtml) Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 10 / 13
Medical Physics (27 hours) Topics Content Notes for teachers (a) Making sense of the eye and the ear Physics of vision describe the basic structure of the eye including light sensitive cells (rods and cones) of retina, and their respective functions interpret spectral response of light sensitive cells using receptor absorption curves apply resolving power θ 1.22λ to solve problems Defects of vision and their corrections d describe the process of accommodation of the eye define power of a lens as the reciprocal of the focal length of a lens use dioptre as a unit of power of a lens state the near point and far point of the eye describe the defects of vision including short sight (myopia), long sight (hypermetropia) and old sight (presbyopia) and their corrections Physics of hearing describe the basic structure of the middle ear and its function in relation to pressure amplification describe the basic structure of the inner ear and its frequency discrimination in response to incoming sound waves realise hearing perception of relative sound intensity levels and the need for a logarithmic scale to represent the levels apply sound intensity level L = 10 log 10 I I o db problems interpret the curves of equal loudness discuss the effects of noise on health of hearing Be familiar with the basic structure of the eye (including cornea, pupils, iris, lens, retina [rods and cones], optic nerve, ciliary muscle, yellow spot and blind spot) Relate accommodation process of the eye to physics principles Interpret response curve of the light sensitive cells (rods and cones) to visible light Realise that the response of the light sensitive cells is dependent on the brightness of environment Relate resolving power to the ability of an eye to distinguish small details of an object is not required d Relate angular resolution to the spatial resolution by multiplication of the angle (in radians) with the distance to the object The optical power (dioptre) is adjusted by changing the form (curvature) of the elastic lens using the ciliary muscle Realise that optical powers are approximately additive for thin lenses placed close together Realise that the near point of accommodation increases with age Presbyopia occurs when the near point of the eye is beyond the reading distance Be familiar with the basic structure of the ear (including ear canal, ear drum, ear bones, oval window, round window, cochlea, hair cells and auditory nerve) Realise that pressure amplification is a combination of the lever action of the 3 ear bones and the area ratio of the ear drum and the oval window. Detail of the lever action of the 3 ear bones is not required Realise that cochlea acts as a frequency analyser - regions nearer its base resonate with higher-frequency signals; regions closer to its apex resonate with lower-frequency ones Similar treatment of sound intensity level as HKAL, but pressure level is not required Relate equal loudness curves and loudness level (phons) to sound intensity level (db) of a pure note at 1 khz Derivation of θ 1.22λ Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 11 / 13
(b) Medical imaging using non-ionizing radiation Properties of ultrasound describe how a piezoelectric transducer works in generating and detecting an ultrasound pulse define acoustic impedance Z = ρc and compare the acoustic impedances of various body tissues apply intensity reflection coefficient α = (Z 2 Z 1 ) 2 (Z 2 +Z 1 ) 2 to solve problems apply I = I o e μx to determine the transmitted intensity of an ultrasound pulse after travelling through a certain thickness in a medium realise the dependence of linear attenuation coefficients (μ) on the nature of the medium and the frequency Ultrasound scans realise A-scan and B-scan as range-measuring systems describe how A-scan works interpret the pulse display of A-scan identify suitable frequency ranges of ultrasound for scanning based on penetration depth, resolution and body structures describe how B-scan works estimate the size of a body tissue in a B-scan image discuss the advantages and limitations of ultrasound scans in diagnosis Fibre optic endoscopy describe the characteristics of an optical fibre describe how a fibre optic endoscope works describe how coherent bundle fibres form image solve problems involving optical fibre discuss the advantages and limitations of using endoscope in diagnosis Relate piezoelectric properties of a crystal to the generation and detection of ultrasound Apply intensity reflection coefficient α to estimate the reflected and transmitted intensity of a ultrasound pulse Prior knowledge of exponential law of decay in Radioactivity and Nuclear Energy is assumed Realise that penetration depth of a ultrasound beam is frequency dependent Compensation of attenuation lost of a return pulse is not required Mathematics skills involved Compulsory Part in Math - 3. Exponential and logarithmic functions Module 1 (Calculus and Statistics) - 2. Exponential and Logarithmic functions Module 2 (Algebra and Calculus) - 5. Introduction to the number e Prior knowledge of pulse-echo measurements in sound waves is assumed Prior knowledge of wave nature of sound (reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference) in Wave Motion is assumed Distinguish between the working principles of A-scan and B-scan Understanding of the factors affecting the penetration depth and resolution, and hence the choice of frequencies for medical scanning Prior knowledge of refraction of light (Snell s Law) and total internal reflection is assumed Basic components of a fibre optic endoscope such as lighting, lens system (objective lens & eyepiece) and imaging system are required Realise that fibre optic bundles are used to convey light from source to distal tip, and carry image back to the eye / video monitor Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 12 / 13
(c) Medical imaging using ionizing radiation X-ray radiographic imaging apply I = I o e μx to determine the transmitted intensity of a X-ray beam after travelling through a certain thickness in a medium relate the linear attenuation coefficient (μ) to halfvalue thickness realise a radiographic image as a map of attenuation of X-ray beam after passing body tissues explain the use of artificial contrast media such as barium meal in radiographic imaging discuss the advantages and disadvantages of radiographic imaging in diagnosis CT scan describe how a computed tomography (CT) scanner works realise a CT image as a map of attenuation coefficients of body tissues realise the image reconstruction process of CT scanning compare CT images with X-ray radiographic images Radionuclides for medical uses identify the characteristics of radionuclides such as technetium-99m used for diagnosis define biological half-life as the time taken for half the materials to be removed from the body by biological processes and apply it to solve related problems describe the use of radioisotopes as tracers for diagnosis realise a radionuclide image obtained by a gamma camera as a map of radioisotopes distribution in a body compare radionuclide planar images with X-ray radiographic images compare effective dose in diagnostic medical procedures involving ionizing radiation discuss the health risk and safety precautions for ionizing radiation Derivation of half-value thickness ln 2 and its application to solve μ problems is required Realise that attenuation coefficient µ depends on tissue density Relate a radiographic image to the X-ray intensity transmitted through the body Realise that a X-ray radiographic image is a 2D projection of the X- ray attenuation of a 3D object Detailed structure of CT machine is not required Realise that the CT image is reconstructed by back-projection of attenuation profiles CT number is not required The differences in the use of CT images and X-ray radiographic images is required Calculation of effective half-life of a radionuclide from its biological and physical half-life is required Application of effective half-life to solve problems is required Detailed structure of gamma camera is not required The differences in the use of radionuclide images and X-ray radiographic images is required Realise that ionizing radiation used in medical imaging may lead to health risk Learning and teaching strategies for reference only. (14 November 2011) 13 / 13