Overview
Pearson Physics Western Australia has been updated to support educators implementing the new Physics ATAR Course Syllabus, for implementation from 2024 (Year 11) and 2025 (Year 12).
-
Year Levels 11–12
-
Curriculum WA
-
Subject Science
-
Resource Formats Print, Digital
-
Learning Focus Physics
-
Last Updated May 2025
What it is
Developed by leading Western Australian educators, Pearson Physics WA 2nd Edition is fully aligned to the Physics ATAR Course Syllabus. It helps you prepare students in Years 11 and 12 for a future in science with:
- in-depth student books
- interactive eBooks with AI study tools
- a suite of teaching resources.
What it includes
New Second Edition
Overview
Pearson Physics 2nd edition has been carefully updated for the new Western Australian syllabus, for implementation from 2024 (Year 11) and 2025 (Year 12).
Trusted by teachers, Pearson Physics 2nd edition Western Australia can be used alongside the Science Teachers’ Association of Western Australia (STAWA) Exploring Physics: Experiments, Investigations and Problems Second Edition. Together they ensure full coverage of the required Science Inquiry Skills, Science as a Human Endeavour and Science Understanding content mandated by the syllabus.Â
Teachers are supported with teaching programs that link these resources in a coherent and effective way.Â
Â
Components
Student Books
The Student Book has been meticulously revised for the new Physics ATAR course syllabus, and reflects the very latest developments and applications of Physics.
Based in Western Australia, the author team brings extensive experience interpreting, teaching and writing to the Physics ATAR syllabus.
The text has been developed following best-practice literacy and instructional design principles to ensure the content and concepts are accessible to your students.
Components
Student eBooks and digital resources
The eBook provides access to Student Book content and digital resources, anywhere, anytime, online and offline.
Student eBook access includes:
- Fully worked solutions to all questions and worked examples in the student book
- Carefully selected, captivating videos that support each chapter
- A downloadable glossary of terms
- Support for Mathematical skills for Physics ATAR.
NEW in 2026Â
Alongside expert support from teachers, integrated AI study tools provide secure and personalised in-the-moment support drawing only from trusted Pearson eBook content. From their eBooks, students can use AI study tools to:  Â
- highlight concepts for explanations
- summarise chapters   Â
- generate practice questions   Â
- save notes or flashcards.Â
Components
Teacher eBooks and digital resources
Teacher eBook access includes:
- Downloadable, editable chapter tests and practice exams, supported by fully worked solutions and a formula and data booklet, updated in line with Physics ATAR examination design brief requirements
- Editable teaching programs for each unit which map the Pearson resources to the syllabus and provide clear links to STAWA’s Exploring Physics resources. The teaching programs can be used as a quick guide to the course or as templates for your own planning
- Access to all student resources.
Table of contents
Pearson Physics 11 Western Australia, 2nd Edition
CHAPTER 1 Practical investigationÂ
1.1 Designing and planning the investigation  Â
1.2 Conducting investigations, and recording and presenting data Â
1.3 Discussing investigations and drawing evidence-based conclusionsÂ
Chapter reviewÂ
UNIT 1 Motion, forces and energyÂ
MOTION AND FORCESÂ Â
CHAPTER 2 Scalars and vectors Â
2.1 Scalars and vectors Â
2.2 Adding vectors in one and two dimensions Â
2.3 Subtracting vectors in one and two dimensions
2.4 Vector components Â
Chapter reviewÂ
CHAPTER 3 Linear motion xxÂ
3.1 Displacement, speed and velocity Â
3.2 Acceleration Â
3.3 Graphing position, velocity and acceleration over time Â
3.4 Equations for uniform accelerationÂ
3.5 Vertical motionÂ
Chapter reviewÂ
CHAPTER 4 Momentum and forces Â
4.1 Momentum and conservation of momentum Â
4.2 Newton’s first law Â
4.3 Newton’s second law Â
4.4 Newton’s third law Â
4.5 Change in momentum and impulse Â
4.6 Impulse and force Â
4.7 Mass and weight Â
Chapter reviewÂ
Mechanical and thermal energy  Â
CHAPTER 5 Work, energy and power Â
5.1 Energy and work Â
5.2 Kinetic energy Â
5.3 Gravitational potential energy Â
5.4 Law of conservation of energy Â
5.5 Elastic and inelastic collisions Â
5.6 Power Â
Chapter review Â
CHAPTER 6 Heating processes  Â
6.1 Heat and temperature Â
6.2 Specific heat capacityÂ
6.3 Latent heat Â
6.4 Heating and cooling Â
Chapter reviewÂ
Unit 1 Review Â
Â
UNIT 2 Waves, nuclear and electrical physics Â
Waves Â
CHAPTER 7 The nature of wavesÂ
7.1 Longitudinal and transverse waves  Â
7.2 Representing waves Â
7.3 Wave behaviours—reflection, refraction and diffractionÂ
7.4 Wave interactions—superposition, interference and resonance  Â
7.5 Standing waves and harmonics Â
7.6 Applications of wave propertiesÂ
Chapter reviewÂ
Ionising radiation and nuclear reactions Â
CHAPTER 8 Particles in the nucleusÂ
8.1 Atoms, isotopes and radioisotopesÂ
8.2 Radioactivity Â
8.3 Properties of alpha, beta and gamma radiationÂ
8.4 Half-life and decay seriesÂ
8.5 Radiation doses and effects on humansÂ
Chapter reviewÂ
CHAPTER 9 Fission and fusion Â
9.1 Nuclear fission and energy Â
9.2 Chain reactions and nuclear reactors 96Â
9.3 Nuclear fusion Â
Chapter reviewÂ
Electrical forces and energy Â
CHAPTER 10 Electrical physicsÂ
10.1 Behaviour of charged particlesÂ
10.2 Energy in electric circuitsÂ
10.3 Electric current and circuits Â
10.4 Resistance Â
10.5 Series and parallel circuits Â
10.6 Electrical safety Â
Unit 2 Review Â
APPENDIX A SI unitsÂ
APPENDIX B Understanding measurementÂ
APPENDIX C Mathematical skills for physics ATARÂ
ANSWERSÂ
GLOSSARY
INDEXÂ
ATTRIBUTIONS
Â
Table of contents
Pearson Physics 12 Western Australia, 2nd Edition
CHAPTER 1 Practical investigationÂ
1.1 Designing and planning the investigationÂ
1.2 Conducting investigations, and recording and presenting data Â
1.3 Discussing investigations and drawing evidence-based conclusionsÂ
Chapter reviewÂ
UNIT 3 Gravity and relativityÂ
STATIC EQUILIBRIUM AND CENTRE OF MASSÂ Â
Chapter 2 Equilibrium of forcesÂ
2.1 TorqueÂ
2.2 Equilibrium of forcesÂ
2.3 Static equilibriumÂ
Chapter 2 ReviewÂ
CIRCULAR MOTION IN HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL PLANEÂ Â
Chapter 3 Circular motionÂ
3.1 Circular motion in a horizontal planeÂ
3.2 Circular motion on banked tracksÂ
3.3 Circular motion in a vertical planeÂ
Chapter 3 ReviewÂ
GRAVITYÂ Â
Chapter 4 The force due to gravity Â
4.1 Newton’s law of universal gravitation Â
4.2 Gravitational fieldsÂ
4.3 Work in a gravitational fieldÂ
4.1 Inclined planesÂ
4.2 Projectiles launched horizontallyÂ
4.3 Projectiles launched obliquelyÂ
4.7 Satellite motionÂ
Chapter 4 ReviewÂ
RELATIVITYÂ Â
Chapter 5 Special relativityÂ
5.1 Einstein’s theory of special relativityÂ
5.2 Time dilationÂ
5.3 Length contractionÂ
Chapter 5 ReviewÂ
Unit 3 Review Â
Â
UNIT 4 Electromagnetism and modern physicsÂ
ELECTROMAGNETISMÂ Â
Chapter 6 Electric fieldsÂ
6.1 Electric fields [TBC]Â
6.2 Coulomb’s lawÂ
6.3 Work done in an electric fieldÂ
Chapter 6 ReviewÂ
Chapter 7 Magnetic field and forceÂ
7.1 The magnetic fieldÂ
7.2 Forces on charged objectsÂ
7.3 The force on a conductorÂ
Chapter 7 ReviewÂ
Chapter 8 Magnetic field and emfÂ
8.1 Induced emf in a conductor moving in a magnetic field Â
8.2 Induced emf from a changing magnetic fluxÂ
8.3 Transforming voltage using changing magnetic fieldÂ
8.4 Lenz’s lawÂ
Chapter 8 ReviewÂ
PARTICLE ACCELERATORSÂ Â
Chapter 9  Particle acceleratorsÂ
9.1 Particle acceleratorsÂ
9.2 Relativistic momentum and energyÂ
Chapter 9 ReviewÂ
WAVE PARTICLE DUALITY AND THE QUANTUM THEORYÂ Â
Chapter 10 Wave–particle duality and the quantum theoryÂ
10.1 Properties of waves in two dimensionsÂ
10.2 Interference: Further evidence for the wave model of lightÂ
10.3 Electromagnetic wavesÂ
10.4 Light quanta: Blackbody radiation and the photoelectric effect Â
10.5 Atomic spectraÂ
10.6 The quantum nature of light and matterÂ
Chapter 10 ReviewÂ
COSMOLOGYÂ Â
Chapter 11  Cosmology Â
11.1 Expansion of the universeÂ
Chapter 11 ReviewÂ
Unit 4 Review Â
APPENDIX A SI unitsÂ
APPENDIX B Understanding measurementÂ
APPENDIX C Mathematical skills for physics ATARÂ
ANSWERSÂ
GLOSSARYÂ
INDEXÂ
ATTRIBUTIONS
In partnership with
The Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia (STAWA)
STAWA is a not-for-profit organisation that supports and advocates for science teachers.
STAWA have developed the Exploring Physics books for Year 11 and 12, which include practical experiments and problems that are designed to be used alongside Pearson’s Physics for Western Australia student books and resources.
Used together, Exploring Physics: Experiments, Investigations and Problems and Pearson Physics Western Australia 2nd edition provide a complete package of support for the Science Inquiry Skills, Science as a Human Endeavour and Science Understanding strands
Samples & downloads
Tools and materials to help you unlock Pearson Physics Western Australia.
- Pearson Physics WA 2e—Flyer Download PDF (598KB)
- Pearson Physics Western Australia 11 — Student Book + Solutions — Chapter 2 — Sample Pages Download PDF (31.7MB)
- Pearson Physics Western Australia 11 — Student Book + Solutions — Chapter 3 — Sample Pages Download PDF (4MB)
- Pearson Physics Western Australia 12 — Student Book — Chapter 1 Practical Investigation — Sample Pages Download PDF (2.7MB)
- Pearson Physics Western Australia 12 — Student Book — Chapter 3 Equilibrium of Forces — Sample Pages Download PDF (7.3MB)
Product Information
View resource titles, ISBNs and pricing for Pearson Physics Western Australia 2nd Edition
| Title | ISBN | Price (AUD) |
| Pearson Physics 11 Western Australia 2nd edition Student Book and eBook | 9780655719113 | $99.95 |
| Pearson Physics 11 Western Australia 2nd edition eBook | 9780655719090 | $63.95 |
| Pearson Physics 12 Western Australia 2nd edition Student Book and eBook | 9780655719120 | $99.95 |
| Pearson Physics 12 Western Australia 2nd edition eBook | 9780655719106 | $63.95 |
Â
More for Science in Western Australia
Updated Oct 2025
Pearson Science 7–10 Western Australia for the Western Australian Curriculum: Science
Everything you need to teach the Western Australian Curriculum: Science. Empowering every teacher, engaging every learner and helping you do more, every day.
