2SPHY

NCEA Level 2 Physics

Course Description

Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Miss M. Ashford.

Students will gain an understanding of fundamental physical world concepts and laws to solve quantitative, real-world, problems. This will prepare them for further study in Physics. Students will develop their understanding of nuclear and atomic physics, mechanics, and electricity. They will learn the application of the above  via a range of practical activities, experiments and demonstrations. 

In Nuclear Physics, students will learn about the theree main types of radiation and learn an appreciation of why radiation is both beneficial and harmful. In Mechanics, students will learn about free-fall, circular motion, inertia, momentum and projectile motion. In Electricity students will learn about DC circuits, electric fields and magnetic fields. 

This course is essential for students who intend to Science, Engineering or Biomedical Science at University should take this course.

Course Overview

Term 1
In Term 1, students will start with nuclear Physics, they will learn about different types of radioactive decay and the characteristics of emitted rays and particles. They will learn to predict how the intensity of emitted decay changes with time using half lifes and learn of some practical uses of radioactivity.

In the latter part of the term, students will commence the Mechanical Systems unit. In this unit forces, and their effects on objects will be studied.
Topics include
1) kinematics of accelerating objects
2) projectile motion
3) circular motion
4) momentum and collisions/explosions
5) Torque

Term 2
In the beginning part of the term, students will conclude the Mechanical Systems unit started in Term 1.

After finishing Mechanical Systems. The student will undertake a practical investigation. In this unit, students will investigate a non-linear Physics relationship and empirically derive a Physics formula and compare it the expected theory

Term 3
In this term, students will learn about Electrical systems

Topics include

1) Static electricity
2) DC electricity
3) Electromagnetism

Term 4
Term 4 will be spent preparing for the NCEA external examinations

Recommended Prior Learning

It is recommended that students have taken 1SGEN - Science General and were confident in Level 1 Mechanics and Level 1 Algebra.

This course is numeracy rich and requires students to solve algebraic equations. We recommend that students are also taking Mathematics with Algebra.

Pathway

Career Pathways

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

This course is approved for University Entrance.

Total Credits Available: 22
Internal Assessed Credits: 6
External Assessed Credits: 16
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91169 v2
NZQA Info

Physics 2.2 - Demonstrate understanding of physics relevant to a selected context


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91170 v2
NZQA Info

Physics 2.3 - Demonstrate understanding of waves


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91171 v2
NZQA Info

Physics 2.4 - Demonstrate understanding of mechanics


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 6
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91172 v2
NZQA Info

Physics 2.5 - Demonstrate understanding of atomic and nuclear physics


Level: 2
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91173 v2
NZQA Info

Physics 2.6 - Demonstrate understanding of electricity and electromagnetism


Level: 2
Internal or External: External
Credits: 6
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 22
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0
Total Numeracy Credits: 0