NCEA Level 2 Physics study plan

Convert between SI units and solve constant-acceleration problems in one and two dimensions using the kinematic equations, including horizontally launched projectiles.

Draw fully labelled free-body diagrams and resolve forces into perpendicular components for objects on inclines and for masses connected over pulleys.

Apply Newton's second law to calculate net force, mass or acceleration in situations involving friction, thrust and weight, and distinguish clearly between mass and weight.

State and apply the conditions for equilibrium, including moments about a pivot for a balanced beam.

Apply conservation of momentum to one-dimensional collisions and explosions, and classify each as elastic or inelastic using kinetic energy before and after.

Calculate work done, power output and efficiency for lifted, pushed and falling objects, including cases where friction dissipates energy.

Analyse vertical and horizontal circular motion using v = 2πr/T, a = v²/r and the resultant centripetal force, identifying which real force supplies it.

Explain, in written Merit and Excellence style, why energy or momentum is conserved in a described situation and where the energy is transferred.

Calculate equivalent resistance for series, parallel and mixed resistor networks and predict how current and voltage split across each branch.

Apply Kirchhoff's laws to multi-loop circuits, justifying each step with conservation of charge and conservation of energy.

Calculate terminal voltage and internal resistance for a real cell, and interpret the gradient and intercept of a V against I graph.

Compare the V–I characteristics of a resistor, a filament lamp and a diode, and explain each shape in terms of resistance change.

Sketch magnetic field patterns around a bar magnet, a straight current-carrying wire and a solenoid, and determine force direction with the right-hand rules.

Calculate the force on a current-carrying conductor using F = BIL and on a moving charge using F = Bqv, including situations where the field is not perpendicular to the current.

Explain electromagnetic induction in terms of changing magnetic flux, and use Lenz's law to justify the direction of the induced current.

Describe how a simple DC motor and a simple AC generator work, naming the parts and the energy conversions at each stage.

Calculate wave speed, frequency, period and wavelength using v = fλ, including cases where a wave crosses into a new medium and frequency stays fixed.

Describe and sketch reflection, refraction and diffraction, and explain diffraction in terms of wavelength compared with gap or obstacle size.

Apply Snell's law, refractive index and the critical angle formula to trace light through boundaries, and identify when total internal reflection occurs.

Analyse standing waves on strings and in open and closed pipes, identifying nodes, antinodes and the harmonic series.

Construct accurate ray diagrams for convex and concave lenses and mirrors, and state whether each image is real or virtual, upright or inverted, enlarged or diminished.

Calculate image position and magnification using 1/f = 1/do + 1/di and m = di/do, then check each answer against the ray diagram.

Describe the photoelectric effect and calculate photon energy and maximum electron kinetic energy using E = hf and E = hf − W.

Relate line emission and absorption spectra to electron energy levels, and explain why each element produces a unique set of lines.

Write balanced nuclear equations for alpha, beta-minus and gamma decay, and verify conservation of mass number and atomic number in each.

Solve half-life problems by both calculation and graphical methods, including finding the half-life from experimental activity data.

Explain mass defect and binding energy using E = mc², and compare the binding energy per nucleon of light, medium and heavy nuclei.

Compare fission and fusion in terms of energy released per event, conditions required, and one real application of each.

Re-attempt every unresolved item in the error log until each is solved correctly without notes.

Sit one full-length mock spanning all four Achievement Standards under strict timing, and mark it against all four schedules.

Rebuild the official formulae and definitions sheet from memory, then compare and relearn every gap found.

Name the five error patterns that cost the most marks across the eight weeks and write the specific checking habit that prevents each one.