NCEA Level 3 Physics case studies
NCEA Level 3 Physics · Put your knowledge to work in context.
NCEA Level 3 Physics is the final year of physics study within New Zealand's National Certificate of Educational Achievement, administered by NZQA. It is designed for senior secondary learners who are preparing for university or tertiary study in physics, engineering or the physical sciences, and it is assessed through a mix of internal assessment and external examinations. The subject is built around Level 3 Physics achievement standards, with the externally assessed standards supported by a resource booklet (formula sheet) covering standards 91523, 91524 and 91526. Note that physics is no longer offered at Level 1; the replacement subject Physics, Earth and Space Science is available at Level 1 only, so candidates entering Level 3 physics normally come through the Level 2 physics pathway. The NCEA Level 3 Physics case studies are 5 cases and about 3,312 words.
1Vertical loop: contact, normal force, and mass
An amusement park engineer is checking a vertical loop on a new coaster. The car and riders have a combined mass of 420 kg, and the loop has radius 8.5 m.
666 words, about 3 min2Car headlights dimming: internal resistance and a non-ohmic filament
A student is asked why a car’s headlights dim when the starter motor is switched on. The battery has emf 12.0 V and internal resistance 0.050 Ω.
632 words, about 3 min3Resonance tube: end correction and temperature shift
A student measures the speed of sound using a resonance tube closed at one end by a water surface. A tuning fork of unknown frequency is held above the open end.
678 words, about 3 min4Photoelectric effect: LED threshold and stopping voltage
In a photoelectric-effect demonstration, students shine LEDs onto a clean metal surface with work function 2.20 eV. The LEDs have wavelengths 470 nm, 530 nm, and 640 nm.
614 words, about 3 min5Air-track collision: momentum conservation and systematic tilt
Students use a level air track to test momentum conservation in a collision. Glider A (mass 0.250 kg) passes a light gate at 0.640 m/s and collides with glider B (mass 0.150 kg), which is initially at rest.
722 words, about 4 min