OAE Physics (035) study plan

Derive and apply Newton's three laws to free-body diagrams for blocks, inclines, pulleys, and connected masses

Construct and solve equations of motion for constant-acceleration kinematics in one and two dimensions, including projectile motion

Distinguish static from kinetic friction and compute frictional forces on horizontal and inclined surfaces

Set up and solve circular-motion problems using centripetal force and identify the real force supplying it

Apply work-energy theorem and conservation of mechanical energy to systems with friction and springs

Compute impulse and momentum change, and solve one- and two-dimensional collision problems using conservation of momentum

Analyze rotational motion using torque, moment of inertia, and angular momentum conservation

Apply static equilibrium conditions (net force and net torque zero) to beams, ladders, and hanging signs

Solve simple harmonic motion problems for mass-spring and pendulum systems, relating period to system parameters

Apply Coulomb's law to multi-charge configurations, resolving forces as vectors

Calculate electric field and potential from point charges and simple symmetric charge distributions, and relate field to potential gradient

Analyze DC circuits with series and parallel resistors using Ohm's law and Kirchhoff's rules

Compute equivalent capacitance and analyze RC charging and discharging behavior qualitatively and quantitatively

Apply the right-hand rule to determine magnetic force direction on moving charges and current-carrying wires, and compute magnitudes

Use Faraday's and Lenz's laws to predict induced current direction and magnitude in changing-flux situations

Apply the first law of thermodynamics to identify sign conventions for work, heat, and internal energy in processes

Distinguish isothermal, adiabatic, isobaric, and isochoric processes and compute quantities for each

Apply the second law of thermodynamics and compute Carnot and real heat-engine efficiencies

Solve calorimetry and phase-change problems using specific heat and latent heat

Relate temperature, pressure, and volume using the ideal gas law and kinetic theory assumptions

Trace energy transformations in mechanical, thermal, and electrical systems and compute overall efficiency

Interpret entropy changes qualitatively to judge whether a process is spontaneous

Apply wave relationships (speed, frequency, wavelength, period) to string, sound, and general media problems

Analyze reflection, refraction, and total internal reflection using Snell's law and index of refraction

Construct ray diagrams for converging and diverging lenses and mirrors, and compute image position and magnification with the thin-lens and mirror equations

Analyze two-source interference and single-slit diffraction using path-difference and slit conditions

Apply the photoelectric effect and photon energy relations to connect wave and particle models of light

Apply special relativity to compute time dilation, length contraction, and relativistic energy for given speeds

Describe radioactive decay modes and compute half-life and activity problems

Explain the Bohr model and compute energy-level transitions and emitted photon wavelengths

Identify components of experimental design (variables, controls, sources of error) in physics investigations

Distinguish scientific hypotheses, theories, and laws, and evaluate claims for falsifiability and evidence quality

Take two full-length timed practice exams under test conditions and record per-domain accuracy

Re-teach your three weakest sub-topics from scratch using your own notes, without referring to a textbook

Reproduce all formula sheets from memory within 15 minutes each

Review every missed item from the diagnostic and practice exams and classify each error as conceptual, computational, or misreading