ORELA Physics (NT308) study guide
ORELA Physics (NT308) · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Physics (NT308) is one of the National Evaluation Series™ tests listed within the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) program, the assessment system Oregon uses for educator licensure. On the ORELA test table it appears as "Physics (for testing through 8/31/2027)," a qualifier that flags a scheduled end point for this listing; a second, unqualified "Physics" entry (NT323) appears beside it. The ORELA Physics (NT308) study guide has 6 sections and about 2,118 words.
01Nature of Science
The Nature of Science domain tests how physics knowledge is built and measured: SI units and dimensional analysis, uncertainty and significant figures, experimental design, and the historical transitions from Galileo and Newton to Einstein. Expect items on distinguishing models from reality, evaluating claims, and interpreting graphs.
348 words, about 2 min02Mechanics
Mechanics covers kinematics graphs, Newton's three laws, friction, circular motion, work-energy, impulse-momentum, and rotation (torque, moment of inertia, angular momentum). The exam favors multi-step problems where choosing a conservation law or drawing a free-body diagram is the key decision.
351 words, about 2 min03Thermodynamics and Properties of Matter
This domain tests heat versus temperature, calorimetry, the first and second laws, ideal-gas behavior, kinetic theory, thermal expansion, and phase changes. Items often combine a graph, such as a heating curve or PV diagram, with a calculation.
360 words, about 2 min04Waves and Optics
Waves and Optics covers wave properties, superposition, standing waves, sound, the Doppler effect, reflection and refraction, lenses and mirrors, and interference and diffraction. Ray diagrams and sign conventions matter as much as formulas.
346 words, about 2 min05Electricity and Magnetism
This domain spans electrostatics, DC circuits, magnetism, and electromagnetic induction. Expect Coulomb's law, field and potential, series and parallel networks, Kirchhoff's rules, forces on moving charges and wires, and Faraday and Lenz reasoning.
360 words, about 2 min06Modern Physics
Modern Physics covers quantization, the photoelectric effect, atomic spectra and the Bohr model, de Broglie waves, nuclear decay and binding energy, and special relativity. Items test both conceptual distinctions and short calculations.
353 words, about 2 min