Level 3 External Physics
Course Description
PURPOSE: This course is for students who enjoy Physics and are looking to study Physics, Science or Engineering further after leaving Heretaunga College. It will build on their understanding of key Physics topics introduced in the Level 2 Physics course.
COURSE OUTLINE: This course consists of two externally assessed standards (Mechanics and Electricity) and one internally assessed standard (Practical Investigation). This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course comprises 3 Achievement Standards. The 3 Standards are Mechanics (6 credits), Practical Investigation (4 credits) and Electricity (6 credits). All three Standards build on the knowledge developed in the Physics Level 2 Course.
The Level 3 Mechanics Standard examines motion, but the emphasis is on rotational motion, whereas in Level 2, the focus is on linear motion. We also examine topics such as Gravitation, and Satellites and Simple Harmonic Motion.
Students who typically take the Mechanics Standard will use the knowledge gained in these courses to enter Engineering/Architecture courses at a University or Polytechnic.
The Level 3 Electricity Standard examines simple D.C. Circuit Analysis and investigates the underlying physics of Capacitors and Inductors and their use in D.C Circuits. In the A.C section of the course, we study the behaviour of combinations of Inductors, Capacitors and Resistors and the phenomenon of Resonance and its use in Tuned Circuits. Like the Mechanics Standard, the Electricity standard is of use to those students who want to study electronics to a higher level in an Engineering Course at a University or Polytechnic.
The Physics Standards include a Practical Paper concerned with Experimental Physics where students conduct an experiment and analyse the data using graphs similar to that in the level 2 Physics course.
UE COURSE
Recommended Prior Learning
You have a keen interest in Physics, completed PHY202 and are also taking PHY303.
Contributions and Equipment/Stationery (Approximate)
To be advised
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
External
NZQA Info
Physics 3.1 - Carry out a practical investigation to test a physics theory relating two variables in a non-linear relationship
NZQA Info
Physics 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of mechanical systems
NZQA Info
Physics 3.6 - Demonstrate understanding of electrical systems
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 16
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.