When it comes to choosing their NCEA subjects, a lot of students think that physics is too difficult. To learn this science, they need a good level of maths, developed analytical skills and knowledge of other related subjects, like chemistry and biology. This can dishearten many of us.
However, physics is also one of the most useful school subjects. This science covers a great variety of topics, can serve in our professional life and even apply to everyday situations. For example, such phenomena, as electricity, heating or boiling that most school students know from their everyday experience can be explained with the help of physics.
As a result, physics can be a very advantageous NCEA discipline. Students can deepen their knowledge at school from year 11 onwards and then study science at the university level. This can open up great job opportunities for them in New Zealand or even abroad.
Additionally, as they advance in their education students often realise that physics is not such an impossible subject to learn. With time, their understanding of the basic concepts improve and they become able to handle them with ease to deal with the issues they like the most.
There are a lot of opportunities for students to learn physics in New Zealand.
If the benefits physics can bring seem attractive to you, let's find out what this discipline is about in more detail and have a look at the options you have to learn it in Hamilton.
Branches of physics students can master
Physics is usually defined as the science that analyses matter and the interactions of its constituents. However, this is a large definition that may be confusing for beginners.
Another way to describe the science is to look at its main branches and identify the main groups of phenomena it deals with. This is the approach we will turn to.
Here are the seven most important fields of study that physics students can explore at school and university:
- Optics is a branch of physics that can speak to a lot of students because its main subject is light. Students experience related phenomena, such as colours, daily, so learning more about them can be very motivating.
- Electromagnetism can look like a complex term but, in reality, its main subject, electricity, is well known to most school students. Upon finishing their course, they will understand the nature of this phenomenon that plays a crucial role in our lives.
- Relativity is a branch mainly based on Albert Einstein's relativity theory. One of its main assertions is that all phenomena should be analysed within a frame of reference. For example, a moving train changes its position with respect to the train station but not the passengers that are inside it.
- Thermodynamics is about temperature and the different reactions that result from it. For instance, thermodynamics can help you understand the boiling and freezing of substances.
- Acoustics deals with sounds and can be an especially important area for those interested in music.
- Quantum physics studies matter and energy at the fundamental level and is crucial for understanding many other fields of study and sciences, including chemistry and biology.
- Mechanics focuses on motion and related concepts, like speed or acceleration. Whenever we drive a car or even simply walk, we become participants in mechanical processes.
As you can see, physics deals with quite diverse topics, which means that students can easily find an interesting area to specialise in. But what is the best way to learn physics?
Learning physics in Auckland can open up great career opportunities.
Studying physics at school
Most students in New Zealand start specialising in physics in year 11, corresponding to the first level of NCEA. However, this is not when their first encounter with the science takes place. In reality, numerous physics theories and concepts are included in the school Science curriculum and students gradually discover them throughout their first ten years of school education.
Science lessons are important for several reasons. They are a good opportunity for school students to understand what science is in general and get a general vision of it, taking into account other disciplines, like chemistry and biology.
School science lessons can also be a good opportunity to master the basic notions and formulas that they will use in their NCEA course and even later.
Finally, the school science tutor can help the student to brush up on their maths skills and learn to use them in application to science.
Students having good results in science before year 11 usually continue learning the subject successfully and have more chances to gain university scholarships for further education.
If a student doesn't feel comfortable with some topic in year 10, this can be the right moment to look for additional help from a personal tutor to avoid any problems later on.
A lot of students in Wellington choose physics as their NCEA subject.
Studying physics at the University of Waikato
An excellent option to continue learning physics after NCEA is to enrol in the Bachelor of Science at the University of Waikato in Hamilton. You will be able to choose among various majors, including Environmental Sciences, Data Analytics or Materials and Processing. Most bachelor's degrees at the university require knowledge of another science, like chemistry or biology, but it can still be a great opportunity to apply your physics skills.
An alternative possibility for students from Hamilton is to move to Auckland for their university studies. The University of Auckland offers an excellent choice of physics-related majors as well as various scholarships to study science.
Once they have got a Bachelor's degree, students will have a lot of opportunities in different companies and organisations all across New Zealand or can continue their education at the postgraduate level.
Both the University of Waikato and the University of Auckland offer master's degrees and PhD programmes in physics that can be a great starting point for a scientific career.
Learning physics online
If you find that your physics lessons at school are not enough to keep up with the course, the Internet can come to your help. It is full of useful resources for school students providing supplementary explanations and entertaining exercises.
If a student looks for the answer to a particular question, they may try physics forums. They will get help from different people, like senior university students, tutors or professional physicians, and compare several points of view.
Another useful online resource for physics learners is applications. There are numerous physics apps that can provide you with explanations on various topics, helpful exercises, formulas and even step-by-step solutions to problems. Some of them are:
- Pocket Physics that can be a good pick to brush up on your general knowledge of physics;
- PhysicsProf that will help you deal with different kinds of exercises;
- Monster Physics is an excellent resource to learn physics playfully.
These are just some examples of applications for physics learners but you can certainly find many more of them. You'll discover a completely new way to revise your lessons and improve your knowledge while having a lot of fun.
Classes with physics tutors
When we learn such a challenging subject like physics, it is absolutely normal to have questions. If your school books and online resources are not helpful enough, the surest way to get all the answers you need is to contact a private tutor.
You can do a university degree in physics in Christchurch.
The main difference of private tutoring classes is that the student is provided with tailored help and can focus on the topics and problems they need most. Private tutors will identify their weak points, draw their attention to important formulas and help them develop the particular skills needed for NCEA physics.
Additionally, tutoring lessons aren't only very effective but also easy to organise. You can discuss the time and place of each meeting directly with your tutor and study when you have time and energy.
An especially good solution can be to take tutoring lessons online. You will not be limited to Hamilton anymore but can contact tutors from Auckland, Wellington and other cities to take helpful classes without even having to leave your home.
Meet the right physics tutor for you on Superprof
To make the most of your physics classes, you will need a tutor who would exactly understand your needs. But where to find the right person? The simple solution for that is Superprof.
On our website, you can search for tutors by location and subject, get information about their lessons, read other students' reviews and contact the tutors via chat to discuss details.
On top of that, most of our tutors offer their first class for free, so you can try out their methods and make sure they work for you.
You can find an excellent physics tutor in Manukau City. And here for Tauranga physics tutors.
Finding a good teacher on Superprof is very easy, so you can start improving your level of physics whenever you feel like it.
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