A lot of school students consider physics a difficult subject and many of them are indecisive about taking it up at high school. Indeed, physics require a good knowledge of maths, developed analytical abilities, as well as a good memory to remember formulas.
However, studying NCEA physics can be very beneficial for students. As they advance in their studies year by year, they will gain a deeper understanding of this science. It will help them better understand the world they live in and offer excellent opportunities for future studies.
As physics covers very diverse topics and analyses such different phenomena as electricity, heating, movement through space, atomic structure and many others, you can apply your skills to a lot of areas. For example, a bachelor's or a graduate degree in physics can be of great help if you want to work in engineering, astronomy, nanotechnology, teaching, etc. These are interesting but also complex fields always in need of good specialists.
Given these reasons, physics attracts a lot of students in New Zealand despite its difficulty. What's more, there are a lot of resources that can help you improve your understanding of that science while having fun.
So, let's find out what physics is about and where students get help with this science in New Zealand.
Learning physics in Auckland can open up great career opportunities.
What a physics student can learn
Physics is a very old science. It first appeared more than two thousand years ago. Since then, it has evolved a lot, developing its own approach and methods. Nowadays, there are several branches of physics, each of which specialises in a particular kind of natural phenomena.
Let's have a look at the most important physics fields that you will explore in your lessons:
- Optics has light for its main subject, which is a familiar topics to a most people. For example, one of the phenomena it focuses on is colours and studying them can be very motivating.
- Electromagnetism sounds like a complex term but, in reality, most of us deal with its subject, electricity, on a daily basis. Once you've finished your course, you will know more about its nature and how it can be used for practical purposes.
- Relativity is based on Albert Einstein's theory of relativity. Among others, it asserts that all phenomena should be studied within a frame of reference. For example, a moving car changes its position with respect to the street but not the passengers that it carries.
- Thermodynamics studies temperature, its influence on matter and resulting reactions. For instance, boiling and freezing of substances are topics of thermodynamics.
- Acoustics focuses on sounds and studying it can be very useful for those interested in music.
- Quantum physics deals with matter and energy at the fundamental level. Its discoveries are of great importance and are largely used by other fields of study and sciences, including chemistry and biology.
- Mechanics is about motion. Some mechanical concepts are the notions of speed or acceleration. There is a great variety of processes that fall into the area of mechanics and can be analysed with its help.
These are just some branches of physics that students usually study at school and can focus on later, at the level of NCEA or even university. As you can see, physics covers really a lot of topics, so everyone can find something interesting for themselves.
A lot of students in Wellington choose physics as their NCEA subject.
School physics course
Given how important physics is, students begin to learn this science quite early in school. Their science lessons at first include fundamental physics concepts, as well as simple problems. They are also an excellent opportunity for students to become aware of the connections between physics, chemistry, biology and other natural sciences.
Students can find out what various scientific subjects are about, familiarise themselves with the scientific method and decide on what area they'd like to specialise in in the future.
When school students start year 11 of their education, they need to select their NCEA subjects, which they will study in more detail. At this point, the physics course gets more complex, involving new maths formulas and theoretical concepts.
NCEA standards require a good understanding of the topics being studied. They are equally expected to apply the methods they've learnt to new kinds of problems.
You can do a university degree in physics in Christchurch.
Many students find NCEA-level physics challenging, so it is normal to have questions at this stage. In many cases, they can be answered by the school tutor, but if this is not enough, students can also contact private NCEA tutors. There are a lot of excellent tutors in Auckland, Wellington and other cities in New Zealand who can offer engaging lessons to students.
Are university physics courses tough?
After studying science at the level of NCEA it is logical for students to continue their education at university. However, a lot of people may wonder if university science courses are not too difficult?
On the one hand, university programs include more specialised courses than at school. Year by year, students focus on narrower areas and more challenging issues.
On the other hand, students are also better prepared. After completing the NCEA physics course, they usually feel comfortable with the basic concepts, master different research methods and better understand what scientific thinking is about.
Additionally, university tutors normally teach the subjects they specialise in. This means that they can offer explanations on the most complex issues and also suggest reading recommendations for those especially interested in the subject.
New Zealand has a lot of great universities offering degree programmes in physics, including the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury and many others. And if you need additional help, there are a lot of excellent online resources to supplement your courses.
You can find an excellent physics tutor in Manukau City.
Improve your level of physics online
The best approach to learning a subject successfully is to find a fun way to revise it. Even though not all students find physics particularly enjoyable, it is possible to make the learning process more engaging for you. A great tool for that is online apps.
This can be of great help for any students thanks to the clear explanations and the playful training exercises they offer. Here are some examples of good applications for NCEA students and physics enthusiasts in general.
- Pocket Physics is an accessible app that will clarify the main sections of your course and train you to solve all kinds of problems.
- PhysicsProf is a helpful tool to work on equations. Students simply need to input their variables and the app will do the rest to solve the problem. But that's not all. On top of offering a solution, the app will also provide you with a step-by-step description of it, so you can learn with the programme.
- Learning physics by video is a great app for those who need to catch up with their course or brush up on their knowledge. It contains detailed explanations on different topics and training exercises.
These are just a few apps that will make understanding physics easier for you. Try to use them regularly for some time and your level will quickly improve.
Classes with physics tutors
When we deal with challenging subjects like physics, it is completely normal to have questions. The surest way to get all the answers you need is to contact a private tutor.
The biggest advantage of private tutoring classes is that you can get exactly the help you need and focus on the relevant topics and problems for you. Private tutors will identify your weak points, clarify maths formulas and prepare you for particular exams or NCEA standards.
In addition to their effectiveness, you can organise private lessons quite easily. You can communicate directly with your tutor to study when it's convenient for you. You can combine your personal classes with school or university to achieve the best academic results.
Superprof will help you find the perfect tutor
Private tuition can be very effective but to start their classes, students first need to meet an experienced tutor. The best way to do that is Superprof
On our website, you can view the profiles of numerous tutors from Auckland, Wellington or elsewhere in New Zealand. You can filter them by location, price, subject and other criteria and get all the necessary information about each tutor's classes from their profile.
Superprof will help you find a great physics tutor in Hamilton. And here for Tauranga physics tutors.
Whether you need a hand with physics, maths, biology chemistry or any other NCEA subject, Superprof is the tool that will help you move forward quickly and with fun.
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