Level 2 Physics

Convert physical quantities between base SI units and the prefixes micro, milli, centi, kilo, and mega.

Extract the known quantities, target quantity, and relevant conditions from an NZQA-style physics question.

Select an applicable relationship from the supplied formula sheet by matching its variables to the known and target quantities.

Rearrange relationships containing products, fractions, and squared variables to isolate a target quantity.

Represent one-dimensional vector quantities using a consistent positive direction and correct signs.

Report calculated answers with an appropriate unit and a number of significant figures consistent with the question data.

Construct a short Merit-level explanation that links a physical principle to the observed result using a clear cause-and-effect chain.

Distinguish distance from displacement and speed from velocity in one-dimensional situations.

Calculate average velocity and displacement using the initial and final velocities over a time interval.

Determine velocity from the gradient of a displacement–time graph.

Determine acceleration from a change in velocity or the gradient of a velocity–time graph.

Determine displacement from the signed area under a velocity–time graph.

Use vf = vi + at to solve a constant-acceleration problem.

Use d = vit + ½at² to solve a constant-acceleration problem.

Use vf² = vi² + 2ad to solve a constant-acceleration problem that does not include time.

Apply a consistent sign convention and g = 9.8 m s⁻² to vertical free-fall calculations.

Resolve an initial velocity into horizontal and vertical components using trigonometry.

Calculate the flight time or maximum height of a projectile from its vertical motion.

Calculate a projectile’s horizontal displacement from its constant horizontal velocity.

Explain a projectile’s path by connecting constant horizontal motion with accelerated vertical motion.

Identify the inward net force that supplies centripetal acceleration in a circular-motion context.

Calculate centripetal acceleration using ac = v²/r.

Calculate centripetal force using Fc = mv²/r and predict the effect of changing speed, mass, or radius.

Draw a labelled free-body diagram showing only the forces acting on a selected object.

Calculate weight force using F = mg and assign its correct direction.

Resolve an angled force into perpendicular components using trigonometry.

Add force vectors to determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force.

Calculate acceleration from the resultant force and mass using Fnet = ma.

Calculate the torque produced by a force using its perpendicular distance from the pivot.

Solve an equilibrium problem by applying both zero resultant force and zero resultant torque.

Apply F = −kx to calculate a spring’s restoring force and explain the meaning of its direction.

Calculate one-dimensional momentum using p = mv with a consistent sign convention.

Calculate the change in momentum when an object changes speed or direction.

Calculate impulse from force and contact time using FΔt = Δp.

Determine average impact force from a given change in momentum and collision time.

Determine impulse from the signed area under a force–time graph.

Apply conservation of momentum to a one-dimensional collision or separation.

Solve a one-dimensional collision in which objects stick together or move apart after interaction.

Explain how increasing stopping time reduces impact force while producing the same momentum change.

Calculate work done by a force acting parallel to an object’s displacement using W = Fd.

Calculate an object’s kinetic energy using Ek = ½mv².

Calculate a change in gravitational potential energy using ΔEp = mgΔh.

Calculate elastic potential energy stored in a spring using Ep = ½kx².

Apply conservation of energy to determine an unknown speed, height, or spring extension.

Account for energy transferred to the surroundings in a mechanical-energy calculation.

Calculate power from work or energy transferred per unit time.

Solve an NZQA-style mechanics problem that connects at least two of force, motion, momentum, and energy.

Calculate charge, current, or time using q = It.

Calculate voltage or electrical energy using ΔE = qV.

Apply V = IR to calculate voltage, current, or resistance for a resistive component.

Draw and interpret circuit diagrams using standard symbols for cells, switches, ammeters, voltmeters, and resistors.

Calculate electrical power using P = IV.

Calculate electrical energy transferred using ΔE = Pt.

Predict how current changes when source voltage or circuit resistance changes, and justify the prediction with V = IR.

Identify series and parallel sections in a circuit diagram.

Calculate total resistance for resistors connected in series.

Calculate total resistance for resistors connected in parallel.

Apply conservation of current at a junction in a parallel circuit.

Apply the fact that series potential differences add to the source voltage.

Apply the fact that parallel branches have the same potential difference.

Solve a combined-circuit problem by finding total resistance, source current, and component voltages or currents in a valid sequence.

Predict and explain how adding or removing a resistor changes total resistance, source current, and power in a circuit.

Draw a uniform electric field and identify the direction of force on a positive test charge.

Calculate electric field strength using E = V/d.

Calculate the magnitude of the force on a charge using F = Eq.

Determine the force direction for positive and negative charges placed in an electric field.

Calculate the change in electric potential energy or work done using ΔEp = Eqd.

Determine a charged particle’s speed after electric potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.

Solve a multi-step static-electricity problem connecting voltage, field strength, force, work, and energy.

Determine the direction of magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field.

Calculate the magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor using F = BIL.

Determine the direction of magnetic force on a charged particle moving through a magnetic field.

Calculate the magnetic force on a moving charge using F = Bqv.

Explain circular motion of a charged particle by identifying magnetic force as the centripetal force.

Calculate induced voltage across a moving straight conductor using V = BvL.

Apply magnetic-force or induced-voltage relationships to an NZQA resource-based motor or generator context without relying on memorised machine parts.

Reconstruct a mechanics and electricity relationship map from memory, then correct omissions using the supplied formula sheet.

Distinguish Achievement-style calculation or description prompts from Merit-style reasoning prompts in NZQA questions.

Complete a timed, closed-book NZQA-style mechanics test covering the assessed topic range.

Classify errors from a mechanics test as concept, equation selection, algebra, sign, unit, or explanation errors and correctly redo them.

Complete a timed, closed-book NZQA-style electricity and electromagnetism test covering the assessed topic range.

Classify errors from an electricity test and correctly redo each missed question without referring to a worked answer.

Write concise Merit-level responses that connect two physics ideas in unfamiliar mechanics and electricity contexts.

Complete a final mixed exam-style test under timed conditions and use the results to select topics for focused revision.