NCEA Levels 1 – 3
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Waves at the Beach
Physics — Level 1 · AS90940
State the name of the physics phenomenon when waves travel around a barrier.
You're on the right track! The question says the waves “spread out and curve around the edges.” That's a specific wave behaviour.
Here's a nudge: this word starts with D, and it happens whenever a wave passes through a gap or around a barrier. It applies to water waves, sound, and light.
Think about what your textbook calls it when waves change direction at the edge of an obstacle — not reflection, not refraction, but...?
NCEA AI Tutor
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Biology — Level 2 · AS91156
Your Notes
Study Mode
Based on your notes on cellular respiration:
Describe the role of mitochondria in cellular respiration and explain why they are referred to as the 'powerhouse of the cell.'
Mitochondria are where aerobic respiration takes place. They convert glucose and oxygen into ATP — the main energy currency. Called the 'powerhouse' because the electron transport chain on their inner membrane produces the majority of ATP.
Merit tip: Link the structure (folded inner membrane = large surface area) to the function (more space for electron transport chain = more ATP).
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Biology Level 2
Card 3 of 24How credits work
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