Physics

Physicists explore the universe, with investigations on all scales, ranging from the distant stars to particles smaller than atoms. In addition to arriving at new knowledge by observation and experiment, they must also try and discover the laws that underpin this knowledge. Theories and models are then created and tested to help explain the laws. The reward is a better understanding of our physical world and the impact humans have on it.

Studying Physics will give students the chance to appreciate some of the most impressive technological endeavours undertaken, and what made them possible; from the industrial revolution to space travel and the large hadron collider. Physics can be used to predict how vehicles will perform, how satellites will orbit, how matter and energy will interact and even attempt to explain how the Universe began. There will also be the opportunity to see how physics can be applied in the fields of nuclear physics, engineering, energy production and communications.

Course content

SL and HL students both study concepts in the following syllabus components:

A Space, Time and Motion
B Particulate Nature of Matter
C Wave Behaviour
D Fields
E Quantum and Nuclear Physics

HL students study additional related material in each topic

Course outline

Grade 11

Measurement and Uncertainty
Mechanics
Energy Transfers
Thermal physics and Thermodynamics
The Wave model and wave phenomena
The doppler effect and resonance
The Greenhouse effect
Electricity and magnetism

Grade 12

Electromagnetic induction
Fields
Relativity
Atomic and particle physics
Nuclear fission
Quantum physics
Stars and fusion

Practical Physics

Both SL and HL students will develop their experimental skills through a broad range of experiments, investigations and simulations.

These skills will lead to all students completing an independent scientific investigation that forms their Internal Assessment for the course.

All students will also participate in a Collaborative Sciences Project

Skills developed

As an experimental science, students learn to make meaning of physical phenomena by investigating laws and mathematical relationships from the outcomes of experiments. Physics enables students to appreciate the validity and reliability of gathered data and experience shifts in conceptual understanding. Ultimately the subject trains students to develop their logical and discriminative faculties to solve problems and move toward posing quality questions.

Assessment

SL external assessment (3 hours) – 80%

paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes) – 36%
- - 1a Multiple-choice 1questions (25 marks)
  - 1b Data-based questions (20 marks)
paper 2 (1 hour 30 minutes) – 44%
- - short-answer and extended-response questions on standard level material (Total 50 marks)

HL external assessment (4 hours 30 minutes) – 80%

paper 1 (2 hours) – 36%
- - 1a Multiple-choice questions (40 marks)
  - 1b Data-based questions (20 marks)
paper 2 (2 hours 30 minutes) – 44%
- - short-answer and extended-response questions on standard level and additional higher level material (90 marks)

HL and SL internal assessment – 20%

Individual task - the scientific investigation of 10 hours in duration

Time allocation for practical work

Students at SL are required to spend a total of 40 hours, and students at HL 60 hours, on practical activities (excluding time spent writing up work). These times include 10 hours for the Collaborative Sciences project and 10 hours for the individual scientific investigation.

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