1. Welcome to IB Physics Where time must be your friend

2. What is International Baccalaureate - Physics? Physics is the most fundamental and exciting of the experimental sciences in that it seeks to explain the basic features of the natural world. Physics is the most fundamental and exciting of the experimental sciences in that it seeks to explain the basic features of the natural world. Our description of the workings of the Universe is based upon laws of physics, which are tested by their agreement with objective reality through experiment. Our description of the workings of the Universe is based upon laws of physics, which are tested by their agreement with objective reality through experiment. Due attention is also given to the Social and Historical aspects of Physics. Due attention is also given to the Social and Historical aspects of Physics.

3. The Core The compulsory core subjects for both Higher Level and Standard Level are The compulsory core subjects for both Higher Level and Standard Level are mechanics, mechanics, waves and light, waves and light, electricity and magnetism, electricity and magnetism, atomic and nuclear physics. atomic and nuclear physics. Both levels have to choose two optional topics. Both levels have to choose two optional topics.

4. Standard Level: Physics SL gives a general coverage of important topics in physics. Physics SL gives a general coverage of important topics in physics. In addition to the common core subjects two optional topics must be chosen among the following: In addition to the common core subjects two optional topics must be chosen among the following: an extension of mechanics, an extension of mechanics, an extension of atomic and nuclear physics, an extension of atomic and nuclear physics, an extension of energy, an extension of energy, Biomedical physics, Biomedical physics, historical physics, historical physics, astrophysics, astrophysics, special and general relativity, special and general relativity, and optics. and optics.

5. Higher Level: This is tough! Physics HL covers the core subjects in more depth and a number of additional subjects are studied. Physics HL covers the core subjects in more depth and a number of additional subjects are studied. Two options among the following must be chosen: Two options among the following must be chosen: Biomedical physics, Biomedical physics, historical physics, historical physics, astrophysics, astrophysics, special and general relativity, special and general relativity, and optics. and optics.

6. Physics is an experimental science: At both levels the subjects have both theoretical and experimental aspects. At both levels the subjects have both theoretical and experimental aspects. The theoretical aspects are treated through the solution of problems and data analysis of examples from a broad range of problems in physics. The theoretical aspects are treated through the solution of problems and data analysis of examples from a broad range of problems in physics. Around 25% of the teaching time is devoted to experimental work. Around 25% of the teaching time is devoted to experimental work. The experiments - with a portfolio of investigations - are carried out by the students mostly in the school laboratories. The experiments - with a portfolio of investigations - are carried out by the students mostly in the school laboratories. The practical program includes the common Group 4 project. The practical program includes the common Group 4 project.

7. What will I learn? The subject core introduces such topics as: The subject core introduces such topics as: Mechanics Mechanics Thermal physics Thermal physics Waves Waves Electricity and magnetism Electricity and magnetism Atomic and Nuclear Physics Atomic and Nuclear Physics

8. What skills will I develop? Communication skills - describing concepts and ideas and presenting information Communication skills - describing concepts and ideas and presenting information Problem solving skills - applying mathematical skills and the laws of Physics to solve quantitative problems, Designing experiments to test hypotheses Problem solving skills - applying mathematical skills and the laws of Physics to solve quantitative problems, Designing experiments to test hypotheses Analytical skills - determining the true meaning behind sets of data Analytical skills - determining the true meaning behind sets of data Experimental skills - using and manipulating equipment to make accurate and repeatable measurements Experimental skills - using and manipulating equipment to make accurate and repeatable measurements IT skills - word processing reports, research using the Internet, using spreadsheets to analyse and present data IT skills - word processing reports, research using the Internet, using spreadsheets to analyse and present data

9. How will I be assessed? The course is assessed through a combination of written papers and practical coursework. The course is assessed through a combination of written papers and practical coursework. For both levels the written exam counts 75% of the final mark, For both levels the written exam counts 75% of the final mark, the remaining 25% is given as an internal assessment for the experimental work done over the two years. the remaining 25% is given as an internal assessment for the experimental work done over the two years.

10. Practical Assessment We will talk at length about how to present your practical reports. We will talk at length about how to present your practical reports. It is important that you follow the correct procedures in constructing, reporting and presenting your reports. It is important that you follow the correct procedures in constructing, reporting and presenting your reports. Remember that some of your reports will make up 25% of your final assessment! Remember that some of your reports will make up 25% of your final assessment!

11. Exam Assessment Standard Level: Standard Level: A written test in three parts (a total of 3 hours). A written test in three parts (a total of 3 hours). Paper 1 is a multiple choice test, Paper 1 is a multiple choice test, paper 2 consists of questions in the core subjects paper 2 consists of questions in the core subjects paper 3 consists of short answer questions in each of the three options studied. paper 3 consists of short answer questions in each of the three options studied.

12. Higher Level: Higher Level: A written test in three parts (a total of 4 1/2 hours). A written test in three parts (a total of 4 1/2 hours). Paper 1 is a multiple choice test, Paper 1 is a multiple choice test, paper 2 consists of in-depth questions in the core subjects, paper 2 consists of in-depth questions in the core subjects, paper 3 consists of short-answer questions in each of the two options studied. paper 3 consists of short-answer questions in each of the two options studied.