IB Physics Syllabus
Enhanced representation of the official content syllabus
from the IB Subject Guide.
[2014 (first
assessment 2016) spec]
SL Content Recommended
teaching hours: 150
HL Content Recommended teaching hours: +90
“…” means I was too lazy to copy the full
thing from the official IB subject guide.
I bolded
key words/phrases in the descriptions to make it easier to glance over. I also
grouped and named subunits by topic wherever appropriate (Topic column).
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# |
Topic |
Essential
Idea |
Understandings |
Applications |
Guidance |
DB Reference |
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UNIT 1: Measurements &
Uncertainties |
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1.1 |
Measurements
in Physics |
Since 1948, the
Système International d’Unités (SI) has been used
as the preferred language of science and technology across the globe and
reflects current best measurement practice. |
Fundamental
SI Units Scientific
Notation & Metric Multipliers Significant
Figures Orders
of Magnitude Estimation |
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1.2 |
Uncertainties
& Errors |
Scientists aim
towards designing experiments that can give a “true value” from their
measurements, but due to the limited precision in measuring devices, they
often quote their results with some form of uncertainty. |
Errors: Random &
Systematic Uncertainties: Absolute,
Fractional & Percentage Error
Bars Uncertainty
of Gradient & Intercepts |
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1.3 |
Vectors
& Scalars |
Some quantities have
direction and magnitude, others have magnitude only, and this understanding
is the key to correct manipulation of quantities. This sub
topic will have broad applications across multiple fields within
physics and other sciences |
Types
of Quantities: Vector & Scalar Combination
and Resolution of Vectors |
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UNIT 2: Mechanics |
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2.1 |
Motion |
Motion may be
described and analyzed by the use of graphs and
equations. |
Distance
& Displacement Speed
& Velocity Acceleration Graphs
describing motion Equations
of motion for Uniform Acceleration Projectile
Motion Fluid
Resistance & Terminal Speed |
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2.2 |
Forces |
Classical physics
requires a force to change a state of motion, as suggested by Newton in his
laws of motion. |
Objects
as Point Particles Free-body
Diagrams Translational
Equilibrium Newton’s
Laws of Motion Solid
Friction |
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2.3 |
Work
Energy & Power |
The fundamental
concept of energy lays the basis upon which much of science is built. |
Types
of Energy:
Kinetic, Gravitational potential & Elastic potential Work
Done as energy transfer Power as
Rate of energy transfer Principle
of Conservation of Energy Efficiency |
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2.4 |
Momentum
& Impulse |
Conservation of
momentum is an example of a law that is never violated. |
Newton’s
Second Law expressed in terms of rate of change of momentum Graphs: Impulse—time &
Force—time Conservation
of Linear Momentum Collisions: Elastic, Inelastic
& Explosions |
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UNIT 3: Thermal |
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3.1 |
Thermal
Concepts |
Thermal physics
deftly demonstrates the links between the macroscopic measurements essential
to many scientific models with the microscopic properties that underlie these
models. |
Molecular
Theory of solids, liquids & gases Temperature
(including Absolute Temperature) Internal
Energy Specific
Heat Capacity Phase
Change Specific
Latent Heat |
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3.2 |
Modelling
a Gas |
The properties of
ideal gases allow scientists to make predictions of the behavior of
real gases. |
Pressure Equation
of State for an idea gas Kinetic
Model of an ideal gas Mole,
Molar Mass & the Avogadro Constant Differences
between Real and Ideal Gases |
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UNIT 4: Waves |
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4.1 |
Oscillations |
A study of
oscillations underpins many areas of physics with simple harmonic motion (SHM),
a fundamental oscillation that appears in various natural phenomena. |
Simple
Harmonic Oscillations Time
Period, Frequency, Amplitude, Displacement & Phase Difference Conditions
for SHM |
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4.2 |
Travelling
Waves |
There are many forms
of waves available to be studied. A common characteristic of all travelling
waves is that they carry energy, but generally the medium through which they
travel will not be permanently disturbed. |
Travelling
Waves Wavelength,
Frequency, Period & Wave Speed Transverse
& Longitudinal waves Nature
of EM waves Nature
of Sound waves |
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4.3 |
Wave
Characteristics |
All waves can be
described by the same sets of mathematical ideas. Detailed knowledge of one
area leads to the possibility of prediction in another. |
Wavefronts
& Rays Amplitude
& Intensity Superposition Polarization |
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4.4 |
Wave
Behavior |
Waves interact with
media and each other in a number of ways that can be
unexpected and useful. |
Reflection
& Refraction Snell’s
Law, Critical Angle & Total Internal Reflection Diffraction
through a Single-slit and around objects Interference
Patterns Double-slit
interference Path
Difference |
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4.5 |
Standing
Waves |
When travelling
waves meet they can superpose to form standing waves
in which energy may not be transferred. |
Nature
of Standing Wave Boundary
Conditions Nodes
& Antinodes |
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UNIT 5: Electromagnetism |
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5.1 |
Electric
Fields |
When charges move an
electric current is created. |
Charge Electric
Field Coulomb’s
Law Electric
Current Direct
Current (DC) Potential
Difference |
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5.2 |
Heating
Effect of Electric Currents |
One of the earliest
uses for electricity was to produce light and heat.
This technology continues to have a major impact on the lives of people
around the world. |
Circuit
Diagrams Kirchoff’s
Circuit Laws Heating
effect of current and its consequences Resistance
as Ohm’s
Law Resistivity
(of material) Power
Dissipation |
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5.3 |
Electric
Cells |
Electric cells allow
us to store energy in a chemical form. |
Cells Internal
Resistance Secondary
Cells Terminal
Potential Difference Electromotive
Force (EMF) |
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5.4 |
Magnetic
Effects of Electric Currents |
The effect
scientists call magnetism arises when one charge moves in the vicinity of
another moving charge. |
Magnetic
Fields Magnetic
Force |
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UNIT 6: Circular Motion
& Gravitation |
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6.1 |
Circular
Motion |
A force applied
perpendicular to its displacement can result in circular motion. |
Period,
Frequency, Angular Displacement & Angular Velocity Centripetal
Force Centripetal
Acceleration |
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6.2 |
Newton’s
Law of Gravitation |
The Newtonian idea
of gravitational force acting between two spherical bodies and the laws of
mechanics create a model that can be used to calculate the motion of planets. |
Newton’s
Law of Gravitation Gravitational
Field Strength |
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UNIT 7: Atomic Nuclear
& Particle Physics |
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7.1 |
Discrete
Energy & Radioactivity |
In the microscopic
world energy is discrete. |
Discrete
Energy & Discrete energy Levels Transitions
between energy levels Radioactive
Decay Fundamental
Forces (and their properties) Alpha
Particles, Beta Particles & Gamma Rays Half-life Absorption
Characteristics of decay particles Isotopes Background
Radiation |
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7.2 |
Nuclear
Reactions |
Energy can be
released in nuclear decays and reactions as a result of
the relationship between mass and energy. |
Unified
Atomic Mass Unit (u) Mass
Defect & Nuclear Binding Energy Nuclear
Fission & Fusion |
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7.3 |
Structure
of Matter |
It is believed that
all the matter around us is made up of fundamental particles called quarks
and leptons. It is known that matter has a hierarchical structure with quarks
making up nucleons, nucleons making up nuclei, nuclei and electrons making up
atoms and atoms making up molecules. In this hierarchical structure, the
smallest scale is seen for quarks and leptons (10–18 m). |
Fermions:
Quarks & Leptons & their Antiparticles Hadrons:
Baryons & Mesons Conservation
Laws: Charge, Baryon Number, Lepton Number & Strangeness Nature
and Range of: Strong, Weak & EM Forces Exchange
Particles: W, Z, gluons & photons Feynman
Diagrams (Quark)
Confinement The
Higgs Boson |
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UNIT 8: Energy production |
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8.1 |
Energy
Sources |
The constant need
for new energy sources implies decisions that may have a serious effect on
the environment. The finite quantity of fossil fuels and their implication in
global warming has led to the development of alternative sources of energy.
This continues to be an area of rapidly changing technological innovation. |
Specific
Energy & Energy Density of fuels Sankey
Diagrams Primary
energy sources Electricity
as a secondary and versatile form of energy Renewable
& Non-renewable sources |
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8.2 |
Thermal
Energy Transfer |
For simplified
modelling purposes the Earth can be treated as a black-body radiator and the
atmosphere treated as a grey-body. |
Conduction,
Convection & (thermal) Radiation Black-body
Radiation Albedo
& Emissivity The
Solar Constant Greenhouse
Effect Energy
balance in the Earth surface-atmosphere system |
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AHL 9: Wave Phenomena |
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9.1 |
Simple
Harmonic Motion |
The solution of the
harmonic oscillator can be framed around the variation of kinetic and
potential energy in the system. |
The
defining equation of SHM Energy
Changes |
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9.2 |
Single-slit
Diffraction |
Single-slit
diffraction occurs when a wave is incident upon a slit of approximately the
same size as the wavelength. |
Nature
of single-slit Diffraction |
Describe
effect of slit width on diffraction pattern Determine
position of first interference minimum Describe
qualitatively single-slit diffraction patterns produced from white light /
range of monochromatic sources |
Only
rectangular slits need to be considered Diffraction
around an object does not need to be considered (it is in unit 4) Be aware
of approximate ratios of intensities of successive maxima
… |
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9.3 |
Interference |
Interference
patterns from multiple slits and thin films produce accurately repeatable
patterns. |
Young’s
Double-slit Experiment Modulation
(enveloping) of two-slit interference pattern by one-slit diffraction effect Multiple-slit / Diffraction Grating interference
patterns Thin
Film Interference |
Describe
qualitatively two-slit interference patterns, including single-slit modulation Sketch
& interpret intensity graphs of two-slit interference patterns Use the
diffraction grating equation Describe
conditions necessary for constructive and destructive interference from thin
films, including boundary phase change and effect of refraction |
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9.4 |
Resolution |
Resolution places an
absolute limit on the extent to which an optical or other system can separate
images of objects. |
Size of
a Diffracting Aperture Resolution
of simple monochromatic Two-source Systems |
Use the
Rayleigh criterion for light emitted by two sources diffracted at a single slit Resolvance
of diffraction gratings |
Proof of
the diffraction grating resolvance equation is not required |
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9.5 |
Doppler
Effect |
The Doppler effect
describes the phenomenon of wavelength/frequency shift when relative motion
occurs. |
Doppler
Effect (for sound & light waves) |
Sketch
and interpret the Doppler effect for relative motion between source and observer Describe
situations were the
Doppler effect can be utilized Use
frequency/velocity/wavelength change formulas |
For EM
wave, the approximate (non-relativistic) equation should be used for all calculations … |
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AHL 10: Fields |
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10.1 |
Describing
Fields |
Electric charges and
masses each influence the space around them and that
influence can be represented through the concept of fields. |
Fields:
Gravitational & Electrostatic Potentials:
Gravitational & Electric Field
Lines Equipotential
Surfaces |
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10.2 |
Fields
at Work |
Similar approaches
can be taken in analyzing electrical and gravitational potential problems. |
(Field)
Potential & Potential Energy Potential
Gradient (field strength) Potential
Difference Escape
Speed Orbital
Motion, Orbital Speed & Orbital (potential + kinetic) Energy Forces
and Inverse-square Law behavior |
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AHL 11: Induction |
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11.1 |
Electromagnetic
Induction |
The
majority of electricity generated throughout the world is generated by
machines that were designed to operate using the principles of
electromagnetic induction. |
Electromotive
Force (EMF) Magnetic
Flux & Flux Linkage Faraday’s
Law of Induction Lenz’s
Law |
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11.2 |
Power
Generation & Transmission |
Generation and
transmission of alternating current (ac) electricity has transformed the
world. |
Alternating
Current (AC) Generators Average
Power & Root-mean-square (RMS) values of current & voltage Transformers Diode bridges
(AC rectifiers) Half-wave
and Full-wave AC Rectification |
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11.3 |
Capacitance |
Capacitors can be
used to store electrical energy for later use. |
Capacitance Dielectric
Materials Capacitors
in Series & Parallel Resistor-capacity
(RC) series Circuits Time
Constant (τ) |
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AHL 12: Quantum &
Nuclear Physics |
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12.1 |
Interaction
with Radiation |
The microscopic
quantum world offers a range of phenomena, the interpretation and explanation
of which require new ideas and concepts not found in the classical world. |
Photons Photoelectric
Effect Matter
Waves Pair
Production & Annihilation Quantization
of angular momentum in the Bohr model for hydrogen The Wave
Function Uncertainty
Principle for Energy-Time & Position-Momentum Tunneling,
Potential Barrier & Factors affecting tunnelling probability |
Discuss
the photoelectric effect experiment and explain which features of the
experiment cannot be explained by the classical wave theory of light Solve
photoelectric problems both graphically and algebraically (formula) Discuss
experimental evidence for matter waves, including electron wave experiments State
order o magnitude estimates from the uncertainty
principle |
The
order of magnitude estimates from the uncertainty principle may include
estimates of the energy of the ground state of an atom, the impossibility of
an electron existing within a nucleus, and the lifetime of an electron in a excited energy state Tunnelling
to be treated qualitatively using the idea of continuity of wave functions |
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12.2 |
Nuclear
Physics |
The idea of
discreteness that we met in the atomic world continues to exist in the
nuclear world as well. |
Rutherford
Scattering and Nuclear Radius Nuclear
Energy Levels The
Neutrino The Law
of Radioactive Decay & Decay Constant |
Describe
a scattering experiment including location of minimum intensity for the
diffracted particles based on their de Broglie wavelength Explain
deviations from Rutherford scattering in high energy experiments |
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Option B: Engineering |
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B.1 |
Rigid
Bodies & Rotational Dynamics |
The basic laws of
mechanics have an extension when equivalent principles are applied to
rotation. Actual objects have dimensions and they
require the expansion of the point particle model to consider the possibility
of different points on an object having different states of motion and/or
different velocities. |
Torque Momentum
of Inertia Rotational
& Translational Equilibrium Angular
Acceleration Equations
of rotational motion for uniform angular acceleration Newton’s
second law applied to angular motion Conservation
of Angular Momentum |
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B.2 |
Thermodynamics |
The first law of
thermodynamics relates the change in internal energy of a system to the
energy transferred and the work done. The entropy of the universe tends to a maximum. |
First
Law of Thermodynamics Second
Law of Thermodynamics Entropy Cyclic
Processes & pV Diagrams Isovolumetric,
Isobaric, Isothermal & Adiabatic Processes Carnot
Cycle Thermal
Efficiency |
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B.3 (HL) |
Fluids
& Fluid Dynamics |
Fluids cannot be
modelled as point particles. Their distinguishable response to compression
from solids creates a set of characteristics that require an in depth study. |
Density
& Pressure Buoyancy
& Archimedes’ Principle Pascal’s
Principle Hydrostatic
Equilibrium The Idea
Fluid Streamlines The
Continuity Equation Bernoulli
Effect & Equation Stoke’s
Law & Viscosity Laminar
& Turbulent Flow & Reynold’s Number |
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B.4 (HL) |
Forced
Vibrations & Resonance |
In the real world,
damping occurs in oscillators and has implications that need to be considered |
Natural
Frequency of vibration Q Factor &
Dampening Periodic
Stimulus & Driving Frequency Resonance |
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