Physics

Curriculum model
SL Total teaching hours 150
Theory 110
Core 80
Options 30
Practical work 40
Investigations 30
Group 4 project 10
HL Total teaching hours 240
Theory 180
Core 80
Additional higher level (AHL) 55
Options 45
Practical work 60
Investigations 50
Group 4 project 10

Through studying any of these subjects, you should aware of :
how scientists work and communicate with each other;
The “scientific method” involves the formation, testing and
modification of hypotheses through observation and
measurement;
What distinguishes the experimental sciences from other
disciplines
Physics is one of the group 4 subjects.

Aims
To apply and use a body of knowledge, methods and techniques which characterize science
Develop an ability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize scientific information
Develop experimental and investigative scientific skills

Aims
Raise awareness of the moral, ethical, social, economic and environmental implications of using science and technology
Develop an appreciation of the possibilities and limitations associated with science and scientists

You should achieve:
Demonstrate an understanding of: scientific facts and concepts, scientific methods and techniques, scientific terminology;
Apply and use: scientific facts and concepts, scientific methods and techniques, scientific terminology;

You should achieve:
Construct, analyse and evaluate: hypothesis, research questions and predictions, scientific methods and techniques, scientific explanations;
Demonstrate the personal skills of cooperation, perseverance and responsibility appropriate for effective scientific investigation and problem solving

Syllabus of Pre-IB course
Physics and physical measurements
Mechanics
Thermal physics
Electric field
Electric current
Practical work

Some physical concepts
Quantity – 1)the aspect or property of anything that can be measured, weighed, counted, etc; 2) a specified magnitude or amount;
Magnitude - a number assigned to a quantity, such as weight, and used as a basis of comparison for the measurement of similar quantities
Value - a particular magnitude, number, or amount

Some physical concepts
Unit - a standard amount of a physical quantity, such as length, mass, energy, etc., specified multiples of which are used to express magnitudes of that physical quantity
Physical phenomenon – any change in nature

Action verbs
Define – give the precise meaning of a word or phrase as concisely as possible
Draw – represent by means of pencil lines
List – give a sequence of names or other brief answers with no elaboration, each one clearly separated from the others

Action verbs
Measure – find a value for a quantity
State – give a specific name, value or other brief answer
Annotate – add brief notes to a diagram, drawing or graph
Distinguish – give the differences between two or more different items

Action verbs
Estimate – find an approximate value for an unknown quantity, based on the scientific knowledge
Identify – find an answer from a number of possibilities
Outline – give a brief account or summary

Action verbs
Deduce – reach a conclusion from the information given
Derive – manipulate a mathematical equation to give a new equation or result
Evaluate – assess the implications and limitations

Action verbs
Solve – obtain an answer using algebraic and/or numerical methods
Suggest – propose a hypothesis or other possible answer
Explain – give a clear account including causes, reasons or mechanisms

What is Physics?
- The fish is an animal (biology)
- The stone consists of granite (geology)
- The battery is a source of electric voltage (engineering)
Universal:
Some sciences study specific objects or phenomena, for example
Physics studies properties which
These have in common (universal phenomena)
The stone/ fish/battery weighs 50 g (physics)
- The stone/ fish/battery falls down because of gravity (physics)
-
The stone/ fish/battery consists of atoms (physics)

What is Physics?
Experimental:
This means that what is ultimately true is decided by experimental tests.
Mathematical:
Both experiments and theories in physics often involve mathematical descriptions and analyses.

The realm of Physics
Diameter of solar system – 1013 m
Diameter of Universe – 1026 m

Physical quantity -the aspect or property of anything that can be measured, weighed, counted, etc

Physical quantity –
is a physical property that can be quantified. This means it can be measured and/or calculated and expressed in numbers.
Example:
The value of power is written as
P = 45.3 x 103 W = 45.3 kW,
Then
P represents the physical quantity of power
45.3 x 103 is a numerical value
K is the SI prefix kilo, representing 103
W is the symbol for unit of power [P], the watt

The SI system
Fundamental (basic)

The SI of units (derived)

Note the use of the accepted SI format.
For example, the unit for acceleration is written as m s–2 and not m/s/s or m/s2.
No mathematical denominators are used but rather inverse numerators are the preferred option.
Units in accepted SI format

Prefixes
Submultiple
pico p 10-12
nano n 10-9
micro μ 10-6
milli m 10-3
Multiple
kilo k 103
Mega M 106
Giga G 109
Tera T 1012