Course Outline

Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences, as it seeks to explain the universe itself, from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies. Despite the exciting and extraordinary development of ideas throughout the history of physics, observations remain essential to the very core of the subject. Models are developed to try to understand observations, and these themselves can become theories that attempt to explain the observations.

Besides helping us better understand the natural world, physics gives us the ability to alter our environments. This raises the issue of the impact of physics on society, the moral and ethical dilemmas, and the social, economic and environmental implications of the work of physicists. By studying physics students should become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, it is the emphasis on a practical approach through experimental work that characterises the subject.

Teachers provide students with opportunities to develop manipulative skills, design investigations, collect data, analyse results and evaluate and communicate their findings.

Course Content

Our IB Physics course takes you on a journey through the fundamental principles governing the universe. It’s divided into key areas, with some topics explored in greater depth for Higher Level (HL) students.

Here’s what you’ll cover:

A. Space, Time and Motion
Kinematics: The study of motion.

Forces and Momentum: Understanding how forces affect motion and the concept of momentum.

Work, Energy and Power: Exploring different forms of energy and how they relate to work and power.

Rigid body mechanics: (HL Only) A deeper dive into the motion of solid objects.

Galilean and special relativity: (HL Only) Concepts related to relative motion and Einstein’s theory.

B. The Particulate Nature of Matter
Thermal energy transfers: How heat moves.

Greenhouse effect: The science behind global warming.

Gas laws: Principles governing the behaviour of gases.

Thermodynamics: (All students plus additional HL content) The study of heat and its relationship to other forms of energy.

Current and circuits: Basic electricity and circuit analysis.

C. Wave Behaviour
Simple harmonic motion: (All students plus additional HL content) Oscillations and repeating movements.

Wave model: (All students plus additional HL content) Understanding how waves behave.

Wave phenomena: (All students plus additional HL content) Exploring concepts like diffraction and interference.

Standing waves and resonance: (All students plus additional HL content) Special types of waves and vibrations.

Doppler effect: (All students plus additional HL content) Changes in wave frequency (like sound from a moving car).

D. Fields
Gravitational fields: (All students plus additional HL content) The force of gravity around masses.

Electric and magnetic fields: (All students plus additional HL content) Understanding forces exerted by charges and magnets.

Motion in electromagnetic fields: (All students plus additional HL content) How charged particles move in electric and magnetic fields.

Induction: (All students plus additional HL content) How changing magnetic fields can create electric currents.

E. Nuclear and Quantum Physics
Structure of the atom: (All students plus additional HL content) The basic building blocks of matter.

Quantum physics: (All students plus additional HL content) The behaviour of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level.

Radioactive decay: (All students plus additional HL content) How unstable atoms break down.

Fission: (All students plus additional HL content) Nuclear reactions that release energy.

Fusion and stars: (All students plus additional HL content) How stars generate energy through nuclear reactions.

Course Assessment