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Course Outline Physics

The document provides a course outline for the IB Physics Diploma Programme at Katedralskolan Skara. It offers a general description of physics and outlines the core topics covered at both Standard Level and Higher Level, including additional Higher Level topics and optional topics. It describes the internal and external assessment components and breakdown of teaching hours between core, additional, and optional material for both Standard Level and Higher Level. Recommended course materials and the teacher's contact information are also provided.

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229 views4 pages

Course Outline Physics

The document provides a course outline for the IB Physics Diploma Programme at Katedralskolan Skara. It offers a general description of physics and outlines the core topics covered at both Standard Level and Higher Level, including additional Higher Level topics and optional topics. It describes the internal and external assessment components and breakdown of teaching hours between core, additional, and optional material for both Standard Level and Higher Level. Recommended course materials and the teacher's contact information are also provided.

Uploaded by

vimal
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Katedralskolan Skara

IB Diploma Programme

Physics course outline (first exam 2016) both Standard


and Additional Higher Level (SL and AHL)

General course description


Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences, as it seeks to explain the
universe itself from the very smallest particlescurrently accepted as quarks, which may be
truly fundamentalto the vast distances between galaxies.1 It is a truly all-encompassing
subject that can appeal too many and provide a both a deep philosophy of thought and a
practical description of the world around us. It is a gateway into many areas of study and/or
career paths; architecture, space exploration, engineering, medicine, telecommunications,
nanotechnology and climate science to name just a few. For more inspirational careers have
a look at physics.org.

The Diploma Programme physics course includes the essential principles of the subject, such
as; Measurements and uncertainties, Mechanics, Thermal physics, Waves, Electricity and
magnetism, Circular motion and gravitation, Atomic, nuclear and particle physics, Energy
production. Higher level students will also cover some aspects in further depth; Wave
phenomena, Fields, Electromagnetic induction, Quantum and nuclear physics. Additionally
one option shall be covered.

The course is available at both SL and HL, and therefore accommodates students who wish
to study physics as their major subject in higher education and those who do not.

Topics /core/options
Recommended
teaching hours
Core SL HL
1. Measurements and uncertainties 5 5
2. Mechanics 22 22
3. Thermal physics 11 11
4. Waves 15 15
5. Electricity and magnetism 15 15
6. Circular motion and gravitation 5 5
7. Atomic, nuclear and particle physics 14 14
8. Energy production 8 8

1
IB Physics Guide (First Exams 2016)
Katedralskolan Skara
IB Diploma Programme

Additional higher level (AHL) 60


9. Wave phenomena 17
10. Fields 11
11. Electromagnetic induction 16
12. Quantum and nuclear physics 16

Option only one is studied* 15 25


A. Relativity
B. Engineering physics
C. Imaging
D. Astrophysics

Practical scheme of work 40 60


Practical activities 20 40
Individual investigation (internal assessment
10 10
IA)
Group 4 project 10 10
Total teaching hours 150 240
2

*One option out of four is studied. The option studied will be decided by the teacher together
with the students and can change between different classes and years.

The time spent on the different topics is presented below:


SL = core + option + practical scheme of work = 95 + 15 + 40 = 150 hours
HL = core + AHL + option + practical scheme of work = 95 + 60 + 25 + 60 = 240 hours

Methods
A variety of methods are used in our Physics classes, both theoretical and practical. Concepts
and ideas are introduced theoretically and then explored and deepened through practical
investigations or research (Simulations and databases are utilised as learning aids). Scientific
methods are promoted and encouraged, students will be expected to create their own
hypotheses, research questions and predictions. The application of data analysis tools is an
essential skill that will be developed throughout the course as is a critical evaluation of the
processes used and results collected.

2
IB Physics Guide (First Exams 2016)
Katedralskolan Skara
IB Diploma Programme

Link to the core


The links between science and TOK are not only great in number but also incredibly
engaging. Stimulating discussions about what science actually is and what, if any, constraints
should be placed on the pursuit of knowledge in these disciplines are considered in multiple
scenarios. It also provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the methodologies of
science, and how these compare to the methodologies of other areas of knowledge. During
the course attention will be drawn to knowledge questions arising from the course content.
Knowledge questions are open-ended questions about knowledge such as:

How do we distinguish science from pseudoscience?

When performing experiments, what is the relationship between a scientists


expectation and their perception?

How does scientific knowledge progress?

What is the role of imagination and intuition in the sciences?

What are the similarities and differences in methods in the natural sciences and the
human sciences?

Knowledge questions from IB Physics Guide (First Exams 2016)

Assessment

Internal:
The internal assessment (10 hours) is a compulsory part of the course. Students are required
to design their own scientific investigation, which they will then carry out. It should then be
presented as a laboratory report including their own evaluation of the investigation. This is an
individual piece of work, internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the
IB at the end of the course. It constitutes 20% of the final grade.

There is also the group 4 project (10 hours) which is the same for all group 4 subjects. The
group 4 project is an activity where the students learn to interact with other people and to
solve problems together in a group to come up with solutions to given problems.
Katedralskolan Skara
IB Diploma Programme

External:
External assessment detailsSL
Paper 1 Duration: 3/4 hour Weighting: 20% Marks: 30
30 multiple-choice questions on core, about 15 of which are common with HL
Paper 2 Duration: 1 hours Weighting: 40% Marks: 50
Short-answer and extended-response questions on core material.
Paper 3 Duration: 1 hour Weighting: 20% Marks: 35
This paper will have questions on core and SL option material.

External assessment detailsHL


Paper 1 Duration: 1 hour Weighting: 20% Marks: 40
40 multiple-choice questions on core & AHL, about 15 of which are common
with SL.
Paper 2 Duration: 2 hours Weighting: 36% Marks: 95
Short-answer and extended-response questions on the core and AHL material.
Paper 3 Duration: 1 hours Weighting: 24% Marks: 45
This paper will have questions on core, AHL and option material.

Course material/Textbook

Chris Hamper & Keith Ord: Physics - developed specifically for the IB Diploma
(2009). Pearson Education Limited

Teacher and email

Teacher: Thomas Woodgate email: [email protected]

Further information

Link to Diploma Programme Curriculum briefs

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