IB Diploma

Physics

Course Outline

Scots College

2014 – 2015

IB Diploma Programme Student notes

Name of the course: - IB Physics (HL/ SL)

Course description:

Physics is a fundamental science. The main task of a physicist is to try to understand the natural world in its entirety in a ‘unified way in terms of a few principles’.

The aim of the IB Diploma programme at Scots College is to involve the students in investigating physics phenomena and understanding the concepts, principles and models explaining these phenomena.

The students will have opportunities to investigate the real world and describe it through a process of observation, measurement and interpretation of data. In the process they will learn important procedures, problem solving strategies and decision making techniques relevant to the scientific method helping making more sense of the world in which the students live as well as making them more aware of the social, ethical and environmental implications of science. This understanding leads to the ability to apply these principles to make better use of the world’s resources and raise the quality of life of all humans. The importance of knowledge acquisition, collaborative efforts, as well as individual creativity, will be stressed as students synthesize scientific information.

Students in this programme will apply information technology skills to their field of study as a means of enhancing their knowledge base as well as encouraging communication with other scientists and students internationally.

The first year (year 12) course will address most of the core material needed at both HL and SL level and some extension material that forms part of SL option. Term one of the second year (year 13) will see us completing all core material as well as the SL options. In terms two and three the SL students will be revisiting earlier topics while the HL students will complete the extension material and their options prior to formal revision.

Practical investigations, called the Practical Scheme of Work (PSOW) are an important part of the course and form the internal assessment component. Laboratory sessions are integrated into the time table. HL students are required to put in 50 hours of actual investigative work and SL students 30. Additionally there is what is termed the Group four project that takes place at the end of year one over 2 days. This activity counts as 10 hours of practical work.

The students will be examined on the theory aspects in an external examination at the end of two years. The examination will consist of three papers spanning duration of four and half hours for HL students and three and a half hours for SL students.

Course prerequisites:

The course assumes a good knowledge of level 1 physics (for HL), basic trigonometry and algebraic manipulations. Knowledge of calculus while not essential will be a definite advantage.

Course expectations and details:

The laboratory sessions and the Group 4 project form part of the internal assessment and has been described in the previous section.

Formal laboratory reports are due one calendar week following completion of the lab work. Feedback on the quality of work submitted can only be given on those reports submitted on or within this deadline and an opportunity then exists for you to make any improvements, but the final submission of any lab report must be before the next timetabled lab session.

In the case of non-submission of a report of any kind the lab hours will not count for the PSOW as the school will not be able to produce any credible proof that you have actually done the practical. This means that you must have at least your raw data processed in some way for the lab to count for your hours. In the case of an assessed situation, non-submission will attract a zero grade for the particular Lab.

These reports must be written in the established IB science format. You will be provided with an e copy of the ‘Guide to Practical Investigations and Reports’. This guide provides you with all that is necessary to obtain a respectable score in your internally assessed component. .

Text reading is expected in the chapters being discussed and will not be formally assigned. Questions important to the current topic will be assigned and expected to be completed to deadlines.

It is very important that you attend classes, and complete assignments as required. All assignments are expected to be submitted on or before the due dates. No assignment or report submitted after deadlines will be accepted unless extension of time has been obtained as per school policy guidelines.

The course outline, a brief assessment statement and the internal assessment criteria for your Practical Program of Work (PSOW) together with the course time table is given later in this document.

Course resources:

The labs have been somewhat refurbished and equipment necessary for the program is mostly ready.

The library has stocks of excellent book resources to complement classroom texts.

You will also be provided with an e-copy of the ‘Data Booklet’ The data booklet provides you with all the formulae and physical constants needed by you in problem solving situations and in examinations. The formulae associated with different topics appear under the topic headings. You should familiarise yourself with its use.

You are also encouraged to visit the following web sites and try out the physics applets. These are extremely valuable aids to your full understanding the concepts that will be discussed in the classroom. The websites make extensive use of Java applets. It is unfortunate that our IT department is still unable to resolve the issue of our school network running Java applets. But these will run without any problem in your home networks.

.

PHET http://phet.colorado.edu/new/simulations/

Surendranaths: http://www.surendranath.org/Applets.html

Hong Kong Physics Teacher Site:

http://www.ngsir.netfirms.com/englishVersion.htm

NZIP year 12 applet page: http://nzip.rsnz.org/es/applets/index.htm

Lectures Online: http://lectureonline.cl.msu.edu/~mmp/applist/applets.htm

Explore Learning: http://www.explorelearning.com/

Colorado Uni: http://www.colorado.edu/physics/2000/TOC.html

Walter Fendt’s: http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/

Florida State Uni – List of Light Javas:

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionhome.html

Florida State Uni – List of E-M Javas:

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/index.html

NZ Government Study Site http://www.studyit.org.nz

NZ Government Site for NCEA material – standards,

old exams, etc

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/assessment/ach/index.html

Salford Uni: Wave material: http://www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/feschools/waves/contents.htm

McGraw Hill Textbook (US) applets:

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0070524076/student_view0/interactives.html

Your Equipment & Resources

Laptop or a note book –

It is mandatory that you have a wifi enabled notebook or laptop. Your texts and guides will be in e form. Your reports will for the most part be word processed and the Labs will make use of data loggers and logger pro graphing and analysis tools.

Graphics Calculator

The calculator used by you in the math programme will suit.

Notebooks

You may use A4 refill for taking down notes that are then neatly filed in a folder with tab dividers.

Class exercises and homework may also be done on refill sheets that are later filed for future reference.

It is however recommended that you use a hard cover exercise book for note keeping.

A 4B1 book for Lab work – This is to be used for recording information about a lab session including taking readings on the fly, recording observations, equipment details, rough sketching etc.

Miscellaneous

Clear plastic ruler, compass, protractor, selection of pens and pencils

A clear file folder (>20 pgs) for storing your practical work reports.

A supply of 2mm graph paper.

The course workbook

The college will purchase licence for the Kerboodle programme that supports the Text (Physics IB Course Companion). This will be used mainly as a homework and revision resource.

The course text

You will be provided with the Oxford Course Companion text.

Additionally you will also have access to a collection of texts and publications as outlined below. These are in the IB physics section of the library as well as the in the classroom shelf.

Resource Name Author(s) Availability

Physics for the IB Diploma SL/HL

K A Tsokos (Cambridge) KAT (3 copies)

Standard Level Physics** Chis Hamper & Keith Ord (Heinemann Baccaaureate)

CH(3 copies)

Physics(3rd Edition)** Gregg Kerr & Paul Ruth (IBID press)

KKR (2 copies)

IB Course Companion Tim Kirk & Neil Hodgeson TK&G (2 copies)

Physics IB Study Guide** Tim Kirk (Oxford) TK (2 copies)

Advanced Physics** Patrick Fullick Fullick (20 copies)

Advanced Level Physics**

Nelson & Parker N & P (10 Copies)

Final Note

Any student considering the NCEA scholarship in physics in addition to IB will need to do additional independent work. This will also apply to students who are also considering level 3 physics.

Scheme Outline

2014 Year 1 of programme (also indicates the proposed teaching order)

Approximate periods Term and Week no

T/W SL HL diff

Topic 1 Realm of Physics

1. Range of magnitudes /estimation/units 2. Measurement & uncertainties 3. Vectors & scalars

1/ 1-4

10

10

0

Topic 2 Mechanics,

4. Kinematics 5. Forces & dynamics 6. Work, Power & Energy 7. Uniform Circular motion,

Topic 9.1 Projectiles (added here and for SL as well) End of term 1 year 1

1/ 5-9

22

22

0

Topic 4 Oscillations and waves

8. Kinematics of SHM 9. Energy changes in SHM 10. Forced oscillations & resonance 11. Wave characteristics 12. Wave properties

2/ 1-4

13

13

0

Topic 11 also option A SL

13. Standing waves 14. Doppler effect 15. Diffraction & resolution 16. Polarization

End of term 2 year 1

2/ 5 -8

15

15

0

Topic 3 Thermal Physics

17. Thermal concepts 18. Thermal properties of matter 19. Kinetic model of an ideal gas

3/ 1 - 4

9

9

0

Topic 6 Fields & forces

20. Gravitational force & field 21. Electric force & field 22. Magnetic force & field

3/ 5 - 8

9

9

0

Topic 5 Electric currents

23. Electric potential difference 24. Electric currents & resistance 25. Electric circuits

End of term 3 year 1

3/ 9

10

10 0

Topic 7 Atomic & nuclear physics

26. The atom 27. Radioactive decay 28. Nuclear reactions, fission & fusion

4 5 –7

8 -9

11 11 0

Topic 13 Quantum physics & nuclear Physics also SL option B (continue to year 2 12 pds)

29. Quantum Physics 30. Nuclear Physics 31. EOY exam 32. Group 4 project

End of term 4 and end of year

1/ 2 - 5

18 18

Total hours of teaching programmed for = 118 pds Total lab sessions 13 (app 24 hours excluding Gp 4)

It is possible that we may not get this many due to various co-curricular disruptions that occur over the year. This will be watched closely. The program may have to be accelerated with additional classes if the disruptions become significant.

Total class

Total lab

118

26

118

26

2015 Year 2 of programme

Approximate Periods Term and wk no

T/W SL HL diff

Topic 13 Quantum physics & nuclear Physics also

SL option B

33. Quantum Physics 34. Nuclear Physics

1/ 2 - 5

18 18

Topic 8 Energy, power & climate change (core)

35. Energy degradation & power generation 36. World energy sources 37. Fossil fuel & power production 38. Non fossil fuel power production 39. Greenhouse effect 40. Global warming Includes a visit to wind farm (4 hrs out of class time)

1/ 6-7

Work assignment

with sub topics

assigned for presentation and teacher led tutorials

8 periods

8 -10

0

Topic 9 Motion in fields*, (HL)

41. Gravitational field, potential & energy 42. Electric field, potential & energy 43. orbital motion

End of Term 1 year 2014

1/ 8 - 10

10 10

Topic 10 Thermal physics (HL) 44. Thermodynamics 45. Processes 46. Second law of thermodynamics & entropy

2/ 1-3

9

8

Topic 12 Electromagnetic induction*(HL) 47. Induced emfs 48. AC 49. Transmission of electric power Includes a visit to HVDC unit

2/ 4-6

8

8

Option G Electromagnetic waves*(HL option)

50. Nature of EM waves and light sources 51. Optical instruments 52. Two source interference of waves 53. Diffraction grating 54. X rays 55. Thin film interference

2/ 7-9

25

0

Option I medical Physics (HL option) 1. Ear & hearing 2. Medical imaging 3. Radiation in medicine 4. Visit – Electrical sub/ucol/hospital

3/

4 - 7

12

Time includes a visit to Hospital Radiation therapy &

oncology and the wind farm (4 + 3 hrs out of class

time)

Topic 14 Digital technology (HL)

1. Analogue & digital signals 2. Data capture and CCDs

4/ 1-3

(10) 0

whatever hours left in Term 4

1. Catch up work 2. Revision

Practical Scheme of Work (IB – 2014)

Your Labs will be a selection from below.

No Description Hrs AS no IT

1 Errors in Measurements 1.5

2 Graphing Use of software 1.5 2,3

3 Using of sensors and data loggers 2 1,2,3,

4 Vectors & torques 2

5 Torques 1.5 2,3

6 Free fall – picket fence & dropped object 2.0 1,2,3

7 Terminal velocity muffin cup 1.5 1,2,3

8 Newtons 3rd Law 0.5 1

9 Static and Dynamic Friction 2.0 1,2,3

10 SHM – Spring 2.0 1,2,3

11 Energy in SHM 2.0 1,2,3

12 Snell’s Law (Assessed DCP and CE) 1.0

13 Polarisation 1.5 1,2,3

14 Calorimeter constant and SH of Water 1.5

15 LH of Fusion (Assessed DCP and CE) 1.5

16 Rolling motion (full report) 2.0 2,3

17 Electrical field lines 1.0

18 Electrical field in a wire 1.0

19 Internal Resistance 2.0 2,3

20 Radioactive decay 1.5 5

PSOW for year 13 (IB 2015)

We need 25 hours for 2015

This will be made up made up of

HVDC - 4 hrs

Grieg - 4 hrs (hospital)

Dr O Meagan 2 hours

a Saturday visit to wind farm - 4 hours

Broken pendulum - 2 hours at start (D,DCP & CE assessed)

Stiffness of timber slat - 2 hours (D/DCP/CE)

Conductivity through a flat surface - 2 hours (D/DCP/CE

Standing waves 2 hours and diffraction /CD pits 2 hours only one fully assessed

Gravitational pull - 1 hour (data based)

Assessment Statement:

Assessment outline (SL)

Assessment component Weighting

External assessment (3 hours Nov end 2015) 76%

Paper 1 (0.75 hour)

30 multiple questions on the core (core is common to SL and HL)

20%

Paper 2 (1 hour 15 minutes)

One data based question, several short answer questions and one extended

response question(from a choice of 3)

(40 marks)

32%

Paper 3 (1 hour )

Short answer questions on the options

24%

Internal assessment

Investigations - Approximately 40 periods for investigations part and lab work

Plus a group 4 project

24%

Assessment outline (HL)

Assessment component Weighting

External assessment (4 ½ hours Nov end 2015) 76%

Paper 1 (1 hour)

40 multiple choice questions – 15 common to SL, plus 5 more on core and

about 20 more on HL material

20%

Paper 2 (2 hour 15 minutes)

One data based question and several short answer ones based on the core and

HL material and two extended response questions on core (out of a choice of

4)

36%

Paper 3 (1 hours 15 minutes)

Short answer questions and one extended response question on the options

20%

Internal assessment

As for SL documented above. But Lab work is a minimum of 60 hours actual lab

time

24%

IB DIPLOMA INTERNAL ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Page 18 of the syllabus guide states “only some of the 40/60 hours of practical work need be allocated to the practical work that is assessed using the IA criteria. This will normally be done during the later part of the course when students have become more familiar with the criteria and can be assessed in complex practical work.” ©IBO 2007

CRITERION ASPECT 1 ASPECT 2 ASPECT 3 LEVELS/ MARKS

Design

Defining the problem and selecting variables

Controlling variables Developing a method for collection of data

Formulates a focused problem / research question and identifies es the relevant variables.

Designs a method for the effective control of variables.

Develops a method that allows for the collection of sufficient relevant data.

Complete 2 for each aspect = 6

Formulates a problem/ research question that is incomplete or identifies only some relevant variables.

Designs a method that makes some attempt to control the variables.

Develops a method that allows for the collection of insufficient relevant data.

Partial 1 for each aspect = 3

Does not identify a problem / research question and does not identify any relevant variables.

Designs a method that does not control the variables.

Develops a method that does not allow for any relevant data to be collected.

Not at all 0 or each aspect = 0

Data collection and processing

Recording raw data Processing raw data Presenting processed data

Records appropriate quantitative and associated qualitative raw data, including units and uncertainties where relevant.

Processes the quantitative raw data correctly.

Presents processed data appropriately and, where relevant, includes errors and uncertainties.

Complete 2 for each aspect = 6

Records appropriate quantitative and associated qualitative raw data, but with some mistakes or omissions.

Processes quantitative raw data, but with some mistakes or omissions.

Presents processed data appropriately, but with some mistakes or omissions.

Partial 1 for each aspect = 3

Does not record any appropriate quantitative raw data or raw data is incomprehensible.

No processing of quantitative raw data is carried out or major mistakes are made in processing.

Presents processed data inappropriately or incomprehensibly.

Not at all 0 or each aspect = 0

Conclusion and evaluation

Concluding Evaluating procedure(s) Improving the investigation

States a conclusion, with justification, based on a reasonable interpretation of the data.

Evaluates weaknesses and limitations.

Suggests realistic improvements in respect of identified weaknesses and limitations.

Complete 2 for each aspect = 6

States a conclusion based on a reasonable interpretation of the data.

Identifies some weaknesses and limitations, but evaluation is weak or missing.

Suggests only superficial improvements.

Partial 1 for each aspect = 3

States no conclusion or the conclusion is based on an unreasonable interpretation of the data.

Identifies irrelevant weaknesses and limitations.

Suggests unrealistic improvements.

Not at all 0 or each aspect = 0

IB DIPLOMA INTERNAL ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Manipulative skills. This criterion addresses objective 5 for group 4 subjects and is assessed summatively over the whole course. Objective 5 – demonstrate the manipulative skills necessary to carry out scientific investigations with precision and safety

CRITERION ASPECT 1 ASPECT 2 ASPECT 3 LEVELS/ MARKS

MS Instructions may be in a variety of forms – oral, written, diagrams, videos flow charts, etc and need not originate from the teacher

Following instructions Carrying out techniques Working safely

Follows instructions accurately, adapting to new circumstances (seeking assistance when required.)

Competent and methodical in the use of a range of techniques and equipment

Pays attention to safety issues

Complete 2 for each aspect = 6

Follows instructions, but requires assistance

Usually competent and methodical in the use of a range of techniques and equipment

Usually pays attention to safety issues

Partial 1 for each aspect = 3

Rarely follows instructions or requires constant supervision

Rarely competent and methodical in the use of a range of techniques and equipment

Rarely pays attention to safety issues

Not at all 0 or each aspect = 0

PS This skill is assessed during the group 4 project only and details will be given later

Complete 2

for each aspect = 6

Partial 1 for each aspect = 3

Not at all 0 or each aspect = 0