A. Curriculum Overview – Topics you will learn
Topic 1: Measurements and uncertainties
1.1 – Measurements in physics
1.2 – Uncertainties and errors
1.3 – Vectors and scalars
Topic 2: Mechanics
2.1 – Motion
2.2 – Forces
2.3 – Work, energy and power
2.4 – Momentum and impulse
Topic 3: Thermal physics
3.1 – Thermal concepts
3.2 – Modelling a gas
Topic 4: Waves
4.1 – Oscillations
4.2 – Travelling waves
4.3 – Wave characteristics
4.4 – Wave behaviour
4.5 – Standing waves
Topic 5: Electricity and magnetism
5.1 – Electric fields
5.2 – Heating effect of electric currents
5.3 – Electric cells
5.4 – Magnetic effects of electric currents
Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation
6.1 – Circular motion
6.2 – Newton’s law of gravitation
Topic 7: Atomic, nuclear and particle physics
7.1 – Discrete energy and radioactivity
7.2 – Nuclear reactions
7.3 – The structure of matter
Topic 8: Energy production
8.1 – Energy sources
8.2 – Thermal energy transfer
Additional higher level (AHL)
Topic 9: Wave phenomena
9.1 – Simple harmonic motion
9.2 – Single-slit diffraction
9.3 – Interference
9.4 – Resolution
9.5 – Doppler effect
Topic 10: Fields
10.1 – Describing fields
10.2 – Fields at work
Topic 11: Electromagnetic induction
11.1 – Electromagnetic induction
11.2 – Power generation and transmission
11.3 – Capacitance
Topic 12: Quantum and nuclear physics
12.1 – The interaction of matter with radiation
12.2 – Nuclear physics
Options (HL)
A: Relativity
Core topics
A.1 – The beginnings of relativity
A.2 – Lorentz transformations
A.3 – Spacetime diagrams
Additional higher level topics
A.4 – Relativistic mechanics (HL only)
A.5 – General relativity (HL only)
B: Engineering physics
Core topics
B.1 – Rigid bodies and rotational dynamics
B.2 – Thermodynamics
Additional higher level topics
B.3 – Fluids and fluid dynamics (HL only)
B.4 – Forced vibrations and resonance (HL only)
Option C: Imaging
Core topics
C.1 – Introduction to imaging
C.2 – Imaging instrumentation
C.3 – Fibre optics
Additional higher level topics
C.4 – Medical imaging (HL only)
Option D: Astrophysics
Core topics
D.1 – Stellar quantities
D.2 – Stellar characteristics and stellar evolution
D.3 – Cosmology
Additional higher level topics
D.4 – Stellar processes (HL only)
D.5 – Further cosmology (HL only)
B. Assessment
External assessment details—SL
Paper 1
Duration: 3/4 hour
Weighting: 20%
Marks: 30
- 30 multiple-choice questions on core, about 15 of which are common with HL.
- The questions on paper 1 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
- The use of calculators is not permitted.
- No marks are deducted for incorrect answers.
- A physics data booklet is provided.
Paper 2
Duration: 1¼ hours
Weighting: 40%
Marks: 50
- Short-answer and extended-response questions on core material.
- The questions on paper 2 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
- The use of calculators is permitted. (See calculator section on the OCC.)
- A physics data booklet is provided.
Paper 3
Duration: 1 hour
Weighting: 20%
Marks: 35
- This paper will have questions on core and SL option material.
- Section A: one data-based question and several short-answer questions on experimental work.
- Section B: short-answer and extended-response questions from one option.
- The questions on paper 3 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
- The use of calculators is permitted. (See calculator section on the OCC.)
- A physics data booklet is provided.
External assessment details—HL
Paper 1
Duration: 1 hour
Weighting: 20%
Marks: 40
- 40 multiple-choice questions on core and AHL, about 15 of which are common with SL.
- The questions on paper 1 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
- The use of calculators is not permitted.
- No marks are deducted for incorrect answers.
- A physics data booklet is provided.
Paper 2
Duration: 2¼ hours
Weighting: 36%
Marks: 95
- Short-answer and extended-response questions on the core and AHL material.
- The questions on paper 2 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
- The use of calculators is permitted. (See calculator section on the OCC.)
- A physics data booklet is provided.
Paper 3
Duration: 1¼ hours
Weighting: 24%
Marks: 45
- This paper will have questions on core, AHL and option material.
- Section A: one data-based question and several short-answer questions on experimental work.
- Section B: short-answer and extended-response questions from one option.
- The questions on paper 3 test assessment objectives 1, 2 and 3.
- The use of calculators is permitted. (See calculator section on the OCC.)
- A physics data booklet is provided.
C. Specimen/ Examples of questions
