International Baccaleaureate Physics

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

PHYSICS

WHAT IS PHYSICS?
Physics is the fundamental underpinning science and studying physics encourages a peculiarly abstract and profound appreciation of the world about us. Its range extends from the ultimate building blocks of space and time, through the very smallest sub-atomic entities to atoms, molecules, planets, stars, galaxies and the universe as a whole. Physics can be used to predict how satellites will orbit, weather systems, the behaviour of electricity and even how the Universe began. Physics is used in the home, in transport, medicine, industry, energy production, meteorology, communications and electronics. Physicists also work in finance, modelling the complex movements to stocks and shares. It is all around us in our everyday lives! Physics is the science of everything quantifiable.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY PHYSICS?
You may choose to take physics purely out of interest. Studying physics encourages a peculiarly abstract and profound appreciation of the universe. A person cannot have a deep understanding of the material world, and many topical areas such as climate change, power generation, electronics or medical imaging without an understanding of physics. Whilst physicists themselves are highly employable, IB Physics is also a prerequisite for entry to most engineering courses, architecture and aeronautics.

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS
You should enjoy thinking. Especially thinking about how things work at a deep level. Ideas and relationships in physics are expressed mathematically so a facility with mathematics is required.

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT
Like all pre-university physics courses it aims to giver a broad introduction to higher level concepts: we study:-

• mechanics:
• thermal physics
• waves and oscillations
• fields and forces.
• electric currents and electromagnetic induction
• atomic and nuclear physics.
• energy, power and climate change.

Students will study two optional topics in the second year. One is astrophysics and the second is a choice from relativity, medical physics and particle physics.

• astrophysics: stellar radiation, distances and stellar types, cosmology, stellar evolution, galactic motion
• relativity; time dilation, length contraction, twin paradox, general relativity
• medical physics: hearing, medical imaging, radiation in medicine
• particle physics: Fundamental interactions, accelerators, quarks, cosmology and strings

Physicists are practical people and our students are thoroughly trained in the skills required by universities and industry.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
You will be assessed by both examination and coursework. The course is terminally examined with three papers accounting for 75% of the marks. The remaining 25% of marks are from experimental work done during the course and the Group 4 project.

COURSE COMMITMENT
Students will be expected to work independently, outside the classroom, for about 4 hours per week. This will allow time to complete assignments set in class as well as to review current work regularly and revise for the external examinations.

COURSE COSTS
None though you will need a scientific calculator which can be purchased for less than 10 at college or any good stationers.

PROGRESSION ROUTES
Physics is essential for degree level study in most Engineering disciplines as well as Physics & Astrophysics. However Physics is widely regarded as opening possibilities in a wider range of career choices than almost any other subject.

Physicists are amongst the most employable of all science graduates, are in short supply and have access to an unusually wide range of career options. Physics develops highly transferable skills in numerical analysis, programming, logical thinking and system analysis. Physics graduates are extensively employed in such diverse fields as engineering, the defence industries, financial analysis, medical research and software development.