Southville International School and Colleges

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

DIPLOMA PROGRAMME COURSE OUTLINE

School Name SOUTHVILLE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AND COLLEGES School Code 2587

Name of the DP Subject Physics

x x
Level Higher Standard

Name of the teacher who Armando Mendoza Jr Date of IB Training September 19-21, 2014
completed this outline

Date when outline was October 2014 Name of workshop DP Physics Category 1
completed

I. Course Outline

Year and Topics Content Allocated time Assessment Resources

Term instruments to be
1 class is 120 used
minutes
In one week: 2
classes
Year 1 Topic 1: Fundamental and Approximately Selected problems Hamper, Chris. (2009). Physics : Developed specifically for the IB
Term 1 Measurements and derived SI units 2 weeks at the end of the Diploma. England : Pearson Baccalaureate
Uncertainties Scientific notation and each chapter
metric multipliers section Homer, David. (2014). Physics : Course Companion. United
Significant figures Guided exercises Kingdom : Oxford University Press
Orders of magnitude Formative tests
Estimation IBO. (2011). Physics SL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Vectors and scalars Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
Combination and
 Year and Topics Content Allocated time Assessment Resources
Term instruments to be
1 class is 120 used
minutes
In one week: 2
classes
resolution of vectors IBO. (2011). Physics HL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Random and Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
systematic errors
Absolute, fractional, Pat, Roby. (2009). IB Physics Standard Level. UK : Oxford Study
and percentage Courses
uncertainties
Error bars Propagation of Error PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Uncertainty of https://klemmer-
gradient and science.wikispaces.com/file/view/error_problems.pdf
intercepts
Propagation of errors
Year 1 Topic 2: Distance and Approximately 6 Selected problems Hamper, Chris. (2009). Physics : Developed specifically for the IB
Term 1 Mechanics displacement weeks at the end of the Diploma. England : Pearson Baccalaureate
Speed and velocity each chapter
Acceleration section Homer, David. (2014). Physics : Course Companion. United
Concept of force Guided exercises Kingdom : Oxford University Press
Graphs describing Formative tests
motion IBO. (2011). Physics SL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Equations of motion Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
for uniform
acceleration IBO. (2011). Physics HL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Projectile motion Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
Terminal speed
Circular motion Pat, Roby. (2009). IB Physics Standard Level. UK : Oxford Study
Gravitation Courses

The Phsyics classroom

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Tutorial/1-D-Kinematics

Phet interactive simulation

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics/motion

Year 1 Topic 3: Thermal Temperature and Approximately Selected problems Hamper, Chris. (2009). Physics : Developed specifically for the IB
Term 1 Physics absolute 3-4 weeks at the end of the Diploma. England : Pearson Baccalaureate
temperature each chapter
 Year and Topics Content Allocated time Assessment Resources
Term instruments to be
1 class is 120 used
minutes
In one week: 2
classes
Internal energy section Homer, David. (2014). Physics : Course Companion. United
Specific heat capacity Guided exercises Kingdom : Oxford University Press
Phase change Formative tests
Specific latent heat IBO. (2011). Physics SL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Ideal gases Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
Thermal properties
Thermodynamics IBO. (2011). Physics HL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program

Pat, Roby. (2009). IB Physics Standard Level. UK : Oxford Study

Courses

The Physics classroom

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/thermalP

Phet interactive simulations

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics/heat-and-
thermodynamics

Year 1 Topic 4: Simple harmonic Approximately Selected problems Hamper, Chris. (2009). Physics : Developed specifically for the IB
Term 2 Oscillations and oscillations 4-5 weeks at the end of the Diploma. England : Pearson Baccalaureate
waves Time, period, each chapter
frequency, section Homer, David. (2014). Physics : Course Companion. United
amplitude, Guided exercises Kingdom : Oxford University Press
displacement, and Formative tests
phase difference IBO. (2011). Physics SL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Conditions for simple Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
harmonic motion
Travelling waves IBO. (2011). Physics HL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Wavelength, Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
frequency, period
and wave speed Pat, Roby. (2009). IB Physics Standard Level. UK : Oxford Study
Transverse and Courses
longitudinal waves
Nature of The Physics classroom
 Year and Topics Content Allocated time Assessment Resources
Term instruments to be
1 class is 120 used
minutes
In one week: 2
classes
electromagnetic http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/waves
waves
Nature of sound waves Phet interactive simulation
Wavefronts and rays https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics/sound-
Amplitude and and-waves
intensity
Superposition https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics/light-and-
Polarization radiation
Reflection and
refraction
Snells Law, critical
angle and total
internal reflection
Diffraction through a
single slit and around
objects
Interference patterns
Double slit
interference
Path difference
Year 1 Topic 5: Electricity Charge Approximately Selected problems Hamper, Chris. (2009). Physics : Developed specifically for the IB
Term 2 and magnetism Electric field 4-5 weeks at the end of the Diploma. England : Pearson Baccalaureate
Coulombs law each chapter
Electric current section Homer, David. (2014). Physics : Course Companion. United
Direct current Guided exercises Kingdom : Oxford University Press
Potential difference Formative tests
Circuit diagrams Laboratory IBO. (2011). Physics SL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Kirchhoffs law experiments Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
Heating effect on an
electric current and IBO. (2011). Physics HL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
its consequences Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
Resistance
Ohms law Pat, Roby. (2009). IB Physics Standard Level. UK : Oxford Study
Resistivity Courses
Power dissipation
 Year and Topics Content Allocated time Assessment Resources
Term instruments to be
1 class is 120 used
minutes
In one week: 2
classes
Cells Phet interactive simulations
Primary and secondary https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics/electricity
cells -magnets-and-circuits
Electromotive force
Internal resistance
Year 1 Topic 7: Atomic, Discrete energy and Approximately Selected problems Hamper, Chris. (2009). Physics : Developed specifically for the IB
Term 3 nuclear and discrete energy 3-4 weeks at the end of the Diploma. England : Pearson Baccalaureate
particle physics levels each chapter
Transitions between section Homer, David. (2014). Physics : Course Companion. United
energy levels Guided exercises Kingdom : Oxford University Press
Radioactive decay Formative tests
Alpha particles, beta IBO. (2011). Physics SL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
particles and gamma Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
rays
Half life IBO. (2011). Physics HL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Constant decay Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
probability
Absorption Pat, Roby. (2009). IB Physics Standard Level. UK : Oxford Study
characteristics of Courses
decay particles
Background radiation Phet interactive simulation
Unified atomic mass https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/build-an-atom
Balancing nuclear
reaction equations https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics/quantum-
Mass defect and phenomena
nuclear binding
energy
Nuclear fission and
nuclear fusion
Quarks, leptons and
their antiparticles
Hadrons, baryons and
mesons
The conservation of
laws of charge,
 Year and Topics Content Allocated time Assessment Resources
Term instruments to be
1 class is 120 used
minutes
In one week: 2
classes
baryon number,
lepton number and
strangeness
The nature and range
of the strong nuclear
force, weak nuclear
force and
electromagnetic
force
Exchange particles
Feynman diagrams
Confinement
Bosons
Year 1 Topic 8: Energy Primary energy Approximately Selected problems Hamper, Chris. (2009). Physics : Developed specifically for the IB
Term 3 production sources 3-4 weeks at the end of the Diploma. England : Pearson Baccalaureate
Renewable and non- each chapter
renewable energy section Homer, David. (2014). Physics : Course Companion. United
sources Guided exercises Kingdom : Oxford University Press
Electricity as a Formative tests
secondary and IBO. (2011). Physics SL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
versatile form of Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
energy
Sankey diagrams IBO. (2011). Physics HL : Approach your exams the IB way. United
Specific energy and Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program
energy density of
fuel sources Pat, Roby. (2009). IB Physics Standard Level. UK : Oxford Study
Conduction, Courses
convection and
thermal radiation Phet interactive simulation
Black body radiation https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics/quantum-
Solar constant phenomena
Greenhouse effect
Energy balance in the
surface atmosphere
system
Notes :

1. These are rough estimates of time as the pace of the discussion actually depends on the level of students' comprehension.

2. The dates of the external written and scheduled trimestral examinations are not included on the tables shown, but shall be followed as calendared

3. The timetable does not have provisions for unforeseen suspension of classes.
IB internal assessment requirement to be completed during the course

Time allocation for practical work includes the time to be spent in Group 4 Project (10 hours) and the Individual Investigation (10 hours)

HL- 60 hours SL- 40 hours

The Group 4 project will be performed at the beginning of IB year 2. The Group 4 form should be completed and submitted by the 3rd week of September.

On the other hand, students should submit title proposal for their individual investigation by end of May. The students are advised to do further research during summer about
their investigations. Submission schedule are as follows:

1st week of October- First draft

1st week of November- Final draft

Links to TOK

Topic Links with TOK

1: Measurements and Who has made the decision that the fundamental quantities are those of mass, length, time, electrical current, temperature, luminous intensity
uncertainties and amount of substance? In an alternative universe, it may be that the fundamental quantities are based on force, volume, frequency, potential
difference, specific heat capacity, and brightness. Would that be a drawback or would it have meant that humanity would have progressed at a
faster rate?
2: Mechanics The essential question is: Can Newtons laws of motion be proved? The answer is that they cannot; strictly speaking, they are assertions as
newton himself recognized. In his famous Principia, he writes the axioms or laws of motion.

3: Thermal Physics
However, they appear to be an excellent set of rules that allow us to predict most of the motion that we undertake. They remained unchallenged
as a theory for about 200 years until the two theories of relativity were formulated by Einstein at the turn of the 20 th century. Essentially, the
rules that newton proposed do not always apply to, for example, motion that is very fast. However, for the modest speeds at which humans
travel, the rules are reliable to a high degree and are certainly good enough for our needs most of the time.
The term specific heat capacity is a throwback to the caloric days when energy was thought to be a substance. A more appropriate term would be
call this quantity specific energy capacity but specific heat capacity is a term that has stuck even though scientists now recognize its
inappropriateness.

4: Oscillations and waves
Are there other cases where we still used an old-fashioned term or concept because it is simpler to do so than to change all the books? Has the
paradigm shift believing that heating was a transfer of substance into being taken on by society or is there still confusion regarding this?
The wave and ray diagram for reflection and refraction tells just part of the story. As with many areas of physics, returning to the conservation
of energy is important. For the total energy incident on the interface between the two media, the energy is shared between the reflected wave,
the transmitted wave and the energy that is absorbed the further the wave passes through the second medium, the more of the energy is like to
be absorbed. The conservation of mass/energy is a principle in physics which, to date, has not let physicists down. Does this mean that we have
proved that the principle of conservation of energy is infallible?

5: Electricity and magnetism
7: Atomic, nuclear and particle
physics
International mindedness
Topic
1: Measurements and
uncertainties
Musical pitch is closely linked to frequency but also has a psychological component in relation to music. We think of pitch as being someones
perception of frequency. Musical notes of certain pitches, when heard together, will produce a pleasant sensation and are said to be consonant or
harmonic. These sound waves form the basis of a musical interval. For example, any two musical notes of frequency ratio 2:1 are said to be
separated by an octave and result in a particularly pleasing sensation when heard. Similarly, two notes of frequency ratio of 5:4 are said to be
separated by an interval of a third; again this interval sounds pleasing. Has music always been thought of this way? Is the concept of consonance
accepted by all societies?
Forces between charged objects is one of the several examples of inverse-square laws that you meet. They are of great importance in physics.
Inverse-square laws model a characteristic property of some fields, which is that as distances doubles, observed effects go down by one quarter.
Mathematics helps you to learn and conceptualize your ideas about the subject. When you have learned the physics of one situation, then you
will be able to apply the same rules to new situations. Is the idea of a field a human construct or does it reflect the reality of the universe?
James Maxwell, working in the middle of the 19th century, realized that there was an important connection between electricity, magnetism and
the speed of light. In particular, he was able to show that the permittivity of free space, o and the permeability of free space o are themselves
1
c2
o o
connected to the speed of light c as . This proves to be an important equation. So much so that, in the set of equations that arise
from the SI units we use, we choose the o in all the electrostatics equations and the o in all the magnetic equations. However, not al unit
systems choose to do this. There is another common system, the cgs system. In cgs, the value of the constant k in Coulombs law is chosen to be
Q1Q2
F
r2
1 and the equation appears as . If the numbers are different, is the physics the same?
The rule of Ohm is always a law but is it? In reality, it is an experimental description of how a group of materials behave under rather
restricted conditions. Does that make it a law?
In the last 20 years, there has been a development in techniques to extract fossil fuels from locations that were not physically or financially
viable previously. Given the debate relating to nuclear energy, which is the more moral stance to take: to use nuclear fuel with its inherent
dangers or risk damage to landscapes and habitats when extracting fossil fuels?
Contribution to the development of international mindedness
It is essential that all measurements mad by one person are understood by others. To achieve this, one must use units that are understood to have
unambiguous meaning. The worldwide standard for units is known as the SI. The SI defines both units and prefixes letters used to form
decimal multiples or sub-multiples of the units. This system has been developed from the metric system of units and means that, when the
values of scientific quantities are communicated between people, there should never be any confusion.
Development of the IB learner profile

Topic Contribution to the development of the attribute(s) of the IB learner profile

8: Energy production
They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned,
ethical decisions. Of all the scientific issues of our time, perhaps nuclear energy invokes the greatest emotional response in both scientists and
non-scientists alike. It is vital to carry out accurate risk assessments for all energy sources, not just nuclear. Is it possible we could forget the
location of the waste sites in 50, 100, or 1000 years? Are human errors part of the equation? How can such assessments be carried out in an
emotionally charged debate?

Resources:

Hamper, Chris. (2009). Physics : Developed specifically for the IB Diploma. England : Pearson Baccalaureate

Homer, David. (2014). Physics : Course Companion. United Kingdom : Oxford University Press

IBO. (2011). Physics SL : Approach your exams the IB way. United Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program

IBO. (2011). Physics HL : Approach your exams the IB way. United Kingdom : International Baccalaureate Program

Pat, Roby. (2009). IB Physics Standard Level. UK : Oxford Study Courses

Phet interactive simulations https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/new

Physics classroom https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/new