PHYSICS - STANDARD LEVEL

PHYSICS - STANDARD LEVEL

Aims:

• To continue and extend students’ appreciation of the subject which will already have been developed from study in earlier years. • To approach Physics as the most fundamental of the Natural Sciences, which is based upon the fundamental forces and the energy transfers they produce. • To deal with modern day Physics as an international subject, in which scientists from around the world collaborate using internationally, agreed terms and conventions. Modern centres of cutting-edge Physics, such as CERN, pool the collective expertise of Physicists from all continents. • To base learning in practical investigation, where students will further develop the skills required to formulate, test and evaluate hypotheses.

The Physics course, like all the Group 4 subjects, has recently been comprehensively rewritten, with additional emphasis placed on the following fundamental issues regarding the nature of science itself.

• What science ’is’ and the nature of scientific endeavour. • The understanding of science. • The objectivity of science. • The human face of science. • Scientific literacy and the public understanding of science. • Science and the international dimension. • Science and its connection to Theory of Knowledge.

Hence, a student in an IB Physics class, as well as gaining a thorough understanding of, for example, planetary orbits, might also address questions such as: What empirical evidence led to the formulation of the heliocentric theory of the solar system? What barriers were there to the acceptance of this theory? What does it take to overturn an ‘accepted’ theory?

Course Description:

The course presents the best aspects of traditional Physics along with modern concepts in an exciting and flexible way. Pupils will question the way they learn, reflecting on how knowledge and understanding are obtained. Pupils will also be expected to explore ideas, investigate different physical situations by means of simulation, modeling and experimentation and to develop key skills, such as: analysis and presentation of data, communication and empathy with peers and scientific researchers and educators. You will be studying methods of mathematical analysis of laboratory data, kinematics, Newton's laws, momentum, work and energy, gravitation, thermodynamics, wave motion including light and sound, electromagnetism, atomic and nuclear physics. Approximately 25% of class time is allotted to laboratory investigations.

Requirements: To take Physics at Standard Level, you should have the POP in SL Physics plus a good track record at (I)GCSE Mathematics. It would also be an advantage to combine IB Physics with IB

Maths, at least at Standard Level. You should be naturally curious and tenacious in your pursuit of a fuller understanding of how our universe works. You should be motivated, enthusiastic and willing to become well organised in your working habits. As the course involves some complex ideas and emphasizes the application of concepts in real life contexts, you should be ready to read around the subject independently outside of lesson time.

Career Path:

The successful Physics student will find a wide range of careers open up. Skills acquired on the course, along with the discipline and rigour of the core material, will allow pupils to consider just about any future pathway, from university courses in pure science, engineering, to business, humanities or languages.

5 TERM OVERVIEW

Core Content: Term 1

• Measurements and uncertainties • Mechanics Term 1 will involve the study of forces and motion, including momentum, Newton’s laws, uniform acceleration, vectors and scalars, inertia, freefall and circular motion.

Term 2

• Thermal Physics • Waves • Electricity and Magnetism • Group 4 Project

Term 2 will extend students’ knowledge of wave characteristics and properties.

Also, thermal physics electrical circuits, voltage, current and resistance will be covered. Magnetic and electric fields will link this to Term 3.

Term 3

• Atomic, nuclear and particle physics

In Term 3, students will study the atom, radioactive decay, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion, they will also collaborate on their Group 4 Project.

Term 4

• Circular motion and gravitation

Gravitational and orbital motion will be studied at the start of Term 4.

Term 5

• Energy Production • Option The final compulsory topic will cover world energy requirements and the associated potential environmental impacts. Option Topics: Relativity, Engineering physics, Imaging, Astrophysics

Internal Assessment:

20% of Practical Work with a minimum requirement of 40 hours. 20 hours on the practical programme – a series of experiments illustrating the key concepts of the course.

External Assessment:

10 hours on the Group 4 Project: an interdisciplinary project carried out in teams. 10 hours on the Internal Assessment investigation – an individual research project on a topic chosen by the student. 80% Examination • Paper 1: 30 multiple choice questions (20%) • Paper 2: Structured and extended response questions on core topics (40%) • Paper 3: Structured and extended response questions on one option topic (20%)

Comparison between this course and A-Level:

The nature of IB Standard is different from AS Level. The IB Standard Level is nearly as demanding conceptually as Higher Level, but there is less material. Since the A-Level exam is unit based, candidates can target revision on certain topics for certain papers. By virtue of the assessment structure, IB candidates cannot do this but must be in command of all of the subject in each exam.

IB students are required to complete a “Group 4” project, during which they collaborate with other scientists from the full range of subjects. Throughout the programme, their personal skills, ability to work independently and awareness of wider ethical aspects of the subject are assessed.

The IB course places a great deal of emphasis on practical work. The students complete several activities over the two years which are written up formally. These help to prepare them for a single large piece of assessed coursework which contributes 20% of their overall mark. There is no practical exam. In the A-Level course, practical skills are assessed in written papers at the end of each year along with continued monitoring through the CPAC qualification.

Contact for further information:

Mr Nicholas Hulbert: nicholas.hulbert@tts.edu.sg