Experimental Science: Physics

What will you do on this course?

Physics is a wide-ranging subject which covers many aspects of the physical world from the very small (atoms and nuclei) to the very large (stars, galaxies and the Universe). The course includes an assessed experimental programme in which many practical skills are developed.

How will you be assessed?

Both the Standard Level and Higher Level are examined in May of the second year of the course. There is a coursework element to these qualifications in the form of internally assessed experimental skills:

SL subject content includes:

Measurements and uncertainties; mechanics; thermal physics; waves; electricity and magnetism; circular motion and gravitation; atomic, nuclear and particle physics and energy production. The chosen option for both SL and HL courses will be Astrophysics.

Assessed by:

Paper 1: 45 minutes – 20% of SL 30 multiple choice questions

Paper 2: 1 hour 15 minutes – 40% of SL

Short and long answer questions on the core material Paper 3: 1 hour – 20% of SL

Section A: Data based question and short answer questions on experimental work

Section B: Short and long answer questions on the option, Astrophysics.

HL subject content includes:

All the SL topics and in addition: Wave phenomena; fields; electromagnetic induction; quantum and nuclear physics.

Assessed by:

Paper 1: 45 minutes – 20% of HL 40 multiple choice questions

Paper 2: 2 hour 15 minutes – 36% of HL Short and long answer questions on the core material

Paper 3: 1 hour 15 minutes – 24% of SL

Section A: Data based question and short answer questions on experimental work

Section B: Short and long answer questions on the option, Astrophysics.

Students will complete prescribed practical work throughout the course and one detailed practical assignment will be submitted at the end of the course which will make up 20% of the final mark for both SL and HL.

What could this course lead to?

Physics is highly regarded as an excellent preparation for university courses in Engineering, the Medical Sciences and Mathematics, as well as being essential for further studies in Physics and

Astrophysics. For some of these HL will be preferred.