Physics
For Physics Discussions
1,008 topics in this forum
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- 2 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi Guys, I was doing some past paper 3s on digital technology and came across a question about something I had never heard about before. The question was about mobile phone networks. After scouring through my course companion and the study guide I found that mobile phone networks are covered in a completely different chapter/option -> F: communications. How am I supposed to answer the question if it is part of a completely different option? Am I expected to know other parts of the communications chapter? A speedy reply would be great as I am in TZ2 and my exam starts tomorrow at 0700UTC/GMT. Thanks in advance! Kasper
Last reply by Kasper Petersen, -
- 5 replies
- 831 views
Ok so magnetic fields can be considered as a subsection in "field and forces" I've rigorously revised every part of the syllabus (through notes, past papers, syllabus details, tsokos etc...), but I know NOTHING regarding magnetic fields! I mean all I know is there is a solenoid yea yea and current in and out on each end of the solenoid (which affects the direction of magnetic field). I know out of page and in to page and their symbols O and X. THAT'S ALL KNOW! Although Tsokos is an awesome book, it isn't helping! So should I skip this part of the syllabus and hope it never comes or what? I can't risk those few marks in P1 either, help me oh fellow IB'ers! My fate is in y…
Last reply by HiggsHunter, -
Need help for a SL P.1 question
by Guest Linnsan- 2 replies
- 2.6k views
I'm going through old paper 1 exams and stumbled upon the following question which I'd like some help solving. I'll show you what I have managed to do so far. "A block of metal at a temperature of 90 C is placed in a beaker of water at a temperature of 0 C. The mass of the metal block and the mass of the water are equal. The final temperature of the water and the metal block is 9 C. Which of the following is the best estimate of the ratio: specific heat of water/specific heat of metal?" I thought the following. The heat lost by the metal= the heat gained by the water. So: m * cmetal * (Tmin-Tmax) = m * cwater * (Tmax-Tmin) Cancelling both masses since they're equal a…
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Physics SL Exam Questions
by Guest Linnsan- 8 replies
- 3.9k views
The physics SL exams are soon coming up and I am going through old exams.. IB likes reusing questions, and in going through old exams, one easily notices questions that they are fond of that reoccur. Can you help me identify these questions? For Paper 1s, I've seen a lot of: -Voltage-Current (V-I) or (I-V) graphs - s-t, v-t and a-t graphs -momentum-time graphs - defining "translational equilibrium" - properties of an ideal gas (a lot!) - questions on energy sources, like their efficiency, disadvantages and the use of these sources in the world - the order of magnitude, for example age of the universe, diameter of a proton - what supports the existance of atomic energy lev…
Last reply by Neko_K, -
- 1 reply
- 977 views
Ok, this is really bugging me guys. 9.2.3 of the 2012 sllabus reads as thus; "State and apply the formula relationg gravitational field strength to gravitational potential gradient". Could someone tell that to me in English, please? I swore I'd done it all, but this confuses me. HELP!
Last reply by HiggsHunter, -
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- 1k views
Hello IBS, i was wondering that if you could do by your own an option. Is it feasible? My school is doing Option G, but honestly, i can't understand it. However, i've noticed that Option D is very interesting and it involves a lot of mathematics. Do you guys think that i should go for it? Are there any online resources that can be helpful? Thanks!
Last reply by eelnedross, -
- 8 replies
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how does air resistance affect the motion of an object? how will the speed of the object change over time if there is air resistance? how will the acceleration of the object change over time if there is air resistance? is air resistance a constant deceleration? please, I need to understand this. thank you!!
Last reply by HiggsHunter, -
- 2 replies
- 6.3k views
Hi all, I have stuck on a bungee question, the question is about this: A bungee jumper of mass 60 kg jumps from a bridge 24m above the surface of the water. The rope is 12m long and is assumed to obey Hooke's law. a) what should the spring constant of the rope be if the woman is just to reach the water? no prob. with that b) what is the speed of the jumper when she has fallen by 12m? again, I solved it C) what is the maximum speed attained by the jumper during her fall? cant solve this, how do I find the maximum speed?? please help!!
Last reply by Ryan Giggs, -
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- 1.1k views
The question is here: http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z393/scarlettjazz1/Fieldsandforces.png The answer is B, but I can't figure out why. I get that the direction of the field is to the right, but I can't figure out why the strength is as it is. Thanks!
Last reply by HiggsHunter, -
Energy, power and CC tips/resources
by Guest Loco Mo Mo- 1 reply
- 791 views
Since this is a new addition to the syllabus (well, since 2009), there aren't many practise exam questions on the topic. None that I can find anyway. In addition, the topic is rather large and I find it painfully boring to just read through the chapter and make notes. Thus, I was wondering if any of you could share some tips on how you're/you've tackled the topic and any useful/videos etc. From what I've seen, this is a topic that comes up quite often and forms a large part of paper 1 (which I'm terrible at) so I want to make sure I know it inside-out. Thanks in advance
Last reply by Drake Glau, -
- 5 replies
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So the Physics exams are nearing! Which topics would you probably choose on paper 2? I know I'd probably choose nuclear physics, heat and mechanics, and I'l try to avoid electricity and electromagnetism and resolution/polarizers, Which exam do you prefer, 1, 2 or 3?
Last reply by IB Smacher Glau, -
- 3 replies
- 1k views
Hello everyone: I'm good at math, I understand it easily; but I find physics SL very hard. The difference between them is that in math I have a problem and answer it, while in physics I have to state the problem, which requires a complete understanding of the topics and capacity for relating them, which is hard for me. I understand the concepts, but when it comes to solving problems I just seem to not have this analysis capacity required. What can I do for doing better in physics? for not seeing it as such a complicated subject? I would really appreciate your help.
Last reply by omri, -
Can anyone help me on Skype?
by Guest Loco Mo Mo- 3 replies
- 917 views
I know it's a lot to ask but I was just wondering whether there was anyone who would sit down with me on Skype and go through past papers and stuff. My time frame would be from about 10pm to 12am BST. But I could easily do whenever if there is anyone willing to help. Hell, I'll even pay if you want. Thanks
Last reply by omri, -
Any tips for Kinematics?
by Guest Loco Mo Mo- 2 replies
- 2.9k views
With my newly found motivation (thank you HiggsHunter), I've been doing some practise questions for all the topics. I seem to be having some problems with Kinematics (well most of Mechanics to be honest). I think the main problem is I can't identify what the question is asking and which formula I should use. Because when I look at the markscheme, I can understand all the calculations done but almost always fail to use the right equation. Thus, I was wondering if any of you had some tips or tricks you could share to help me with this. PS I would usually just say 'screw this' but since this topic comes up almost every year, I can't Thanks
Last reply by omri, -
- 2 replies
- 1.9k views
I have a question, what chapters of the ib course companion are for SL? It doesn't seem to specify enough. Thanks.
Last reply by HiggsHunter, -
- 0 replies
- 836 views
Hi again! I just posted a bunch of videos on studynova, but you can also reach them from youtube: This is the playlist for the first part of Physics (SL and HL) Topic 2: Mechanics. I cover Kinematics, and am planning to put up the remaining (Forces and Dynamics, as well as Work, Energy, Power as soon as I can) On studynova, I also have studynotes that you can click on for each video - this way, you can fill out examples yourself. It's maybe more interactive than simply watching the youtube videos. Enjoy! I'm making TONS more videos, but obviously I can't do too many more before the May 2012 exams - time is of the essence. I'm going to spend next weeks working on M…
Last reply by MitchCampbell, -
- 2 replies
- 1.7k views
Hello!! I am currently a senior and take my IB exams in less than a month. I'm taking Physics HL, and all of my friends who have been reviewing have told me that this study guide is very concise but also very detailed. I am good at physics (am hoping for a 7!!), so I didn't buy this study guide before. However, I would now like to acquire one. Does anyone know where I can either get a free pdf version (or at least cheaper than on Amazon)? I will only use it for 2 weeks or so, so I don't feel like I should spend $40 on this when I'll be done with my IBs in just a few weeks. Thank you, Max
Last reply by IVIax94, -
- 11 replies
- 21.1k views
I'm pretty stuck on trying to come up with a topic for my physics design lab. The topic area is Topic 4: Oscillations and Waves. Any suggestions anyone?
Last reply by Survival Robot, -
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Hi! Quite urgent: I'm wondering whether any of you could recommend a good textbook for physics? It should be such that it would have a lot of theory but also a lot of exercises with solutions. We have Giancoli at school and I find it good because it has a lot of exercises but I don't like the way it's written so I need something similar to it but it shouldn't be Giancoli. I'm actually SL but the book that we have for SL is really bad in my opinion (we have Pearson Bac. Phy. SL) and I'd rather have a HL book for I really need a good grade for physics. But in case you have a SL book that is really good, please recommend it as well. Thank you TD
Last reply by Jasmeena, -
- 3 replies
- 620 views
hey all! could you please fins the time to upload imafes if certain pages fron the physics pearson hl textbook? my school is closee for the vacays and i my copy is second hand (brothers) and is missing sone pages. It will take you barely a second for a single snap shot, so please if could click a picture of the following pages id REALLY appreciate it becuase im in a tough spot and have no option! pages: EM waces option- the aberrations section(im sl) energy power and climate change - section 8.11 till the end of the chapter. hope it isnt too much! astrophysics- section 10.9 onwards. So please, help an absolute stranger out of such a fix!
Last reply by DropBoite, -
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- 5.8k views
I need help! Soo, I'm doing a lab report about Newton's Second Law and I've encountered a small problem. I've done the graph of acceleration versus MASS OF WEIGHT (not mass of the trolley but mass of the weight) and I don't know it's slope... I have trolley which is put on the table which has, at it's end a rotating wheel on top of which goes a string connected to the trolley at one, and a weight at the other side. And I'm calculating how is the acceleration dependant on the mass of the weight pulling it down. (The apparatus is in the picture below.) And, well, if I go by the Second Newton's Law and write the equation of the system, it would be: mg=(M+m)*a, because th…
Last reply by Jasmeena, -
Are the physics options fixed?
by Guest Loco Mo Mo- 2 replies
- 1k views
What I mean by that is, we've covered quantum/nuclear physics and Astrophysic in class but I was wondering if I had to stick to these for the exams. Could I self learn an option which is "easier" and answer them in the exam or does my college like say beforehand to the examiner which questions I'll be answering. Also, that being said, I've been doing some research into which options are easier and it seems EM and Optics come up quite a lot. However, I think Optics is no longer on the course? What are your opinions on which options are "easiest." Thanks
Last reply by Drake Glau, -
- 6 replies
- 6.2k views
Hey guys, I have a physics design lab on factors that affect the cooling rate of water. I picked the concentration of salts in the water as my factor. I'm unable to find much on this, but my teacher reassured me its a proper factor. So how would purity affect a substance's rate of cooling?
Last reply by ananya.agrawal95, -
- 6 replies
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I writing up the lab report for my IA and have encountered some confusion over the uncertainty business. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am using the mean voltage on this graph for my data. Since it is an average, and there is a maximum and minimum. How do I calculate this mean's uncertainty? Also, how many significant figures should I use?
Last reply by HiggsHunter, -
- 1 reply
- 910 views
I'm told:free neutron decays to proton and releases e-,how do I know if this is a strong/weak/electromagnetic interaction? The only information I'm told is that an electron is produced in the decay of a free neutron into a proton. The question is state the name of the exchange particle. To know this, I suppose I have to figure out what kind of interaction this is, but I don't get how. I thought originally that it was a strong interaction because it involves nucleons, but the mark scheme says the answer is W boson... why?! Thanks
Last reply by HiggsHunter, -
Any one made any topic wise tests?
by Guest Jar Jar D'oh!- 3 replies
- 917 views
Hey! Let me elaborate, what I mean by the title is that, have any of you made any segregated .docs for each section in physics, lifting questions from past papers or exercises or whatever. It'll be beyond excellent, if you could post them to this thread, because in the coming month people will rush here looking for some last minute revision. This will help everyone, so please contribute! Thanks!
Last reply by Jasmeena, -
- 1 reply
- 789 views
Hello, this is my first time here, so I hope I'm not breaking any rules or anything. I know this might be a bit much to ask but could anyone please assist me with the 'Double Slit experiment' I don't understand some things about it. For one, I cannot understand the geometrical models that they provide, what am I supposed to do with those models and will that appear in the exams are two questions that come to mind. The attached image has the diagram, what is 'y' and what do I make of SUCH a complicated diagram?
Last reply by HiggsHunter, -
- 4 replies
- 1.6k views
Hi, So from my experimental data I have plotted a negative curve and my best fit has an equation y = (0.5/x) + 2. Now in order to do max/min lines and find the uncertainty in the gradient, I have to somehow make this a straight line graph. What do I have to plot against what to make it a straight line? Thanks
Last reply by Drake Glau, -
- 1 reply
- 804 views
For each of the figures, use dots to mark any point (other than infinity) where E=0. Here's the diagram. http://tinypic.com/r/9fqpnk/7
Last reply by Evan Rosner, -
- 6 replies
- 989 views
I'm wondering if it's required to take into consideration both the systematic error and the random error in my IA. Example: Systematic error 0.03 Measurements: t1= 0.78 t2= 0.75 t3= 0.77 t4= 0.76 t5= 0.76 So once again - my question is: Do I add the two uncertainties together, or do I simply take into account the random error. Thanks in advance. P.S.: I searched for a topic like this and couldn't find it, if it exists already - my apologies.
Last reply by CkyBlue, -
- 1 reply
- 676 views
For a ball sinking through water, what are the forces acting on it? (assume not at terminal velocity) Can you please give me the equation for the forces too, like w=mg. Thanks!
Last reply by Drake Glau, -
- 0 replies
- 634 views
So, I have a bucket of water (60cm deep) and I'm releasing balls from the surface. The balls are all the same size and shape but are of different masses (about 10g difference between each). I did some sample tests and got results around 1 second for the balls to sink 60cm. The very short time makes it difficult to get accurate results, but I can see that the heavier balls fall faster. My question is: What results should I expect to see? i.e. what is the relationship between the mass of the ball and the time taken to fall through water? Inversely propotional? I can't figure it out. Mass doesn't affect buoyancy. I'm thinking maybe it has something to do with terminal velo…
Last reply by scarlettjazz, -
- 1 reply
- 805 views
So I know the thing teachers warn against in languages and social sciences is being too narrative/descriptive, and not being analytical enough. Is that also a concern in physics labs? Thing is, I came up with my lab on my own not from a book or an existing equation or anything, so I can't really derive a law from my data. Which means that my conclusion is largely me explaining laws of physics and why I got the results I got, making little reference to the actual data. Is this a problem? Any advice? Thank you!
Last reply by timtamboy63, -
- 0 replies
- 604 views
We are testing for the intensity of light, we obtained values in lux and we also measured distance. But how should I construct the graph? Like in linear relationship. Thanks.
Last reply by Kindness, -
- 0 replies
- 969 views
What is a good example of the correct way to do a physics lab? Thanks!
Last reply by CodyGelb, -
- 7 replies
- 16.5k views
Hey Is data booklet and calculator allowed on paper 1?
Last reply by Didenur, -
- 2 replies
- 875 views
We are supposed to create our own experiment and do an IA on it right? My physics teacher is telling us we really don't. I am kinda of confused on that. Pleasse help. Thanks.
Last reply by minna93, -
- 1 reply
- 784 views
Tomorrow will be the deadline for designing the IA, and our teacher ask us to design an experiement to save Jake's life who was in the film Titanic. As far as i am concern is to increase the amount of energy that cold water decrease the body temperautre of Jack. Therefore i've got two options. Option one Increase his body heat capacity. Option two let him get a fever(which means he can get a higher inital temperature). Is there any other ideals that can be done during the real situation???
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Uncertainty help
by Guest Jar Jar D'oh!- 5 replies
- 978 views
Hi! I'm trying to consolidate what I know about uncertainties, so tell me if I'm either missing anything or whether I'm doing anything wrong: Uncertainties for analog instruments is +/- 0.5 the last decimal place ( 0.12 +/- 0.05) Uncertainties for digital instruments is +/- 1 eh? ( 0.12 +/- 1) But why is it that the uncertainties are halved? Oh, I just remembered another thing I wanted to know: For an electronic scale measuring up to 1 mg or 0.001g Is the uncertainty +/- 1 g or 0.001g. I got into an argument with a teacher over this, I really need to know. I'm really bad a uncertainties and I really haven't got these and some other queries cleared, can you help out…
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- 0 replies
- 833 views
IB Alumni who are currently studying applied physics, mathematics, computing or engineering-related subjects at university may be interested in the 2012 CERN Technical Student Programme. Undergraduate students can come to CERN for periods between 4 and 12 months as described here: https://ert.cern.ch/...eb_page_id=9929 The programme is open to students at CERN member state universities who are either CERN member state nationals, or who have been resident in a CERN member state for the last 5 years. Note that this programme is not available to students majoring in particle physics. (There is another Summer Student Programme that is open to them, but applications for 2012 a…
Last reply by HiggsHunter, -
- 13 replies
- 1.8k views
Hello guys, has anyone self studied a physics option? if so, which one is that? I'm currently doing Communications and Astrophysics. I hate Astro and totally suck at it, so I want to self study another option. I would like an option that is more mathematical and requires less memorising. which option do you suggest me to study? or, which option do you think is the easiest? or I would be happy to study a chemistry related option as I'm also taking chem. just not sure which one is the most related to chem. don't worry about me not having enough time or anything, I'll be able to find the time for this self study. thanks guys!
Last reply by Grassroot, -
- 2 replies
- 1.4k views
if we are given the graph of velocity over time, and the curve has a random pattern, how do we find the average velocity? for example like this: I know average velocity is the total displacement over time, but if we're given a graph of V over t, how do we work out the average velocity?
Last reply by dessskris, -
Velocity uncertainty
by Guest Another IB Victim- 0 replies
- 803 views
Hi, need a little help with this IA thing. Basically, the investigation was me dropping a ball from different heights on a ramp and I was looking at how velocity of the ball affects the horizontal distance travelled by the ball after leaving the ramp. For each height, I repeated the thing three times so I had 3 separate readings for each height. From this, I was able to work out the uncertainty (by doing average minus highest then average minus lowest and just taking the largest uncertainty) which was 2.8. However, I'm unsure of what my uncertainty, if there is any, in my velocity. To calculate the velocity, I used the suvat equation: 2s/t = v (by rearranging s/t = v+u/…
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- 2 replies
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I really need the paper 3 exam paper of may 2011, does anyone have it?
Last reply by bader89, -
- 1 reply
- 946 views
Hey, I was doing this DCP on finding the specific heat capacity of a caloriemeter, thing is though that once I find my value I just compare with the "literature value" so there are no graphs to do in this (like a Hooke's lab would have for instance). My teacher says its okay and I'll still get my marks but I'm not so sure. So could anybody give a suggestion ? Thanks
Last reply by dessskris, -
- 1 reply
- 729 views
Tom is scuba diving in his approach to Dr. Evil on his yacht. Tom uses a spear gun to shoot Evil in his heart. With the aid of a ray diagram, clearly show how Tom is to aim to his his target? I dont know where to start. can you explain in detail THANKS A LOT!!!
Last reply by bananasavi, -
- 12 replies
- 2k views
I'm an IB Physics teacher who has been teaching for 10 years, and now I'm working with the IB to help them develop a new Astrophysics Option. Rather than just design it based on what I think you want, I thought I'd actually ask you for your opinion! Here's your chance to have a say about the new syllabus! I am including student opinion to help decide which topics are kept in, which are taken out, and also which topics you'd like added. There are two things I'd very much appreciate your help with: A) First, if you could redesign the astrophysics option, which topics would you find most interesting? Please just write down which of the topics from the list below you think …
Last reply by AndreaRuiz, -
- 4 replies
- 1.1k views
Hi! So my physics teacher told me to make a physics design and then perform the experiment this coming tuesday. Problem is, I was assigned this plastic bucket with a hole in the bottom and a pipe attached to it. I have no idea what to do with it. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Last reply by Sairoo, -
- 0 replies
- 2.1k views
I am doing my lab report now which is also a design lab, only its has to do with the rate of flow of water and the factors that influences that. However, I've been told that when graphing, I cannot turn in a curved slope, but that it has to be linear? is this correct? Do I really have to change the graph to become linear? If so, does anyone know how? I am plotting volume (dl) against time(sec)
Last reply by sigrid94, -
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- 920 views
realliii messed up with this chapter anway here is my question through which force(s) can electrons interact？through which force(s) can quarks interact？ the options are weak nuclear force, strong nuclear force, gravitational force, and electromagnetic force (please state the reason for your answer—— thanks！=）
Last reply by ❤π❤,
