Physics
For Physics Discussions
1,008 topics in this forum
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Hello, I was looking for the IB Biology (I've taken it at HL) Syllabus on the internet. I found 'Biology first examinations 2009'. I am writing my IB exams in 2011 so shouldn't I refer to 'Biology first examinations 2011' if there is any such thing? What does 'first examinations' mean? Please help! Thank you! Work hard party harder.
Last reply by Dzeb, -
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Hi guys i recently got a design question for my physics IA which is about structural distortion. the question is; By constructing a simple structure made of ties and struts, design a suitable experiment and use it to investigate the effect of the mass suspended from one of the joints. I don't know what to do for this question so plz help me with what i am supposed to do.
Last reply by Maulik, -
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- 879 views
So I have my SL paper three for physics in the morning and I can not find an effective way to study. Like a resource. Any ideas? Same thing for chemistry on thursday.
Last reply by Tilia, -
- 11 replies
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We were told to do a lab involving rubber bands and projectile motion in some sense. My group shot the rubber band and measured the distance moved as a function of its extension. I graphed this and found that it seemed to be a linear relationship. Now, my question is if this is too simple to be DCP assessed? I don't really do any calculations, apart from the average and standard deviation, which is managed by Excel. We won't do many labs, so I want it bo be assessed. Anyone knows?
Last reply by Tilia, -
- 4 replies
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Hello Guys, I take IB Physics HL and I am in IB year 1... I love Physics and have always scored very high scores throughout the years, until i joined IB.. Now when I joined IB, I thought I was fortunate enough to have a physics teacher holding a PHD in physics.. As it turns out, Im not very fortunate Right now I have failing grades for IB Physics (and so do the rest of the 10-13 students in my class, no exaggeration).. My teacher though as qualified as he is, is very old and speaks in a very low (boring) and slow voice and since he is from Arabic descent, speaks with an Arabic accent. Now this would be something you could adapt to and with a lot of sugar before the lesson…
Last reply by hannah.mb, -
I know one method is to use the mass defect and simply then use the (in)famous e=mc^2 another involves avagadro's constant 6x10^23 and they give you the atomic numbers. If you know what it is can you explain a little? (I have vague ideas about it)
Last reply by benjaminlee92, -
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hey does anyone know the grade boundaries for the 2009 sl physics exam? if you do not know the boundaries for 2009, please let me know if you know the boundaries for any past years. thanks.
Last reply by KLSmash, -
- 3 replies
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Currently in my investigation I am trying to find the relationship between crater diameter and the kinetic energy of the ball bearing I’m dropping (changing the kinetic energy by dropping it from a greater height). I found a theory online that explains the relationship that should be seen but I am confusing about one part of it. Anyway here is the theory behind it. I will underline and bold the part that confused me: Theory Here is an approach you may find helpful:- the formation of a crater is akin to digging a hole. To start with let us consider the minimum potential energy change that occurs when a cubic hole, side-length s, is created in sand. This will be the sam…
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
Hi there, I have just conducted an experiment that results in an exponential curve, in which y =kx^z. So to get it to a straight line a took the log of both axis with the gradient becoming the power, z, of the x term and the y-intercept becoming the constant k. However, both x and y have errors associated with them. So I was wondering how do I calculate the value of the x-axis and y-axis error bars for all of the data points in this new form? Cheers Lance H
Last reply by Lance H, -
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If the universes is flat, then the speed of the expansion of the universe should approach zero. BUT the universe is accelerating. how come the general consensus is that the universe in flat? Shouldn't it be hyperbolic then? Has this been disproved or something? and what about the inclusion of dark energy and matter? I...AM...LOST! oh and uh, can someone explain what this 'cosmological constant' is? I dont really get it. Thanks
Last reply by Green, -
Lagrange point
by Guest- 0 replies
- 627 views
If you place a sufficiently large mass at a lagrange point will it affect the tides of a planet part of making said lagrange point?
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- 7 replies
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I've heard from a science teacher at my school that the new syllabus which is used for the year 11s this year, made physics HL an extremely long course. She even said that it's so long it's literally impossible to finish teaching every topic before the exam. Does this 'new syllabus' exist? If it's true, can someone who's doing physics or know someone who do tell me a bit about the difficulty? (I know it's definitely one of the hardest subjects and am willing to work hard, but is it really that bad?)
Last reply by Eydie, -
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hey guys, I just wanted to ask if the physics lab report form is the same as the chemistry one? thank you!
Last reply by 9d9, -
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Hi we got a satelite task for our portfolio and i was wondering if anyone has done it. Its only required to be in the portfolio so it doesn't have to be that fancy, but i still need some help with getting started since I really don't know how to do it. We arent given any firgures and Task 1 should be the "easiest". Then for task 2 and 3 we're suppose to make up our own figures. Here are the tasks: Task 1: The IB has decided to launch a geosynchronous communication-satellite. Calculate the radius of the satellite's orbit. Task 2: Describe the lauch process, and calculate the amount of fuel needed to put the satellite into its orbit. Task 3: The IB has realised that fuel is…
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
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The half life of an unstable element is 12 days. Find the activity of a given sample of this element after 20 days if the initial activity was 3,5 MBq. HELP
Last reply by AmelieRory, -
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"An absorption spectrum is formed when photons of specific wavelength are absorbed by the electrons of an atom, which then make transitions to higher energy levels. But as soon as the electrons reach the higher energy level they will fall back to the state they came from, re-radiating photons of precisely the same wavelength as those they absorbed. So there should not be any dark lines. What do you say?" I hate how there is no mark scheme in the book for "word answer" questions. So I was wondering if anyone here could answer this. Thanks EDIT: Here is another annoying one, I think it has something to do with the Heisenberg uncertainty principle: "An electron of kinetic en…
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
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Hi again. Here are some links to a past IB Exam solved on Youtube. I've just posted these, so perhaps wait 15-20 minutes after this is posted to view the videos - they sometimes look blurry until they've been fully processed. I'll be posting more as I do them. -Mitch IB Physics HL exam: November 2008, Paper 1: Paper 1. Questions 1 and 2 (diameter of a proton, fundamental units). Paper 1. Questions 3 and 4 (uncertainty, acceleration vs time graph). Paper 1. Questions 5, 6, 7 (equations of motion, forces, newton's second law). Paper 1. Questions 8, 9, 10 (momentum, power, circular motion). Paper 1. Questions 11, 12 (gravitational field strength, 2d projectiles).
Last reply by MitchCampbell, -
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Thanks
Last reply by TidusBlade, -
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I need to do my Physics IA now.. But I have no Ideas about how to do it. Can anyone help me and tell me what should i do in physics IA?!~ Thanks a lot!~
Last reply by deissi, -
- 3 replies
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So I've been trying to solve the same problem for over 90 minutes, and I'm pretty frustrated. The set up is you have a ramp and a pulley coming off from each end. The attached document has the image. m1 = m2 = .20kg The angle is 7o = x Acceleration, a, is 2.0m/s2 in the direction of the first mass falling down T1 is found to be 1.56N and T2 is found to be 2.36N. Use 9.8m/s2 as g. To find m3, I set up this equation: m3a = m3gsinx + T1 -T2 But when I went to solve for m3, I got a negative number... grr. I've asked so many people but they either haven't done it or can't find anything wrong with my equation. Any help?
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
- 1 reply
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So tomorrow I have a Physics quiz, and there are still some things that confuse me. The quiz is about uncertainties. I know how to determine the uncertainty, but there are still 2 things that I cant understand. A) Why does an accurate experiment have less systematic errors, and a precise experiment have less random errors? B) Graphs of accuracy & precision. Why does a systematic error have readings that are on the "best" line, while the random error graph has points that are not on the best fit line? Thanks
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
- 7 replies
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Hey everyone! My IB mocks are coming up and I need a method of revising which can be primarily based on brute force to memorise all facts. Does anyone know a method that is effective in memorising projectile motion? Thanks in advance!
Last reply by Peachez, -
- 2 replies
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Hello, I am having my mock exams very soon and I have been revising, but I just wanted to know if anyone knows any links for IB Physics Revision quizzes or something? Thanks a lot. I appreciate it. :
Last reply by Abu, -
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I've seen a few: Question B1, Part 2, (a) In the question, we are given a ratio of areas. According to the syllabus itself, the magnification is a ratio of lengths, so when calculating the magnification, one must take the square root of the ratio (taking the square root was omitted from the mark scheme). If we take the square root, the indentations of the leaf will actually be resolved. The question should either refer to the lengths of the leaves or the values of the areas must change so that the question is correct. Question B2, Part 1, © (i) The mark scheme says: number of atoms in 1 kg of carbon =12 x 1000 / N_A number in 1 kg of U-235 = 235 x 1000 / N_A If that was t…
Last reply by Tilia, -
- 9 replies
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I've checked the syllabus multiple times and the bohr model of the hydrogen atom seems to be removed, along with the derivations of Bohr's equations. Can anyone confirm this? (I see a lot of questions in past papers, and the Summary of Syllabus changes in the TSM says that the Nuclear and Quantum physics chapters are "mostly unchanged"). BTW, I'm HL.
Last reply by SharkSpider, -
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Hello all! I'm revising for my tests and I am in demand of an explanation on projectile motion. Does anyone know a good site that explains it? Or any suggestions? greatly appreciate all help. Thanks!
Last reply by Darko, -
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So, so far my top grade for a lab report was a 16, but that was last year (10th grade) and now in my 2nd year of the IB (11th) The highest I've ever gotten is 13 and I don't quite understand what I'm doing wrong. Can anyone help me with an outline or example? Thanks
Last reply by Tilia, -
- 13 replies
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Someone please find me a simple revision guide for this, i have no idea about how to do this topic it's HARD.
Last reply by Tilia, -
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Hey guys Do you have any idea where you can download chapter tests for Physics SL? That would make studying so mcuh easier! I have the IB test but I want to do them after I know all the CORE topics, so chapter test would help. Thx!
Last reply by sweetnsimple786, -
- 1 reply
- 667 views
guys i need help with this... i can't seem to get anything practical or experimental for the physics of theatre?? could you guys help me out with the practical part of it? like stuff i can do in theatre to investigate it's physics? THANKS!
Last reply by Abhilash M, -
- 11 replies
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Hey I was wondering if the IB sample exams and exams from previous years packet is worth it http://store.ibo.org/product_info.php?products_id=1117 this is the link If anyone has used these before it would be great if you could tell me how useful they are. The product description doesnt even say if this packet has answers So i dont just want to go ahead and buy it. Thx
Last reply by Flippy, -
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So my question is this... are specimen papers in general a fair representation of the external exam? For instance, with regards to the distribution of questions... if the Physics specimen paper for 2009 has the new material chapters (topcis 8 and 14) in all/most Section B questions in the paper, do I expect to run into a lot of questions from topics 8 and 14 in the external as well? Or would the distribution of questions differ? Also, anyone experienced with the relative difficulty of a specimen paper when compared to the exam? Just curious
Last reply by Spriteling, -
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Hi there. I'm currently revising for Physics, Topic 8 (the Energy, Power and Climate Change unit) and I'm utterly stuck on one of the syllabus points. I've got my textbook here and I have no idea what it's talking about. I can't ask my teacher because my school is on holiday right now, and the rest of my class are all a bit stuck on this topic (we were asked to teach it to ourselves.) I was wondering if anyone out there could help a poor Physics SL student like me out? The following extract is from my textbook by Greg Kerr and Paul Ruth. I understand the first paragraph and I know what resonance is...it's just all the quantum stuff in the second paragraph that gets me a …
Last reply by Flippy, -
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is the data booklet allowed for paper 1 becuz im pretty sure calculator is not
Last reply by luk3tm, -
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Hi, Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, I couldn't find a better one to post it on. I'm a UK student taking the IB next year, and my HL subjects are Maths, Chem and Biology. I'm seriously considering taking Physics instead of Biology, because 1) I'm kind of starting to appreciate it, and 2) I'm not sure whether my chances of getting into a good university to study Maths would be decreased if I didn't have Physics. Second question... How do Biology and Physics compare? Is there a lot more content to learn for Biology? How maths-based is the Physics course? Any other thoguhts would be helpful. Thanks.
Last reply by moneyfaery, -
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First of all: hi everyone (even though I read this message board for longer time this is my first post ;d) I'm writing my physics lab report for simple experiment involving dropping the ball from particular height and measuring the height after it bounces off the ground. I've got a problem in identifying the controlled variables. It's obvious that the thing kept constant is the floor, but how to express it in the means of variables? My professor said that all variables should be physical quantities and hence saying that controlled variable would be simple the material of the floor is wrong. I can distinguish things like hardness or density but it's still not precise an…
Last reply by Joey, -
- 1 reply
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Think of the question in a relativistic manner: Keep thinking relativity! An electric current flows in a wire (see figure). A proton moving parallel to the wire will experience a magnetic force due to the magnetic field created by the current. From the point of view of an observer travelling along with the proton, the proton is at rest and should experience no force. What do you say? [center][attachment=3065:jonathan.PNG][/center] Asked 2 physics teachers and their answers were physically correct, but I just don't think they're the answer for this question. Some help would be appreciated. PS: This question is from the "Physics for the IB Diploma" book Fifth Edit…
Last reply by GNRS, -
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Hey, I'm just wondering if there's any good program to graph physic graphs. Like it can do the maximum and minimum lines and the uncertainties.
Last reply by IB_sucks, -
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So I've started studying for my May exams, and for my Physics Option Astrophysics, I began to make notes on only the important things. I've also noted everything they've asked for in the past years on exams for Astrophysics. However, because of the syllabus change, a fair amount of stuff that used to be on the exam isn't anymore. Is it alright for if I just discard the questions that aren't covered in the new syllabus? Also, if anyone has a link to the old Physics syllabus that'd be great.
Last reply by KLSmash, -
- 1 reply
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Hey, I was wondering if anyone knew how to use the null hypothesis right. What I mean is, I don't know how to state it, is it after the Aim or what? I'm doing a lab report and I'm kind of confused. Thanks in advance!
Last reply by Hedron123, -
- 0 replies
- 636 views
Hi everyone, Im studying Physics SL and I really need help with the option topics Im studying: A (Sight and Wave phenomena), B (Quantum and Nuclear Physics) and G (Electromagnetic waves) - links, notes or any study material in general. Thanks
Last reply by pisaan, -
- 0 replies
- 1.9k views
Hi! does anyone have the same option as mine on Physics HL. I have a quiz tomorrow and still don't have a clue on some of the stuff there.. I heard its a new option so it would really be great if anyone could provide me with some example questions or even notes on this stuff... Thx in advanced
Last reply by babakren, -
- 1 reply
- 742 views
For my Group 4, the big umbrella topic we have to work with is our sun. My group decided to go with light as our subtopic and I'm doing the physics part. My original question I had in mind was "How does the color of window tint affect the intensity of UV light?" but my teacher said this is not rigorous enough. What could I do to make this question more high school/IB appropriate?
Last reply by deissi, -
Physics Notes
by Guest thoughts13- 0 replies
- 878 views
Taking SL physics. exam in may of 09 the problem I'm having is that I can't grasp the concepts at hand I've narrowed it down to the lack of good notes. I 'm not saying its my teachers fault just the notes he givces us are very limited And I have real trouble studying of them for anything. I don't know if this is against regulation. but I had to ask. Could I borrow anybodys physics notes? If it's against code, then I apologize. I'd appreciate it if anyone could drop a line. seeing as how I'm averaging a 7 for all other courses except for physics, I'm very frustrated at the 5s I keep getting. Any help will be appreciated. thank you, kind people
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Well, as the title says, our teacher told us that we had to do a lab on heat transfer and global warming. I'm not half bad at designing a procedure, but I have absolutely no idea of what to look at in the lab. Our school doesn't have much in the way of equipment, but we do have turbidity sensors, heat sensors, and barometers, as well as the rest of the physics stuff. Anyways, anyone know of any testable relations or ideas that relate to heat transfer or global warming that could make a good lab? We're allowed to take ideas for research questions from wherever, provided we make our own specific question and procedure, and carry it out ourselves, drawing our own conlcusions…
Last reply by Hedron123, -
- 5 replies
- 11.3k views
here is some physics sample ia hope that helps. investigation06_en.pdf investigation10_en.pdf investigation01_en.pdf
Last reply by michaellwh, -
- 2 replies
- 972 views
Im taking Physics SL, but can I give labs to the IB on HL topics?
Last reply by Max, -
- 2 replies
- 1.4k views
Can anyone point for some comprehensive online sources about Viscosity and Drag Force. I tried wikipedia, but heck, it even has some wrong equations (which I edited later). Something about the derivation of some the equations of velocities in drag force, etc. would also be great. You dotn need to point me out to exact page, but if you know of any physics resource site which is comprehensive enough, please give me a link. I'm tired of googling
Last reply by booji, -
Physic labs
by ezex- 18 replies
- 2.6k views
Hey guys, I just had a question that's been bugging me since the first day our physics teacher open the class. It's my first IB science and the first IB Physics in our school, so I don't really have much reference. Now is it normal for the teacher to make us right up about 2 full IB lab reports a week? The thing is that he does a lab every time we learn something new, which is pretty much every other day, and he says that he wants us to do a lot of labs so he has a lot to choose from when he sends them over to the IB headquarters. But it's ALOT of work! I was just wondering if it's like that in all Physics classes, HL and SL. Feel free to give details Oh, another thing…
Last reply by Bexx25, -
- 1 reply
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I have my Paper 1 mock this Friday and I've been doing in depth review of all the topics covered. There's just one thing which I can't figure out in Thermal Physics which is explaining Work on a gas pressure-Volume diagram. When the pressure is constant and volume decreases, I understand that work is done by an external force, and when pressure constant and volume increases the work is done by the gas. But what happens when the pressure is not held constant and volume increases? (i.e. the gradient is diagonal)
Last reply by appleme,