The Syllabus

TOPIC TM OBJECTIVES
The realm of physics
( SL + HL ) 1 To understand range of magnitudes of quantities in our , universe order of magnitude, ranges of magnitude of distances, masses and times that occur in the universe, from smallest to greatest., differences of orders of magnitude.
Measurement and uncertainties
( SL + HL ) 2 The SI system of fundamental and derived units , SI System, fundamental and derived units and give examples of derived units, different units of quantities, units in the accepted SI format, scientific notation and in multiples of units with appropriate prefixes , Uncertainty and error in measurement, random and systematic errors, precision and accuracy, the effects of random errors may be reduced. Uncertainties in calculated results , uncertainties as absolute, fractional and percentage uncertainties. uncertainties in results. Uncertainties in graphs uncertainties as error bars in graphs. random uncertainty as an uncertainty range (±) and represent it graphically as an “error bar”, the uncertainties in the gradient and intercepts of a straight line graph.
Vectors and scalars
( SL + HL ) 2 vector and scalar , quantities, and give examples of each, the sum or difference of two vectors by a graphical method, Resolve vectors into perpendicular components along chosen axes.
Kinematics
( SL + HL ) 6 displacement, velocity, speed and acceleration, the difference between instantaneous and average values of speed, velocity and acceleration, the conditions under which the equations for uniformly accelerated motion may be applied, the acceleration of a body falling in a vacuum near , the Earth’s surface with the acceleration g of free fall, equations of uniformly accelerated motion, the effects of air resistance on falling objects, distance–time graphs, displacement–time graphs, velocity–time graphs and acceleration–time graphs. the gradients of displacement–time graphs and velocity–time graphs, and the areas Under velocity–time graphs an acceleration–time graphs. relative velocity in one and in two dimensions.
Forces and dynamics
( SL + HL ) 6 weight of a body using the expression W = mg, the forces acting on an object and draw free-body diagrams representing the forces acting, the resultant force in different situations. Newton’s first law of motion, examples of Newton’s first law, the condition for translational equilibrium. problems involving translational equilibrium. Newton’s second law of motion, problems involving Newton’s second law. linear momentum and impulse, the impulse due to a time-varying force by interpreting a force–time graph, the law of conservation of linear momentum, problems involving momentum and impulse. Newton’s third law of motion, examples of Newton’s third law.
Work, energy and power
( SL + HL ) 3 Work, the work done by a non-constant force by interpreting a force–displacement graph, problems involving the work done by a force. kinetic, Energy, change in gravitational potential energy, the principle of conservation of Energy, List different forms of energy and describe examples of the transformation of energy from one form to another. power, the concept of Efficiency, momentum, work, energy and power.
Uniform circular motion
( SL + HL ) 2 vector diagram to illustrate that the acceleration of a particle
moving with constant speed in a circle is directed towards the centre of the circle, the expression for centripetal acceleration, force producing circular motion in various situations, problems involving circular motion.
Projectile motion
(HL) 2 The independence of the vertical and the horizontal components of velocity for a projectile in a uniform field, the trajectory of projectile motion as parabolic in the absence of air resistance, Describe qualitatively the effect of air resistance on the trajectory of a projectile, problems on projectile motion.
Gravitational field, potential and energy
(HL) 2 Gravitational potential and gravitational potential energy, the formula relating gravitational field strength to gravitational potential gradient, the potential due to one or more point masses, sketch the pattern of equipotential surfaces due to one and two point masses, the relation between equipotential surfaces and gravitational field lines.
Electric field, potential and energy
(HL) 2 Electric potential and electric potential energy, the expression for electric potential due to a point charge, the formula relating electric field strength to electric potential gradient, the potential due to one or more point charges, the pattern of equipotential surfaces due to one and two point charges, the relation between equipotential surfaces and electric field lines, the concept of escape speed from a planet, an expression for the escape speed of an object from the surface of a planet, problems involving gravitational potential energy and gravitational potential., problems involving electric potential energy and electric potential.

Orbital motion
(HL) 2 Gravitation provides the centripetal force for circular orbital motion, Kepler’s third law, expressions for the kinetic
energy, potential energy and total energy of an orbiting satellite, the variation with orbital radius of the kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy and total energy of a satellite, the concept of “weightless-ness” in orbital motion, in free fall and in deep space, problems involving orbital motion.
Thermal concepts
( SL + HL ) 2 Temperature determines the direction of thermal energy transfer between two objects, relation between the Kelvin and Celsius scales of temperature, the internal energy of a substance is the total potential energy and random kinetic energy of the molecules of the substance. the macroscopic concepts of temperature, internal energy and thermal energy (heat). the mole and molar mass. the Avogadro constant.
Thermal properties of matter
( SL + HL ) 5 Specific heat capacity, phase changes and latent heat, Kinetic model of an ideal gas, Pressure, the assumptions of the kinetic model of an ideal gas, temperature is a measure of the average random kinetic energy of the molecules of an ideal gas, the macroscopic behaviour of an ideal gas in terms of a molecular model.
Thermodynamics
2 the equation of state for an ideal gas, the difference between an
ideal gas and a real gas, the concept of the absolute zero of temperature and the Kelvin scale of temperature, problems using the equation of state of an ideal gas.

Processes
3 The first law of thermodynamics, an expression for the work involved in a volume change of a gas at constant pressure, the first law of thermodynamics, the first law of thermodynamics as a statement of the principle of energy conservation, the isochoric (isovolumetric), isobaric, isothermal and adiabatic changes of state of an ideal gas, thermodynamic processes and cycles on P–V diagrams, P–V diagram the work done in a thermodynamic cycle, problems involving state changes of a gas.
Second law of thermodynamics and entropy
1 The second law of thermodynamics implies that thermal energy cannot spontaneously transfer from a region of low temperature to a region of high temperature; entropy is a system property that expresses the degree of disorder in the system, the second law of thermodynamics in terms of entropy changes, examples of natural processes in terms of entropy changes.
Kinematics of simple harmonic motion
( SL + HL ) 2 examples of oscillations, displacement, amplitude, frequency, period and phase difference, simple harmonic motion (SHM) and state the defining equation as a = −ω2x ., problems using the defining equation for SHM, Solve problems, both graphically and by calculation, for acceleration, velocity and displacement during SHM.
Energy changes during simple harmonic motion (SHM)
( SL + HL ) 1 the interchange between kinetic energy and potential energy during SHM, Solve problems, both graphically and by calculation, involving energy changes during SHM.
Forced oscillations and resonance
( SL + HL ) 3 Damping, examples of damped Oscillations, natural frequency of vibration and forced oscillations, graphically the variation with forced frequency of the amplitude of vibration of an object close to its natural frequency of vibration, resonance, examples of resonance where the effect is useful and where it should be avoided.
Wave characteristics
( SL + HL ) 2 Wave pulse and a continuous progressive (travelling) wave, progressive (travelling) waves transfer energy, transverse and of longitudinal waves, waves in two dimensions, including the concepts of wavefronts and of rays. Crest, trough, compression and rarefaction. Displacement, amplitude, frequency, period, wavelength, wave speed and intensity. displacement–time graphs and displacement –position graphs for transverse and for longitudinal waves. the relationship between wave speed, wavelength and frequency. Electro-magnetic waves travel with the same speed in free space, and recall the orders of magnitude of the wavelengths of the principal radiations in the electro-magnetic spectrum.
Wave properties
( SL + HL ) 2 the reflection and transmission of waves at a boundary between two media. Snell’s law. The diffraction of waves at apertures and obstacles diffraction, principle of superposition and explain what is meant by constructive interference and by destructive interference, the conditions for constructive and for destructive interference in terms of path difference and phase difference. principle of super-position to determine the resultant of two waves.
Standing (stationary) waves
2 The nature of standing (stationary) waves, the formation of One-dimensional standing waves, the modes of vibration of strings and air in open and in closed pipes, Compare standing waves and travelling waves , problems involving standing waves.

Doppler effect
2 what is meant by the Doppler effect., the Doppler effect by reference to wavefront diagrams for moving-detector and moving-source situations, the Doppler effect equations for sound.
Diffraction
1 Diffraction at a single slit, the variation with angle of diffraction of the relative intensity of light diffracted at a single slit, Derive the formula
θ = λ
b
for the position of the first minimum of the diffraction pattern produced at a single slit, problems involving single-slit diffraction.
Resolution
4 the variation with angle of
diffraction of the relative intensity of light emitted by two point sources that has been diffracted at a single slit, the Rayleigh criterion for images of two sources to be just resolved, the significance of resolution in the development of devices such as CDs and DVDs, the electron microscope and radio telescopes.
Polarization
3 what is meant by polarized light, polarization by reflection, Brewster’s law, the terms polarizer and analyzer, the intensity of a transmitted beam of polarized light using Malus’ law, the use of polarization in the determination of the concentration of certain solutions, qualitatively the action of liquid-crystal displays (LCDs).
Electric potential difference, current and resistance
( SL + HL ) 7 Electric potential difference, the change in potential energy when a charge moves between two points at different potentials, the electron-volt, problems involving electric potential difference.
Electric current and resistance, Apply the equation for resistance in the form
R = ρ L
A
where ρ is the resistivity of the material of the resistor. Ohm’s law, ohmic and non-ohmic behaviour. Expressions for electrical power dissipation in resistors, problems involving potential difference, current and resistance.
Electric circuits
( SL + HL ) 3 electromotive force (emf), the concept of internal resistance, Apply the equations for resistors in series and in parallel, Draw circuit diagrams, the use of ideal ammeters and ideal voltmeters, a potential divider, the use of
sensors in potential divider circuits, problems involving electric circuits,
Induced electromotive force
3 the inducing of an emf by relative motion between a conductor and a magnetic field, the formula for the emf induced in a straight conductor moving in a magnetic field, magnetic flux and magnetic flux linkage, the production of an induced emf by a time-changing magnetic flux, Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law, electromagnetic induction problems.
Alternating current
2 the emf induced in a coil rotating within a uniform magnetic field, the operation of a basic alternating current (ac) generator, the effect on the induced emf of changing the generator frequency, the relation between peak and rms values for sinusoidal currents and voltages, ac circuit problems for ohmic resistors, the operation of an ideal transformer.
Transmission of electrical power
1 the reasons for power losses in transmission lines and real transformers., the use of high-voltage stepup and step-down transformers in the transmission of electrical power, problems on the operation of real transformers and power transmission, Discuss some of the possible risks involved in living and working 0near high-voltage power lines.
Gravitational force and field
( SL + HL ) 2 Newton’s universal law of
Gravitation, gravitational field strength, the gravitational field due to one or more point masses, expression for gravitational field strength at the surface of a planet, assuming that all its mass is concentrated at its centre, problems involving gravitational forces and fields.
Magnetic force and field
( SL + HL ) 3 Moving charges give rise to magnetic fields, magnetic field patterns due to currents, the direction of the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field, the direction of the force on a charge moving in a magnetic field, the magnitude and direction of a magnetic field, problems involving magnetic forces, fields and currents.
The atom
( SL + HL ) 2 Atomic structure
model of the atom that features a small nucleus surrounded by electron, the evidence that supports a nuclear model of the atom, Outline one limitation of the simple model of the nuclear atom, Outline evidence for the existence of atomic energy levels, Nuclear structure, the terms nuclide, isotope and nucleon, Define nucleon number A, proton number Z and neutron number N,the interactions in a nucleus.
Radioactive decay
( SL + HL ) 3 Radioactivity :the phenomenon of natural radioactive decay, the properties of alpha (α) and beta (β) particles and gamma (γ) radiation.8the ionizing properties of alpha (α) and beta (β) particles and gamma (γ) radiation, the biological effects of ionizing radiation, Half-life ,radioactive decay is a random and spontaneous process and that the rate of decay decreases exponentially with time, the term radioactive half-life, the half-life of a nuclide from a decay curve, radioactive decay problems involving integral numbers of half lives.
Nuclear reactions, fission and fusion
( SL + HL ) 4 Nuclear reactions, an example of an artificial (induced) transmutation, Construct and complete nuclear equations, Define the term unified atomic mass unit, the Einstein mass–energy equivalence relationship, the concepts of mass defect, binding energy and binding energy per nucleon, graph showing the variation with nucleon number of the binding energy per nucleon, problems involving mass defect and binding energy, Fission and fusion, the processes of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion, State that nuclear fusion is the main
source of the Sun’s energy, Solve problems involving fission and fusion reactions.
Quantum physics
10 The quantum nature of radiation, the photoelectric effect, the concept of the photon, and use it to explain the photoelectric effect, an experiment to test the Einstein model, problems involving the photoelectric effect, The wave nature of matter, the de Broglie hypothesis and the concept of matter waves, an experiment to verify the de Broglie hypothesis, problems involving matter waves, Atomic spectra and atomic energy states, a laboratory procedure for producing and observing atomic spectra, the Schrödinger model of the hydrogen atom, the Heisenberg uncertainty principle with regard to position–momentum and time–energy.
Nuclear physics
5 the radii of nuclei may be estimated from charged particle scattering experiments, the masses of nuclei may be determined using a Bainbridge mass spectrometer, Describe one piece of evidence for the existence of nuclear energy levels, Radioactive decay, Describe β+ decay, including the existence of the neutrino, the radioactive decay law as an exponential function and define the decay constant, the relationship between decay constant and half-life.
Energy degradation and power generation
( SL + HL ) 2 Thermal energy may be completely converted to work in a single process, but that continuous conversion of this energy into work requires a cyclical process and the transfer of some energy from the system, what is meant by degraded energy, Construct and analyse energy flow diagrams (Sankey diagrams) and identify where the energy is degraded¸ Outline the principal mechanisms involved in the production of electrical power.
World energy sources
( SL + HL ) 2 Identify different world energy Sources, Outline and distinguish between renewable and non-renewable energy sources, the energy density of a fuel, the relative proportions of world use of the different energy sources that are available, the relative advantages and disadvantages of various energy sources.
Fossil fuel power production
( SL + HL ) 1 the historical and geographical reasons for the widespread use of fossil fuels, Discuss the energy density of fossil fuels with respect to the demands of power stations, the relative advantages and disadvantages associated with the transportation and storage of fossil fuels, the overall efficiency of power stations fuelled by different fossil fuels, the environmental problems associated with the recovery of fossil fuels and their use in power stations.
Non-fossil fuel power production
( SL + HL ) 7 Nuclear power , how neutrons produced in a fission reaction may be used to initiate further fission reactions (chain reaction), Distinguish between controlled nuclear fission (power production) and uncontrolled nuclear fission (nuclear weapons), what is meant by fuel Enrichment, the main energy transformations that take place in a nuclear power station, the role of the moderator and the control rods in the production of
controlled fission in a thermal fission reactor, the role of the heat exchanger in a fission reactor, how neutron capture by a nucleus of uranium-238 (238U) results in the production of a nucleus of plutonium-239 (239Pu), the importance of plutonium-239 (239Pu) as a nuclear fuel, Discuss safety issues and risks associated with the production of nuclear power, the problems associated with producing nuclear power using
nuclear fusion, problems on the production of nuclear power, Solar power, Distinguish between a photovoltaic cell and a solar heating panel, Solve problems involving specific applications of photovoltaic cells and solar heating panels, Hydroelectric power, Distinguish between different hydroelectric schemes , the main energy transformations that take place in hydroelectric schemes, Solve problems involving hydroelectric schemes, Wind power, Outline the basic features of a wind
generator, the power that may be delivered by a wind generator, assuming that the wind kinetic energy is completely converted into mechanical kinetic energy, and explain why this is impossible, Wave power.
Greenhouse effect
( SL + HL ) 3 Solar radiation, the intensity of the Sun’s radiation incident on a planet, State factors that determine a planet’s albedo, The greenhouse effect, Identify the main greenhouse gases and their sources, the molecular mechanism by which greenhouse gases absorb infrared radiation, surface heat capacity Cs, problems on the greenhouse effect and the heating of planets using a simple energy balance climate model.
Global warming
( SL + HL ) 3 Global warming, some possible models of global warming, what is meant by the enhanced Green-house effect, the evidence that links global warming to increased levels of greenhouse gases, Outline some of the mechanisms that may increase the rate of global
warming, coefficient of volume expansion, possible effect of the enhanced greenhouse effect is a rise in mean sea-level, Identify climate change as an outcome of the enhanced green house effect, international efforts to reduce the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Analogue and digital signals
4 problems involving the conversion between binary numbers and decimal numbers, Describe different means of storage of information in both analogue and digital forms, how interference of light is used to recover information stored on a CD, an appropriate depth for a pit from the wavelength of the laser light, problems on CDs and DVDs related to data storage capacity, the advantage of the storage of information in digital rather than analogue form, the implications for society of ever-increasing capability of data storage.
Data capture; digital imaging using charge-coupled devices
(CCDs)
4 Capacitance, the structure of a charge- coupled device (CCD), how incident light causes charge to build up within a pixel, how the image on a CCD is Digitized, quantum efficiency of a pixel, magnification, two points on an object may be just resolved on a CCD if the images of the points are at least two pixels apart, the effects of quantum efficiency, magnification and resolution on the quality of the processed image, a range of practical uses
of a CCD, and list some advantages compared with the use of film, Outline how the image stored in a CCD is retrieved, problems involving the use of CCDs.

Radio communication
5 The modulation of a wave, carrier wave and a signal wave, the nature of amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency
modulation (FM), the modulation of the carrier wave in order to determine the frequency and
amplitude of the information signal, analyse graphs of the
power spectrum of a carrier wave that is amplitude-modulated by a single- frequency signal, sideband frequencies and bandwidth, sideband frequencies and bandwidth, the relative advantages and disadvantages of AM and FM for radio transmission and reception, block diagram, an AM radio receiver,.
Digital signals
4 the conversion between binary numbers and decimal numbers, analogue and digital signals, the advantages of the digital transmission, as compared to the analogue transmission, of information , analogue and
digital signals, the advantages of the digital transmission, as compared to the analogue transmission, of information, using block diagrams, the principles of the transmission and reception of digital signals, the significance of the number of bits and the bit-rate on the reproduction of a transmitted signal, time-division multiplexing, analogue- to-digital conversion, the consequences of digital
communication and multiplexing on worldwide communications, the moral, ethical, economic
and environmental issues arising from access to the Internet.
Optic fibre transmission
3 critical angle and total internal reflection, refractive index and critical angle, the concept of total internal reflection to the transmission of light along an optic fibre, the effects of material
dispersion and modal dispersion, attenuation and solve problems involving attenuation measured in decibels, the variation with wavelength of the attenuation of
radiation in the core of a monomode fibre, noise in an
optic fibre, the role of amplifiers and reshapers in optic fibre transmission, optic fibres.
Channels of communication
3 different channels of communication, including wire pairs, coaxial cables, optic fibres, radio waves and satellite communication, the uses and the relative advantages and disadvantages of wire pairs, coaxial cables, optic fibres and radio waves, geostationary satellite, the order of magnitude of the frequencies used for communication with geo-stationary satellites, and xplain why the up-link frequency nd the down-link frequency are ifferent, the relative advantages and disadvantages of the use of
geo-stationary and of polar-orbiting satellites for communication, the moral, ethical, economic and environmental issues arising from satellite communication.
Electronics
5 the properties of an ideal operational amplifier (op-amp), circuit diagrams for both inverting and non-inverting amplifiers (with a single input) incorporating operational amplifiers, an expression for the gain of an inverting amplifier and for a noninverting amplifier, the use of an operational amplifier circuit as a comparator, the use of a Schmitt trigger for the reshaping of digital pulses, problems involving circuits
incorporating operational amplifiers.
The mobile phone system
2 number of cells (each with its own base station) to which is allocated a range of frequencies, the role of the cellular exchange and the public switched telephone network (PSTN) in communications using mobile phones, the use of mobile phones in multimedia communication, the moral, ethical, economic, environmental and international issues arising from the use of mobile phones.


The nature of EM waves and light sources
4 the nature of electromagnetic (EM) waves, the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, the dispersion of EM waves, the dispersion of EM waves in terms of the dependence of refractive index on wavelength, transmission, absorption and scattering of radiation, the transmission, absorption and scattering of EM
radiation, Lasers, the terms monochromatic and coherent, laser light as a source of coherent light, the mechanism for the production of laser light, an application of the use of a laser.
Optical instruments
6 the terms principal axis, focal point, focal length and linear
magnification as applied to a converging (convex) lens, the power of a convex lens and the dioptre, linear magnification, ray diagrams to locate the image formed by a convex lens, real image and a virtual image, the convention “real is positive, virtual is negative” to the thin lens formula, single convex lens using the thin lens formula, The simple magnifying glass, the terms far point and near point for the unaided eye, angular magnification, an expression for the angular magnification of a simple magnifying glass for an image formed at the near point and at infinity, The compound microscope and astronomical telescope, ray diagram for a
compound microscope with final
image formed close to the near point of the eye (normal adjustment), a ray diagram for an astronomical telescope with the final image at infinity (normal adjustment), the equation relating angular magnification to the focal lengths of the lenses in an astronomical telescope in normal adjustment, the compound microscope and the
astronomical telescope, Aberrations, the meaning of spherical aberration and of chromatic aberration as produced by a single lens, spherical aberration in a lens may be reduced, chromatic aberration in a lens may be reduced.
Two-source interference of waves
3 the conditions necessary to observe interference between two sources, the principle of superposition, the interference
pattern produced by waves from two coherent point sources, double-slit experiment for light and draw the intensity distribution of the observed fringe pattern, two-source interference.
Diffraction grating
2 Multiple-slit diffraction, the effect on the double-slit intensity distribution of increasing the number of slits, the diffraction grating formula for normal incidence, the use of a diffraction grating to measure wavelengths, problems involving a diffraction grating.
X-rays
4 the experimental arrangement for the production of X-rays, annotate a typical X-ray Spectrum, the origins of the features of a characteristic X-ray spectrum, accelerating potential difference and minimum wavelength, X-ray diffraction, X-ray diffraction arises from the scattering of X-rays in a crystal, the Bragg scattering equation, cubic crystals may be used to measure the wavelength of X-rays, X-rays may be used to determine the structure of crystals, problems involving the Bragg equation.
Thin-film interference
3 Wedge films, the production of interference fringes by a thin air wedge, how wedge fringes can be used to measure very small separations, how thin-film interference is used to test optical flats, Solve problems involving wedge films, Parallel films, the condition for light to undergo either a phase change of π, or no phase change, on reflection from an interface, how a source of light gives rise to an interference pattern when the light is reflected at both surfaces
of a parallel film, the conditions for constructive and destructive interference, the formation of coloured fringes when white light is reflected from thin films, such as oil and soap films, the difference between fringes formed by a parallel film and a
wedge film, applications of parallel thin films, problems involving parallel films.