For a group where SL takes the Mechanics and Atomic physics extensions, the following level separation can be used:+ = section for HL only, (+) = partially for HL only, * = section not in the IB program but in the HL takes two of the options, SL none.
0. Introduction: The IB Physics Handbook - a tool for non-constructivist education.
1. Measurement
1.1. What is physics?
1.2. The SI-system
1.3. Vectors and scalars
1.4. Graphs
1.5. Errors and uncertainties
1.6. Orders of magnitude
1.7. Logarithms
2. Mechanics
2.1. Mechanics - the foundation of physics
2.2. Distance and displacement
2.3. Speed and velocity
2.4. Acceleration
2.5. Graphs of UM and UAM
2.6. The 4 equations of UAM
2.7. Force and mass:
2.8. Friction
2.9. Work, energy and power
2.10. Springs
2.11.* Simple harmonic motion
2.12. Momentum and impulse
2.13. Projectile motion
2.14. Torque
2.15. Circular motion
2.16. Universal gravitation
2.17. Gravitational field and potential
2.18. Orbital motion
2.19. Kepler's laws
2.20.* Rotational mechanics
2.21.* Fluid mechanics
3.1. From mechanics to thermal physics
3.2. Temperature, internal energy and heat
3.3. Solids, liquids and gases (and plasma)
3.4.* Thermal expansion
3.5. Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat
3.6. Evaporation
3.7. Transporting thermal energy: conduction, convection, radiation
3.8. Ideal gas law
3.9.+ Thermodynamics (first law): heat and work
3.10.+ Thermodynamic processes
3.11.+ Thermodynamic cycles
3.12.+ Heat engines and pumps
3.13.+ Carnot cycles
3.14.+Second law of thermodynamics : Entropy
3.15.+ Entropy change calculations
4. Waves
4.1. Waves in one dimension (sections 4.1 - 4.6)
4.2. Superposition and interference in one dimension
4.3. +The phenomenon of "beats"
4.4. Reflection in one dimension
4.5. Standing (stationary) waves
4.6. (+)The Doppler effect for sound
4.7. Waves in two dimensions (section 4.7. - 4.10.): Huygen's principle & diffraction
4.8. + Superposition and interference in two dimensions - Young's experiment
4.9. Reflection in two dimensions
4.10. Refraction
5.1. Electric charge
5.2. Electric force and field
5.3. (+) Electric potential energy, potential and potential difference = "voltage"
5.4. Electric circuits: current, resistance, power
5.5. Electromotive force (emf) and internal resistance
5.6.* Capacitors
5.7. Magnets and magnetic fields
5.8. Magnetic forces
5.9. + Induction
5.10.+ Alternating currents
5.11.+ Transformers
5.12.* AC circuits
6. Atomic, nuclear and quantum physics
6.1. The atomic model
6.2. Spectra and energy levels in atoms
6.3. The Bohr model of the atom
6.4. De Broglie and wave-particle dualism
6.5. The Schrödinger model of the atom
6.6. The photoelectric effect
6.7. X-rays
6.8. The mass spectrometer and evidence for nuclides
6.9. The nucleus
6.10. Mass defect and binding energy
6.11. Changing the nucleus I: natural radioactivity
6.12. Types of radioactive decay
6.13. Nuclear energy levels
6.14. Effects and detection of radiation
6.15. Decay calculations and half-life
6.16. Changing the nucleus II : artificial transmutation
6.17. Changing the nucleus III : fission and fusion
6.18. Fission chain reactions : bombs and power plants
6.19. Particle physics
6.20. Accelerators
7. +Astrophysics
7.1. The "geography" of the universe
7.2. Astronomic observations
7.3. Stellar parallax
7.4. Absolute luminosity (power) and and apparent brightness (intensity)
7.5. Stefan-Boltzmann's law
7.6. Wien's displacement law
7.7. Stellar spectra and chemical composition
7.8. Spectroscopic parallax
7.9. Luminosity and Cepheid variables
7.10. Summary of distance measurement methods
7.11. Energy production in a star
7.12. The "life" of a star
7.13. Black holes
7.14. Olber's paradox: Why is it dark at night?
7.15. Galactic redshift and Hubble's law
7.16. The Big Bang model
7.17. Cosmic microwave background radiation
7.18. The future of the universe
8. +Relativity
8.1. Frames of reference
8.2. The Michelson-Morley experiment
8.3. Special relativity - for inertial frames
8.4. Simultaneity
8.5. Time dilation and proper time
8.6. Coordinate transformations, length contraction and proper length
8.7. Relativistic addition of velocities
8.8. Momentum conservation and mass increase
8.9. Energy and momentum
8.10. Space-time diagrams
8.11. General relativity - for accelerated frames
8.12. Other consequences and support for general relativity
9. +Optics
9.1. Light as an electromagnetic wave
9.2. Refraction of light
9.3. Technical applications of refraction
9.4. Dispersion of light
9.5. Lenses
9.6. Planar mirrors
9.7.* Curved mirrors
9.8. Lasers
9.9. Diffraction
9.10. Thin film interference
9.11* Polarization
10. +Historical physics
10.1 The history of mechanics
10.2 Astronomy
10.3. Models of the universe
10.4 The history of thermal physics
10.5 The history of waves
10.6 The history of electricity and magnetism
10.7 Electrons, protons and neutrons
10.8 Models of the atom
11. +Biomedical physics
11.1. Physics and medicine
11.2. Scaling
11.3. Biomechanics
11.4. Biomedical thermal physics
11.5. Biomedical waves : Sound and hearing
11.6. Ultrasound
11.7. * EEG and ECG
11.8A: X-ray imaging
11.8B: X-ray attenuation
11.8C: X-ray detection
11.8D: Computer tomography (CAT scan)
11.9. Other imaging techniques
11.10. Biomedical nuclear physics
12.1.* Mathematical physics
12.2.* The one-hour calculus course
12.3.* Further calculus in physics (and why E = mc2)
12.4 Constants and formulas available in IB examinations
12.5. Exercise problems
13. Investigations
13.1. General lab report structure
13.2. Model report I
13.3. Model report II
13.4. Investigations
14.1. Examples of themes for group presentations and discussions
14.2. Comments to the 25 questions in the IB TOK syllabus pp. 18-20