DP IB Physics: HL Revision Notes 2016

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

1. Measurement & Uncertainties

1.1.1 SI Units

1.1.2 Using Scientific Notation

1.1.3 Estimating Physical Quantities

1.2.1 Random & Systematic Errors

1.2.2 Calculating Uncertainties

1.2.3 Determining Uncertainties from Graphs

1.3.1 Vector & Scalar Quantities

1.3.2 Combining & Resolving Vectors

1.3.3 Solving Vector Problems

3. Thermal Physics

3.1.1 Solids, Liquids & Gases

3.1.2 Temperature

3.1.3 Internal Energy

3.1.4 Specific Heat Capacity

3.1.5 Specific Latent Heat

3.1.6 Phase Change

3.1.7 Investigating Thermal Energy

3.2.1 Ideal Gas Laws

3.2.2 Ideal Gas Equation

3.2.3 Kinetic Model of an Ideal Gas

3.2.4 Mole Calculations

3.2.5 Investigating Gas Laws

6. Circular Motion & Gravitation

6.1.1 Circular Motion

6.1.2 Centripetal Force

6.1.3 Centripetal Acceleration

6.1.4 Applications of Circular Motion

6.2.1 Newton’s Law of Gravitation

6.2.2 Circular Orbits

6.2.3 Gravitational Field Strength

8. Energy Production

8.1.1 Specific Energy

8.1.2 Sankey Diagrams

8.1.3 Primary & Secondary Energy Sources

8.1.4 Energy Resources

8.1.5 Energy Generation

8.1.6 Safety Issues in Nuclear Power

8.2.1 Conduction, Convection & Thermal Radiation

8.2.2 Black-Body Radiation

8.2.3 The Solar Constant, Albedo & Emissivity

8.2.4 The Greenhouse Effect

8.2.5 Earth's Surface–Atmosphere System

9. Wave Phenomena (HL only)

9.1.1 The Defining Equation of SHM

9.1.2 Energy Changes in SHM

9.1.3 Calculating Energy Changes in SHM

9.1.4 Examples of SHM

9.2.1 The Nature of Single-Slit Diffraction

9.2.2 Intensity of Interference Maxima & Minima

9.3.1 Young’s Double-Slit Experiment

9.3.2 Two-Slit Interference Patterns

9.3.3 Diffraction Grating Patterns

9.3.4 The Diffraction Grating Equation

9.3.5 Thin Film Interference

9.4.1 The Rayleigh Criterion

9.4.2 Rayleigh Criterion Calculations

9.4.3 Resolvance of Diffraction Gratings

9.5.1 The Doppler Effect

9.5.2 Uses of The Doppler Effect

9.5.3 The Doppler Equation

10. Fields (HL only)

10.1.1 Gravitational & Electrostatic Fields

10.1.2 Gravitational & Electrostatic Field Lines

10.1.3 Gravitational & Electrostatic Potential

10.1.4 Equipotential Surfaces

10.2.1 Potential & Potential Energy

10.2.2 Potential Energy Calculations

10.2.3 Potential Gradient & Difference

10.2.4 Potential in a Charged Sphere

10.2.5 Escape Speed

10.2.6 Orbital Motion, Speed & Energy

10.2.7 Forces & Inverse-Square Law Behaviour

10.2.8 Forces on Charges & Masses

12. Quantum & Nuclear Physics (HL only)

12.1.1 Photons

12.1.2 The Photoelectric Effect

12.1.3 Observing the Photoelectric Effect

12.1.4 Solving Photoelectric Problems

12.1.5 Matter Waves

12.1.6 Pair Production & Annihilation

12.1.7 Quantization of Angular Momentum

12.1.8 The Wave Function

12.1.9 The Uncertainty Principle

12.1.10 Tunnelling

12.2.1 Rutherford Scattering & Nuclear Radius

12.2.2 Nuclear Scattering

12.2.3 Deviations from Rutherford Scattering

12.2.4 Nuclear Energy Levels

12.2.5 The Neutrino

12.2.6 The Law of Radioactive Decay

12.2.7 Measuring Half-Life

Study tools

DP IB Physics: HL · Exam Questions

DP IB Physics: HL Revision Notes

1. Measurement & Uncertainties

2. Mechanics

3. Thermal Physics

4. Waves

5. Electricity & Magnetism

6. Circular Motion & Gravitation

7. Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics

8. Energy Production

9. Wave Phenomena (HL only)

10. Fields (HL only)

11. Electromagnetic Induction (HL only)

12. Quantum & Nuclear Physics (HL only)