Course overview
Physics seeks the most fundamental explanations of how the universe behaves, from everyday motion to quantum and nuclear phenomena. The course pairs mathematical modelling with experimental investigation.
What you will study
- Space, time and motion: kinematics, forces, momentum, and energy.
- The particulate nature of matter: thermal physics and gas laws.
- Wave behaviour: oscillations, waves, and resonance.
- Fields: gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields (extended at HL).
- Nuclear and quantum physics: radioactivity and the structure of matter.
Assessment
| Component | HL | SL | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 36% | 36% | Multiple choice and data analysis |
| Paper 2 | 44% | 44% | Short-answer and extended-response questions |
| Internal Assessment | 20% | 20% | An individual scientific investigation |