B Physics 2009: Syllabus SummaryCatherine Zhu

TableofContents
Key:
..........................................................................................................................................................2Topic
2: Mechanics..................................................................................................................................3
2.1. Kinematics......................................................................................................................................32.2.
Forces and dynamics......................................................................................................................32.3.
Work, energy, and power................................................................................................................52.4.
Uniform circular motion.................................................................................................................6
Topic 3: Thermal Physics........................................................................................................................7
3.1. Thermal Concepts...........................................................................................................................73.2.
Thermal Properties of Matter.........................................................................................................8Specific
Heat Capacities, Phase Changes, and Latent Heat..............................................................8Kinetic Model
of an Ideal Gas..........................................................................................................9
Topic 4: Oscillations and Waves.............................................................................................................9
4.1. Kinematics of simple harmonic motion.........................................................................................94.2.
Energy changes during simple harmonic motion.........................................................................104.3.
Forced oscillations and resonance................................................................................................114.4.
Wave characteristics.....................................................................................................................114.5.
Wave properties............................................................................................................................12
Topic 5: Electric Currents....................................................................................................................14
5.1. Electric potential difference, current and
resistance....................................................................14Electric potential
difference............................................................................................................14Electric current and
resistance.........................................................................................................155.2. Electric
Circuits............................................................................................................................16
Topic 6: Forces and Fields....................................................................................................................16
6.1. Gravitational Force and Field.......................................................................................................166.2.
Electric Force and Field...............................................................................................................176.3.
Magnetic Force and Field.............................................................................................................18
Topic 7: Atomic and Nuclear Physics..................................................................................................20
7.1. The
Atom......................................................................................................................................20Atomic
Structure.............................................................................................................................20 Nuclear
Structure.............................................................................................................................207.2.
Radioactive
Decay........................................................................................................................21Radioactivity.............
......................................................................................................................21Halflife...........................................................................................................................................227.3. Nuclear
Reactions, Fission and Fusion........................................................................................22 Nuclear
Reactions...........................................................................................................................22Fission and
Fusion...........................................................................................................................24
Topic 8. Energy, Power, and Climate Change.....................................................................................24
8.1. Energy Degradation and Power Generation ................................................................................248.2.
World Energy Sources..................................................................................................................248.3.
Fossil Fuel Power Production......................................................................................................258.4. NonFossil Fuel Power Production..............................................................................................25 Nuclear
Power.................................................................................................................................25Solar

Power.....................................................................................................................................26Hydroelectri
c Power........................................................................................................................26Wind
Power.....................................................................................................................................27Wave
Power.....................................................................................................................................278.5. The
Greenhouse Effect.................................................................................................................28Solar
Radiation................................................................................................................................281

IB Physics 2009: Syllabus SummaryCatherine ZhuThe Greenhouse

Effect....................................................................................................................288.6. Global
Warming...........................................................................................................................28
Topic 9. Motion in Fields......................................................................................................................28
9.1. Projectile Motion..........................................................................................................................289.2.
Gravitational Field, Potential and Energy....................................................................................299.3.
Electric Field, Potential and Energy.............................................................................................309.4.
Orbital motion .............................................................................................................................31
Topic 10. Thermal Physics....................................................................................................................31
10.1. Thermodynamics........................................................................................................................31Gas
Laws.........................................................................................................................................3110.2.
Processes ...................................................................................................................................32The first
law of thermodynamics....................................................................................................3210.3. Second
law of thermodynamics and entropy.............................................................................33
Topic 11. Wave Phenomena..................................................................................................................33
11.1. Standing
Waves..........................................................................................................................3311.2. Doppler
Effect............................................................................................................................3311.3.
Diffraction..................................................................................................................................3411.4.
Resolution...................................................................................................................................3511.5.
Polarization.................................................................................................................................36
Topic 12: Electromagnetic Induction...................................................................................................37
12.1 Induced Electromotive Force......................................................................................................3712.2
Alternating current.......................................................................................................................3712.3.
Transmission of electrical power................................................................................................38
Topic 13: Quantum Physics and Nuclear Physics .............................................................................38
13.1. Quantum Physics........................................................................................................................38The
Quantum Nature of Radiation..................................................................................................38The Wave
Nature of Matter.............................................................................................................39Atomic Spectra
and Atomic Energy States.....................................................................................4013.2. Nuclear
physics..........................................................................................................................41Radioactive
Decay...........................................................................................................................41
Topic 14: Digital Technology................................................................................................................42
14.1. Analogue and digital signals......................................................................................................4214.2.
Data Capture; digital imaging using charge-coupled devices (CCDs) ......................................

Lesson 1 : Describing Motion with Words

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Introduction to the Language of Kinematics

Scalars and Vectors
Distance and Displacement
Speed and Velocity
Acceleration

Lesson 2 : Describing Motion with Diagrams

1. Introduction to Diagrams
2. Ticker Tape Diagrams
3. Vector Diagrams

Lesson 3 : Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs

1. The Meaning of Shape for a p-t Graph
2. The Meaning of Slope for a p-t Graph
3. Determining the Slope on a p-t Graph

Lesson 4 : Describing Motion with Velocity vs. Time Graphs

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The Meaning of Shape for a v-t Graph

The Meaning of Slope for a v-t Graph
Relating the Shape to the Motion
Determining the Slope on a v-t Graph
Determining the Area on a v-t Graph

Lesson 5 : Free Fall and the Acceleration of Gravity

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Introduction to Free Fall

The Acceleration of Gravity
Representing Free Fall by Graphs
How Fast? and How Far?
The Big Misconception

Lesson 6 : Describing Motion with Equations

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The Kinematic Equations

Kinematic Equations and Problem-Solving
Kinematic Equations and Free Fall
Sample Problems and Solutions
Kinematic Equations and Graphs