It's easy to become focused on content as a DP science teacher. We have a lot of it 'to cover'! But there is more to physics than 750 facts - a number I calculated when making flashcards for the InThinking Revision Site (studyib.net/physics).
If this were a TOK lesson, I could talk about the scope, perspectives, methods and ethics that make physics physics. Or I could turn to the TOK concepts: evidence, certainty, truth, interpretation, power, justification, explanation, objectivity, perspective, culture, values and responsibility.
We could look to the history and philosophy of the subject in "Aristotle’s Physics, written around 350 BCE, ... the first use of the word ‘physics’ in English c.1487 by John Skelton (‘phisikes’)" or the creation of Chairs in physics at Cambridge and Oxford in 1871 and 1900 (Sturdy, 2021).
Or, of course, we could open the Subject Guide! The Physics guide for 2023+ is well worth a read in full when you get a chance. It includes aspects of the nature of science, the nature of physics, how physics relates to all Core elements and the learner profile, approaches to teaching and learning, and the tools and inquiry process detailed below.
These tools and inquiry processes are fair game in both internal and external IB assessments and it's our responsibility as teachers to ensure our students build the necessary toolkit over the two-year programme.
- Recognise and address safety, ethical and environmental issues
- Measuring mass
- Measuring time
- Measuring length
- Measuring volume
- Measuring temperature
- Measuring force
- Measuring electric current
- Measuring potential difference
- Measuring angle
- Measuring sound intensity
- Measuring light intensity
- Using sensors
- Models and simulations for generation of data
- Spreadsheets for manipulation of data
- Computer modelling for processing data
- Image analysis of motion
- Databases - data identification and extraction
- Graphs for representation of data
- Video analysis of motion
- Arithmetic and algebra
- Orders of magnitude (for ratios, values and approximations)
- SI prefixes and units
- Equations - selection and manipulation
- Effect of changes to variables on other variables
- Scientific notation
- Area and volume
- Symbols used in Guide and Data Booklet
- Use of units (e.g. eV, eVc^(-2), ly, pc, h, day, year)
- Approximation and estimation
- Rates of change
- Dimensional analysis of units for checking expressions (informal)
- Neglecting effects (and why)
- Direct and inverse proportionality, positive and negatives relationships or correlations
- Sketch graphs (labelled but unscaled axes) to qualitatively describe trends
- Fundamental units
- Derived units in terms of SI units
- Recording uncertainties in measurements as a range to appropriate precision
- Appropriate significant figures or decimal places
- Significance of uncertainties in raw and processed data
- Free-body diagrams
- Express measurement and processed uncertainites to appropriate significant figures or precision
- Mean and range
- Extrapolate and interpolate graphs
- Linear and non-linear graphs with appropriate scales and axes
- Derivations of equations
- Linearize graphs (only where appropriate)
- Continuous and discrete variables
- Draw and interpret uncertainty bars
- Drawing lines or curves of best fit
- Constructing max and min gradient lines by considering all uncertainty bars
- Percentage change and percentage difference
- Percentage error and percentage uncertainty
- Determining uncertainty in gradients and intercepts
- Propagation of uncertainties - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, raising to a power
- Logarithmic and exponential functions
- Tables and graphs (bar charts, pie charts, histograms, scatter graphs, and line and curve) for raw and processed data
- Decimals, fractions, percentages, ratios, reciprocals, exponents and trigonometric ratios
- Logarithmic graphs
- Scale diagrams
- Scalars and vectors - definitions and examples
- Drawing and labelling vectors - magnitude, point of application and direction
- Vector addition and subtraction (up to three)
- Multiplication of vectors by scalar
- Resolving vectors (to two perpendicular components)
- Interpreting features e.g. gradient, changes in gradient, intercepts, maxima and minima, and area under
- Independent thinking, initative or insight
- Variety of sources
- Selecting sufficient and relevant sources
- Research questions and hypotheses
- Stating and explaining predictions
- Creativity in design, implemenation or presentation of investigation
- Laboratory experiments, databases, simulations and modelling
- Identifying and justifying dependent, independent and control variables
- Justifying range and quantity of measurements
- Designing and explaining valid methodology
- Piloting
- Calibrating apparatus including sensors
- Maintaining constant environmental conditions
- Heat insulation
- Reducing friction
- Reducing electrical resistance
- Background radiation
- Qualitative observations - relevant
- Quantitative observations - sufficient
- Identifying and addressing issues that arise during data collection
- Relevant and accurate data processing
- Interpret qualitative and quantitative data
- Interpret diagrams, graphs and charts
- Patterns, trends and relationships - identify, describe and explain
- Removal or inclusion of outliers - identify and justify
- Assess accuracy
- Assess precision
- Assess reliability
- Assess validity
- Conclusions from processed data
- Comparing outcomes with scientific context
- Relating outcomes to stated research question or hypothesis
- Impact of uncertainties on conclusions
- Evaluate hypothesis
- Sources and impacts of random and systematic errors
- Implications of methodological weaknesses, limitations and assumptions
- Explaining realistic and relevant improvements
Images and references
Screen captures from 2001: A Space Odyssey DVD, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29557739
Sturdy (2021). Physics in What Should Schools Teach? Second Edition edited by Cuthbert and Standish. UCL Press, London. https://www.uclpress.co.uk/products/165025#
IB (2023). Diploma Programme Physics guide. International Baccalaureate Organization, Cardiff.
