IB Physics
InThinking Subject Sites - where IB teachers go
Website by Chris Hamper
Updated Thursday 29 October
search...
Home Activities New IA starting 2014 New syllabus 2014 Approaches Scheme of Work (old)
Internal Assessment (old) The Exam IB Core Short Cuts
Feedback
Log in
Free stuff Ideas for investigations
Subscribe New IA starting 2014 The investigation Ideas for investigations
New IA starting 2014
Apparatus based
These are all starting points for investigations, the idea being that a student
Beginners guide would focus on a piece of apparatus, find out how to use it and carry out an
investigation based on it. The report could also include the theory related to the
My practical
investigation and some simulated activity. A great way to use some of those
programme
expensive pieces of apparatus gathering dust on top of your cabinets.
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
The investigation
Dynamics Track
Logistics
Conservation of momentum in collisions using video, motion sensors or light
Personal gates
Engagement Newton’s second law, masses and pulleys
Impulse using force meter to measure force and time for different collisions
Exploration
Work and energy (Applying force to trolley and measuring increase in KE)
Analysis Energy conservation of a trolley rolling down an incline
Evaluation Graphical analysis of motion using a motion sensor
Investigation of SHM of trolley and two springs
Communication
Rolling balls - many possible variables.
Ideas for
Rotational motion System
investigations
Conservation of angular momentum
Sample Rotational inertia
Investigations Measuring centripetal force
Rotational inertia of a disc and rings
Not a checklist
Rotational inertia of disc off axis
Ideas based on old Rotational inertia of plasticine models
design labs
Optics bench
Investigation diary
Snell’s law
2015 Image formation in lenses
Investigation Image formation in curved mirrors
marking exercise Diffraction grating
Single slit diffraction.
Required practicals multiple slit interference
Other practicals Diffraction by circular opening
The telescope
The microscope
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
Malus’ law
Aperture size and depth of focus
Inverse square law
Spectrometer
Measurement of emission spectra
refractive index
Multiple slit interference
Teltron tubes
Fine beam tube
e/m
electron diffraction
Critical potentials tube
Electrometer
investigating parallel plate capacitor
Potential close to a sphere
Charge distribution
Van de graaf generator
Action of points
optimum operating conditions
Spark length
Effect of humidity
electric force
radial field
Basic coil set
Self inductance
flux density
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
Falling magnet
mutual inductance
Energy losses
Magnet on a spring
Turns ratio
Coupled magnets on springs
B field sensor
Flux density due to solenoids and coils
Flux density around magnets
Use with slinky
Oscilloscope
How it works
AC experiments LCR circuits
Measuring sound
lissajou figures and phase
Stefan Boltzman apparatus
Stefan Boltzman law
Adiabatic gas law apparatus
Boyles law
work done by an isothermal process
Work done by an adiabatic process
Cycles
Heat capacity of a gas
measuring number of moles
different gases
Sonometer
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
driving the wire and resonance
fft investigation
changing wire
position of detector and driver
Projectile launcher
range and velocity
range and angle
effect of air resistance
ball size and range
Time of flight
Trajectory (with camera)
Maximum height and velocity
maximum height and angle
conservation of momentum in 2D
Ripple tank
Refraction due to change in depth
Diffraction through slits and around
obstacles
Interference between two point sources
standing waves
Doppler effect
Physical system based
These are similar to the old style design experiments where the student was
given some physical system like a coil of wire to base their research question on.
The big difference is that the student is expected to show some understanding of
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
The big difference is that the student is expected to show some understanding of
the underlying physics (to score maximum marks) so shouldn’t be too ambitious,
I have put a * by examples that maybe a bit too difficult to do well.
Play doh
Mechanics type experiments related to deformation.
Inelastic collisions
Depth of hole when pointed object dropped (*)
Impulse when dropped from different heights or different
temperatures
Flattening when dropped from different heights (*)
Rolling of different sized balls and cylinders
Freefall acceleration of different sized balls
resistance of different pieces of play doh
temperature dependence of resistance
Balloons
Volume and pressure
Force between two charged balloons
frequency of note when tapped
loudness of sound when burst (*)
height of bounce and size (*)
acceleration of different sizes
resonance of different sizes (*)
use know to project balloon, distance knot pulled back and range
Filled with different gases
A wooden rod hanging from two strings
Speed at which it unwinds when twisted (*)
frequency and distance between strings
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
Frequency of angular oscillation and
separation of strings
tension in strings and angle of rod
angular acceleration of rod and angular
displacement
used as a battering ram
vary mass of rod and time period of various
modes of oscillation
Strip of material
Twanged like a ruler on the bench
balanced as a bridge
balanced as a seesaw
balanced like a ladder
as a cantilever
used to project a mass
as a torsional spring
can vary lengths and angles or properties of the strip
Slinky
Transverse waves
longitudinal waves
as a solenoid
as an oscillating spring
rotated in circular motion
walking down the stairs (*)
as a suspension bridge (*)
Jelly
Modes of vibration of different sized cubes (*)
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
Refractive index of jelly made with different amounts of water, gelatine and sugar
Cut into lens shapes and used to verify the lens makers equation
deflection and refracting angle of different jelly prisms
used like ballistics jelly
electrical properties
absorption of light
elasticity of jelly made with different amounts of water and gelatine
Coils and magnets
Electromagnetic induction
strength of electromagnet
coils used as springs
transformers
falling magnet
vibrating magnet
Battery drill
power in and power used to lift object
back EMF
motor speed and voltage
Battery life and work done
heating when drilling
Flying pig
many variations on the conical pendulum theme
Musical instruments
Take your pick, many interesting investigations
Conductivity paper
investigating electric field for different electrode configuration
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
Temp dependence of resistance
modelling fluid flow
Simulations
Although it is possible to do an investigation purely with simulations I would
prefer my students to link this with the real world by doing real experiments too.
By simulating an experiment students can develop a better understanding of the
underlying physical principles enabling them to understand the deviations of
their experimental results from theory. For example a student doing an
acceleration due to gravity experiment might wonder what effect air resistance
would have on the motion of a ball. By building a simulation they can vary the air
resistance and see how the motion changes. Most of the practical listed above
can be simulated adding to the depth of the investigation. There are many
ready-made simulations available on the internet but most of these are pre-
programmed to demonstrate certain phenomena, these are excellent for
demonstrating theory but for the purpose of the individual investigation I would
prefer students to build their own simulations using one of the following options.
Algodoo http://www.algodoo.com/
Available to download free but also good to support the development with some
cash.
very colourful and easy to use
can simulate pretty much all of the mechanics experiments
vary gravity and air resistance, measure quantities and draw graphs
build machines
change properties of materials
join objects with ropes and chains
turn objects into water
simulate fluid flow
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
make objects transparent and shine lasers through them
make lenses
simulate gases with large numbers of particles
Interactive Physics http://www.design-simulation.com/IP/
This old classic is still around and well worth investing in even if you just use it
for demos. Its quite expensive (about 1000 Euro for 10 users) so might be too
expensive for some schools. Not quite as versatile as Algodoo, for example you
it’s not so easy to interact with the simulation as its running, but a little bit easier
to get started with.
custom force fields
electrostatics
gravity
strings and pulleys
show vectors
attach images
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
Excel
Excel can be used toplot graphs from equations by using formula to generate
columns of data. The graphs can be animated by making time a variable linked
to a slider. Changing the value of t with the slider will change the graph. Can be
used for exponential decay, waves, motion, charging and discharging of
capacitors. Most students will know how to use the basic functions.
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
Geogebra www.geogebra.org
Used for plotting graphs from equations. If time is one of the variables then the
graph can be animated. Quite easy to set up simulations once the basic idea is
grasped. Easier to use than excel since you don’t have to calculate values. One
nice feature about Geogebra is that the simulations can be saved as Java
applets and embedded into websites where they can be controlled on line.
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
Paul Falstad’s ripple tank http://www.falstad.com/
Paul Falstad has made a range of applets but the ripple tank is probably the
most useful at this level. Much easier to use than the real thing. Can be used to
demonstrate refraction, reflection, diffraction, interference, waves in closed
pipes, Doppler effect. Particularly nice in 3D view.
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
phET
Loads of excellent simulations that can be used to increase understanding but
not so good for using as the basis for an investigation. Showing that a simulation
obeys the laws that it is programmed to obey is not particularly enlightening.
However comparing a simulation to a real experiment to see how reality deviates
from theory is. My particular favourites are:
properties of a gas
resonance
electric fields
body on a turntable
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
Feedback
Comments 10
Muraleetharan Kanthiah 20 Feb ruary 2015 - 07:55
Chris what is the best time do you think initiating the IA for the
students? Do I have to wait until topic 7or 8 is completed then start
working on it? I am half way through topic 5( Electricity). Do you think
I can start explaining about IA.I just worried about students as they
may have a lot of work with other subjects if I start too late. What is
your advise? Further, How do you organise the IA work in the class?
Do you take10 hours stretch ( One and half week for our school time
table schedule for IB) to complete the IA or you teach and give time
for students to think and plan in between IA hours?
Chris Hamper 20 Feb ruary 2015 - 10:50
I am going to do the IA at the end of this term. I think students are
more awake and have fewer deadlines in the first year. So, you don't
have to wait until you have done topic 8. I'm going to take 2.5 weeks
of class time and get the students to do as much as possible in class.
This way it doesn't become another homework assignment that has to
compete with their other commitments.
Muraleetharan Kanthiah 21 Feb ruary 2015 - 02:24
Thank you so much. I am going to start end of this term too. One
more issue. Do we have to teach any skills that is needed for paper 3
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
during the required practical work in the class? Do you think I have to
explain or train students anything apart from practical work? Do you
ask students write the formal report for required practical work? Since
they dont need to submit any of them it is not required but I ask my
students to write for practicing skills of analysis, evaluation and
communication.
Thank you for your time.
Chris Hamper 21 Feb ruary 2015 - 06:22
I think general measurement and data processing skills are all that is
needed for paper 3. Understanding the significance or uncertainties,
error bars and best fit lines. I do not ask for formal lab reports but,
like you, I get them to hand in their data processing and some form of
conclusion /evaluation. I should add that I'm not having much luck
getting my students to actually send their work to me.
Muraleetharan Kanthiah 21 Feb ruary 2015 - 09:41
Thank you Chris.
Denise Saunderson 5 Septemb er 2015 - 10:20
Hi Chris,
Some of my students are really struggling to come up with a suitable
idea for their investigation. I think it would be very helpful to show
them your list of ideas and as I understand it, this is completely
acceptable provided they then decide for themselves how to proceed.
Is this the case?
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
Chris Hamper 5 Septemb er 2015 - 11:34
Hi Denise;
Yeah, I think its OK to show the list. It's a free page anyway so they
could find it themselves.
Denise Saunderson 7 Septemb er 2015 - 20:06
Thanks Chris
Maggi Salmon 27 Octob er 2015 - 07:50
Hi Chris, I am not sure how straightforward or complex an
investigation needs to be. I have a student who want to investigate
how the range of a projectile varies with the angle at which it is fired.
Would this be suitable or are the results too predictable?
Thanks
Maggi
Chris Hamper 27 Octob er 2015 - 08:01
Hi Maggi; this sounds fine, results are never as expected so should
lead to some discussion. Could compare with simulation to add a bit
of a twist.
To post comments you need to log in. If it is your first time you will need to
subscribe.
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
InThinking Subject Sites
© 2015, Chris Hamper | Blog | Legal | Contact | Site development: Jordi Aranés
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API pdfcrowd.com
