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Topic 1 Physics and Physical Measurement SL  
Topic 2 Mechanics SL  
Topic 3 Thermal Physics SL  
Topic 4 Oscillations and Waves SL  
Topic 5 Electric Circuits SL  
Topic 6 Fields and Forces SL  
Topic 7 Atomic and Nuclear Physics SL  
Topic 8 Energy, Power, and Climate Change SL  
Topic 9 Motion in Fields   HL
Topic 10 Thermal Physics   HL
Topic 11 Wave Phenomena   HL
Topic 12 Electromagnetic Induction   HL
Topic 13 Option B Quantum Physics and Nuclear Physics HL--required
SL--option
Topic 14 Digital Technology   HL
Option E Astrophysics SL HL
Option J Particle Physics SL  (opt. D) HL
Option H Relativity HL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topic 1:  Physics and Physical Measurement

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Order of Magnitude A brief discussion of the purpose of using orders of magnitude, and a table of examples 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.4
More on Orders of Magnitude
     - Wikipedia entry with examples

    - Powers of Ten
  1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.4

Metric Units:

  - Fundamental and base units--definitions

  - Fundamental and Derived units--examples

  - conversions-factor-label rules and examples: 
   (#1)     (#2)

  - Rules-- be aware of and use these!

  - Reporting units in appropriate format

Information on the definitions, standards, uses, and conversions of metric units.  If you have trouble with conversions, refer to these pages!  There are examples on many of them.

 

- the last link takes you to a table of derived units--all are listed in the format that you are expected to use.  Get used to the format!  It's a little different than what you've probably used in the past!

1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3

Uncertainty in measurements

  - Definitions and usage
  - General information

Random vs. Systematic Errors

 

1.2.6
Scientific Notation
  - Instructions
  - Practice exercises #1
  - Practice exercises #2
Instructions and several sites for practice.  Use these if you need more practice, since you will be required to use sci. notation fairly often this year. 1.2.5
Significant Figures
  - Instructions and Practice

  - Rules
  - Practice #2
Rules reminders and practice pages--use these pages often if you have problems with sig. figs! 1.2.9, 1.1.4
Uncertainties: Use in calculations
   - Absolute, Fractional, and Percentage uncertainty calculations

   - More info and some practice
  1.2.10
Accuracy vs. Precision
Random errors
basic definitions of both accuracy and precision
- more information on how these relate to random and systematic errors
1.2.7, 1.2.8
Vectors
   - Vector vs. Scalar quantities

   -
  1.3.1

- Reading a Vernier Caliper

- more practice with the Vernier caliper

- simulation of reading Vernier caliper

(note:  this is for practice...the calipers we use are more precise than this simulation, but it'll still get you used to it.)

- simulation of reading a micrometer

 

   

Topic 2:  Mechanics         back to top

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Graphical analysis of motion:
- Position vs. Time graphs
- velocity vs. time graphs
 
Each of these links will give you information and practice with the interpretation of motion graphs.  Being able to understand how to interpret graphs correctly is an essential skill for understanding and describing motion 2.1.7, 2.1.8
Graphing motion--animated example a good animation showing how displacement-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs are related to each other for various types of motion 2.1.7, 2.1.8
Graphing motion--tutorial with answers good review of interpreting graphs 2.1.7, 2.1.8
Derivation of Kinematic Equations Review of how the kinematic equations were derived and how they can be used 2.1.3, 2.1.5
Accelerated motion a definition of acceleration and examples/equations 2.1.1-2.1.5
Accelerated motion of falling objects Some basic background information and some history on Aristotle's and Galileo's contributions to the study of falling objects 2.1.6
A NASA site related to air resistance
Another site explaining air resistance
 
Understand the effects of air resistance on falling objects

 

2.1.6
Relative velocity
- Site #1
- Site #2

- Site #3
Understand the vector nature of velocity and determine the velocity relative to various observers 2.1.9
Weight vs. Mass
How much would you weigh on other planets?
Weight and mass are different quantities--make sure you understand what that difference is! 2.2.1
Drawing Free-body diagrams free-body diagrams are an essential tool for determining net forces acting on an object.  This is a great slide presentation walking you through the steps and several example problems 2.2.2
Newton's 3 laws of motion good information/review/examples 2.2.4-2.2.5, 2.2.8, 2.2.14, 2.2.15
Newton's laws of motion--tutorial good source of information, review examples, applications, etc. 2.2.4-2.2.5, 2.2.8, 2.2.14, 2.2.15
Newton's 2nd Law and Net Force Good practice problems for net force and for accelerations due to the presence of a net force 2.2.8, 2.2.9
- Translational Equilibrium
-
-
During equilibrium, the net force acting on an object will always equal zero.  These examples will give you information on solving problems involving forces in equilibrium 2.2.6, 2.2.7
Linear Momentum: (1)    (2) 
conservation of momentum:  (1)   (2)
impulse: 
(1)
Impulse indicates the change in momentum for a single object; momentum of all objects in a system will be conserved.  These are two fundamental concepts needed to understand all types of collisions 2.2.10, 2.2.12, 2.2.13
Impulse-Momentum theorem   2.2.10, 2.2.11
inelastic and elastic collisions applet useful for looking at the conservation of momentum through collisions 2.2.12
inelastic and elastic collisions--problems information for solving problems involving various collisions 2.2.12, 2.2.13
Work
Work-Energy theorem
definition of work, examples of the work-kinetic energy theorem 2.3
Uniform circular motion

More on uniform circular motion
- SparkNotes information on uniform circular motion, including derivation of some of the equations
- more information, including the misconception of the term "centrifugal"
2.4
Mathematics of circular motion, including sample problems good information related to the equations for circular motion; also works through multiple sample problems 2.4.2, 2.4.4


 

Topic 3:  Thermal Physics         back to top

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Topic 10: Thermal Physics (HL)        back to top

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Topic 4: Oscillations and Waves         back to top

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Topic 11: Wave Phenomena (HL)        back to top

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Topic 5:  Electric Circuits             back to top

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- Electric potential difference--definition
- VIDEO:  overview of electric potential
- Good information related to the basics of electric potential difference
- Video from HowStuffWorks.com giving an intro to the concept of electric potential energy
5.1.1
- VIDEO:  voltage and how electricity flows - video from google videos that gives a basic overview of the concept of voltage and how voltage is necessary for an electric circuit to carry charge 5.1
Electron-Volt
Electron-volt #2
definition and examples of orders of magnitude 5.1.3
Electric circuits an animated tutorial on the basics of electric circuits--simple, but fun 5.2.4
Electric circuits, resistance, voltage, current, etc. Good information about the concepts of electricity and electric circuits 5.1, 5.2
Ohm's Law
Sample problems

interactive example
  5.1.8
Resistivity and Resistance
Calculating effective resistance
Resistivity and Resistance (#2)
 
  5.1.6, 5.1.7
interactive applets
 (#1)  (resistivity equation)
 (#2)  Resistors in combination--voltage and current

(#3)  Using a voltmeter and an ammeter in a circuit
good interactive applets to help with some of the mathematical concepts for this unit 5.1.7, 5.2.3, 5.2.5
Resistor color codes
- interactive tutorial #1

- interactive tutorial #2
   
drawing circuit diagrams
 
   
Potential divider
interactive use of circuit diagrams to determined voltage across one resistor
   

 

Topic 12: Electromagnetic Induction (HL)        back to top

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Topic 6:  Fields and Forces        back to top

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Earth's Gravitational Field brief description and a zoom in/zoom out animation to show the pattern 6.1
     
     
     
     

Topic 7: Atomic and Nuclear Physics         back to top

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Topic 13: Quantum and Nuclear Physics (HL)  [SL Option B]    back to top

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Topic 8:  Energy, Power and Climate Change        back to top

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/ science/physics/energy_transfer_2.shtml Sankey diagrams (energy flow diagrams) 8.1.2
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/naturalgas.html  Natural gas information--source, uses, environmental considerations  
http://www.globalissues.org/article/408/sustainable-development-introduction Sustainable development of energy sources  
http://hypertextbook.com/physics/matter/energy-chemical/ Data table of energy densities of various fuels  

Topic 9: Motion in Fields (HL)        back to top

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"Physics of Projectile Motion" (Thinkquest) A brief history of how the study of projectile motion has evolved, and how values are calculated--good review, ending with a water balloon game! 9.1.1, 9.1.2
"What is Projectile Motion?" a great summary of the concept, including animated examples (monkey and banana) 9.1.1, 9.1.2
Java Applet--projectile motion a very nice applet that allows you to change several different variables and study the resulting change on the trajectory of a projectile. 9.1.1, 9.1.2
PhET Applet for projectile motion A GREAT quantitative applet--you can change angles, launch velocities, air resistance, and the mass and diameter of object.  You can also change the altitude when you are looking at air resistance 9.1.1, 9.1.2, 9.1.3
Help for calculating projectile motion quantities--the following links may help you if you need more assistance with projectile calculations:

- "Projectile motion, general solution"
- Hyperphysics--trajectory and projectile motion information
- velocity components

 

if you need another source for help with calculations involving projectile motion, these sites may help with the process 9.1.4
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Gravitational potential and gravitational potential energy--SparkNotes This site has some information on the difference between gravitational potential and gravitational potential energy.  HOWEVER, it is calculus-based...so when you get to the calculations/equations, they are used in a different way than we'll deal with in class, but they should look familiar. :) 9.2.1, 9.2.2
Gravitational potential and potential energy--calculation help in case you forgot about the energy calculation from last year. :) (and new information on calculating gravitational potential 9.2.9

Escape speeds

- link 1

- link 2--includes calculation examples

these sites should give you a little more information on how escape speeds are calculated (and what the term means) 9.2.7, 9.2.8
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Kepler's laws of orbital motion basic definitions, but there are also animations that help make them clearer! 9.4.2
Orbital motion
- kinetic energy and potential energy or orbiting bodies
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Topic 14:  Digital Technology (HL)        back to top

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Option E:  Astrophysics (SL/HL)        back to top

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 Option J:  Particle Physics (HL)        back to top

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Option H:  Relativity (HL)        back to top

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