4 - Physics HL

Course summary

Why study Physics? Physics is the science of matter and its motion, as well as space and time – it deals with concepts such as force, energy, mass and charge and helps us understand how the world around us behaves. Many physicists work in ‘pure’ research, trying to find answers to interesting problems. The answers they come up with often lead to unexpected technological applications. For example, all of the technology we take for granted today, including games consoles, mobile phones, mp3 players, and DVDs, is based on a theoretical understanding of electrons that was developed around the turn of the 20th century. Topics to be studied: • Space, time and motion • The particulate nature of matter • Wave behaviour • Fields • Nuclear and quantum Physics Please note that higher level students will study these topics in greater depth, as well as the following additional topics: - rigid body mechanics - Galilean and special relativity - thermodynamics - electromagnetic induction