--- title: "Physics" site: "Scotch Global Connect" url: "https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/ibdp-physics" description: "Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences, as it seeks to explain the universe itself, from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies." published: "2023-10-02" updated: "2024-04-10" --- # Physics Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences, as it seeks to explain the universe itself, from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies. Path: Courses › Physics ## Physics SL and HL Group 4 – Experimental sciences ## Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences, as it seeks to explain the universe itself, from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies. Despite the exciting and extraordinary development of ideas throughout the history of physics, observations remain essential to the very core of the subject. Models are developed to try to understand observations, and these themselves can become theories that attempt to explain the observations. Besides helping us better understand the natural world, physics gives us the ability to alter our environments. This raises the issue of the impact of physics on society, the moral and ethical dilemmas, and the social, economic and environmental implications of the work of physicists. By studying physics students should become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, it is the emphasis on a practical approach through experimental work that characterises the subject. Teachers provide students with opportunities to develop manipulative skills, design investigations, collect data, analyse results and evaluate and communicate their findings. ## Course aims ### [Physics](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/schedule/aims-physics) | Appreciate scientific study and creativity within a global context through stimulating and challenging opportunities. | |---| | Acquire a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterise science and technology. | | Apply and use a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterise science and technology. | | Develop an ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise scientific information. | | Develop a critical awareness of the need for, and the value of, effective collaboration and communication during scientific activities. | | Develop experimental and investigative scientific skills including the use of current technologies. | | Develop and apply 21st century communication skills in the study of science. | | Become critically aware, as global citizens, of the ethical implications of using science and technology. | | Develop an appreciation of the possibilities and limitations of science and technology. | | Develop an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and their influence on other areas of knowledge. | ## Assessment requirements ### [Physics](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/schedule/assessment-physics) | **Standard level** | **Weighting** | **Type** | **Description** | |---|---|---|---| | Individual investigation | 20% | Internal | Investigation and write-up of 6 to 12 pages. | | Examination | 20% | External | Paper 130 multiple-choice questions. | | Examination | 40% | External | Paper 2Short answer and extended response questions (core). | | Examination | 20% | External | Paper 3Data- and practical-based questions plus, short answer and extended response questions on the option. | | **Higher level** | **Weighting** | **Type** | **Description** | | Individual investigation | 20% | Internal | Investigation and write-up of 6 to 12 pages. | | Examination | 20% | External | Paper 1 40 multiple-choice questions. | | Examination | 36% | External | Paper 2 Short answer and extended response questions (core and AHL). | | Examination | 34% | External | Paper 3 Data- and practical-based questions plus, short answer and extended response questions on the option. | | | | | | ## Our IBDP courses ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level ### [Year 7 English](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-english) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students listen to, read, view, interpret, evaluate and perform a range of spoken, written and multimodal texts. ### [Year 8 English](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-english) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students listen to, read, view, interpret, evaluate and perform a range of spoken, written and multimodal texts. ### [Year 7 The Arts](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-the-arts) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students have opportunities to use and apply visual art language and artistic conventions in their design and production process. ### [Year 8 The Arts](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-arts) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students have opportunities to use and apply visual art language and artistic conventions in their design and production process. ### [Year 7 Health and Physical Education](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-health-and-pe) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students learn how to take positive action to enhance their health, safety and wellbeing ### [Year 8 Health and Physical Education](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-health-and-pe) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students learn how to take positive action to enhance their health, safety and wellbeing ### [Year 7 Spanish](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-spanish) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Spanish will be our language in the Connect Year 7 programme. ### [Year 8 Spanish](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-spanish) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Spanish will be our language in the Connect Year 8 programme. ### [Year 7 Technologies](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-technologies) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students have opportunities to learn about technologies in society in a variety of contexts. ### [Year 8 Technologies](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-technologies) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students have opportunities to learn about technologies in society in a variety of contexts. ### [Year 7 Humanities](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-humanities) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students develop increasing independence in critical thinking and skill application. ### [Year 8 Humanities](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-humanities) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students develop increasing independence in critical thinking and skill application. ### [Year 7 Mathematics](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-mathematics) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students are introduced to proficiency strands: understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning. ### [Year 8 Mathematics](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-mathematics) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students are introduced to proficiency strands: understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning. ### [Year 7 Science](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-science) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students explore the diversity of life on Earth and continue to develop their understanding of the role of classification in ordering and organising information. ### [Year 8 Science](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-science) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students explore the diversity of life on Earth and continue to develop their understanding of the role of classification in ordering and organising information. ## Topics - Group 4 - Standard level - Higher level --- Canonical HTML version: https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/ibdp-physics