What is the Hardest Topic in IB Physics HL?

October 31, 2022 ReachingWorld

Which IB Physics topic is the most difficult, is a common question among students. However, this is the incorrect question since just because a subject is challenging for me doesn’t mean that it would be so for you.

A fantastic subject to select is IB Physics. It is completely unrelated to math, contrary to what some may believe. If you are fully deaf in math, you might be able to score a 4, or perhaps a 5. So the material becomes much more approachable if you can do some math. It necessitates extensive practice and study, just like every other subject. You are mistaken if you believe that you can pass the IB Physics exam without putting in an effort.

Let’s return to the main idea. We have seen a pattern among several pupils, and the subjects that most students find challenging include:

Electricity and Waves (Topics 4 and 9)

Magnetism (Topic – 5)

Nuclear and quantum physics (Topic – 12).

Why do these subjects seem difficult?

Isn’t it true that a person becomes flawless with practice?

These are not very difficult topics, but because students don’t practice them enough, they become quite challenging to comprehend.

For instance, all you need to do to understand the simple harmonic motion topic

Comprehend how to read a graph. You must be able to interpret the quantities and units measured on each axis of the graph and determine the amplitude, wavelength, frequency, or time period from it.

You must thus read through your notes for each topic and make a note of any key definitions and formulas. Practice all the issues involving each category of formulas.

What must you accomplish?

IB Physics is an extremely challenging subject, but it’s also incredibly interesting.

It would be beneficial if you worked diligently and diligently to earn a decent grade.

You must learn math and understand it thoroughly. This will simplify challenging physics ideas. Additionally, you should be able to define your terms and describe the procedures outlined in the questions.

The hardest IB Physics HL themes, in my opinion, are waves and oscillations. There are a few complex and challenging HL Parts questions.

How to solve a mathematical issue

Identify the unknown quantity to be determined and all of the provided parameters.
Try to remember or check the data booklet for the formula that connects all the provided quantities, then enter the values. 3. Keep in mind to express each quantity in S. I. units.

When it comes to waves, you should carefully study the query and determine whether it is a single-slit, double-slit, or, if there are too many slits, a diffraction grating problem. You ought to have gone through each notion and understood to determine the kind of issue. Use the textbook, the lecture notes, or fast key concepts from other websites to review.

Solving an entire set of past papers is the best way to practice questions because it will help you comprehend every type of exam-style question there is to ask. This revision will also be very beneficial.

Write down the right formula first when solving a problem. Values should not be introduced right away. Some questions might seem perplexing at first, but if you read them carefully, you might be able to understand the procedures involved.

Electromagnetic induction, magnetism, and electricity.

The second-most challenging subject, according to the pupils, is topic 5: electricity and Topic 11: Electromagnetic Induction, as well as Magnetism.

The following are the three main guidelines: To easily master these things, one must be clear.

Resolve issues with direction.

Rule of the right-hand thumb,

The left-hand rule of Fleming

The right-hand rule of Fleming

Topics like thin films may appear like they require a lot of practice. Try to answer as many thin-films-based questions from previous exams as you can while examining the scoring methodology.

The scoring system or examination of the comprehensive solutions provided on some IB Physics websites can be useful. If you chose HL Physics, you should be organized and consistent right from the start of the session.

Most mathematical issues involving electricity and magnetism are based on established equations. Typically, they are based on Kirchhoff’s rules, Ohm’s law, and factors affecting resistance, and a series or parallel arrangement of resistors. Knowing the laws clearly will help you understand how to apply them by working through issues.

Another challenging section is Topic 10 Fields, which is a complex one. You should take your time reading and comprehending this short chapter before practicing the questions.

The most challenging topic for some students is Topic 12: Quantum and Nuclear Physics. Too many formulas are needed, and it calls for excellent knowledge of when to employ each formula, and because this is a highly complex subject, it calls for more abstract thinking. Therefore, it would be ideal to use some animated cartoons that are centered on this subject to assist you to understand the idea.

However, as this is the exam’s least-covered topic, you should not worry too much.

In the end, we would suggest that understanding the “whys” and “how’s” of everything is more crucial; this is what a competent physics instructor attempts to do, and it is what causes all of the students to receive scores of 65 or 75.

Always start with the easier chapters if you want to stay motivated. Concentrate on mechanics, and all the things would become simpler to comprehend. You can also take help from the best IB physics revision resource Tribe Topper. All these topics are covered in detail and check their YouTube channel to clear the concepts.