Physics

Physics: Subject-specific guidance
See also: EE generic guide and EE teacher support material
Overview
An extended essay (EE) in physics should answer a research question in physics through focused,
evidence-based argumentation. The evidence may be drawn from the student’s personal
experimentation
and/or book- and internet-based research. Whichever method of research is adopted, the student must
use the principles of physics.
The essay must go beyond simply informing the reader and involve the elements of personal and original
thinking.
Assumptions about the essay’s readers
It should be written for an international peer audience, familiar with the Diploma Programme physics
course. The essay can therefore refer to any physics from the course without proof or explanation, eg
Newton’s laws.
However, material from outside the physics course should be fully explained and referenced where
necessary. Students should explain it freshly as it applies to their research question, thereby convincing
the reader that they have a genuine grasp of the physics involved.
Students should also explain any culture-specific matters they refer to in the essay in relation to physics,
eg cricket or baseball.
Choice of topic
The topic should be a challenge for the student without being over-specialized. It should use the
knowledge gained in the physics course to answer a research question that goes beyond the course
content. The question must not be trivial in nature.
Inappropriate topics
Topics that require theory that is beyond the grasp of the student should be discouraged. Students
should avoid broad or complex topics beyond the scope of the EE, such as investigations into quantum
computers or black holes.
Research question
Having decided upon the area of investigation, the student should define a narrow and well-focused
question. At this stage it is important to imagine the possible outcomes and conclusions. Doing so will
help in the process of defining the question and choosing the methodology.
The selection of the topic and research question is a crucial step of the student's investigation. The
guidance of the supervisor is vital in making sure that the student's choice is proper, relevant, realistic
and
promising.
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Examples of topics
These examples are just for guidance. Students must ensure their choice of topic is focused (left-hand
column) rather than broad (right-hand column).
Focused topics Broad topics
The time taken for a single domino to fall
depending upon its height and width
Falling dominoes
The frequency of sound produced by a violin
depending on room temperature
Musical instruments
The rate of diffusion of different gases from an
inflated balloon
Deflating balloons
Treatment of the topic
Physics essays usually have a title, which sums up the essence of the investigation. It is based on the
student’s identified topic area.
The research question further refines and defines the topic. It must be expressed as a question, not a
statement. It must be expressed clearly and precisely, and appear early in the introduction of the essay
and on the title page of the essay.
For example, a student may have noticed how it is difficult to spin an uncooked egg. After discussion
with the supervisor, the student decides to fill a tin with liquids of different viscosities and roll them
down an inclined plane. The title of the essay may be: “The effect of the viscosity of a body on its angular
acceleration.”
The research question, though, should be much more specific: “What is the relationship between the
angular acceleration of a cylindrical can rolling down an inclined plane and the viscosity of its contents?”
Methods of approach
Students can choose to answer their research question with an essay based solely on theory or one
based
on data and theory.
If their essay is data based, students can choose to collect their own primary data or use secondary data
that has already been collected elsewhere.
Students should consider the reliability of both primary and secondary sources at the start of the
planning
stage. Students must critically evaluate secondary data and the design of the experiment(s) by which
they
were collected with the same care that they would their own.
Importance of theory
Every EE in physics will involve applying relevant theory to the topic selected. Students must ground any
experimental work in good background research from existing sources of information.
277
Before embarking on experimental work, students must first ensure that there is scope to explore and
model the physics that underpins it. A purely empirical investigation that relates a number of variables in
the absence of any theoretical foundation is never satisfactory.
For example, in an investigation relating the index of refraction of a salt solution to its concentration, the
student must model the physics relating the index to the concentration.
Using secondary data
Students using data collected elsewhere can access all the assessment criteria and achieve the highest
marks. For example, they can obtain astronomical data from databases and manipulate it in order to
contribute to a research question that looks for the evidence of extrasolar planets.
Ideally, students will manipulate or analyse this secondary data in an original way. Essays that simply
restate facts or data taken directly from the sources are of little value. The element of personal analysis
and evaluation is extremely important.

Collecting primary data
Students should choose experiments that do not require extensive lengths of time for the construction
of apparatus. Highly sophisticated instruments are rarely required and can hinder the understanding
of a phenomenon. Some of the best EEs have been written by students investigating relatively simple
phenomena using standard school apparatus, and this approach is to be encouraged.
Students must give a clear and concise description of their experimental procedure so that it can be
repeated by others. This will normally involve clearly annotated scientific diagrams. Exhaustive lists of
equipment and detailed descriptions of procedures should be avoided.
Theoretical essays
Theoretical essays offer students the challenge of exploring existing material in a new way. This may
mean
applying the theories and techniques of physics to an unconventional area.
Students may be tempted to incorporate mathematics or computer science, but they must ensure that
the focus of the analysis and evaluation is on the discipline of physics.
Where computer programs are used and analysed from a physics perspective, they should be placed in
the appendix. Each line of code of a program fragment included in the body of the essay will count as
two
words towards the word limit.
Examples of topics, research questions and suggested
approaches
Once students have identified their topic and written their research question, they can decide how to
research their answer. They may find it helpful to write a statement outlining their broad approach.
These
examples are for guidance only.

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Physics: Subject-specific guidance

See also: EE generic guide and EE teacher support material

use the principles of physics.

Assumptions about the essay’s readers

content. The question must not be trivial in nature.

computers or black holes.

column) rather than broad (right-hand column).

Focused topics Broad topics

The time taken for a single domino to fall

depending upon its height and width

The frequency of sound produced by a violin

depending on room temperature

The rate of diffusion of different gases from an

Treatment of the topic

student’s identified topic area.

and on the title page of the essay.

on data and theory.

that has already been collected elsewhere.

experimental work in good background research from existing sources of information.

the absence of any theoretical foundation is never satisfactory.

Using secondary data

and evaluation is extremely important.

phenomena using standard school apparatus, and this approach is to be encouraged.

equipment and detailed descriptions of procedures should be avoided.

applying the theories and techniques of physics to an unconventional area.

the focus of the analysis and evaluation is on the discipline of physics.

words towards the word limit.

Examples of topics, research questions and suggested

examples are for guidance only.

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