.
Diploma Programme
Physics data booklet
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Unit conversions
180
1 radian (rad)
Temperature (K) = temperature (C) + 273
cell battery
ac supply switch
voltmeter V ammeter A
lamp potentiometer
light-dependent
thermistor
resistor (LDR)
diode capacitor
Sub-topic 1.2 Uncertainties and errors Sub-topic 1.3 Vectors and scalars
If: y = a b
Adding/subtracting quantities: A
AV
then: y = a uncertainty
+ b in result will be sum
of uncertainties of quantities.
y = Result. AH = Horizontal
component.
Multiplying/dividing quantities: %
a, b, c = Quantities. ab
If: y uncertainties of quantities are added
AV = Vertical
= Uncertainty.
c together to obtain % uncertainty in result.
component.
y a b c
then: = + +
y a b c
AH
(v + u ) t
t = Time elapsed. s= d = dynamic .
2
Ff = Frictional force.
Sub-topic 2.3 Work, energy Sub-topic 2.4 Momentum
and power and impulse R = Normal reaction
force.
W = Fs cos Work done. p mv Momentum.
W = Work done.
1 p
EK mv 2 Kinetic energy.
F = Force.
2 F=
t Resultant force due to momentum.
s = Displacement. 1
Ep = k x 2 Elastic potential energy (in a spring). p2 p = Momentum.
2 EK Kinetic energy.
EK = Kinetic energy.
2m
Ep = mg h Gravitational potential energy. m = Mass.
m = Mass.
power Fv Power. impulse = F t = p v = Velocity.
v = Velocity.
useful work out F = Force.
EP = Potential energy. efficiency
total work in
t = Time.
k = Spring constant useful power out
EK = Kinetic energy.
x = Extension.
total power in
g = Earths gravity.
F = Force.
A = Area.
Sub-topic 3.1 Thermal concepts Sub-topic 3.2 Modelling a gas n = Number of moles.
Q = Energy/heat.
Q = mc T Energy/heat given/received in changing F N = Number of
m = Mass.
an objects temperature. p Pressure. atoms.
A
Q mL Energy/heat given/received in changing NA = Avogadros
c = Specific heat an objects phase. N constant.
capacity. n
NA Number of moles of a substance.
V = Volume.
T = Temperature.
pV nRT R = Gas constant.
L = Specific latent Ideal gas law.
heat.
3 3 R T = Temperature.
EK kBT T Average kinetic energy per
2 2 NA molecule of a gas.
EK = Kinetic energy.
kb = Boltzmanns
Sub-topic 4.1 Oscillations Sub-topic 4.4 Wave behaviour constant.
T = Period.
= Wavelength.
Constructive interference: v = Wave velocity.
Sub-topic 4.3 Wave characteristics path difference = n
Maxima/minima on s = Fringe spacing.
I A2 Intensity of a wave vs. amplitude. screen in double slit
Destructive interference: diffraction. = Wavelength.
Intensity of a waves radiation at a certain
I x 2 1
distance from the source. path difference = n +
2 D = Distance to
I = Intensity. I = I 0 cos2 Transmitted intensity of light incident on
screen.
a polariser (Maluss law).
A = Amplitude. d = Slit spacing.
= Angle of
polarizer.
= Emf.
v = Drift velocity.
= I (R + r ) F = qvB sin Force on a charge moving through a v = Velocity of charge.
Emf of a cell. magnetic field.
I = Current. B = Magnitude of
Force on a current-carrying wire in a
F = B IL sin magnetic field.
magnetic field.
R = Resistance.
= Angle with field.
r = Internal resistance. Sub-topic 6.2 Newtons law of
Sub-topic 6.1 Circular motion
gravitation F = Force.
l = Length of v = ( x0 x )
2 2
Velocity of object in SHM. Destructive interference: 2dn = m d = Slit spacing (for
pendulum. diffraction grating).
1
g = Gravitational field EK = m 2 ( x0 2 x 2 ) Kinetic energy of object in Interference patterns for thin-film = Angle.
strength. 2 SHM. interference.
d = Thickness of
k = Spring constant. 1 medium (for TFI).
ET = m 2 x0 2 Total energy of object in SHM.
2 n = Refractive index
of medium (for TFI).
l Period of oscillation of
pendulum: T = 2 a pendulum in SHM.
g m = Any integer (for
TFI).
Period of oscillation of a
m
mass-spring:T = 2 mass on a spring in
k SHM.
W = q Ve GM kQ Vg = Gravitational
Potential. V
g = Ve potential.
Work done moving a charge r r
between 2 points in a field. Ve = Electric
W = mVg Vg Ve potential.
Field strength. g= E=
Work done moving a mass r r
G = Gravitational
between 2 points in a field.
GMm constant.
kQq
Potential energy. Ep = mVg = Ep qVe
r r k = Coulomb
constant.
GMm kQq
Force.Fg Fe
r2 r2 M = Mass.
Q = Charge.
2GM Escape velocity of a planet.
v esc r = Separation
r distance.
W = Work done.
q = Charge.
Fg = Gravitational
force.
Fe = Electric force.
V(esc) = Escape
velocity.
V(orbit) = velocity of
orbit.
= Angle of first
V = Volume. h Uncertainty in energy and lifetime of
E t the state of a particle (Heisenberg). minimum.
4
x = Position.
= De Broglie
wavelength.
p = Momentum.
10 Physics data booklet
D = Diameter of
t = Time.
circular object.
EquationsOptions
Sub-topic A.1 The beginnings of Sub-topic A.2 Lorentz
relativity transformations
x = x v t 1
=
v2
u = u v 1
c2
v vx vx
= tan1 t = t ; t = t c 2
c c 2
u v
u =
uv
1 2
c
t = t0
L0
L=
I = mr 2 3
U nRT
2
= I
Q
= 2f S =
T
f = i + t 5
pV 3 constant (for monatomic gases)
f2 = 2i + 2
W = pV
1
= i t + t 2
2 useful work done
=
L = I energy input
1 2 Tcold
EKrot = I Carnot = 1
2 Thot
Sub-topic B.3 Fluids and fluid Sub-topic B.4 Forced vibrations and
dynamics (HL only) resonance (HL only)
energy stored
B = fVf g Q = 2
energy dissipated per cycle
energy stored
P = P0 + f gd Q = 2 resonant frequency
power loss
Av constant
1 2
v + gz + p = constant
2
FD = 6 rv
vr
R=
I = I0e x
x 1 = In2
2
Z = c
v = Relative velocity of
light source. v H0 d
c = Speed of light. 1
T
R = Cosmic scale H0
factor.
R(0) =
d = Distance from