Physics HL

Revision Summary

Wave Phenomena

Where does it appear? How much does it count?

(Calculations for the tables below were made based on past exams from May 2016 until May 2022)

 

Approximate number of marks

Approximate percentage of your final IBDP Physics grade

Paper 1

3-4 marks 

(out of 40)

1.7 %

Paper 2

9-12 marks

(out of 90)

4.1 %

Overall percentage of your IB Physics grade based on Topic 9

5.8 %

What to study?

Sub-topic 9.1 – Simple harmonic motion

  • The defining equation of simple harmonic motion (SHM) (see Data Booklet)
  • Displacement, velocity and acceleration of SHM + related equations (see Data Booklet)
  • Energy changes in SHM + related equations (see Data Booklet)
  • Simple pendulum and mass-spring system + related equations (see Data Booklet)

 

Sub-topic 9.2 – Single-slit diffraction

  • The single-slit diffraction pattern + related equation (see Data Booklet)

 

Sub-topic 9.3 – Interference

  • Double-slit interference pattern + the effect of the single-slit diffraction effect
  • Multiple-slit interference pattern, diffraction grating + related equation (see Data Booklet)
  • Thin film interference + related equations (see Data Booklet)

 

Sub-topic 9.4 – Resolution

  • The size of a diffraction aperture + related equation (see Data Booklet)
  • Resolution for two sources + related equation (see Data Booklet)
  • Resolution for diffraction gratings + related equation (see Data Booklet)

 

Sub-topic 9.5 – Doppler effect

  • Doppler effect for sound and light + related equations (see Data Booklet)

Topic Specific PaperPlainz Resources

Video Concept Explanations

Wave Phenomena

Simple Harmonic Motion
Single-Slit Diffraction
Interference
Resolution
Doppler Effect
HL Questionbank

Wave Phenomena

HL Past Exam Video Solutions by Topic

Wave Phenomena

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