IB Physics Work Done in Moving a Charge

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A tutorial sheet on the HL topic of fields.

  1. A charge +Q is fixed at rest. Find the work done in moving a charge -q from a distance d1 to a distance d2 along the line joining the charges.
  2. Two charges -q are at rest an infinite distance apart. Find the work done in moving each charge inwards along the line joining the charges so they are finally a distance d apart.

IB Physics Heat and Internal Energy

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A tutorial sheet on the words heat and internal energy, concepts that are often confused in examination answers.

  1. The internal energy of an object is the sum of the potential energies of molecular interaction and the kinetic energies of molecular movement.
  2. The internal energy of an object can be changed by doing work on it or by supplying heat to it.
  3. Heat is energy that is transmitted between two objects at a different temperature.
  4. By doing work and supplying heat the change in internal energy is given by the first law of thermodynamics. ΔU = Δq + W.
  5. When a paddle wheel does work in churning water the energy supplied did not become heat but became internal energy of the water due to its rise in temperature. This energy may be transmitted to the surroundings as heat energy and will become internal energy of the surroundings.

IB HL Physics Tetrahedron Problems

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A sheet of questions where the geometry of the problem involves a regular tetrahedron.

  1. Six resistors R are placed as the sides of a regular tetrahedron. Show that the total resistance across two corners of the tetrahedron is R/2.
  2. Four point charges are placed at the vertices of a regular tetrahedron. Show that the magnitude of the resultant force acting on one of the charges is √6 x the force between two of the charges.
  3. A solid uniform tetrahedron of mass M and side L is rotated about an axis through a vertex that is perpendicular to the opposite side. Show that the moment of inertia of the tetrahedron about this axis is M L2/20.
  4. Four masses M are placed at the vertices of a regular tetrahedron of side L and released from rest. Show that the time taken for the masses to meet is π √( L3/(32G M) ).
  5. A triangular pyramid is a regular tetrahedron of mass M and side L. Find the work done in lifting the material from ground level to build the triangular pyramid.
  6. A regular tetrahedron of side L and density 𝜌1 floats vertically with its base downwards in a fluid of density 𝜌2, 𝜌1< 𝜌2. Find the period of small vertical oscillations of the tetrahedron when 𝜌1/ 𝜌2 = 2/5 , g = 9.8 m s-2 and L = 100 m.

IB Physics Does the Mass of an Atom Change when it emits Light?

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A tutorial sheet that explores the relationship between mass and energy when an atom emits light. Some explanatory notes are given from the article by Ralph Baierlein, “Teaching E=mc2, An Exploration of Some Issues” published in The Physics Teacher, March 1991, 170-173.

  1. When an atom emits a photon the atom's energy decreases.
  2. When the energy of the atom decreased so did its inertia (mass).
  3. Changes in mass and energy occur in parallel. There is no conversion of one into the other.
  4. As Einstein stated, if the energy changes by ΔE then the mass changes in the same sense by Δm/c2.
  5. An atom of mass m is at rest. The atom releases a photon of frequency f. Show that the mass of the atom after it releases the photon is m √( 1 - 2 hf/mc2 ). Explanation.Four momentum is conserved. The first component of the four momentum vector is energy. The second component of the four momentum vector is linear momentum. mc2= hf + √(p2c2+m12c2) and hf/c=p. Solve simultaneously to find m1 by eliminating p.
  6. The electrons, protons and neutrons in the atom do not change mass. The released energy comes from the electron in the atom making a transition to a lower energy state.

IB Physics Average Speed Problems

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A tutorial sheet on average speed problems.

  1. A car travels at 50 km h-1 for a distance of 150 km and then travels at 30 km h-1 for another 150 km. What is the average speed for the entire trip?
  2. A car travels to a town at an average speed of 40 km h-1. The return journey on the same road is made with an average speed of 30 km h-1. Find the average speed for the entire journey.
  3. Two identical planes Mike and Ike race against each other. They start at the same place and both have an air speed of v km h-1. A wind from the east of w km h-1 blows, w < v. The planes start at the same point and time. Mike travels to a point d km east on the ground and returns. Ike travels to a point d km north on the ground and returns. Show that the average speed of Mike is (v2 - w2)/v and the average speed of Ike is (v2 - w2)1/2.
  4. Show that Ike always wins the race. Hint (v2 - w2)1/2 < v, v2 - w2 < v(v2 - w2)1/2. This problem is taken from Relativity for the Layman by James A Coleman, 1958, pp 32-33 and the solution is given in The Physics Teacher, vol 34, Oct 1996, pp 438-439.

IB Physics Entropy Change of Two Objects in Contact

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A tutorial sheet on entropy change. Entropy change questions are often asked in HL Physics.

  1. If a quantity of heat Δq is added reversibly to a body at Kelvin temperture T then the increase of the entropy of the body is Δs defined by Δs=Δq/T.

  2. A reversible process is one where the body is in equilibrium at every stage of the process. In this case a small change in conditions may reverse the process exactly.In a reversible process the gain of entropy by one body is exactly equal to the loss of entropy by the other and the entropy of the whole system is unchanged.

  3. An irreversible process does not consist of equilibrium states at each stage of the process. An irreversible process creates entropy as the entropy gain by one body is greater than the entropy loss of the other.

  4. Two objects each of heat capacity C are placed in thermal contact. The final equilibrium temperature of both objects is T. Initially the temperature of the "hot" object is Th and the temperature of the "cold" object is Tc . Show that the change in entropy for the combined system is C ln(T2/(ThTc)). Assuming that all of the heat energy lost by the hot object is transferred to the cold object, show that Th = T + ΔT and Tc = T - ΔT. Hence show that the change in entropy for the system is C ln(T2/(T2-ΔT2)) and show that this is greater than 1. Use Δq = C Δθ where Δθ is the infinitesimal change in temperature. This problem is taken from Problems for Physics Students by K F Riley. The solution and additional notes on Boltzmann's constant can be found in the article by Jeffrey J Prentis in The Physics Teacher, vol 34, Oct 1996, pp 392-397.

IB Physics The Centrifuge

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A tutorial sheet on the pressure difference in a rotating fluid providing a centripetal force, an often misunderstood concept.

  1. In a centrifuge a column of fluid of density ρ rotates in a horizontal plane at an angular speed ⍵. Show that the pressure in the fluid P at a distance r from the axis of rotation is given by P(r) = P0 +1/2 ρ ⍵2(r2 - r02), where P0 is the pressure at r = r0.
  2. Explain why a marble goes to the outside of the centrifuge and a cork to the inside. See The Physics Teacher, vol 34, October 1996, p 422, The Marble, Cork and Centrifuge by Thomas J Pickett.
  3. If the object is denser than the fluid the pressure in the fluid is not great enough to maintain the circular motion at that distance and so the object will drift outward through the fluid to a larger value of r.

IB Physics Gravitational Force Between Objects

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This tutorial sheet is on the gravitational force between two objects. The first 3 questions are SL/HL and the others are HL.

  1. Two uniform solid spheres of masses M1 and M2 and radii R1 and R2 have their centres a distance r apart (r > R1 + R2). State the magnitude of gravitational force acting on each mass.
  2. A satellite of mass m orbits a planet of mass M in a circular path of radius r with orbital period T. Find an expression for the gravitational field strength at the position of the satellite.
  3. Two point masses m and M are placed at rest at a distance d apart. After release the masses move towards each other. Find an expression for the speed of the smaller mass when the speed of the larger mass is V.
  4. A uniform spherical shell has a mass M and a radius R. i. What is the gravitational field strength at the centre of the shell? ii. A particle is placed at the centre of the shell and given an initial speed u. Find the time taken to reach the shell.
  5. A uniform rod of mass M and length L is in the same straight line as another uniform rod of mass M and length L. The distance between the centres of the rods is 2L. i. Can we find the attraction between the rods by considering each rod to be a point particle of mass M at its centre of mass? ii. Show that the attraction between the rods is GM2/L2 ln(4/3)

IB Physics Magnetic flux through a loop

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This tutorial sheet studies the magnetic flux through a circular loop. This topic was a HL Paper 2 question in Zone 3 in May 2025.

  1. What is the meaning of the term magnetic flux?

  2. A constant current I flows in a long straight wire. Write down an expression for the magnetic field at a perpendicular distance r from the wire.

  3. A small circular loop of radius R is in the plane of the wire with its centre at a distance r from the wire. Write down an expression for the magnetic flux through the loop. What assumption are we making?

  4. If I=2.0 A, r=10.0 cm and R = 2.0 cm show that the magnetic flux through the loop is approximately 2.5x 10-8 Wb. This assumes that a constant magnetic field acts through the coil. In a show that question all substitution, rearranging and cancellations must be shown. Give the answer to one more decimal place to show evidence of calculator usage.

  5. In question 4 determine the magnetic flux through the coil if the variation of field strength through the coil with distance from the straight wire is included. In this case there is slightly more flux through the coil since the magnetic field is stronger in the side of the loop closest to the straight wire. Flux = 2.54 x 10-8 Wb.

IB Physics Where does the Sun's energy come from?

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A tutorial work sheet on the topic of the source of the Sun’s energy. As this is a misunderstood concept, two key study points are taken from the article by E G Thomas, What’s so special about E = m c2, separating the myth from the truth, Eur. J. Phys., 26, (2005), S125. These are SL/HL concepts.

  1. The Sun is getting its energy by rearranging protons into a more stable form of a helium nucleus. In this process the energy that is released comes from the binding energy of the helium nucleus.
  2. The Sun does not turn matter into glowing energy.

IB Physics Mass and Energy

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A tutorial sheet on mass and energy. Some study points are listed. These are taken from the article by Keith Atkin in Physics Education 35, 5, Sep 2000, page 319. These are SL/HL concepts.

  1. Is matter the same as mass? No, matter is a qualitative term meaning substance, mass is a defined physical quantity which is a measure of inertia.
  2. E = mc2 states that mass (inertia) and energy are equivalent not interconvertible.
  3. In the Cockroft-Walton reaction a proton interacts with a lithium nucleus forming two helium nuclei with a gain in kinetic energy. Is there a loss in mass? No, mass and energy are equivalent. Both energy and mass are conserved in the process, there is no destruction of mass or creation of energy. There is merely a redistribution of a fixed amount of energy (and its equivalent mass).

IB Physics Diffraction

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This tutorial sheet is about diffraction, a concept that is sometimes misunderstood.

  1. State the definition of diffraction.
  2. Why does diffraction occur when light passes through a single slit?
  3. Explain qualitatively the pattern that we see when light passes through a single slit if i. the slit width is much greater than the wavelength ii. the slit width is much less than the wavelength.
  4. Divide a single slit of width b into two sections. By considering a ray from the top of each section, show that destructive interference occurs when b sin𝜃 = 𝜆. Do this with four sections in the slit and show that destructive interference occurs when b sin𝜃 = 2𝜆. This can be generalized to b sin𝜃 = n𝜆, n=1,2,..
  5. When light is now incident normally on a diffraction grating what does the equation d sin𝜃 = n𝜆, n=0,1,2,3.. predict?
  6. The incident monochromatic light is not normal to the grating. Can we use the equation d sin𝜃 = n𝜆 in this situation?
  7. In question 6 the angle of incidence of the light on the grating is ϕ. Show that the angle 𝜃 to the normal to the grating where intensity maxima occur are given by d ( sin(𝜃 - ϕ) - sinϕ ) = n𝜆.
  8. Describe the difference between primary maxima and secondary maxima.
  9. Describe the interference pattern when white light is incident normally on a diffraction grating.

IB Physics TOK What did Planck Quantize?

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A tutorial sheet on the process of science in the development of quantum phenomena. See Physics Education, Nov 2000 p 381-386, A brief history of quantum phenomena by Gren Ireson.

  1. In 1900 Max Planck quantized the energy of the oscillators in the radiating body rather than the radiation from the body.
  2. Planck presented an argument that consisted essentially phenomenological curve fitting, relying on classical idea of entropy at long wavelengths and an ad hoc conhecture due to Wien for short wavelengths, but which fitted the data perfectly at all wavelengths. However he was unable to offer any theoretical justification for the results.
  3. Planck regarded the walls of the cavity as harmonic oscillators which could absorb and emit energy only in discrete amounts, E, which is related to the frequency, f, of the absorbed or emitted radiation by E = hf, where h is Planck's constant.
  4. In 1905 Albert Einstein took the notion of quantization further by suggesting that electromagnetic radiation exists in the form of packets of energy that we now call photons.
  5. Application of the photon model supplied Einstein with the means to solve the photoelectric effect. Classical electromagnetic theory predicted that the energy available in light is proportional to the intensity and independent of the frequency, but experimental evidence pointed to the opposite result.

IB Physics Flipping Rod

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A tutorial sheet on the problem of a uniform rod moving in a vertical plane.

A uniform rod of length 2a and mass m lies horizontal on a smooth horizontal surface. One end of the rod is given a vertical velocity V upwards.

  1. Is energy conserved as the rod moves in a vertical plane?
  2. Is linear momentum conserved as the rod moves in a vertical plane?
  3. Is angular momentum conserved as the rod moves in a vertical plane?
  4. The rod turns right over without losing contact with the table. Show that 6ag < V2 < 7ag.

IB Physics Entropy Decrease

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A tutorial sheet on the entropy change in a rust reaction is given below. It is taken from Entropy and Rust by Daniel F Styer, Am J. Phys., 78 (11), November 2010, p 1077.

The rust reaction is 4Fe +3O2 →2Fe2O3. The entropy (at room temperature, 298.15 K and at a pressure of 105 Pa) of 1 mole of Fe is 27.280 JK-1, of 1 mole of O2 is 205.147 J K-1 and of one mole of Fe2O3 is 87.404 J K-1.

  1. Find the entropy change when 1 mole of Fe rusts.
  2. Describe the entropy change in the surroundings when 1 mole of Fe rusts.

IB Physics Point Charges at the Corners of a Triangle

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This tutorial sheet investigates a problem involving two positive and a negative charge placed in a plane. It is taken from Electricity and Magnetism, The Berkeley Physics Course Volume 2, Second Edition by Edward M Purcell.

  1. Two positive ions and one negative ion are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle. Where can a fourth charge be placed so that the force on it will be zero? Is there more than one such place? (page 35 q 1.12)

IB Physics Rod Swinging in a Vertical Plane

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This tutorial sheet is about a uniform rod swinging in a vertical plane.

A uniform rod of length 2L mass M can swing freely in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis through one end. The rod is released from rest when it is horizontal.

  1. What are the acceleration components of the end of the rod when it makes an angle 𝜃 with the vertical?
  2. Find the magnitude of the force exerted by the point of support of the rod when it makes an angle 𝜃 with the vertical.
  3. Draw a graph showing the angular speed of the rod in terms of the angle that the rod makes with the vertical.
  4. The rod is now released from the horizontal position and is given an initial angular speed. Find the least initial angular speed that will allow the rod to complete a full revolution.

IB Physics Mass on a Swinging Rod

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A tutorial sheet on the problem of a mass on the end of a uniform rod swinging in a vertical plane. A question answered correctly by only a small percentage of the world.

A uniform rod of mass 2m and length L has a particle of mass m attached to its lower end. The rod is free to swing in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis through its upper end. The rod is released from rest at the horizontal.

  1. Draw a free-body diagram showing the forces acting on the (i) particle, (ii) rod. The rod exerts an inwards force Y acting along the rod and a perpendicular force X on the particle along the tangent to the circular path. This question involves a rod and not a string. For a string X=0.
  2. Use Newton's second law in terms of forces to write down the two equations of motion of the particle. The equations are written in terms of components parallel to the rod and perpendicular to the rod.
  3. Use Newton's second law for rotational motion to write down the equation of motion for the system in terms of the net torque acting on it.
  4. Solve the three equations simultaneously to find the force components exerted by the rod on the particle.
  5. Show that X = mgsin𝜃/5 and Y = 17mgcos𝜃/5, where 𝜃 is the angle made by the rod with the vertical.
  6. The force exerted by the rod on the particle is directed towards the centre of the circle only when the rod is vertical (𝜃=0°).