IB Physics SL S2.1 Exploring and Designing Question Bank
Practise IB Physics SL S2.1 by turning a physics question into a testable plan with variables, controls, apparatus and safety.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Physics SL
- Level
- SL
Exam points
- formulate a research question and hypothesis, then select variables and a reproducible investigation method
- justify controls, ranges, sampling and risk management when designing a practical investigation
- use pilot observations to refine the method and explain how data quality will be assessed
Covered syllabus points
S2.1 Exploring and designing question 1
A student investigates whether the Stefan-Boltzmann law, , applies to stars.
L= luminosity of the star, in W
Stefan-Boltzmann constant
R= radius of the star, in m
T= surface temperature of the star, in K
To verify the law, they obtain values from databases and manipulate the data as shown.
Suggest a possible improvement of the investigation, related to the range of the surface temperatures of the stars selected.
S2.1 Exploring and designing question 2
A group of students uses pressurized air to move a piston that forces a nail into a block of wood. A gauge is used to measure the pressure P of compressed air above atmospheric pressure. The nail enters the wood perpendicular to its surface.
The students use a ruler to measure the length of the nail which remains above the surface of the wood as shown. The depth of the nail inside the wood is d. All necessary length measurements are recorded using a ruler with uncertainty .
The students systematically increase the pressure and calculate d.
State one variable that needs to be controlled when collecting the data.
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