Physics: 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.
Requirements for a Physics EE
SUBJECT-Specific Guidance pages explain the requirements. Print, highlight, annotated this document and pin it above your desk!
Use Command Terms in your essay to indicate a strong background in your subject
Read the Subject Reports to see what examiners said about makes a successful paper to know what they are looking for.
Research Questions
Review the questions below
Physics Research Questions, scoring A or B
How does the changing velocity of the inductrack levitation system affect the lift force and the levitation height?
How does the minimum time required for two hollow right circular cones made of aluminium foil of constant base radii and a constant air gap to undergo dielectric breakdown in a resonant microwave oven depend on the surface area of the cones?
How does varied surface roughness affect a hollow cylinder’s vertical and horizontal flight path when rotated on its converse axis?
How does the percentage of missing surface area of sandpaper due to holes affect the maximum coefficient of static friction between the sandpaper and a wooden block?
How does the density of the material affect the relative intensity of transmitted sound for 220Hz, 440 Hz, 880 Hz sound waves?
How does the force applied to a projectile shot out of a coil gun, and its efficiency, change with the variation of the voltage input?
Other Research Questions
(score unknown - think about which are most successful)
Past Papers: Why Read Them?
Physics Papers
