Introduction: Why the Physics IA Matters

The Physics IA is your chance to investigate a real-world phenomenon through hands-on experimentation. It's worth 20% of your final grade, so this guide will help you do more than just complete it—it'll help you ace it. This IA guide follows the official IB assessment criteria: Research Design, Data Analysis, Conclusion, and Evaluation (6 marks each), and breaks down each section of the report with examples, examiner tips, and checklist-style clarity.Let’s break down the structure step-by-step. ⚙️

1. Title Page

Include:

• Investigation title (specific & measurable)
• IB candidate code
• Total word count (excluding tables, graphs, calculations, references)

✅ Example:

Title: Investigating the Relationship Between Pendulum Length and Period of Oscillation
IB Candidate Code: phys789
Word Count: 2,800

2. Introduction (0.5–1 page)

Covers the why of your investigation. To impress the Research Design criterion:

• Introduce the topic (e.g., pendulum motion)
• Explain its physics relevance (e.g., simple harmonic motion, conservation of energy)
• Briefly justify your chosen method

✅ Example:

"This investigation examines how the length of a simple pendulum affects its period of oscillation. It builds on the theoretical relationship $T = 2\pi \sqrt{L/g}$ and tests it under controlled conditions to observe how length influences characteristics of motion."

❌ Don’t start with vague lines like "Physics is the study of nature…"

3. Research Question

State your question in a way that clearly identifies:

• The independent variable (e.g., pendulum length in meters)
• The dependent variable (e.g., period of oscillation in seconds)

✅ Example:

"To what extent does varying the length of a pendulum (0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5 m) affect its period of oscillation, as measured in seconds using a digital stopwatch (±0.01 s)?"

4. Background Theory

This section backs up your design choices with scientific theory:

• Define key equations and physics concepts (include $T = 2\pi \sqrt{L/g}$)
• Explain the relevance of the subject (economical, technological, scientific, etc)
• Explain any assumptions (e.g., small-angle approximation)
• Add diagrams where helpful

✅ Example:

"The dependence of pendulum motion on local gravitational strength has been utilized in geophysical studies to estimate variations in Earth's gravity field (Taylor et al., 2017)."

📎 Always cite your sources.

5. Variables Table

6. Equipment List

Include precision & uncertainty:

• Digital stopwatch (±0.01 s)
• Meter ruler (±0.01 m)
• Protractor (±0.5°)
• Clamp stand + retort setup
• Pendulum bob (mass: 150 g)
• Non-elastic steel string

📏 Tip: State equipment model numbers and manufacturer if available.

7. Methodology

Write like someone else needs to follow it exactly and replicate your experiment.

Sample Steps:

1. Set up pendulum by attaching string to a fixed pivot.
2. Adjust length from pivot to bob’s center of mass to the tested values.
3. Displace to a 5° angle using protractor.
4. Release bob without pushing. Start stopwatch simultaneously.
5. Measure time for 10 oscillations.
6. Note down the results in a table.
7. Repeat 3 times per length (0.5 m to 1.5 m).

🎯 Scoring Tip: Address safety and potential measurement sources of error.

8. Results

To score well in Data Analysis, your tables and graphs must:

• Include trial data, averages, uncertainties
• Be clearly labeled with correct units

✅ Example Table:

✅ Graph:

• X-axis: Changed variable (Independent variable) - Pendulum Length (m)
• Y-axis: Measured variable (Dependent variable) - Period (s)
• Include error bars and a best-fit curve

🧠 Add equation of best-fit line and show slope calculations where appropriate.

9. Analysis & Conclusion

To score maximum in Conclusion, your answer should:

• Directly answer the research question
• Use data to justify your conclusion (refer to Fig. 2 trendline)
• Refer to physics theory or literature

✅ Example:

"The period increased with length in a non-linear fashion (see Fig. 2), closely following the literature findings (Smith et al., 2001)."

Discuss:

• How consistent your data is with theory
• Discrepancies or unexpected trends
• The reliability of your measurements

10. Evaluation

This is where you show real scientific thinking:

• Identify specific methodological weaknesses
• Assess their impact
• Suggest targeted improvements

✅ Explain how each improvement would raise validity or reduce uncertainty.

11. References

Use Harvard, APA, or any consistent style. Match in-text citations to full references.

✅ Example:

Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2010). Fundamentals of Physics (9th ed.). Wiley.
Young, H. D., & Freedman, R. A. (2012). University Physics with Modern Physics (13th ed.). Pearson.

❌ Don’t cite Wikipedia—go for peer-reviewed or academic sources.

12. Examiner-Backed Tips to Stand Out

🎯 Want to make your Physics IA shine? Do these:

• ✅ Run a pilot test to refine setup and estimate uncertainties.
• ✅ Show photo of experimental setup to demonstrate more involvement.
• ✅ Use a derived value like calculating 'g' from your data and comparing it to 9.81 m/s².
• ✅ Include error propagation in key calculations—not just percent error.
• ✅ Model your results mathematically and include residual analysis if relevant.
• ✅ Use technology (e.g., motion sensors or photogates) to reduce human timing error.
• ✅ Discuss reliability and limitations clearly—not just errors.
• ✅ Include raw data and clearly labeled appendices.

13. Final IA Checklist

• ✅ Clear research question with variables & units
• ✅ Introduction shows relevance
• ✅ Background theory supports methodology
• ✅ Variables & controls fully justified
• ✅ Method detailed enough for replication
• ✅ Data tables well-labeled with uncertainties
• ✅ Graphs include titles, axis, trend lines, error bars, units
• ✅ Analysis connects data with theory
• ✅ Conclusion answers RQ, consistent with evidence
• ✅ Evaluation discusses errors with clear improvements
• ✅ References are academic and consistent
• ✅ Bonus: Includes examiner-backed tips 💡

You’ve Got This!

Doing well on your Physics IA is about precision, structure, and clarity. Don’t overcomplicate it—just focus on designing a solid experiment, gathering quality data, and explaining everything clearly. With this guide (and a good stopwatch or motion sensor), you're well on your way to a 6 or 7. 💥⚙️