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IB Physics — Waves, Fields and Nuclear Physics flashcards

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Themes C, D and E of IB Diploma Physics (first assessment 2025): SHM, waves, standing waves, Doppler, gravitational and electromagnetic fields, atoms, decay, fission and stars, with HL induction and quantum physics.

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Learn deck · part of IB Physics · written against: IB Diploma Programme IB Physics subject guide for first assessment 2025 (themes A–E); SL and HL in one deck, HL-only cards under subtopic tags starting HL. Updated 2026-10-10.

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  1. In the defining equation of simple harmonic motion, a=−ω2xa = -\omega^2 x⁠, what do the proportionality and the minus sign each tell you?
    The acceleration is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium (ω² is a constant), and the minus sign means it is always directed back toward equilibrium, opposite to the displacement.
    Wave Behaviour › Simple Harmonic Motion
  2. Is there any instant in simple harmonic motion when the velocity and the acceleration are both zero?
    No. At the extremes the velocity is zero but the acceleration is greatest; at the equilibrium position the acceleration is zero but the speed is greatest.
    Wave Behaviour › Simple Harmonic Motion
  3. During one period of simple harmonic motion, how many times does the kinetic energy reach a maximum?
    Twice — once each time the oscillator passes through equilibrium, in either direction.

    Kinetic and potential energy therefore swap back and forth at twice the oscillation frequency, while their sum stays constant.
    Wave Behaviour › Simple Harmonic Motion
  4. A 0.20 kg mass on a spring oscillates with a period of 0.50 s. What is the spring constant?
    About 32 N/m — rearranging T=2πmkT = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{m}{k}} gives k=4π2mT2=4π2×0.200.502k = \frac{4\pi^2 m}{T^2} = \frac{4\pi^2 \times 0.20}{0.50^2}⁠.
    Wave Behaviour › Simple Harmonic Motion
  5. A planet orbits the Sun at four times Earth's orbital radius. Using Kepler's third law, what is its orbital period?
    8 years — T2T^2 is proportional to r3r^3⁠, so T=43/2=8T = 4^{3/2} = 8 Earth years.
    Fields › Gravitational Fields
  6. At what height above Earth's surface is the gravitational field strength one quarter of its surface value?
    One Earth radius (about 6400 km) up — g falls as 1r2\frac{1}{r^2}⁠, so a quarter of the value needs r = 2R from Earth's centre.
    Fields › Gravitational Fields
  7. Earth's mass is about 81 times the Moon's. Where on the line between them is the net gravitational field zero?
    About 90% of the way from Earth to the Moon. Setting GMEx2=GMM(d−x)2\frac{GM_E}{x^2} = \frac{GM_M}{\left(d - x\right)^2} gives xd−x=81=9\frac{x}{d - x} = \sqrt{81} = 9⁠.
    Fields › Gravitational Fields
  8. In the Geiger–Marsden experiment, what did the two key observations about alpha particles fired at gold foil show?
    Most passed straight through, so the atom is mostly empty space. A very few bounced back through large angles, so its positive charge and almost all its mass are packed into a tiny, dense nucleus.
    Nuclear and Quantum Physics › Structure of the Atom
  9. How many protons, neutrons and electrons are in a neutral atom of uranium-235 (Z = 92)?
    92 protons, 143 neutrons and 92 electrons — the nucleon number 235 minus the proton number 92 gives the neutrons.
    Nuclear and Quantum Physics › Structure of the Atom
  10. An electron in an atom drops between two energy levels 10.2 eV apart. What is the wavelength of the emitted photon?
    About 122 nm (ultraviolet) — λ=hcE=6.63×10−34×3.0×10810.2×1.6×10−19\lambda = \frac{hc}{E} = \frac{6.63 \times 10^{-34} \times 3.0 \times 10^8}{10.2 \times 1.6 \times 10^{-19}}⁠.
    Nuclear and Quantum Physics › Structure of the Atom

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About these cards

Review status: Second-reader reviewed, with corrections applied.

Checked against:

  • IB Diploma Programme subject guide (topic outline only; no text copied): Physics guide for first assessment 2025, themes C, D and E.
  • OpenStax College Physics 2e, OpenStax University Physics Volumes 1–3 and OpenStax Astronomy 2e, consulted as references; no text copied.

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