The Ultimate Guide to Self-Study for IB Physics
Hi! I’m Sally Weatherly, and I’ve been teaching IB Physics since 2004. I'm the Chief Physics Innovator here at GradePod and the lead tutor in our TrIBe Physics program.
Let's chat about a crucial topic for IB Physics students: self-study.
It's Inevitable That You'll Have to Self-Study Some Topics In IB Physics
Picture the scene:
You're coming to the end of a HUGE term of IB. You've busted your guts producing internal assessments, CAS hours, Group 4, EE's - the list is endless.
You're just thinking of the school holidays when you can relax and watch TikTok unashamedly for 3 hours on end.
Then...
Your teacher sets some topics to 'self-study' over the holidays.
The horror! The cheek!
I'm sorry to tell you that it's inevitable.
Here's why
The Enormous Scope of IB Physics
The IB Physics syllabus is huge. For those of you taking the Higher Level, your teachers will be dedicating 240 teaching hours to get through the course. For Standard Level, it's 150 hours, crammed into four to four and a half school terms. It's a hefty commitment, and the reality is that you’ll likely have to self-study certain topics.
There are simply not enough hours in class to cover the content of the IB Physics syllabus.
Choosing Topics for Self-Study
Chances are that your teacher has agonised over which topics to assign you for self-study. They can't expect you to learn Special Relativity on your own - it's too hard.
However, there are topics in the IB Physics syllabus that are easier for students to self study. I have identified these topics as:
B.2: Greenhouse Effect
This is a topical subject and has many videos available on YouTube. There is very little difficult maths (apart from the Stefan-Boltzmann Law, Inverse Square Law and Wien's Law) and a good students should be able to digest 70% of the topic without too much difficulty.
E1: The Structure of the Atom
There are some relatively simple, qualitative concepts in here (Rutherford Scattering, atomic spectra, etc) and the maths for both Standard and Higher Level is relatively simple.
However, the Higher Level concepts of the discrete energy levels in the Bohr model for hydrogen are very difficult!
E5: Stars and Fusion
The energy release calculations for fusion are the same as for fission - so that's easy! Then it's all about learning some interesting space stuff. There's a slightly tricky concepts of measuring distances using parallax, but if you understand basic trigonometry - you should be fine!
To summarise, If I were to sets any topics from the IB Physics syllabus to self-study - I'd choose B.2, E.1 and E.5. These topics are less content-heavy and include less complex mathematics, making them more manageable for you to self-study.
Making Self-Study Work: Three Key Elements
I learned the power of self-study the hard way. In high school, I had a reputation for talking too much. My chemistry teacher ultimately made me self-study the subject, and guess what? I did really well! That experience taught me the value of self-study, and now I’m here to teach you how to excel in it too.
I've devised 3 key elements that will make your self-study successful:
1. Obtain Learning Objectives
The first essential part of effective self-study is having a set of learning objectives. These tell you exactly what you need to know for each topic. At GradePod, we offer free learning objective checklists that you can download anytime you need them.
Download the complete set of IB Physics learning objectives here.
2. Use a Bank of Past Paper Questions
The second key element is having access to a comprehensive set of past paper questions specifically focused on the topic you're studying. Inside my TrIBe Physics course, I provide a vast bank of past papers for each topic, along with screencasts where I walk you through the solutions.
3. Access to an Expert
The third, and perhaps most critical element, is having access to an expert. Having someone you can ask questions and get clarifications from is invaluable. While your teachers are rightfully enjoying their holidays, I’m here to assist you. With my "Ask Sally" feature inside TrIBe Physics, you can ask me any questions anytime, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Dive Into TrIBe Physics
I can’t wait for you to dive into all the amazing resources we have in GradePod's TrIBe Physics. From concept videos and past paper solutions to study timetables and detailed IA guides, everything you need is right here.
Quite simply, self-studying any topic in IB Physics is an absolute DODDLE using TrIBe Physics!
Detailed Learning Objectives and Concepts
In our TrIBe Physics program, not only do you get the learning objectives, but you also gain access to full videos teaching you every concept and learning objective from scratch. It's like having a classroom experience anytime you need it.
Comprehensive Past Paper Solutions
We have an extensive library of past paper questions, grouped by topic. Plus, I screencast the solutions, so you can see step-by-step how to approach each question.
Propelling Your Progress
Inside TrIBe Physics, we have special modules dedicated to exam techniques for Paper 1A, Paper 1B, and Paper 2. We also offer mock exams, study timetables, and final revision guides to help you prepare thoroughly for your exams.
Bonus Content: The Perfect Physics IA
One of the most exciting parts of our course is the bonus section, where I provide a step-by-step guide to writing the perfect Physics Internal Assessment (IA). I'll walk you through every single step of your IB Physics investigation, helping you achieve top marks.
Direct Access to Sally Weatherly (Expert Tutor)
And remember, whenever you need help, just hit that "Ask Sally" button. I'm here for you, ready to support you every step of the way.
The Ultimate Self-Study Step-by-Step Plan in IB Physics
Step 1: Join TrIBe Physics
Step 2: Login and engage in the proven, step-by-step program
Step 3: Ask Sally if you have any doubts, any time
Step 4: Enjoy more time and relaxation of your holidays!
I'll see you inside TrIBE Physics!
